The Paddle UK/BCAB Coach Award is for anyone that is keen to help others in their paddling skill development. It allows you to work through the scheme at your own pace, going straight to the award that you are interested in (e.g. if you happen to be a white water canoe leader, you can go straight to the white water canoe coach award, rather than having to work your way up via sheltered water first). Whichever pathway(s) you chose, you start with the core training (2 days) which introduces the concepts in coaching that are fundamental to all the disciplines. You can then go on to the discipline specific training course (a further 2 days) of your choice (or more than one if you are so inclined). Then after a period of development and consolidation you will be ready to go for your assessment day. The whole scheme is designed to be flexible and centred on you, and at Flying Gecko we will make sure that wherever you are on your coaching journey, we'll do our absolute best to support you; before, during and long after you have completed your course(s) with us. If you would like some help and guidance navigating your way around the options, do just get in touch, I'm always really happy to chat about coaching!
Already on the coach award journey? Have a look here for a load of links and resources to help you on your way!
We currently offer the following coach award training and assessment courses:
Core Training
Sheltered Water Canoe/Kayak
Sheltered Water SUP
Open Water SUP
White Water Canoe
Open Water Canoe
Training Courses
I can come to your club or centre to deliver these courses for you (just get in touch to arrange), or you can book onto one of my open courses, which I normally run in and around Shropshire/North Wales.
Course Fees:
For all my open training courses up to the end of March 2026:
£220 per person
£400 for two courses booked together for the same person (e.g. core plus DST)
£570 for three booked together for the same person (e.g. core plus two DSTs)
For all my open training courses from 1 April 2026:
£240 per person
£440 for two courses booked together for the same person (e.g. core plus DST)
£630 for three booked together for the same person (e.g. core plus two DSTs)
For more details or to book your place, just email me.
Courses marked * in the table are one's I am running with, or for, another provider. If you are interested in one of these just email me and I'll put you in touch with the person dealing with enquiries and bookings for that course - their prices may be different to mine above.
Open training courses coming up in 2026:
| Course | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Jan 12th/13th* Feb 16th/17th* - FULL March 23rd/24th - 1 PLACE |
Leicester Trentham Warwickshire |
| Sheltered Water Canoe/Kayak |
Feb 2nd/3rd* Feb 18th/19th* - 1 PLACE March 30th/31st - FULL |
Leicester Trentham Warwickshire |
| Sheltered Water SUP |
March 25th/26th - FULL June 1st/2nd |
Warwickshire Nantwich |
| Open Water SUP | Jan 15th/16th | North Wales |
| Canoe White Water | Dec 2nd/3rd | North Wales |
| Canoe Open Water | May 11th/12th Nov 30th/Dec 1st |
North Wales |
Assessment Days
I run assessments on a bespoke basis, to give you a really empowering and relaxed assessment.. Assessments can be organised in any of the disciplines listed above, for 1 or 2 candidates per day. Assessments are usually only available on weekdays, and slots book up a long way in advance, so do plan ahead!
Assessment day costs:
£250 per person if there are 2 of you on a day
£320 for a single candidate day
£450 for single candidate, dual discipline (i.e. sheltered SUP and canoe/kayak in a single day)
These prices apply assuming your chosen venue is within approx 60 miles (by road) of Shrewsbury, i.e. the West Midlands, North/Mid Wales, etc. I'm happy to travel further, but this may incur additional costs depending on how far I need to travel, and whether I can combine it with other courses in the area.
Just get in touch and we can start planning your assessment day together.
Feedback from recent coach course participants:
"Excellent support all the way through the process from start to finish - thank you Jenna!"
"You can tell you really believe in this stuff which helps immensely, to know it works and you use it in your own coaching"
"I highly recommend Jenna and Flying Gecko - my go to training provider."
"Very knowledgeable and approachable"
"The balance between time on the water and in the class room was perfect. It was obvious that you had carefully considered the best way to deliver the information we were receiving. You did great!"
"It was very easy to relate to what was discussed on the course"
"Jenna is a very calm, knowledgeable tutor with a very positive teaching style."
"Excellent delivery, engaging and very good at answering questions when raised"
"Excellent combination of class room theory and practical application bringing it to life."
"Really good, I would happily recommend Jenna's courses."
For all of the official information on the coach courses, have a look at the below links to the British Canoeing Awarding Body site. There's a lot to navigate, so if you want some help, or just don't really like reading 30+ page documents, just drop me a line!