BCU Star Awards

If you are looking to progress in paddle-sport, then here at Black Mountain Activities, we offer 1, 2 & 3 Star Kayak & Canoe awards.

Based on the river Wye, the courses follow the BCU star awards syllabus, looking at intermediate kayak skills including support strokes and good boat and paddle control. Details of our courses are outlined below, for more information and dates please call 01497 847897.

The one Star award is a flat-water award and the fundamental starting point of those wishing to become paddlers, giving a basic introduction to Kayaking or Canoeing.

Course Outline

The Craft To obtain this award an assessment is undertaken in a kayak or canoe.
Pre-requisites Candidates should be confident in water and able to swim.
Venue Sheltered Waters.
Part A (Personal Paddling Skills) Lifting, carrying and launching, forward paddling, steering, returning to bank.
Part B (Rescue Skills) Capsize, swim and self rescue.
Part C (Safety, Leadership & Group Skills) Personal risk management, awareness of others, evidence of a journey.
Part D (Theory) Questions on equipment, safety, assess, planning, environment, hypothermia.

Course Duration:

1 Day – Arriving at the centre for 9.15am, the day will be finished by 4.30pm

 

Course Cost:

£80.00 per person, per day (includes equipment & coach)

The Two Star award is an improvement award, to help develop flat water skills and us run over two days in two different craft.

Course Outline:

The Craft To obtain this award an assessment is undertaken in both a kayak and a canoe (any style craft).
Pre-requisites Candidates must be able to swim 25mts wearing a buoyancy aid. have experience of paddling two different crafts, in two different locations i.e. Canal, River, Lake/loch or Sea.
Venue Sheltered Waters
Part A (Personal Paddling Skills) Lifting, carrying and launching, forward paddling, steering, manoeuvring in a confined space, moving sideways, preventing capsize, turning, returning to bank and securing craft.
Part B (Rescue Skills) Capsize, swim and self rescue and peer rescue
Part C (Safety, Leadership & Group Skills) Personal risk management, awareness of others, an assessed sheltered journey.
Part D (Theory) Questions on equipment, safety, assess, planning, environment, hypothermia.

COURSE DURATION:

2 Day – Arriving at the centre for 9.15am, the day will be finished by 4.30pm


COURSE COST:

£80.00 per person, per day (includes equipment & coach)

At this level candidates can consider themselves as intermediate paddlers. It is recommended for candidates to be two star level to complete the three star syllabus.

Course Outline:

The Craft To obtain this award an assessment is undertaken in a kayak or canoe
Pre-requisites Candidates must have evidence of 3 different journeys of 10km each; one of these must be on open water. It is recommended that candidates hold a BCU 2 star award.
Venue Assessment will take place on open water with winds not above 2-3 force and on simple moving water.
Part A (Personal Paddling Skills) Lift, carrying & launching/landing, Efficient forward/reverse paddling, turning whilst on the move, moving sideways both static and whilst on the move. Supporting both static and on the move, entering, crossing and exiting a simple flow, polling, sailing, securing.
Part B (Rescue Skills) Capsize, swim and self rescue. Deep-water rescue. Towing and use of tow line.
Part C (Safety, Leadership & Group Skills) Personal risk management, awareness of others and paddle a section of open water in wind conditions of force 2-3 as part of a led group.
Part D (Theory) Equipment, safety, weather, hypothermia/first aid, access, environment, planning, group awareness, general, navigation, etiquette.

COURSE DURATION:

2 days – Arriving at the centre for 9.15am each morning, each day will finish by 4.30pm.

 

COURSE COST:

£80.00 per person, per day (includes equipment & coach)