Why BCU?: The British Canoe Union is simply the most highy developed and widely regarded program of paddlesports certification in the world. Don't let "canoe" fool you - in Great Britain, a kayak is just a type of canoe! Visit the official BCU website for Great Britain, or North American headquarters.
Star Awards: These are tests of your personal skill level at 5 progressive stages from getting started on calm water, to leading groups of skilled paddlers in advanced conditions.
Coach Level Awards: These are tests of your coaching ability at 5 progressive Levels.
Why certify? For staff at Aqua Adventures, certification means we've put our money where our mouth is! Lots of kayak guides and instructors say they're good, but you know we're as good as we say we are! Our skills as paddlers, guides, and coaches have been evaluated against the highest standards in the world.
For you, the BCU certification program provides a clear framework for developing skills and becoming the paddler you want to be. All of our courses are designed around the BCU framework, so you can be sure you're getting the best instruction using proven techniques to promote skill acquisition. Assessments of your skill are a simple way to chart your progress along that development path and motivate many people to practice and learn. Many others are self motivated and see no need for assessments. Either way, you can be sure of quality, fun instruction at Aqua Adventures.
