When Atlantic Kayak Tours started looking into the different sea kayaking certification programs (1995), two well known programs came to mind. These are the British Canoe Union (BCU) and the American Canoe Association (ACA). After talking to many people who have gone through these systems and know the organizations, Atlantic Kayak Tours decided to go with the BCU system. While the ACA has a well developed canoeing and white water kayaking program, their sea kayaking program is not as well developed. The BCU has many different levels of both proficiency (Star awards) and coaching. We knew at the time that the ACA system was much easier, having only beginner levels, but the BCU system has programs that will teach and challenge all levels of paddlers. While the ACA program has moved forward, we still believe the BCU program is a more mature system.

We believe that all kayakers should take instructional programs every year and the BCU has a system in place which would allow us to do this. We also wanted to be judged on the widest scale possible, not just against our fellow local paddlers. Now that we are well involved with the BCU system, we strongly believe this is a great system for many paddlers and all outfitters.

The BCU sea kayaking coaching system is the highest developed and the most comprehensive training program for sea kayaking in the world. The program has progressed through the efforts of top British sea kayaking coaches including; Frank Goodman, John Ramwell, Howard Jeffs and Nigel Dennis (photo at right). The coaching system works along two tracks: skill awards (called Star Awards) and teaching awards (called Coaching Awards). The Star Awards provides training in individual kayaking skills while the Coaching Awards hones instructional sea kayaking skills. Information about the BCU system can be found in the Canoeing Handbook by BCU."

As stated the proficiency track (Star Awards) is divided up into One to Five Star, with a smooth transition from one to four star but then a large jump to Five Star.

Many experienced paddlers can jump over 2 Star and start off with 3 Star. For 3 Star your skills need to be sharp. One of the main differences of 3 Star and 4 Star is that 3 Star is on flat protected water and 4 Star is on more open exposed water with waves up to 3 feet. Many of the same strokes are covered on 3 Star and 4 Star but the conditions are different. Even if you have been paddling a long time, 3 Star is the place to start. The only way to jump over 3 Star is with permission from the BCU. 5 Star is a leadership award. You need to have your navigation and seamanship skill perfected. The 5 Star training program is a program many people take more than once before taking the assessment. Anyone working as a professional guide or leading club or other groups above beginner level conditions should be a 5 Star paddler. For leading beginner level programs 4 Star with Coach 2 should be the minimum level of skill.

The Coaching track is for paddlers who will be teaching. Coaching programs have both a training and assessment module. A great bonus of the system is that you get the BCU internationally accepted syllabus as a BCU Coach. If interested in coaching please read about Central Registration.

The BCU system has many advantages to coaches and outfitters. Certification helps your creditability to clients, other paddlers, people in the trade, insurance companies and other officials you have to deal with as an outfitter. BCU instructors also get both the BCU magazine and the coaching newsletter (CoDe) which helps keep you up to date on the latest teaching techniques.