The Paddlepower Awards:
Paddlepower has
been designed to meet the needs of young people – fun, colourful and
with easily identifiable progression mapped to the Long Term Paddler
Development framework. The BCU recommend Paddlepower as most suitable
for young people aged 14 or under and the Star Awards for most paddlers
aged over 16.
Paddlepower aims to:
¨ Encourage more young people to come into and stay in the sport
¨ Provide progression and reward achievement in a wide range of topics
¨ Show them all aspects of the sport – both competitive and adventurous
¨ Provide signposts into Clubs where their skills and development can be nurtured
¨ Provide a flexible structure for delivery according to venue/situation
The
scheme has recently been revised and now comprises of 5 Awards to
support a young paddler’s introduction and progress in Paddlesport.
Paddlepower Start
An entry level award suitable for taster sessions or as part of a series of sessions.
Paddlepower Passport
Four
progressive levels based on 24 topics which can be grouped into Safety
Awareness, Paddling Skills, Varied Experiences, and Supporting
Knowledge. The award is equivalent to 1 Star.
Paddlepower Discover
This follows on from Passport with a further 4 levels to take the young paddler to equivalent of 2 star standard.
Paddlepower Explore
Three
different levels take the paddler on an extensive journey exploring the
great variety Paddlesport, with topics focused on participation in
events and journeys in the competitive and non-competitive disciplines.
Paddlepower Excel
Three
levels to test the paddler on all elements of paddlesport including
being responsible for self and others, participation in journeys,
coaching sessions, training, events/competitions in a variety of
disciplines, background knowledge of the sport; access, rules,
environmental, nutrition and goal setting.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
At
Paddlepower Start there is a certificate which is awarded by the coach.
This also has space for an organisation to add their contact details to
signpost the paddler to future courses.
For
each award after Start there is a colourful 6 page Progress Card for
the young paddler to record their progress and to encourage them to
move to the next stage. On completion of the award the youth sends the
Progress Card to the BCU to receive a certificate.