Use of Artificial and Managed White Water Sites in BCAB Courses

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Paddles Up training and British Canoeing Awarding Body recognises that the use of Use of Artificial and Managed White Water Sites has benefits for learning and would be seen as an appropriate decision to use such an environment for some training and assessment courses.

The below table indicates when such facilities can be used by Providers running British Canoeing Awarding Body Qualifications and Awards.

Artificial Sites, Stadiums and Purpose Built White Water Venues

BCAB Course Is Use Permitted?
White Water Safety and Rescue 1 day only
Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue Not permitted
White Water Leader Training (Moderate and Advanced) Not permitted
Leadership Assessment(Moderate Water and Advanced) Not permitted
White Water (Canoe or Kayak) Coach Training 1 day only
White Water (Canoe or Kayak) Coach Assessment Not permitted
White Water SUP Coach Training 1 day only
White Water SUP Coach Assessment Not permitted
Personal Performance Awards (White Water and Canoe) Not permitted
River Based Raft Guide and Trip Leader Training and Asssessments Not permitted

Note: All Stadium Leader, Raft Guide, Stadium Personal Performance Awards,  Freestyle and Slalom qualifications and awards have no restrictions on the use of artificial sites.

 

River Tryweryn

The River Tryweryn is a natural venue with the upper part of the river managed by Canolfan Tryweryn. The Lower section is a natural river which is relatively unmanaged and therefore will have hazards you would normally expect to find in this type of environment. The River is dam controlled with a range of different releases. The Lower section also has additional water feeding into it so levels on the Lower Tryweryn can be higher than the release level indicated at the centre on the day.
The Upper section from the Chipper to the Campsite is graded as 2-4. The Lower section from the Campsite to Bala is graded 2-3 with Bala Mill falls graded 4. This last rapid has a leat running above the drop so can easily be avoided.

The Provider has a responsibility to remain within the remit of the award being delivered and have students with an appropriate level of skill and experience useful in the environment and also have a positive experience.

River Tryweryn (Canoe)
Due to its grading and the narrow and tree-lined nature of the lower river, its use, particularly for canoe courses, requires consideration and management by the award Provider. The harder sections of the river are not easily portaged. Any trainer or assessor using the river would need to know it well and use effective judgement, as well as utilising clear briefings and task setting.

Coaching and Leadership Courses

BCAB Course Section Is Use Permitted?
White Water Kayak Coach Training Lower 1 day out of 2
White Water Kayak Coach Assessment Lower 1 day
Advanced White Water Kayak Coach Training Upper 1 day out of 2
Advanced White Water Kayak Coach Assessment Upper 1 day
White Water Leader Training Lower 1 day out of 2
White Water Leader Assessment Lower 1 day
Advanced White Water Leader Training Upper 1 day out of 2
Advanced White Water Leader Assessment Not Permitted
White Water SUP Coach Training Lower 1 day out of 2
White Water SUP Coach Assessment Lower 1 day
White Water Canoe Coach Training Lower (see Note 1a) 1 day out of 2
White Water Canoe Coach Assessment Lower (see Note 1a) 1 day
Advanced White Water Canoe Coach Training Lower and/or Upper (see Note 1b) 1 day out of 2
Advanced White Water Canoe Coach Assessment Lower and/or Upper (see Note 1c) Part of the assessment
Canoe White Water Leader Training Lower (See note 1a) 1 day out of 2
Canoe White Water Leader Assessment Lower (See note 1a) 1 day
Advanced Canoe White Water Leader Training Lower and/or Upper (see Note 1d) 1 day out of 2
Advanced Canoe White Water Leader Assessment Lower and/or Upper (see Note 1d) Part of the assessment

1a – The lower river has sections that are above the requirements for this award. Trainers or assessors utilising this section of the river will need to carefully manage these sections, take on the leadership role if these sections are to be paddled and ensure that candidates are clearly briefed with regard to the task and responsibility if the sections are to be
negotiated other than by paddling, i.e. portage, lining, etc.
1b – Whilst the upper river provides some useful coaching sections, its powerful, fast and narrow nature can be intimidating to learners being coached. In addition, the managed nature of the upper site means that it is not the same as a wild river. Because of this, the Tryweryn should not be the only river of the grade used during any White Water Canoe Coach (Advanced Water) Training.
1c – The upper river should only be used if the candidate has brought along their own learners and they are confident that the learning environment suits their needs and abilities.
The assessor retains overall responsibility for the assessment and therefore would need to also be satisfied that the use of the upper river was appropriate. The coaching sessions would need to utilise the grade 3 sections and not be solely on the grade 2 linking sections.
1d – The managed nature of the Upper Tryweryn means that it does not have some of the features that may be encountered on a wild river. For this reason, the Upper Tryweryn should not be the only river of its grade utilised during an Advanced Canoe Leader assessment. It could, however, be used in conjunction with another wild river to give a fuller picture of a candidate’s performance. If the upper river is going to be used during training, the trainer needs to be confident that the learning environment suits the needs and abilities of their students as it may not be appropriate for all learners at this level.

The Provider will need to ensure that the group is signed in at the Tryweryn Reception in line with the Centre policies for external providers. The Provider will be expected to follow the guidelines for use of the venue supplied by the Tryweryn.

River Tryweryn – Other Awards

There are no restrictions on the use of the River Tryweryn for White Water Safety, Advanced White Water Safety, Freestyle, Slalom, Personal Performance Awards and Rafting Qualifications as long as the provider ensures that any sections that are out of the remit of the award they are running  are carefully managed.  That they operate within their qualifications and experience, they take on the leadership role if these sections are to be paddled and ensure that candidates are clearly briefed with regard to the task and responsibility if the sections are to be negotiated other than by paddling, i.e. portage, lining, etc.

 

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