Deben Canoe Club

The paddler pathway

This page sets out some options which club members have to progress their skills, coaching
and leadership. We do not suggest that everyone should aspire to achieve everything in the list -
our primary goals as a club are to get out on the water, enjoy the river, keep fit and enjoy being
with the other members, all in a safe and supportive environment. 

The main steps associated with progressing from a complete beginner (where we all
started) to becoming a leader or coach in the club are set out below. There are many other pathways, and we
would always encourage paddlers to follow their own interests, but the pathways set out below probably represents
the main routes to developing your paddling with the Deben Canoe Club.

From complete beginner to club level paddler:

• join the club as a complete beginner
• take a beginners' course (Discover / formerly 1* level)
• start paddling with the club on Wednesday evenings
• paddle for a season or more, possibly joining the more demanding Thursday evening paddles, if and when you are ready
• take an intermediate course (Explore / formerly 2* level) to reach peer paddler level in the club
• paddle on Thursday evenings

Advanced paddling - the first steps in coaching and leading:

• continue to develop paddling - Touring, Solo Open Canoe, SUP, either through the club or elsewhere
• take Paddlesport Safety & Rescue Training course ⇒ (PSRT/FSRT level). Can then assist on courses and other paddles
• take Paddlesport Instructor (PSI) Award ⇒ (PSI level - Assistant Coach). Can operate independently on Very Sheltered Water (so not the Deben, unfortunately) and can take a bigger role in club paddles
• get a First Aid Qualification (ideally a 16 hour award designed for outdoor activity)
• take a Coach award ⇒ (Club Coach). Can coach and lead groups on Sheltered Water (the Deben when wind speed F3 or below)
• take a Paddlesport Leader award ⇒ (Club Leader). Can lead groups on Sheltered Water (the Deben when wind speed is F3 or less)

Advanced coaching and leading

• take a discipline specific Coach award ⇒ (Lead Coach). Can coach and lead groups on Moderate Water (Deben when wind speed F4 or below)
• take Paddlesport Touring Leader ⇒ (Club Leader). Can lead groups on Moderate Water (Deben when wind speed F4 or below). Discipline specific leadership qualifications, for example sea kayak leader, could be a viable alternative for some

Off-the-water roles:

• join the DCC committee to play your part in developing our club for all its members. We are particularly keen to welcome new committee members with transferable professional skills in, for example, administration, accountancy, legal, communications and Information Technology

The difference between coaching and leadership qualifications

All of our coaches and leaders both coach and lead. However, while coaches can and do both lead social paddles and coach formal courses, leaders are more restricted. Leaders lead social paddles, and do provide coaching advice to club members, but do not normally take charge of formal courses. Thus, if you are particularly keen to coach, you might consider doing instructor and coaching qualifications from the outset. If you are not interested in formal coaching, then leadership qualifications may suit you better.

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