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  Washington Kayak Club
Fun and safe kayaking through trips, education, skill development, and conservation

General Announcements

West Coast BCU Week October 2015
John LaMunyon
Realizing WKC has paddlers who are certified with the BCU, ACA, WKC, Mountaineers, and others, here is an opportunity to get some world class coaching in a variety of venues. During the course of several weeks in early October, we will have some of the very best paddlesport coaches from across the globe here in October for our annual event. If you are looking to improve your skills, become a certified coach, or simply want to see where your personal skills stack up to international standards this is for YOU!

This event comes at a pivotal time for the BCU (British Canoe Union) system in North America. As the organization matures here in the states and has successfully been recognized as a self standing non-profit, we hope events like ours can help create opportunities for coaches to gather, share, and help create something of substance. This is not just another symposium; this is a key event in our region for BCU members, coaches, and students alike!

We are adding even more Coaching courses, Canoe, surf, and whitewater training to BCU week this year plus a possible PNA update from key board members. BCU Sea Kayaking programs have been available in the USA for quite some time now, but there is much more where THAT came from. The British Canoe Union also offers training and assessment courses in all the other disciplines too. Join us in Portland, Oregon for the rest! The sea programs will be out at Fort Steven's State Park near Astoria. All the Coach training courses will be run out of our Portland Store location. Whitewater and canoe programs will be on rivers within an hour or two of Portland. Please plan your lodging appropriately.

Here is the schedule! Click the link to sign up for a BCU “Week” program àhttp://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015


Email Programs@aldercreek.com with any questions or additional requests.

Alder Creek BCU Schedule for 2015:


Course: 3 Star Open Canoe Training + Assessment

You can take the training or the assessment separate or combine them for 2 days of fun on the water with great feedback and an action plan at the end. This is an excellent course for anyone who may be interested in improving their single blade skills on fairly easy whitewater. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Training Oct 3rd 2015

Assessor #: Rob Yates #2846

Host: Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe

Location: Portland, Oregon

Price: $150

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 3 Star Open Canoe Assessment

Date: Assessment Oct 4th 2015

Assessor #: Rob Yates #2846

Host: Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe

Location: Portland, OR

Price: $150

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Coach Level 2 Training

Coach Level 2 Training is for those that wish to introduce new paddlers to the sport. It's 4 days of some of the very best coach training available anywhere. While this is a paddle-sports training, it lays the foundations for coaching any physical activity or sport.

Date: Oct 6th-9th 2015

Assessor #: Nick Cunliffe & Rob Yates #2846

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe

Price: $500

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 3 Star Sea Training

Two days of training with an optional assessment on the third day! This is a fantastic way to improve your sea paddling skills. This will be an approachable fun training course with a day of fun paddling and some feedback at the end. For three days of quality coaching time, you can't beat this deal! No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Training Oct 9-10th 2015

Assessor #: Matt Nelson & Jeff Laxier

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Ft. Steven’s State Park

Price: $250

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 3 Star Sea Assessment

Date: Assessment Oct 11th 2015

Assessor #: Matt Nelson & Jeff Laxier

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Ft. Steven’s State Park

Price: $125

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015





Course: Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning

This course is required for the 4 Star Sea Leadership Assessment, but is open to the public and non-BCU members. Its focus is on the interaction of wind, tide, swell, and the environment as it affects us paddlers. It's a FULL day in the classroom but is kept fun and interactive by Karl. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 9th 2015

Assessor #: Karl Andersson # 687

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Alder Creek Boathouse

Price: $125

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Coaching The Mind

-Often overlooked, the mind is a powerful yet sensitive tool. Learn more about the psychology of the paddler and how to use the mind to improve performance. Tools such as visualization and reading body language are crucial and can vastly impact results. For anyone that wishes to either perform or coach others to perform at a higher capacity and have more success should check this out. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 9th 2015

Assessor #: Rob Yates #2846

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Portland, Oregon

Price: $20

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Foundation Safety & Rescue Training

For anyone that takes friends or family out on the water in kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, or sit-on- tops. Learn the best methods for rescuing any and all paddle craft from the water, beach, or dock. Participate in live scenarios and receive top level training on how to prevent incidents. This course is a required pre-requisite for the Coach Level 1 Training but is open to anyone. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 10th 2015

Assessor #: Karl Andersson #687

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Portland, OR

Price: $150

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Whitewater Safety & Rescue Training

This course gives whitewater paddlers the required knowledge needed to perform safe and effective rescues on class III-IV rivers. The techniques and tools used during class are aimed at the kayaker and canoeist with limited space and resources. This is truly one of the best 2 day swift water rescue courses in existence and is only available in the USA every couple years but is quickly becoming the standard in the UK and Europe. Step outside your normal circle of information on this topic and learn something NEW! No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 10-11th 2015

Assessor #: Paul Kuthe Provider # 1797 PNA# 000059

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Portland, Oregon

Price: $250

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 4 star ww kayak training

The aim of this course is to prepare whitewater paddlers comfortable on class II-III to bring friends and family down the river safely. It's all about how to maximize the experience while reducing the risks. This is great for any club members, or groups of paddling friends to take together. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 10-11th 2015

Assessor #: Rob Yates #2846

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Portland, Oregon

Price: $250

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Coaching Young Paddlers

Learn effective ways to coach young paddlers! They are the future of our sport. Let's help them have the best experience possible!

Date: Oct 10th 2015

Assessor #: Rob Yates #2846

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Portland, Oregon

Price: $20

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 4 Star Sea Assessment

For those that wish to lead on the sea this assessment sets the standard. Candidates will lead a group and test their personal skills over two days with two different assessors. For the full syllabus please visit www.bcuna.com. There are some prerequisite training courses and certifications that need to be in place prior to the assessment, most of which are available at the event. Please inquire at Programs@aldercreek.com

Date: Oct 10-11th 2015

Assessor #: Shawna Franklin #292 & Nick Cunliffe

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Ft. Steven’s State Park

Price: $299

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 2 Star Assessment

This is the beginning for most people. This assessment serves as a general test of paddling knowledge and ability at a fairly inclusive level. This sets the stage for the rest of the system and marks the very beginning of the journey to becoming a BCU / UKCC Coach. For those that have no desire to coach others will enjoy this assessment and should simply think of it as a paddling check up before moving on to dynamic and rough water environments. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 11th 2015

Assessor #: Karl Andersson #687

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Alder Creek

Price: $150

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 3 Star Surf Assessment

Test your skills and improve! Successful performance at this level indicates the candidate’s competence to surf in small friendly conditions across a range of beaches and varying tidal conditions, as part of a led group.

Date: Oct 13th 2015

Assessor #: Nick Cunliffe

Host: Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe

Location: Ft. Steven’s State Park

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Coach Level 1 Training

Ever wanted to teach friends, kids, or club members how to paddle? Once candidates complete their 2 Star Assessment and Foundation Safety & Rescue Training they are ready to begin learning to coach others on the water! This course gives you the tools and skills needed to assist other coaches and begin working with small groups of students. This marks the beginning of the coaching track and is an incredible 4 days of fun and learning! We will have the pre-requisite courses available as part of the event so please inquire if interested.

Date: Oct 12 – 15th 2015

Assessor #: Leon Somme # 293 & Shawna Franklin #292

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Alder Creek

Price: $500

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Coach Level 2 Assessment

We will be offering this rare assessment at the event. Please be sure you have the requirements in order to complete the assessment. If unsure just ask.

Date: Oct 12th 2015

Assessor #: Rob Yates #2846

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Alder Creek

Price: $150

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning

This course is required for the 4 Star Sea Leadership Assessment, but is open to the public and non-BCU members. Its focus is on the interaction of wind, tide, swell, and the environment as it effects us paddlers. It's a FULL day in the classroom but is kept fun and interactive by Karl. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 13th 2015

Assessor #: Karl Andersson # 687

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Alder Creek Boathouse

Price: $125

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 3 Star Whitewater Training

Successful performance at this level indicates that the paddler can consider themselves an intermediate whitewater kayaker! It’s a great place to start if you are curious about where your paddling stacks up against internationally recognized standards while simply paddling some class II rapids. Everyone will receive feedback from professional coaches and will be given a path forward with ways to improve their skills. No official BCU membership or previous trainings are required.

Date: Oct 14th-15th 2015

Assessor #: Jeff Laxier

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Portland, Oregon

Price: $299

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015



Course: 4 Star Sea Training

This training course helps students achieve the personal skill level and leadership ability required to:

Lead a group of 4 (not including themselves) paddlers, on short (six to eight miles, of at least three hours paddling). Journeys in moderate tidal water environment with winds not exceeding force 4/sea state 4
Judge the conditions and the standard of the group and make appropriate decisions about the planned route along with the need to modify plans as required.
Date: Oct 14th-15th 2015

Assessor #: Nick Cunliffe & Matt Nelson

Host: Alder Creek BCU Week

Location: Ft. Steven’s State Park

Price: $300

http://AlderCreek.rezgo.com/details/37999/west-coast-bcuna-week-2015
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