Progression pathways
At WBB you’ll already have been fortunate enough to have learned basic moving water skills. Now learn to Eskimo Roll.
Go on some introductory whitewater trips.
Complete any of the BC whitewater personal performance awards.
You will now have the essential skills for whitewater kayaking. Go run some rivers with your friends!
BC white water Leader Award - now you can safely lead others on whitewater.
BC Advanced Whitewater kayak leader award. Now you’re a pro!
Freestyle skills can be developed early on – just try one of our freestyle boats (aka playboat).
Attend our sessions to nail the basics and learn to Eskimo Roll.
Go on some introductory whitewater trips where you can transfer those skills to moving water.
Complete BC freestyle personal performance awards progressing form flat water to the advanced awards.
Now you’ve done all the basic training. Get out with your mates, find a wave and have a play!
Enter a competition or two!
Who knows, you could be the next GB Freestyle Team member!
The Olympic sport of canoe-slalom. At a basic level is done on placid water. Attend the WBB slalom training sessions and enter the WBB Slalom League.
Attend a Division 4 national slalom event which are always friendly and welcoming to beginners at slalom. You can progress through the divisions up to Div 1 and then Premier division.
Go for Olympic team selection?
By the time you’ve completed your BC Explore award, you’re fairly self-sufficient and some gentle river cruising, kayak fishing or wildlife watching is well within your grasp.
Complete any of the BC Touring Personal Performance awards to develop skills and ensure safety.
Commonly available to hire at holiday destinations,seeing the coastline by kayak is an attractive proposition and specific sea kayaks are best suited for this.
Complete any of the BC Sea kayak awards to learn basic coastal safety and skills specific to sea kayaks.
Attend a BCU Tidal Navigation and Coastal Planning course.
Enjoy your journeying and perhaps meet some seals.
Just like you can surf on a board, surfing in a kayak can be really good fun and very exciting. At a basic level, any reasonably manoeuvrable craft will do the job, eg. a whitewater kayak.
Complete any of the BC Surf kayak awards
If you want to take it further, get yourself a specific surf kayak and start riding the tubes!
WBB doesn’t have suitable craft or water for this. You’ll need to find a specific racing club.
There are several based to the west of London on the Upper Thames such as Richmond Canoe Club and Royal Canoe Club.
You’ll need to find a specific racing club. Its seeing a recent revival and there are one or two clubs in close proximity to London that could set you on the right path.
Coaching others can be a rewarding pastime and and is a possible career. Many students work casual hours with us to help pay for their studies.
Complete Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FSRT).
Volunteer to help the instructors at WBB when they are running sessions.
Become a BC member and attend either a BC Paddlesports Instructor course or Core Coach course.
Get some hands on teaching practice and log your sessions and hours. Don’t forget to keep working on your personal awards and leadership awards which will enhance your personal skills and go on to develop your coaching remit.
Enjoy the experience of helping others learn and have a good time whilst you do it, but you needn't stop there - the coaching qualifications go all the way to performance coach.
Have a look at our Instructor Development Scheme