GUIDE MODULES

This module is aimed at British Canoeing Leaders wanting to expand their knowledge and experience in guiding in their chosen environment.

Course Content

• Leave no trace philosophy
• Single day trips and multi day expeditions
• Understanding the expedition’s environment
• Expedition nutrition and hydration
• Packing, loading and paddling a loaded craft
• Essential camp craft including:
• Equipment choice, stoves and fuel
• Camp safety
• Sanitation
• Wildlife considerations – bears, bugs and beasts
• Tents and tarps
• Outdoor food hygiene

Background

Much of the enjoyment we derive from paddling is created by a thriving natural environment which we as guides have a responsibility to protect. As Guides we are ambassadors for the environment, ensuring our activities have minimal impact.

Course content:

• Potential threats and impacts of the paddler to an inland and coastal environment
• Minimising threats and impacts
• Protection of species and sites as well as associated laws, designations and codes of conduct
• ‘Top 5 facts’ about species/habitats
• How to incorporate environmental content into trips and journeys
• Understanding the needs of other users
• Bank stability and water quality
• Riverbank erosion and disturbance of wildlife and habitats
• Spread of non-native species
• Practical measures for guides

This module is designed to follow on from the leadership principles explored within the British Canoeing Leadership Awards broadening the attendee’s knowledge of leadership and to get them to consider their style, how it may impact on their groups and whether it is always the best strategy.

Course content:

• Influences on leadership behaviors
• Your leadership behavior
• Leadership style
• Challenge v control
• Leader – decision making
• The Effect 

This module is aimed at British Canoeing Leaders wanting to expand their knowledge and experience in customer experience and putting them at the forefront of trips and journeys.

Course content:

• Client information required prior to trip/session
• Tools for paddler profiling, medical forms and questionnaires
• Assumed responsibilities and liabilities
• Matching client expectations to measurable outcomes for the day
• Involving the client in the decision making process
• Adding value to the experience
• Assessing client competence and match it to the given outcomes for the day
• Test pieces, progressive challenge by choice - deciding when to ‘commit' the group
• Ability to deal with a range of incidents and accidents that might arise during the venture - methods of getting assistance, equipment failure, environment specific first aid scenarios

Decision making for trip planning and organisation starts potentially months ahead of getting on the water. There are many factors in play over the planning timeframe, some are intangible and cannot be changed like the hazards, whilst others, like the selection of the team of paddlers, are within a guide’s control to change and influence.

Course content:

• Pre-trip planning & research
• Expected weather conditions
• Water levels/conditions
• Remoteness; Emergency help available?
• Travel Arrangement and Political Situation
• Visas, Vaccinations & Insurance
• Telephone, Sat-phone and/or SPOT Coverage
• Dangerous Wildlife
• Single or Multiday trips
• Access Situation including permits
• Experience of the team
• Physical and psychologically demands
• Cohesion and developing this approach within a group/team
• Additional skills required
• Equipment requirements