DORKING KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Stage 3 — The One-Day White Water Coach Assessment That Decides If You’re Ready to Lead
A one-day, mainly practical assessment that evaluates paddling, rescue, safety and coaching skills to confirm readiness for white-water coach duties.
Stage 3 — The One-Day White Water Coach Assessment That Decides If You’re Ready to Lead.
This is a concentrated, one-day practical assessment in Dorking that examines your personal paddling, rescue and leadership skills and supplements on-water evaluation with professional discussion and questioning — the final step toward qualification as a White Water Kayak Coach.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A focused, one-day practical exam
The assessment is conducted over a single day and concentrates on practical coaching, safety and rescue skills, with performance measured against the BCAB white-water coach standards.
Paddling, rescue and leadership under scrutiny
Candidates must demonstrate personal paddling competency plus safe, effective rescue and group-management skills — all observed and assessed during practical sessions.
Theory through professional discussion
Assessment is supplemented with professional discussion and questioning to confirm coaching knowledge and decision-making in addition to on-water performance.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Expect a tightly structured day that moves between practical, on-water assessments of paddling and rescue, and off-water professional discussion; the emphasis is squarely on demonstrating safe, coach-level performance rather than extended instruction.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this assessment suits — and who should delay
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The assessment is delivered as a one-day, mainly practical assessment.
Bring evidence of completed prerequisites and minimum standards of deployment: Core Coach, White Water Kayak Coach Training, White Water Kayak Leader, Coach Award e‑learning, Assessment Check In evidence, valid 2‑day First Aid training, safeguarding training and full home nation association membership.
Candidates must be aged 16 or over and have met the listed training and certification prerequisites before attempting the assessment.
Expect a mix of on-water practical assessments of paddling and rescue, scenario-based leadership evaluation and professional discussion/questioning.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the assessment?
The assessment is delivered over one day and is mainly practical.
What skills are assessed?
Assessors evaluate personal paddling skills, rescue skills, safety, leadership, group skills and related theory via professional discussion.
What prerequisites do I need?
You must have completed Core Coach training, White Water Kayak Coach training, White Water Kayak Leader, Coach Award e‑learning and Assessment Check In, plus provide evidence of minimum deployment standards.
Are there mandatory certifications?
Yes — candidates must present valid 2‑day First Aid training, safeguarding training and full home nation association membership as part of eligibility.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes — candidates must be aged 16 or over at the time of assessment.
Will there be off-water assessment?
Yes — the practical assessment is supplemented with professional discussion and questioning to confirm coaching knowledge and judgement.