IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are not a member of Maidstone Canoe Club, this booking page will not work due to a technical hitch. Please use this link to book instead (ticket prices are the same!)

After last year's sold-out event, we're returning with even more inspiration to take your coaching to the next level. From SUP to sea, from psychology to observation skills and plenty in between, some of the best coaches in the country are sharing their knowledge on how you can support your students to shine.

Who is it for?

Any Coach, Paddlesport Instructor or Leader – and any aspiring Coaches, Paddlesport Instructors and Leaders. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn from three (more!) of the top coaches in the country, plus get 15 CPD points. Whether you want to refresh skills, explore new ways of coaching, or stretch your coaching comfort zone, we’ve got some superb sessions for you.

It's also a great opportunity to meet other professional and volunteer coaches operating locally in a variety of disciplines.

Presenting Coaches:

Simon Waller

With a background spanning disciplines from cycle racing to long-distance paddling and ultramarathons, and an expedition CV including SUP, sea kayaking and canoe trips across Europe and the UK, Simon thrives on big days and big horizons both for himself and his clients. This enviable breadth of outdoors experience coupled with a strong theoretical coaching focus (his degree is in Outdoor Leadership and his doctorate in Elite Performance) make him a coach who always sees something fresh.

Chris Brain, https://www.chrisbraincoaching.com

With over 25 years experience, Chris is one of the most recognisable names in paddlesports coaching. His infectious enthusiasm coupled with detailed technical analysis makes him an in-demand coach and we're thrilled he's coming down south to share his expertise with is.

Shahid Wahab

Shahid Wahab is a National Trainer and qualified secondary school teacher with a range of expertise in paddlesports. He specialises coach education, whitewater kayaking / stand-up paddleboarding, and has a broad background coaching and leading in diverse environments. He brings a strong focus on translating coaching theory into effective, practical learning on the water.

Available Sessions:

There will be multiple sessions running throughout the day both on and off the water. You'll have the opportunity to attend three sessions - session booking will open 3 weeks prior to the event and will be communicated by email.

• Games, Activities and Challenges for Paddleboarders! (On the water, with Chris Brain)

A workshop based around using practical activities to help stand up paddleboarders develop their skills. Only entry level SUP skills are required to engage in this session and you are sure to leave with many new ideas to bring your coaching to life. This is a session where you will almost certainly end up in the water at some point!

• Games with Aims: Constraint-Based Learning (On the water, with Simon Waller)

Making the fundamentals of paddlesport, well - FUN!

• Stop Correcting Every Mistake: Seeing What Matters (Dry session, with Shahid Wahab)

Improve your observation skills by learning what to look for, what to ignore and how to identify the one thing that will make the biggest difference to a paddler's performance.

• Fundamental Connections (On the water, with Chris Brain)

A workshop exploring the similarities and differences between coaching canoes/kayaks/SUPs and how we can bring this to life in a mixed group on the water. Explore some of the key fundamentals of paddlesport and look at how we can create activities and challenges that develop this with our participants. This session is open to anyone of any level in any craft.

• Simplifying Navigation on the Sea (Dry session, with Simon Waller)

Tidal navigation can often be made overly complex. Simple techniques to bring clarity to using & coaching this sometimes-tricky topic.

• Beyond Flat Water: Developing SUP Paddlers for Dynamic Environments (On the water, with Shahid Wahab)

Many paddlers aspire to explore rivers, tidal waters and white water, but their preparation often starts too late. This practical, on-the-water session explores how coaches can use flat and sheltered water to develop the movement skills, confidence and decision-making needed to thrive in more dynamic environments. Expect plenty of games, activities and coaching ideas that will help bridge the gap between flat water paddling and the next adventure.

• The Coach's Toolbox (Dry session, with Chris Brain)

An interactive and practical overview of some of the theory which underpins the current coach award and how we can use it with our paddlers. This workshop would be helpful for anyone who wants to refresh their knowledge or is currently working towards their coach award.

• Believing yourself better: Making sure your beliefs aren't holding your performance back (On the water, with Simon Waller)

This session focuses on the area of stress mindset and working to ensure that your beliefs aren't getting in the way. For context. We have all had participants claim that they "will be bad at this", with no basis for the claim. That's a belief/expectation working to hold them back from a performance opportunity. Pitched at both competitive and non-competitive paddlesport participants, this will be an opportunity to unpack the use of language and building blocks that may be holding back our participants and ourselves from a better performance.

• The Coaching Sweet Spot: Challenge, Success and Learning (On the water, with Shahid Wahab)

Why do some paddlers improve rapidly whilst others plateau? Explore how to pitch challenge, create desirable difficulty and keep paddlers motivated without overwhelming them.

Schedule:

9am – 9:30am: Arrival & Coffee

9:30am – 10am: PaddleUK Update from Russell Smith

10:30 - 12pm: session 1 (choose from three available)

12-1pm: lunch

1pm-2.30pm: session 2 (choose from three available)

3pm-4:30pm: session 3 (choose from three available)

5pm: Wrap-up and home

What to bring:

• Packed lunch
• Notebook & Pen (or phone / tablet / laptop), for taking notes
• If you’re planning to attend any on-the-water session, you’ll need your usual paddling kit. Club boats are available to hire (£5 / session) if you’re not bringing your own - please request this when booking your sessions.

Early bird discount!

Bookings before September 12th get £10 off! Just £30 for juniors & £40 for adults (regular price juniors £40, adults £50).