Paddle Scotland Performance Coaches
Our Coaching Philosophy
We are committed to providing high level coaching to the athletes in our Performance Programme, and also support to our coaches to constantly develop. The current coaching staff includes our core coaches listed below.
Stuart Gerrie - Performance Coach - Slalom
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Stuart Gerrie
ButtonHome Club:
Aberdeen Kayak Club
Discipline:
Slalom
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Journey into Paddling and Coaching
ButtonI started when I was 14 doing pool sessions with the club. Really enjoyed it. Progressed quickly through the rankings whilst paddling recreationally, doing lots of river trips, playing polo, essentially out on the water as much as possible. Slalom then took hold with a lot of travel, thanks to my parents. I did engineering at uni which allowed to me to balance a full time athlete lifestyle with having 4 months in the summer off.
Started coaching via coaching myself and my peers when away on trips. Then moved into a club coaching role. I've now been in my role since 2017 which has evolved a lot along the way.
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Best Coaching Experience
ButtonSeeing athletes achieve their goals. In particular that moment after some last minute maths to see Vitto & Ailsa make the team! (separate occasions). I learnt that you need to fight all the way to the end of the series, and it's all the little things that make the difference in terms of gaining consistent results.
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ButtonFavourite Race Course:
Lee Valley - it can be a tricky place to get it right, but when it goes right it feels awesome. Also conveyor belt and clean water!
Why do you love to coach?
I really enjoy seeing the athletes grow as people. You gain a lot of skills not just paddling related from Performance sport.
Sam Miles - Performance Coach - Slalom
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Sam Miles
ButtonHome Club:
Stafford and Stone Canoe Club
Discipline:
Slalom
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Journey into Paddling and Coaching
ButtonMy first opportunity to paddle regularly was through school where we had to put our name in a hat for a chance to join Stafford and Stone Canoe Club's taster sessions. I was lucky enough to be shortlisted into weekly training which led to a journey into Canoe Slalom and then along England squad pathway as a junior. I went on to do Adventure Sports at Reaseheath College and Outdoor Education at Liverpool John Moores where I began volunteer coaching and professionally developing in the outdoor industry. I got to start coaching in a full time role for Canoe Slalom between Breadalbane Canoe Club and the Scottish Canoe Association in 2019
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Best Coaching Experience
ButtonCoaching the transition periods out of lockdowns was difficult feeling rusty myself however they allowed for learning opportunities. It enabled me to reflect and review my coaching to address strengths and weaknesses and helped me try new things. What made these periods of time particularly memorable was the paddlers abilities to bounce back with fantastic performance and confidence out on the water.
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ButtonFavourite Race Course:
Bourg-Saint-Maurice for the volume, mountains and memories
Why do you love to coach?
Helping others to follow their personal journey into developing who they want to be.
Maddy Jennings - Talent Transition Coach
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Maddy Jennings
ButtonHome Clubs:
Breadablance CC
Discipline:
Slalom
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Journey into Paddling and Coaching
ButtonI joined Breadalbane canoe club when I was 9 years old and am still paddling with them today, 13 years later. I was an athlete with the Scottish Performance Squad for 8 years and in that time raced for Great Britain at the 2016 junior European championships. I started coaching on a voluntary basis with clubs alongside my athlete training with the performance squad and through more experience and commitment in coaching I am now working with the SCA performance team as an apprentice coach.
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Best Coaching Experience
ButtonWhen working with a young paddler on a new and scary move they repeatedly gave me their full trust, even when the first couple of times ended in a swim down the river. Together we practiced the move over and over until it was no longer scary and they could perform the move confidently and without assistance. I will always remember how valuable that coach-athlete relationship was in that session and I love being reminded what can be achieved with a little trust, commitment and nurturing.
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