Young Paddlesport Instructor Profiles: Alex Thomson
Get to know some of the SCA's young paddlesport instructors! Every few weeks we will feature a young PSI.
This week it's all about Alex Thomson.
Alex says:
'I first started paddling at around 8, going open boating with my dad and siblings. We would manly paddle on the union canal or go up to the river Dee. I then followed my sister into slalom canoeing around 3 and a half years ago.
What I love about paddling in general is going to new places and having new experiences. Even when you know the river, the water is always different. I also love slalom canoeing which is my passions. I love close community of paddlers and the competitiveness.
I did the Paddlesport Instructor Course as I wanted to give back to the sport that has given me so much and also I've my sister coach and how she really enjoys it. Since I started canoeing, I have been given so much support and been so inspired by my coaches, I would love to think that I could pass some of that on. My club, CR cats, are very proactive in giving young paddlers opportunities to coach and gain coaching qualifications.
During the course, I had fun with my friends and the instructors were great. It gave me lots of advice on how to keep young paddlers enthusiastic about learning water skills.
Since doing the course, I have assisted with sessions at my Club site in Alva with new paddlers. I’m looking forward to doing more of this when the new beginners sessions start up again next year.
More straightforward paths into coaching and more awareness is needed to get young people involved in both coaching and paddling. Some young paddlers are not aware they can coach when they are under 18.
My ambitions moving forward are to gain more experience in padding and coaching. To keep racing as well as I can. Most importantly, to keep enjoying my paddling, wherever it takes me. '
Paddlesport Instructor Training Course - more info
The BCAB Paddlesport Instructor course is open to anyone aged 14 or over. This two day course helps you develop practical skills to support learning, inspire adventure and exploration, and sets you up to run taster/introductory sessions within clubs or centres.
Paddlesport Instructors are often the first point of contact for newcomers to our sport, and play a really important role. First impressions from these sessions can have a lasting impact on the likelihood of the person returning to do more in the future. Delivering sessions that are safe, enjoyable and rewarding are cornerstones of the Paddlesport Instructor role, and threads that run through all elements of the course.
Not only does this qualification help get you started delivering sessions, for many it is the first step on the formal qualification pathway. The course is open to people who have basic paddling skills in kayak, open canoe, sit on top, or stand up paddleboard. You’ll need to feel comfortable getting around where you want to go in/on your preferred craft, in calm benign conditions, close to easy bank-side access.
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