Young Paddlesport Instructors: Micah Anderson
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 Micah Anderson (15).
Young Paddlesport Instructor - Micah Anderson (15)
Tell us a bit about how you got into paddling?
I was 9 when I first started paddling with my dad, then when things started to open u again after the Covid lockdowns we got back into it and I really started to love white water kayaking. The white water course at Pinkston has been a great place to learn and we’re members at Monklands Canoe Club where I’ve learned so much from the coaches and other members.
What do you love about paddling?
I love the excitement of white water and just being out on a river, and there’s so many great rivers in Scotland. I think there’s a great feeling of community among paddlers and everyone is willing to look out for each other and help you learn and develop your skills. Recently I’ve been paddling a play boat and trying to learn some freestyle, and that’s a lot of fun.
Why did you do the Paddlesport Instructor Course?
Coaches at my club encouraged me to do it and I wanted to help more people enjoy their first experiences of paddling. I also volunteer at Teen Ranch, a Christian activity camp and I wanted to be able to help with running the paddle sessions there.
What was good about the course?
Doing the Paddlesport Instructor course has given me confidence in coaching beginners. The instructors were really encouraging and it made me see I could help run sessions at the club.
Tell us a bit about any Paddlesport Instructing you have done since?
I've done some coaching at our flat water sessions at Pinkston, teaching beginners basic paddle strokes and playing games to build their confidence. I’ve also run sessions at weekend camps at Teen Ranch.
What are your ambitions moving forwards?
I’m working towards a Coach Award in kayaking (sheltered water). I went to Glenmore Lodge for the under 18s ‘Core Coach’ training in the summer, and in November I’m going to do the discipline specific training with others from my club. In future, I’d like to become a White Water kayak coach as that’s the kind of paddling I love the most.
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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