Courses

BCU (British Canoe Union)

The BCU is internationally recognized system of trainings and assessments is designed to assist the paddler in his/her progression from novice to advanced, or any level in between. The descriptions below include what is taught during training. These same skills are what the assessor is looking for each participant to have knowledge and skill of during an assessment. The following levels indicate an increasing level of skill, knowledge, seamanship, and sea kayaking experience.

BCU 2 Star Assessment

Want to see how much you’ve learned and progressed with your paddling? The BCU 2 Star Assessment is a fun and relaxed day of paddling, in which you’ll receive feedback on how your skills and tips on how to improve! This assessment is for the new (as of 2008) BCU 2 Star award. The new 2 Star Award is a general paddlesports award in which candidates are assessed on fundamental flat water skills in both a canoe and kayak. The assessment can be taken in any style of canoe or kayak including sit-on-tops, canoes, recreational kayaks, whitewater kayaks, surf kayaks, racing boats, waves skis, slalom boats, polo boats, and sea kayaks.
learn more »

BCU Canoe Safety

This full day class, held in sheltered water, will introduce you to a wide range of deep-water rescue techniques for solo and group paddlers in both canoes and kayaks. You will learn and practice numerous self-rescue techniques. We will also cover assisted rescues involving two or more paddlers, including those dealing with injured or incapacitated paddlers. We will refine assisted drain and re-enter rescues and show how they can be applied to different kinds of kayaks, such as tandems or those without bulkheads. We will also cover a variety of swimmer rescues, contact tows, and teach the proper use of tow lines and various methods of solo and assisted towing. A key element of the class will be a discussion of the appropriate rescue for different situations.
learn more »

BCU 3 Star Training & Assessment

As the Midwest’s only BCU Endorsed Coaching Center, Geneva Kayak’s BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak Training is the most comprehensive intermediate sea kayak training available between the coasts! This course is the new (2008) BCU 3 Star, as mandated by the BCU UK, and bridges the former gap between the former three star and four star awards.
learn more »

BCU 4 Star Sea Leader Training

The new (as of 2008) BCU 4 Star Sea Leader Training is designed for candidates that are looking to develop the personal skill and leadership ability to lead small groups on short journeys in a coastal environment with winds not exceeding Force 4, a Sea State 4 and moderate tidal waters. This weekend long training given by the Geneva Kayak Center, focuses on personal skills and training leaders in judging the conditions and standard of the group and making appropriate decisions about the planned route along with the need to modify plans as required. The 4 Star award is a leadership award and not a coaching award. The Geneva Kayak Center is the Midwest’s premier provider of sea kayak training and assessment and is the Midwest’s only BCU endorsed Coaching Center.
learn more »

Click Here to view upcoming courses offered by the Geneva Kayak Center.

Photo courtesy of Lori Donovan