First of all thanks for taking some time out of your busy life to read something I hope can help you, this could be in a personal, professional or thought provoking way.
I will however say that writing and grammar are not my skill base, I’m a water wizard by trade (My name for a Paddlesport coach) not an English teacher so please ignore any errors.
All coaches in the Paddlesport world will have done some work, to develop and get ready for an assessment at some point in their lives which have allowed them to gain experience that is individual and unique to them.
While doing this they will also gained biases towards certain practice, coaching styles and technique, craft, kit, venues and also who they would recommend as a coach or even that maybe they think that you should never go to someone else….because they are the best!
That is just their perception of the world and their sport, it doesn’t have to match yours, and against popular belief you’re allowed to rave about their style and ethos one moment and disagree with everything they do in the next one. Before revisiting them later in life and realising there are actually bits you really like but you aren’t going to add everything they do to your toolbox when developing yourself or others.
The reason I am writing this is because I stuck to maybe 1-3 coaches for a lot of my early development in Paddlesport and this wasn’t to say a bad thing, as I achieved a lot, I gained insights, skills and techniques I still use and coach to others today that I was taught nearly 2 decades ago…. Why because they work and are effective and I still believe in those methods.... there you have it, a little bit of my bias.
The development however especially as a coach and as a provider of courses was turbo charged when I made a conscious effort to use coaches id not used before in areas I knew was there specialty, if you’re not sure what that is but heard there good just ask them….they will definitely know or have a favourite environment and craft to be in.
And that’s the key!
Because this means they are likely super passionate about it, they probably know so much useful stuff in that area you can be a sponge, take from the session what you want, what you enjoy and what you need and forget the rest if you wanted.
Its a very good way to get good at something your not great at.
This may seem obvious but most people do courses not because they’re going to get anything substantial or they want to develop in their field.
They seem to ask themselves things like this:
· Do I need it as a prerequisite?
· Is it fairly local?
· How much is it?
· Do I like this provider?
When it’s surely better to ask things like:
· What will I get from this experience?
· Have I heard good thing about this provider?
· Is this the area the provider specialises in therefore or likely the most up to date?
· Is this course likely to make me a better peer, coach, leader or simply tick a box?
They are a set of very different questions, a set that has allowed me to paddle safely and learn in advanced white water with coaches I both had and hadn’t ever met before.
Allowed me to experience huge winds on open water in a canoe and enjoy it because the coach loved being out and understood those conditions therefore I was able to chill out and learn.
Actually learned to enjoy paddle boarding because there passion was addictive and they spent time to ensure everyone and there kit was set up correctly to get the most from the session.
There are many more examples but you get it my point.
Now just because you have heard that the coach your thinking about using is maybe new on the scene, fails people on assessment often, swears a lot, uses lots of technical terms, is on the opposite side of the country, your mate doesn’t like them or somebody doesn’t think you will click.
This does not mean you shouldn’t give them a try!
Especially if the answers to our second set of questions are positive ones
When deciding on your next coaching experience ask yourself the second set of questions, be brave, get out of your comfort zone and let yourself grow as a paddler!
And when your there do your best to forget what you think is right and do what they ask, you can compare later
I hope you enjoyed reading this and it’s made you think about your next progression.
Maybe we could point you towards other coaches who specialise in environments you’re interested in feel free to ask.
OR
Maybe we are a new coach for you and you feel you could gain something from us, if so please drop me an email to discuss or take a look on the website to see what we have planned in so far this year
Happy Paddling
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