BCAB Coaching Podcast

In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your new host, Emma Love, and Jenna Sanders chat about the Performance Coach Pathway, what good coaching is and all its complexities.  Plus, we explore what steps we can take to invest in our coaching practise so that we become really good at what we do.

Jenna has been working in paddlesports for about 20 years, starting out as a freelance instructor, working up to centre manager, before deciding to become self-employed.

At the end of 2018, she decided to go it alone and start up Flying Gecko, to concentrate more on what she really enjoys - being out on the water with paddlers, leaders and coaches, helping them to achieve their paddling goals, and trying to make sure they have a great time doing so.

Jenna is a performance coach in both advanced open water canoe, and open water SUP, as well as an advanced white water canoe coach, a BCU level 3 white water kayak coach, and a SUP coastal leader.  Jenna is a provider of many Paddle UK qualifications and awards in personal performance, leadership, coaching and safety, mainly across the multi-craft, SUP and canoe disciplines.  She is also really proud to be a part of Paddles Up Training's National Trainer team, helping to train, moderate and sign-off providers of the Coach Award, as well as several leadership, safety and instructor awards. 

Jenna is a member of the Touring Technical Group, and Chair of the Canoe Technical Group, and really loves being able to play a small part to help shape the content and awards that BCAB develops.

Whether she’s coaching, running courses, assessing or working with new providers, she works hard to create a friendly and enjoyable learning environment, where experimentation is encouraged and making mistakes is valued and embraced for the learning that it provides. Her aim is to help paddlers, leaders and coaches develop into independent learners with the ability to problem solve, be creative, and to analyse their own performance. She wants everyone to leave her courses feeling more capable and fired up then they started.

Jenna's aim with everyone that she works with is to be a small part of their long term enjoyment of the sport.  She is also committed to her own ongoing learning, development and curiosity about paddling and coaching. She has recently completed an MSc in coach development at Leeds Beckett University, and is really enjoying putting all that new learning into practice, in everything that she does.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

 

In this final episode of series 7 of the Coaching Podcast, your host, Georgina Maxwell, hands over the microphone to our new host, Emma Love.

Based in the East Midlands, UK, Emma Love began paddling at the age of 46. In 2021 she set up her coaching business, Wotbikini Stand Up Paddleboarding, with a simple but powerful aim: to support women in building their skills, knowledge and confidence on the water, while creating a strong sense of community.  Emma’s ongoing fascination with all things coaching has led her to progress as a provider in the Sheltered Water environment and to begin her Performance Coach pathway.

Recognised by Paddle UK for her commitment to supporting women on the water, Emma has been a #ShePaddles Ambassador and was shortlisted two years running for the Delivery Partner Awards in the Quality and Engagement categories.

Alongside paddling, Emma began writing, with articles first published online by Paddle UK. Over the past three years she has interviewed inspiring women coaches, providers, paddlers and fellow #ShePaddles Ambassadors for SUPMag UK, sharing their individual journeys and experiences from across the sport.

And when she’s not on a paddleboard, Emma is more often than not exploring white water kayaking.  And always with a huge splash of laughter! 

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, talks with Ollie Sandeman.

Ollie brings over twenty years of industry experience to every trip and coaching session.  Ollie has worked extensively as a freelance paddlesport coach, guide, and Paddle UK provider for multiple organisations across the UK. He also spent 15 months living and working in New Zealand, where he safety kayaked and ran an ecological kayak tour company. Living on the West Coast of the South Island gave Ollie access to some of the best white water New Zealand has to offer, right on his doorstep.

Ollie has also paddled extensively throughout Wales, Scotland, the French Alps, and in Sweden and Italy. He has led multiple canoe expeditions into the Canadian Wilderness.

Ollie believes it is essential for any coach to remain active and passionate. He regularly pushes his personal development on the amazing white water of North Wales, taking annual, personal canoe expeditions in Scotland, and is always seeking the next challenge.

Ollie founded the ‘Sandeman Canoe Company’ in 2019 and although taking a two-year break to serve as the Head of Paddlesports at Plas y Brenin, he eventually returned to where his heart lies: running the Sandeman Canoe Company.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with George Fell.

George is a paddler first, but also a coach and coach educator. He's based in the Scottish Highlands and loves Sea Kayaks, Open Canoes, White Water Kayaks and the entertaining people who choose to sit inside them. Over the last thirty something years, he's had lots of adventures around the world, and he's now not sure whether to be proud of the achievements or ashamed of the environmental impact!

George loves thinking about how paddling works and how people learn, but also loves being in the moment, on a wave, just reacting and not thinking at all. In this podcast, George will explore what makes a good coach and how to continually improve as a coach. As a metrologist, he also touches on the topic of environmental impact. 

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with Jamie Greenhalgh.

Jamie is a specialist, white water kayaking coach and is on the BCAB White Water Technical Group. His business, Paddle365, delivers white water skills courses throughout the year as well as leadership, coaching and safety training for Paddle UK. His approach to coaching prioritises learning through adventure and challenge, and helping paddlers to feel the joy of skilful movement in a boat. 

In this episode, we discuss how good technique can be used to maintain a happy paddling body by lining up your limbs to create a system of load-sharing while paddling. This takes the pressure away from individual joints and has a side effect of making you more efficient, more powerful and more stable in the boat.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with Will Copestake.

Born in the north west Highlands of Scotland, Will is a passionate kayaker and general outdoors enthusiast. As the operator of Kayak Summer Isles, a small sea kayaking company in his hometown of Ullapool, Will spends most of his summers sharing adventures on the Scottish west coast by sea kayak. In the winter, he has spent a decade guiding and exploring the fjords of Chilean Patagonia and more recently Antarctica. Will’s coaching philosophy is to provide his guests with the skills and knowledge they need to experience meaningful adventure through their own tools, confidence and comfort.

Will has a degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education and is passionate in sharing what he knows of the wonders of ornithology, geology, zoology and ecology on his trips.

Will has enjoyed numerous personal expeditions around the world and is most known for his ‘Machair to Munro’ expedition, a 364 day long epic to circumnavigate Scotland by kayak and complete a largely winter ascent of Scotland's 282 Munro mountains. For this, he was awarded both Scottish and UK National Adventurer of the Year in 2015. This was followed by a round of the 222 winter Corbett mountains in 2017. In Patagonia, Will has explored over 2000km of the Chilean fjords by kayak over a number of self-supported expeditions. Most recently, Will embarked on a 280km solo adventure through the western fjords of Norway in a fold up kayak.

You can find Will by his business www.kayaksummerisles.com or on socials under @WillCopestake. 

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, Georgina speaks to Ken Hughes.  Ken is one of Europe's top canoeists, a Paddle UK national trainer, mountain climbing instructor, technical adviser, and ambassador. This is Ken's second Paddle UK podcast, having previously discussed coaching canoeing with Pete Catterall. Ken runs a wide variety of Paddle UK courses but significantly is wider known for his skills, and his development programs.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

Happy International Women’s Day 2026! In this special episode of the Coaching Podcast, Georgina talks all things Women’s Health with a focus on paddling with her guest Dr Jagruti Amin (Jag) who has been a white water kayaker since 2013 and is a member of Paddle UK. It’s an almost hour long whirlwind tour from the teenage years through to the menopause, with something in it for everyone. There’s a crib sheet with resources and links available so you don’t have to scribble them down.

Jag is a GMC registered Dr (4645311) who qualified and started seeing patients in 1999 but had to give up her Licence to Practise in 2018 because of psoriatic arthritis. After studying medicine at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford she started her career in hospitals training in medicine. She started specialist training in Haematology before deciding to move to the world of General Practice in 2006 which included a 6 month training post in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. As a fully fledged GP she had an interest in Women’s Health, Contraception, Sexual Health and Safeguarding. For several years she also held separate roles as a Contraception and Sexual health Dr and a Named GP for Safeguarding Children. She was involved in medical politics as a representative on her Local Medical Council. Despite no longer seeing patients she’s remained passionate about Women’s Health and women advocating for themselves. A special thanks goes to Dr Kaye Brennan who is a GP, a Specialist Sports & Exercise Medicine Dr, a Council Member of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine and also works for the Ministry of Defence for her help and guidance in some of the more specialist areas in this podcast.

The information provided in this podcast and the associated resources are current as of 26th February 2026. A reminder that the information is not individual medical advice and that any personal medical issues that come to light should be discussed with your own healthcare professional (such as a GP, Consultant, Specialist Nurse, Midwife, or Health Visitor). Dr Amin has not received any payment for this podcast, and is not sponsored by any organisation or company.

All resources and links are current as of 26th February 2026 and are NOT to be used independently of the podcast. They do not constitute medical advice. All personal medical issues must be discussed with your own healthcare professional.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

NHS Website: www.nhs.uk as a start for everything

Women & Sport

1. Women in Sport ‘Reframing Sport for Teenage Girls Tackling Teenage Disengagement’ 2022 https://womeninsport.org/ wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Reframing-Sport-for-Teenage-Girls-Tackling-Teenage-Disengagement.pdf
2. Call it What it is Period https://thewell-hq.com/menstrual-cycle/calling-it-a-period-and-only-a-period-matters/
3. The Red Box Project https://redboxproject.org/
4. Also look at the British Rowing & British Swimming websites

Nutrition

1. Project RED-S red-s.com
2. BEAT https://www.beateatiorg.uk/
3. UK Sports Institute Nutrition Guidelines https://uksportsinstico.uk/resource/sports-nutrition-fundamentals-to-improve-performance/
4. The British Dietetic Association https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/sport-exercise-nutritihtml
5. NHS Vitamin D Guidance https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

All things Period, Contraception & Sexual Health

1. Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/
2. Brook https://www.brook.org.uk/
3. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/
4. National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes https://www.pms.org.uk/
5. A Young Person’s Guide to Premenstrual Syndromes https://www.pms.org.uk/app/uploads/2021/09/A-Young-Persons-Guide-to-Premenstrual-Syndromes-8.pdf
6. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/
7. Endometriosis https://www.endometriosis-uk.org
8. Contraception & Sexual Health COSRH https://www.contraceptiorg/
9. Sexual Health Clinic Information https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/

Menstrual Cycle Training & Injuries

1. British Journal of Sports Medicine Blog 2025 https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2025/11/03/can-the-menstrual-cycle-phase-impact-sports-performance/
2. UEFA Consensus Statement on Menstrual Cycle Tracking in Football 21st September 2025 https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/ content/11/3/e002769

Teenagers & Exercise

1. Models used: The “Control–Capacity–Sport” model, The 4-Stage Youth Return-to-Sport Framework, The IOC “Youth Athlete Development Model”, Graduated loading principles (10% rule, staged impact progression)
2. A non UK article from Sport New Zealand https://balanceisbettorg.nz/how-much-is-too-much-when-it-comes-to-youth-sport/

Pelvic Floor

1. Pelvic Obstetrics & Gynaecology Physiotherapy https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/pelvic_health_advice.aspx
2. Squeezy App £2.99 https://squeezyapp.com/women/about-squeezy-for-women/
3. Commercial devices with feedback Perifit & Elvie

Pregnancy (In partnership with your healthcare professionals)

1. International Olympic Committee https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Athletes/Medical-Scientific/

Consensus-Statements/BJSM-Exercise-and-pregnancy-in-recreational-and-elite-athletes-Part-5-recommendations-for-health-professionals-and-active-women.pdf

Pregnancy Continued (In partnership with your healthcare professionals)

2. NHS Website https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/pregnancy/
3. UK Guidelines for Activity in Pregnancy https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/620a28288fa8f54916f45dfc/ physical-activity-for-pregnant-women.pdf & https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise/  
4. Faculty of Sports & Exercise Medicine (FSEM) Moving Medicine Patient Information https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pregnancy_Patipdf
5. Active Pregnancy Foundation Questionnaire ‘Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy’ https:// activepregnancyfoundation.org/_files/ugd/4c66ce_88e9ebbdad8748e7ab75d67815c76dcc.pdf
6. Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/ pregnancy_and_early_postnatal.aspx
7. Tommy’s The Pregnancy & Baby Charity https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/calculators-tools-resources
8. UK Sport Pregnancy Guidance and Support for UK Sport Funded Athletes see the risk assessment for funded athletes https://www.uksport.gov.uk/resources/pregnancy-guidance The advice in this guidance is NOT for recreational athletes

Maternal Mental Health

1. NHS Advice https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/pregnancy/mental-health-and-pregnancy/
2. https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/

Post Partum (In partnership with your healthcare professionals)

1. NHS postpartum Exercise Information https://www.nhs.uk/baby/support-and-services/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-a-baby/
2. Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/ pregnancy_and_early_postnatal.aspx
3. FSEM Moving Medicine Post Partum Patient Information Leaflet https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/ 2025/06/Post-partum_Patient_info_leaflet_2020-v2-1.pdf
4. FSEM Moving Medicine Patient Information https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Physical-activity-recommendations-post-natal.pdf
5. FSEM Moving Medicine Patient Workbook https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Patient-workbook-170925.pdf
6. FSEM Moving Medicine Post Natal Pre Screening for Readiness Flowchart https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2025/06/Flowchart.pdf

Menopause

1. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines 2024 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ informationforpublic
2. The British Menopause Society https://thebms.org.uk/education/principles-practice-of-menopause-care/bms-ppmc-resources-toolkit/where-can-i-find-trusted-information-for-women-and-their-partners/
3. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/
4. Royal Osteoporosis Society https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/exercise-for-bones/how-to-build-up-exercise-for-your-bone-strength/
5. NHS Guidance for Exercise https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise
6. Diet & The Menopause https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/31-WHC-FACTSHEET-Weight-Gain-and-menopause-JUNE2023-A.pdf

Coaches

1. Sport Scotland Free Learning Resources https://learning.sportscotland.org.uk/catalog?pagename=Work-with-female-

athletes  

Covering many of the subjects talked about in the podcast

2. Women in Sport Podcasts https://womeninsport.org/explore-the-issues/podcast/
3. British Association of Sports & Exercise Medicine (BASEM) Podcasts & Female Athlete Health Page https://basem.co.uk/spotlight-on-sem-podcast-series/
4. Podcasts from Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine

RED-S (2025) https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-em4tt-17c642c  

Sports Nutrition (2024) https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ba993-15b5940  

Version 1. 26th February 2026

Dr Jagruti Amin GMC 4645311

In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, your host Georgina Maxwell talks to Alex Littlechild about kayak progression, waterfall techniques and creek boating. Alex discusses his ‘trifecta’ theory of creek boating, which categorises paddlers into mathematicians, reactionists, and expressionists. He emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, explaining how he uses video analysis, peer feedback, and constant repetition to master complex freestyle moves. Throughout the conversation, Alex provides practical advice for aspiring kayakers.

 

Alex started his paddling journey on the Thames and has dedicated his life to chasing, flow state, waterfalls and skill mastery. He is an international white water coach, working for businesses around the world, teaching advanced kayakers to master their waterfall technique and working with young people on their first time in a kayak on white water. 

 

Alex has a passion for downriver freestyle, waterfall kayaking and white water philosophy; all of which are touched upon in this episode.

 

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

Andy Kettlewell has been on the water since he was nine years old — one six-week intro course and he was hooked for life. From early days jumping into every boat he could find, to a decade of mastering slalom racing at the top level, Andy’s swapped racing gates for raw adventure.

These days, Andy’s all about chasing the fun — big rivers, bigger drops, and even bigger adventures. Now a proud, sponsored paddler for Palm Equipment, he’s transferred the precision of a slalom racer to the wild side of white water, sharing stories from epic expeditions and the lessons learned along the way. 

In this episode of the Coaching podcast, Andy talks with your host Georgina Maxwell about those learnings he’s transferred between the two disciplines and some insight into learnings a white water kayaker can take from that.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.