BCAB Coaching Podcast

S6 Ep1 White Water Kayaking with Jamie Greenhalgh

In this episode, Chris Brain and Jamie Greenhalgh discuss what are the most important skills that a coach could develop with a new, novice white water paddler. If you're a seasoned paddler looking for new ideas or a coach seeking fresh perspectives, you won't want to miss this episode!

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

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep14 Stand Up Paddleboard White Water Height Management with Adam Burns and Anthony Ing

On today's podcast with Lee Pooley, Adam Burns and Anthony Ing share their knowledge and experience of white water SUP height management and how we can improve our stability and safety on the board.

Adam has worked in paddlesport since 2008 and is a qualified Coach up to Advanced level. He is an active paddleboarder and kayaker, which led him to becoming a course provider and national trainer.  Adam has recently taken up the role of Development Manager with Paddle Scotland.

Anthony is a specialist in white water with a wealth of river experience.  An accomplished instructor dedicated to unlocking the potential in everyone, Anthony navigated his way up the coaching ladder to become the youngest to achieve the highest BCU qualification, the Level 5 Coach. Anthony is currently a technical advisor for Paddle UK and coach educator in white water SUP. 

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep. 13 White water features with Simon Westgarth

Simon Westgarth shares his knowledge and experience of white water features, how to use them and how to coach with them, on today’s podcast with Lee Pooley.

Simon is a BCU level 5 coach, the White Water Tech Group Chair and the founder of Gene 17 kayaking, running trips and adventures across the globe. Simon values the ideals of adventure kayaking, going to new places, experiencing new cultures and paddling new rivers.

Topics of today's podcast include: 

• Recognising and using features to your advantage
• The tactics of white water
• Exploring different techniques for novices and advanced white water paddlers

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep.12 Turning in the wind with Olly Saunders

Olly Sanders joins Lee Pooley for today’s podcast about turning in the wind.

Olly is a BCU Level 5 Sea Kayak Coach and has been playing on the Snowdonia and Anglesey coastline for 20 years. Olly has spent 12 years as a Senior Instructor at Plas y Brenin and owner of Rock and Sea Productions. He has been on many expeditions and trips, including Alaska, India, Nepal, Patagonia and Peru.

Sea kayaking is the focus for today’s conversation, topics include:

• the multiple factors that affect turning in the wind
• Introducing novices to turning their craft in the wind
• when to use skegs and rudders

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep.11 TALENT Resilience with Daniel Thompson and Tom Haines

This podcast episode is brought to you by the England Talent Programme where Daniel Thompson (Slalom Foundations and Support Lead) and Tom Haines (Volunteer Psychologist for the Paracanoe Talent Academy) discuss the topic of resilience. In this podcast episode we'll discuss what resilience is, why it's an important characteristic for an athlete, how coaches can develop and build resilience within their coaching practice and we'll also be discussing how parents can help their child to develop resilience.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep.10 100th episode with Chris Brain

It’s a very special episode of the Coaching Podcast today, as Chris Brain joins Lee Pooley for the 100th episode! 

Chris has worked in the outdoors for over 25 years coaching and guiding and delivering professional development courses.  Chris delivers across a range of BCAB Coaching, Leadership and Safety programmes, as well as being a National Trainer.

This episode of the podcast includes: 

• Chris and Lee share their favourite podcast episodes to date
• Lee shares the most listened to podcasts each series, as well as the countries listeners are tuning in from
• Lee shares his words of wisdom and highlights of the podcast and hands over the baton to Chris, as the new presenter of the Coaching Podcast 

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep.9 Performance Coach with Tony Smith

Tony Smith, Chair of Teignbridge Canoe Club, joins Lee Pooley for today's podcast focussed on the Performance Coach. 

This insightful listen is useful for anyone considering the Performance Coach. Topics covered include:

• how the Performance Coach has helped with Tony's coaching practice and the highlights of the journey
• how Tony is implementing the skills he's learnt at the club, as well as how this award has benefitted the club
• Tony talks about having a growth mindset and the next steps on his journey

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep.8 Catching a wave with Chris Heaney, Claire Eatock, Ian and Tracy Sherrington

Surf Tech Group members Chris Heaney, Claire Eatock, Ian and Tracy Sherrington join Lee Pooley for today's podcast focused on catching a wave.

Chris Heaney has over 25 years experience in the outdoor education sector, has been surfing for 40 years and is part of the Scottish Surf Committee.

Claire Eatock is an active outdoor instructor and leads expeditions kayaking and coasteering around the world, as well as the project manager for the Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe project.

Ian Sherrington is Chief Instructor at Glenmore Lodge, the Scottish National Outdoor Training Centre and has captained the Scottish Surf Team, as well as being an avid competitor.

Tracy Sherrington has been involved in paddlesport since the eighties, has had a career involving skiing instructor, a white water, surf and sea kayak coach, and senior lecture in outdoor education, as well as competing in Surf Kayaking and becoming Scottish Champion and World Champion.

The team share their enthusiasm for surfing that by the end of this podcast, you'll want to catch a wave! Topics covered include:

• Supporting novices to catch a wave
• How accessible surf is and supporting paddlers to progress
• Keeping safe, feeling comfortable and having fun on the water

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

S5 Ep.7 Touring with Dave Janes Snr

Dave Janes Snr tells you everything you need to know about Touring, in today's episode with Lee Pooley. 

Dave Janes Snr is a member of the BCAB Touring Technical Group and is a highly experienced outdoor activity provider.

The topics covered include:

• hydration and nutrition
• what kit to take and loading your craft
• decision making for day trips and multi-day expeditions

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

To find more about the topics discussed, follow the links below:

• Guide Endorsement
• Touring Award

S5 Ep.6 RERUN Neurodiversity in Sport with Caragh McMurtry and Nerys Hall

To mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we are rereleasing a fascinating and important episode exploring neurodiversity in sport. 

The guests for this 2023 episode were Helena Russo, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Paddle UK; Nerys Hall, a marathon and sprint paddler; and Caragh McMurtry, a former Olympic rower and founder of Neurodiverse Sport

Nerys and Caragh have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and high functioning autism, respectively.

Topics covered in the episode include: 

• what their diagnosis means for them
• how neurodivergence has affected their sporting lives
• tips for coaches considering how to adapt their coaching practice 

Paddle UK have also created a brand new mini-series of resources around Neurodiversity. A new resource is being released weekly and the first resource is available here

A transcript for the episode is available here.