BCAB Coaching Podcast

In the first of our podcasts from the British Canoeing England Talent Programme, we are joined by Luke Gupta (Physiology Consultant for the English Institute of Sport) to discuss the importance of sleep, the key principles of sleep and getting into good sleeping habits.

UK Programme athletes and Tokyo 2020 Olympians Mallory Franklin, Kimberley Woods, Deborah Kerr and Katie Reid are also guests on this podcast epsiode where they share their sleep routine, how this has differed as they have moved into the senior age group and their experiences of sleeping prior to a big race.

Lee Pooley speaks with Lucy Boyce, who is a Coaching Adviser at British Canoeing, a recent masters graduate in Sports and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University and a keen canoe polo player. 

They discuss Lucy’s research into the subjective experiences of athletes of choking and clutch performance in order to reach a better understanding of the factors that can impede or promote superior sport performance. Lucy explains the importance of creating a psychologically safe training environment for athletes to reduce choking performances to improve their mastery and performance. Lucy and Lee also explore what is involved in creating that environment, the factors that can lead to choking performance and how coaches can identify and support those likely to choke in pressurised situations. She also makes very practical suggestions on how to capitalise from choking and clutch performances.

Lucy's dissertation is available from the British Canoeing Awarding Body Digital Library here.

Sid Sinfield speaks with Kieren Dews, a Sprint Canoe Coach. They discuss Kieren’s research into the perceived factors that underpin the coach-athlete relationship and the health and well-being of athletes within elite performance. They explore the importance of aligned goals between the coach and athlete, the concept of ‘closeness’ in developing a trusting relationship with effective communication, as well as the application of the research findings for wider coaching practice.

In our first podcast of the year, Lee Pooley speaks to Hannah Brown, an Academy Coach in the Paracanoe team at British Canoeing, about her research into key factors that can influence boat velocity. They discuss the key findings of Hannah’s research and consider techniques coaches and athletes can use to measure and improve performance in the field to increase boat velocity.

In a special follow up episode of the British Canoeing Awarding Body Coaching Podcast Lee delves deeper into the athlete and participant involvement in burnout with Ben Woodruff. Throughout the podcast they discuss the impact of burnout on coaches and athletes, why and how a coach should consider designing sessions to mitigate against athlete burnout and 5 top tips on how to prevent yourself or others burning out. It is imperceptive as a coach or employer to ensure you/those in your employment are protected from burnout as this mental health condition can cause long term effects to individuals experiencing it. Before you listen just a pre-warning: on this podcast we discuss some sensitive subjects around mental health, with some things that may be triggers for those suffering mental health conditions. It’s an important conversation that’s becoming more and more pertinent, but please only listen if you can.

 

You can find the research conducted by Ben here.

 

You can download the episode transcript here.

 

Struggling with mental health?

If you or anyone you know is suffering with their mental health please seek help:

• Mind
• Calm
• NHS or see your GP
• Samaritans
• Mental Health Foundation
• Counselling

Want to learn more?

Want to learn more about how to support your paddlers or those around you with their mental health? Visit the below:

• Open University
• Mind
• BBC
• NHS
• Mental Health Foundation

Supporting paddlers

As part of our continual commitment to support paddlers we are offering a service for anyone who has witnessed, been involved or has been affected by a paddlesport incident. Please use the contact details on the British Canoeing Safety page if you would like to talk to one of our trained TRIM Practitioners who can offer support and signpost to an appropriate agency.

In the final instalment of the Coaching Philosophy Miniseries with Lee Pooley we hear from Julie Perren, Chairperson at Totnes Canoe Club. Listen to Lee ask Julie about his journey to where he is today, hear them discuss the significant events that helped shape Julie's coaching career and gain a valuable insight into the importance of having a coaching philosophy.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

This week we bring you a special episode of the British Canoeing Awarding Body Coaching Podcast to celebrate Black History Month. In this episode we hear from British Canoeing athlete Noah Dembele and Paddlesport Coach Chris Brain on their experience of coaching, what they're 'Proud To Be' and how coaches can be more inclusive.

You can find our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion eLearning module here.

We still have more to come over the next two months so make sure you're looking out for the next episode of the British Canoeing Coaching Podcast.

To access the transcript for this episode please click here.

In this weeks episode Ben Woodruff and Darren Clarkson revisit a discussion around something very current in both the world of paddling and the world overall; mental health and well-being. Currently 1 in 4 people experience various mental health conditions in the UK annually. In the episode we discuss mental well-being, what to do if someone opens up to your about your mental health, the phrase "man-up" and why it is important to look after your mental well-being as a paddlesport practitioner. Before you listen just a pre-warning: on this podcast we discuss some sensitive subjects around mental health, with some things that may be triggers for those suffering mental health conditions. It’s an important conversation that’s becoming more and more pertinent, but please only listen if you can.

 

You can download the episodes transcript here.

 

Struggling with mental health?

If you or anyone you know is suffering with their mental health please seek help:

• Mind
• Calm
• NHS or see your GP
• Samaritans
• Mental Health Foundation
• Counselling

Want to learn more?

Want to learn more about how to support your paddlers or those around you with their mental health? Visit the below:

• Open University
• Mind
• BBC
• NHS
• Mental Health Foundation

Supporting paddlers

As part of our continual commitment to support paddlers we are offering a service for anyone who has witnessed, been involved or has been affected by a paddlesport incident. Please use the contact details on the British Canoeing Safety page if you would like to talk to one of our trained TRIM Practitioners who can offer support and signpost to an appropriate agency.

In the penultimate instalment of the Coaching Philosophy Miniseries with Lee Pooley we hear from Darren Sherwood, Technical Director of Channel Group and British Canoeing Training Tutor. Listen to Lee ask Darren about his journey to where he is today, hear them discuss the significant events that helped shape Darren's coaching career and gain a valuable insight into the importance of having a coaching philosophy.

To download the transcript for this episode click here.

This week we bring you a special episode of the British Canoeing Awarding Body Coaching Podcast as we look back and reflect upon season two so far. In this episode we listen back to:

• Lee talking to Darren Joy about his philosophy
• Sid discussing the podium program with Greg Hitchin
• Pete talking to Eila Wilkinson about the environment and learning to say no
• Ben chatting about mental health linked to COVID with Darren Clarkson

We still have plenty to come over the next few months so make sure you're looking out for the next episode of the British Canoeing Coaching Podcast.

To access the transcript for this episode please click here.