The British Canoe Union (BCU) is an organization recognized worldwide as providing standards by which an individuals' skills in sea kayaking can be measured. This BCU includes awards for personal paddling skills (Star Awards) and for instructors/coaches (Coaching Awards).  The system uses a training, practice and assessment approach to move through the star levels.  There are 5 levels of personal perfromance awards and they are designed as milestones for the paddler to measure their skills against. The star levels are defined as:

1 Star - Beginner - encouragment award

2 Star - Improver

3 Star - Intermediate

4 Star - Proficient

5 Star Advanced

The training and skills you will learn at each of these levels will improve you paddling skills and your confidence,  but you need not feel that you must go through an assessment.  It is completely optional for 1 thru 4 star training programs unless you wish to progress through the system or enter the coaching track.

BCU Star Assessment programs (not training programs) also have a BCU fee which is not included in our price and must be paid to the BCU. A certificate from the BCU will be sent to all successful assessment candidates.  If you are interested in more information on the BCU you can check out the BCU websites: www.bcuna.com (US)   http://www.bcu.org.uk  (uk site) .  You can find the full syllabus for each award as well as more information on the coaching tracks on these websites.