Coaching & Coach Development

The BDA has a Modular Coaching Scheme that has been running successfully for several years with the objective of raising the standards of both coaching and helming within the British Dragon Boat Racing community.

The BDA Modular Coaching Scheme was one of the first Dragon Boat coaching schemes in the world, it formed the basis for the IDBF & EDBF schemes and is widely accepted as the go to qualification for Dragon Boat Coaching around the world.

By being modular, the scheme can be delivered both in a club situation or in a more formal course based format.

The Scheme is applicable to the BDA racing clubs or the various recreational centres that deliver Dragon Boat Racing to their clients.

Each award within the scheme has a number of modules that can be delivered at one time or separately.

Qualifications up to Coach Level 2 are typically delivered in a club environment, either by the clubs own qualified Coach Level 3/4 or by an external qualified person to deliver the course.

Please use the Contact Form to enquire about coaching courses, those up to CL2 are usually run fairly regularly on demand and CL3 courses are run periodically during the year.

The modules will be delivered by the appropriate level of qualified coach using the Modular Coaching Scheme Log Book which is used to document their progress as well as providing detailed information about the various units. The log books are supplied to the qualified coaches via the Director of Coaching at a cost of £20.

Once a candidate has been assessed, the appropriate certificate will be issued by the Director of Coaching.

For the award to be current the helm/coach must be a current member of the BDA, this membership includes personal liability insurance cover and should be considered essential.

The following is an outline of each of the awards:-

Basic Helm Level 1 (Personal skills award)

The Basic Helm operates at the Foundation level of the sport and is the basic personal skills award that is the pre-requisite for anyone wishing to hold the Advanced Helm Award or any of the Coaching Awards. It is for those wishing to either develop their helming skills or become involved in coaching the sport of Dragon Boat Racing.

Advanced Helm Level 2 (Personal skills award)

This award specifically covers the skills necessary to run a crew safely over any normal racecourse and under any normal race conditions. It is a personal skills award that requires a high standard of boat control, racing awareness and a clear understanding of the Rules and Regulations of Racing. The award syllabus seeks to develop these skills in the committed Dragon Boat Racer.

Coach Level 1

This award specifically covers an introduction to the skills necessary to coach a crew safely both in training and racing. The award syllabus seeks to develop these skills in the committed Dragon Boat Racer. It is the starting point for all prospective coaches and should be considered as such.

Coach Level 2

This award aims to develop the idea of performance coaching in the committed Dragon Boat Racer, normally in a club based situation. As well as the skills necessary to coach a racing crew, this award also covers all the key aspects related to the safe operation of a Dragon boat such as crew briefing, risk assessment and welfare.

The Coach Level 2 award qualifies the holder to helm and coach crews under all normal training conditions.
The Coach Level 2 award qualifies the holder to supervise the training of helms.
The Coach Level 2 award qualifies the holder to introduce new members to the Modular Coaching Scheme and train them in the modules of this scheme that they have covered.
The CL2 will operate at both participation and performance levels of the sport.

Centre Coach Level 2

This award is specific variation of the CL2 award related specifically to recreational centres offering Dragon Boating to their clients; it covers all the aspects of safety and risk assessment but has reduced content related to racing and the development of performance in club situations.

The Centre Coach Level 2 award qualifies the holder to helm and coach crews under the normal training conditions associated with the centre in which they operate.
The Centre Coach Level 2 award qualifies the holder to supervise the training of helms.
The Centre Coach Level 2 award qualifies the holder to introduce new members to the Modular Coaching Scheme and train them in the modules of this scheme that they have covered.
The Centre Coach will operate at the Participation Level of the sport.

Coach Level 3

This award specifically aims to develop performance coaching skills in the committed Dragon Boat Coach. The award is focussed towards independent action of the candidate, who will be encouraged to develop their skills under the guidance of a higher-level coach and log their progression.

The Coach Level 3 will have good working knowledge of the physiology of the human body related to dragon boat racing and an understanding of the psychology of athletic performance.
The Coach Level 3 award qualifies the holder to supervise the training of Helms and Coaches from Basic Helm upwards for members coming through the Modular Coaching Scheme.
The Coach Level 3 will also be trained in and responsible for the production of courses for members on the Modular Coaching scheme, as well as their assessment up to CL2.
The Coach Level 3 will operate at the Participation and Performance level of the sport.

Coach Level 4

The Coach Level 4 award is our current highest award and it is expected that this person will be currently active in the development of significant activities in Dragon Boat Racing either in the development of the Modular Coaching Scheme, training and assessing members up to Coach Level 3 or in developing dragon boating on a Regional or National level.

Some examples of elevating a candidate from Level 3 to Level 4 would be:-

Specific projects related to the development of the British Team
International projects related to the development of EDBF or IDBF Coaching
Specific projects in the development of the coaching scheme.

The Coach Level 4 will have a good understanding and working knowledge of the physiology of the human body related to dragon boat racing and an understanding of the psychology of athletic performance.
The Coach Level 4 award qualifies the holder to supervise the training of Helms and Coaches from Basic Helm upwards for members coming through the Modular Coaching Scheme.
The Coach Level 4 will also be trained in and responsible for the production of courses for members on the Modular Coaching scheme, as well as their assessment up to CL3.
The Coach Level 4 will operate at the Participation and Performance level of the sport.

For more information please contact Dave Bangs, The BDA Director of Coaching, davebangs@hotmail.com.

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