Kayaking the Pians Rapid on the River Sanna

British Canoeing Leadership Awards

Here in the Kayak School Arlberg one of our core principles is that whoever works for us MUST be qualified. For us it is hard to understand, why there is no professional kayaking guide, instructor or coach qualification for whitewater kayaking. It is unheard of having no professional qualification in mountain sports, you would expect your ski instructor to have a qualification to teach skiing or guide off-piste and of course if you are paying for someone to guide you in the mountains then again you would want them to be a qualified mountain guide or trekking guide if you are sticking to the paths, so why is it, that in Austria kayaking has no formal professional qualification!?

This is the reason why we have trained and been assessed through British Canoeing. The structure of the awards gives you a great insight into leading or instructing and coaching. In-fact Ute said that she learnt more about coaching and instructing during her British Canoeing UKCC Level 2 Coach award in kayak and canoe than on her Staatliche Snowboard Instructor, which is Austria’s highest instructor qualification!!

In 2020 we started the pathway to becoming Providers, Trainers and Assessors for the British Canoeing Whitewater Leader awards in both Moderate Whitewater and Advanced Whitewater. With various online courses and zoom conferences it all culminated into a Training and Assessment this June around Base Arlberg - Austria.

Bob Timms came over from his home in France to run the course for British Canoeing. Bob has a wealth of experience and has spent times throughout his career working for British Canoeing National Kayaking Centre in North Wales. It was a privilege to have Bob come over to run the final part of our Provider Assessment.

Advanced White Water Kayak Leader and Advanced White Water Provider

For the first part we headed up to the stunning Engadine Region of Switzerland to kayak the Schuls Gorge of the River Inn. It is just over an hours journey from Base Arlberg and provides a great section of Alpine Whitewater to use for an Advanced Whitewater Training and Assessment. Along with Steve and Ute were Toby Saxton and Josefa Sepulveda getting assessed for the Advanced Whitewater Leader. We spent much of the day being observed by Bob, then when we were in eddy’s he would supplement his observation with questions about leading, experience gained over the years of kayaking and leading on the river. This produced some fantastic scenarios where we discussed a range of topics from: Judgement and Decision Making, Leadership styles and Behaviours, Equipment and Safety. There was certainly a lot of experience within the group from whitewater kayaking destinations around the globe such as: the Austrian, Swiss, German and Slovenien Alps to Chile, Nepal, Ecuador, India, Peru, Zambezi, Australia, Argentina and Uganda to name but a few!!

Throughout the day Bob gave us all specific scenarios on the Schuls Gorge and with everyones outstanding performances he was super happy in our knowledge and competence!

In the late afternoon, Bob was keen to see how everyone would perform in a rescue situation. As it was the weekend and the dams close their gates, we headed back to Austria to a very, very low level on the Toesens Gorge of the River Inn. This section would normally not have any rocks showing and is renowned as one of those Classic Austrian Big Volume rivers. However, today it was just what Bob was after and so with the help of Steve he set himself up in a situation where he was pinned on a rock with the current of the river pushing him and holding him in place. Josefa and Toby had to come down individually to deal with the situation, Bob had made it quite difficult to access the rocks in the river to perform a rescue. Both Toby and Josefa did a fantastic and thoroughly professional rescue, by getting out of their kayaks in a swirly eddy up onto a rock, securing their equipment then securing Bob and finally getting him out of danger and bringing him safely to the side of the river to finish the rescue and continue first aid treatment!

It was a long day but an extremely rewarding one! We headed to the best burger in the valley and while we were at Harry’s in Pettneu am Arlberg, Bob debriefed everyone from the days activity.

He was extremely happy with the long days events and scenarios and congratulated everyone on their achievements. With perfect timing the burgers arrived and we enjoyed a well deserved evening meal!!

British Canoeing White Water Leader Courses in Austria

White Water Kayak Leader Provider

The following day, Bob along with Steve and Ute headed to the Rosanna River in St.Anton am Arlberg to continue the orientation of the Moderate Whitewater Provider. This was all about to run Training and Assessment Courses for British Canoeing in a Class 2-3 whitewater environment.

The sections of the Rosanna from St.Jacob, past Pettneu and down to Schnann were the ideal place to go through the correct requirements for the Moderate Whitewater Courses.

This part of the Rosanna is lovely Alpine river with all the features required for someone to Lead on a Class 2 and Class 3, topped off with stunning Alpine scenery!

Bob was explaining and showing the differences in features, abilities of potential leaders, techniques and grade of whitewater between the Moderate Whitewater Leader and the Advanced Whitewater Leader. Again different scenarios were played out and discussed with regards to location and difficulty.

Another great day on the river and with Bob having to catch his train back to France that evening we said our goodbyes and looked forward to seeing Bob again here in this part of Austria to show him just why we think this is one of THE best places to kayak in Europe!

With the help and motivation of both Bob and Darryll at British Canoeing we managed to fulfil the final parts of our Assessments and we must say a BIG thank you to the both of them!

The results are:

Steve Brooks - Whitewater Leader and Advanced Whitewater Leader Provider.

Ute Heppke - Whitewater Leader Provider.

Toby Saxton - Advanced Whitewater Leader.

Josefa Sepulveda - Advanced Whitewater Leader.

White Water Kayak Leader Training and Assessments

Kayak School Arlberg will be running Whitewater Leader Training and Assessment courses through 2024 on rivers such as the Rosanna, Lech and Inn.

If you are keen to find out more about these courses then please check out our webpage for more information, there you can get in touch with us to organise the course most relevant for you around Base Arlberg in this stunning part of Austria.

Also, we regularly head to the Himalayas and Chile where we can also organise and run courses for individuals, clubs or company’s. Again just get in touch via email.

Advanced White Water Kayak Leader Training and Assessments

Kayak School Arlberg will be running Whitewater Leader Training and Assessment courses through 2024 on rivers such as the Sanna, Oetz and Inn.