Canoe Instructor Jobs
Working as a canoe instructor could see you introducing a group of school children to paddling on a small lake or you could be teaching already competent canoeists how to improve their white water technique. Much depends upon your qualifications. You will probably be required to have Level 1 or Level 2 coaching qualifications from the British Canoe Union (BCU) before you are allowed to teach others. As well as the technical qualifications, employers will be looking for you to demonstrate the ability to work well within a group and to be able to interact well with other people. Any previous teaching experience will help you get the job!
We asked Rob what life is like as a Canoe Instructor.
“I had to take the BCU level 2 qualification before I got my current job. I already had level 1 but the teaching I was doing meant I needed the higher qualification. Fortunately the company were happy to help me get the qualification after I started working for them. They are even helping me get my level 3 now.”
“I work with groups of mixed abilities and mixed age ranges. Some of them have never done it before while others are pretty good. I love it when you see kids getting into a canoe and being worried about staying upright, then after you show them what to do and build their confidence in the canoe, they are wizzing around the lake and asking if they can paddle on some rapids. I prefer it when I have a few days to work with the kids. Sometimes a two hour session isn’t quite long enough.”
“I’m lucky, I have a fixed contract, working full time between March and October. It’s not always easy getting a canoe coaching job but once you are in, if you are good, it can be quite easy to renew your contract for a second season if you want to. Make sure you have something lined up for the winter though.”
“Not having your own kit isn’t usually a big issue. I didn’t when I started, but as you get into the job you’ll probably find you want your own stuff. I wouldn’t get back in the boat I started in now if you paid me, ha ha.”
Search for canoe jobs