Coaching
Ken Hughes is the Canoe England North East Region’s Regional Coaching Organiser (RCO). Although the position is voluntary it can be demanding and Ken is very committed to both the region and wider voluntary duties for Canoe England (English Coaching Management Committee, BCU National Trainer, BCU Canoe Technical Group, English Safety and Rescue Group). He is a very active BCU Course Provider and has an in-depth insight into courses which range from 2 Star to the 5 Star Leader Awards and UKCC Coaching Awards Level 1 to 3. It is important that Coaching has someone who is up-to-date and active at all levels.
Although very focused on Specialist Whitewater Canoe (and it would seem you need focus if you white water canoe!), generally if it floats Ken is keen to paddle it. His interest and vocation is training and assessing coaches and leaders. He is a BCU Level 5 Coach, MIA and UK Technical Advisor for Canoeing to the Scout Association.
He also coordinates the activities of the Local Coaching Organisers who should be your first point of contact with any coaching questions.
You can contact Ken via email.
Meet your Local Coaching Organiser (LCO)
Needless to say the North East Region is a bit big for Ken to manage single handedly.
There are several Local Coaching Organisers (LCOs) who each take responsibility for
working with clubs in their areas and providing information about BCU coaching to all
who need it. Details about your LCO are available on the Contact Us page.
Carl Halliday is LCO for Northumberland.
Carl is based in Alnwick. He actively tries to spend as much of his free time either in a boat, on a crag or in the mountains and enjoys a range of paddle sports (mainly kayak river paddling & surf). He also loves travelling and has paddled and climbed in various continents around the world.
Carl is a Full-time lecturer and Course Team Leader in Outdoor Education at Northumberland College, Ashington.
David Hopwood LCO Teesside
David (aka Teespaddler) is based in Redcar and has a wide range of paddling interests that include Canoe and Kayak touring and camping, he has a wide range of outdoor interests but if pushed Dave will declare himself a traditional open boater first with river and sea kayaking a very close second.
His coaching interests include working with young people, aspects of leadership, skills development, informal learning and lots of fun!
During the day, Dave is a freelance trainer, youth worker, project manager, and fundraiser.
Email dc.hopwood@ntlworld.com