Instructor Training

Instructor Training days 1st & 2nd April 2010

1)   In the week leading up to the Briefing there are opportunities for volunteers to help us to get things ready and do some work around the Centre, as last year, (from Monday 29 March this year) – if you are interested please let Frank (frank@medinavalleycentre.org.uk) know a.s.a.p.

2)       As you know we hope to be doing more Canoeing and Kayaking and therefore need instructors appropriately qualified.  If there is sufficient demand an external instructor will come in to coach/assess BCU 2 star on 3rd April 12:00 - 18:00 and 4th April 13:00 - 18:00. March.  We need to know numbers a.s.a.p. so please get back to Frank by Friday 12^th. March.  There will be no charge for this and the centre will provide meals and accommodation gratis, assuming that you are prepared to use your skills at the Centre.  Progression from a 2* would be to do a Level One Coach Award, which is the first rung on the BCU Coaching ladder and would enable you to accompany a Level 2 Coach, as well as teach on your own in sheltered waters – e.g.small pond, canal, swimming pool.  The aim is that there will be enough people with BCU 2* to run a Level 1 Coach assessment this year.

3)      RYA Junior Stage 1 & 2 courses have been advertised for Easter week Monday April 5th – Friday 9th and if you are available to work on these please Frank know – this will be on a first come, first served basis. Weekend accommodation on April 3-4 will be available as well as accommodation during the courses.

 PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME FOR INSTRUCTOR BRIEFING:

Thursday, April 01 H.W. 13.47 4.8m

 0730                 Morning run and mud dip

 0800                 Breakfast     

0915                 Welcome. RYA update

1045                 Sail/kayak

1400                 Sail/Kayak/Canoe*

1700                 Dinner

Friday, April 02 H.W, 1429

0800                 Breakfast

0915                 State of the MVC Nation

                        MVC future direction

                        2010 Pay scales

                        The Safeguarding scheme and implications for working at MVC

                        Sign up availability for 2010

1100                 Sail/Kayak/Canoe*

1300                 Lunch

1400                 Sail

1700                 Close

* Canoeing skills will include paddling open boats single-handedly, assuming that conditions allow this.

Please get back to Frank by March 12^th. to confirm your attendance, particularly for the Child Protection Course.  If you want any meals or accommodation at the centre, then copy Kate in (kate@medinavalleycentre.org.uk) with arrival and departure times.  Kate is House Manager, so do not blame her if you do not have anywhere to sleep or anything to eat, if you have not asked her.  Similarly, if you have any special diet requests, then also let her know. If you need to be picked up please try to get to Newport or St. Mary’s Hospital – buses run every 8 minutes from the Red Jet Terminal at West Cowes.

Work With Us....

• Are you enthusiastic about sailing?!
  
• Keen to develop your skills?!
• Want to share your skills with others?!
  

If the answer is "YES" and you have passed your RYA Seamanship and Performance modules, in sympathy with our ethos and are prepared to work hard we would like you to join our team!

For more than 15 years, dinghy sailors who have attained a high standard of sailing ability have joined our seasonal instruction team for from three to six summer weeks. They progress from trainees, returning the next season as assistants, before qualifying as full instructors.

Amongst other things, you will improve your powerboat skills, learn about boat maintenance and first aid and learn to work in a team. Also in return for your efforts we will train you on the job, provide board and lodging and some pay?

Instructors work hard, they also play hard; many instructors return year by year drawn back not only by the attraction of sailing but also to share the friendship, fun and food.