A comparative analysis of the coaching skills required by coaches operating in different non-competitive paddlesport settings

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the coaching behaviours of different paddlesport coaches (n = 17). A sample of coaches specialising in non-competitive paddlesport from professional, club and educational contexts are examined utilising a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews. The three groups are shown to share common aspect such the importance of interpersonal skills within their coaching, the development of their coaching skill set via experiential learning and effective reflection and the importance of effective Professional Judgment and Decision making. However, the groups differ in respect to how they view their coaching role, the role of personal performance skills within their coaching and the impact of formal coach education in their development. The implication for coach education is that coaches working in an educational setting may be better served by a coach educational process that focusses more specifically on their skill set requirements and less on performance development.

KEYWORDS:

• Adventure sport
• paddlesports
• kayaking
• teaching

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dean Sinfield

Dean Sinfield is a Senior Instructor at Plas y Brenin, Sport England's National Outdoor Centre, where has responsibility for developing 'teaching and learning' across their wide range of courses. He is currently reading for a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance through the University of Central Lancashire. His research interests include the development of situational awareness in outdoor leaders and coaches. He has worked in the outdoors in a range of environments for over 30 years. He is actively engaged in the development of coaches and leaders in the mountain and moorland environments as well as a wide range of paddlesports.

Justine Allen

Justine Allen, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at the University of Stirling. She is Programming director for the MSc Performance Coaching and PGDip Performance Coaching (Paddlesports). Justine has published over 30 articles and regularly presents at both researcher and practitioner-focused conferences. She has been a national talent development coach and is a coach developer for sports organisations.

Loel Collins

Loel Collins, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire in the Institute of Coaching and Performance. His research interests lie in the understanding of judgement and decision making in complex environments and the education and training of outdoor professionals. He has taught extensively in the outdoor sector with more than thirty years of experience in a wide range of organisations around the world working as a guide, leader and coach before joining the university and completing his doctorate in 2014. Loel has a background as a kayaker and canoeist having explored in many of the greater ranges and the Arctic.