Everything Awesome

It’s easy for sports coaches to forget the “beginner’s struggle.” Once you’ve mastered a discipline, your movements become economical and refined; you’ve trimmed away the excess until the difficult looks effortless. To an outsider, an expert barely looks like they’re trying. But for a novice, every fundamental is a conscious battle, and every motion is inefficiently large.

To reconnect with this reality, I’ve decided to become a beginner again.

Despite being a competent Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP), I am qualified as an instructor, leader, and sheltered water coach. I have stepped into the world of white water SUP. The experience has been transformative. I am loving the “fun of doing,” but I’m finding even more value in the “fun of failing.” Making mistakes and navigating the steep learning curve of a new environment has been incredibly grounding.

This experience has reinforced a vital lesson: Empathy is a coaching superpower. When we remain comfortable in our expertise, we lose touch with the cognitive load and physical frustration our students face. We forget what it feels like to have “clumsy” muscles or a brain overwhelmed by basic cues. By placing myself back at the starting line, I am reminded of how a beginner actually processes information and how vital patience is to the learning cycle.

I would advise any coach, regardless of their accolades or qualifications, to pick up a sport they have never tried. Immerse yourself in the awkwardness of a new skill. Understanding the emotional and physical hurdles of a novice firsthand is the single most effective way to refine your communication and become a more impactful, empathetic educator.

Being an expert is great, but being a beginner is where the real growth, for both you and your future students, truly happens.

To become a qualified paddlesport coach, the primary route is through the British Canoeing (Paddle UK) pathway. This qualification allows you to coach specific disciplines (like Sea Kayak, White Water, or SUP) and environments.

The route is split into three main phases: Training, Consolidation, and Assessment.

1. Prerequisites (The Essentials)

Before you can formally begin the assessment phase, you must meet these foundational requirements:

• National Association Membership: You must be a full member of Paddle UK (or Paddle Scotland, Paddle Wales, or Paddle Northern Ireland).
• Safeguarding Training: An in-date (within 3 years) recognized safeguarding certificate.
• First Aid Award: Usually a 1-day (8-hour) or 2-day (16-hour) certificate, depending on the environment you plan to coach in.
• Personal Skills: While not always a formal prerequisite for training, you should be at a Paddle Explore Award level (or equivalent) to ensure you are comfortable on the water.

2. The Training Phase

The coaching qualification is “modular,” meaning you can take these two courses in any order, though most people start with Core.

Core Coach Training (2 Days)

This is a discipline-neutral course that focuses on the “How” and “Who” of coaching.

• Content: Learning theory, different coaching styles, and how to structure a session to meet a learner’s needs.
• Format: Can be taken as a 2-day practical course or an online modular version.

Discipline Specific Training (2 Days)

This focuses on the “What” and “Where.” You choose one of 20+ pathways (e.g., Sheltered Water Coach, White Water Kayak Coach, or SUP Open Water Coach).

• Content: Technical and tactical skills specific to your chosen craft and environment.
• Prerequisite: You should have the personal paddling skills and, for some moderate/advanced environments, the relevant Leadership Award.

3. Consolidation & Registration

Once training is complete, you enter a “development phase” to practice your skills.

• Coaching Log: You are encouraged to log your coaching hours and reflective practice.
• Registration: You must formally register for the Coach Award with your National Association (fee applies) to access the Coach Award eLearning.
• Check-In: At least 2 weeks before your assessment, you must “Check-In” online to verify that all your prerequisites (First Aid, Safeguarding, Training, and eLearning) are on your record.

4. The Assessment (1 Day)

The final step is a practical assessment where an assessor observes you working with real students.

• Assessment Task: You will likely be asked to plan and deliver a progressive coaching session.
• Technical Check: You must demonstrate that your own personal paddling and rescue skills are at the required standard for that environment.

Summary Table: The Pathway at a Glance

If you have ambition to become a Mountain bike instructor/leader/coach then the MIAS pathway is idea.

We here at Everything Awesome have been running MIAS courses for many years with many hundreds of coaches around the UK enjoying employment due to the qualification gained with us.

This syllabus is designed as a modular training program to take a rider from Level 1 (Fundamental) to Level 3 (Advanced/Elite) based on the provided Assessor Skill Level Sheet.

Course Title: Advanced MTB Skills & Technical Mastery

Duration: 3 Progressive Modules (Level 1, 2, and 3)

Objective: To develop proactive, technical, and safe mountain bike handling through the mastery of braking, balance, and obstacle clearance.

Module 1: Foundations of Control (Level 1)

Focus: Establishing safe habits and basic bike-body separation.

• Braking Fundamentals: Correct sequencing (rear before front); achieving 75% front/25% rear distribution without skidding.
• Drivetrain Management: Basic gear selection for varying terrain; eliminating cross-chaining.
• Static Balance: Introduction to the “Track Stand” (5-second hold) and weight movement around the bike.
• Vertical Mobility: * Basic pedal kicks and front wheel lifts over 10cm objects.
  • Introduction to hopping and bunny hop principles.
• Terrain Navigation: * Descending slopes up to 30degree and climbing up to 20.
  • Handling small drop-offs (up to 15cm).
  • Clearing roots and logs under 12cm.
• Cornering Basics: Body positioning (inside pedal up, weight on outside foot, knee tracking).

Module 2: Proactive Handling (Level 2)

Focus: Increasing height, steepness, and shifting from reactive to proactive riding.

• Advanced Braking: Complete use of both brakes to full potential; demonstrating individual modulation to avoid lock-ups.
• Proactive Shifting: Smooth gear transitions and an understanding of cadence and gear ratios relative to terrain.
• Balance & Air: * Extending Track Stands (5–10 seconds).
  • Front wheel lifts to 30cm; clearing 15cm obstacles.
  • Executing a stationary two-wheel hop and speed jumps (7.5cm).
• Technical Descents & Climbs: * Handling 30 degree – 45 descents and 20 – 30 climbs.
  • Drop-offs between 15cm and 50cm.
• Advanced Cornering: Applying cornering fundamentals through switchbacks.
• Trail Obstacles: Clearing medium logs and ruts (12–15cm).

Module 3: Technical Mastery (Level 3)

Focus: Elite-level maneuvers, extreme terrain, and fluid movement.

• Precision Control: Maximum power braking with full modulation; “instinctive” proactive shifting.
• Extreme Balance: * Comfortable 10-second+ Track Stands.
  • Extreme weight shifts (e.g., body behind rear axle for steep descents).
  • Stationary hops with lateral (side) movement or rotation.
• High-Level Maneuvers:
  • Front wheel lifts to 50cm; clearing 20cm+ objects.
  • Effortless bunny hops over 7.5cm+ objects.
  • Speed jumps over 10cm+ objects.
• Elite Terrain:
  • Steep descents 45 and climbs over 30
  • Drop-offs exceeding 50cm.
  • Clearing large obstacles (logs/roots over 15cm and complex ruts).
• Dynamic Cornering: Maintaining speed and technique through complex, linked series of turns (hitting apexes and accelerating out).

Assessment Methodology

Each module concludes with a practical evaluation. Students must demonstrate:

1. Consistency: Performing the skill correctly 3 out of 3 times.
2. Safety: No loss of control or “sketchy” landings.
3. Fluidity: In Level 3, the assessor looks for “flow”—the seamless transition between different skills.

The Man on Fire: Why We Must Stop Smiling Through the Smoke

The video provided serves as a startlingly perfect metaphor for modern professional burnout. We see a man standing in a serene, beautiful landscape—rolling green hills, a bright blue sky, the picture of tranquility. Yet, his head is engulfed in a roaring, animated fire. The most disturbing part? He is smiling. He looks calm, pleasant, and completely unbothered by the combustion happening atop his shoulders.

This is the face of high-functioning burnout. It is the dangerous ability to maintain a facade of “business as usual” while internally incinerating our own reserves of energy, patience, and creativity.

The Illusion of “Fine”

The primary benefit of resting is that it allows us to drop the mask we see in this video. When we are burning out, we often dissociate from the stress to survive it. We tell ourselves, “I’m fine, this is normal,” just as the man in the video blinks casually through the flames.

Taking a deliberate rest breaks this cycle of denial. It forces us to acknowledge that we are, in fact, getting too hot. Stepping away from the heat source prevents the “fire” from becoming our baseline state. Rest provides the necessary distance to recognize that living with a constant, low-level alarm bell ringing in our heads is not sustainable.

Protecting Your Cognitive Landscape

Notice the background of the video: a stunning, expansive view of nature. Yet, because the man is on fire, the viewer barely notices the hills. The fire demands all the attention.

Burnout does the same to our cognitive focus. It creates a tunnel vision where all we can see is the immediate crisis or the next deadline. We lose the ability to see the “bigger picture”—strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and long-term planning all vanish in the smoke.

Rest extinguishes the immediate threat, allowing the smoke to clear. When we step back, our peripheral vision returns. We regain the ability to appreciate the landscape of our work and lives, spotting opportunities and solutions that were previously obscured by our own exhaustion. Neural pathways associated with creativity and innovation require downtime to regenerate; without it, we are simply burning fuel without moving forward.

From Ash to Sustainability

Finally, the most critical benefit of rest is physical and emotional longevity. If the man in the video were to stay on fire indefinitely, eventually, there would be nothing left but ash. The stoic smile would eventually falter.

Rest is not merely the absence of work; it is an active state of repair. It lowers cortisol levels, repairs cellular damage caused by stress, and resets our emotional baseline. By prioritizing rest before we reach the point of total ignition, we switch from a strategy of “survival” to a strategy of “sustainability.”

Conclusion

We must stop admiring the ability to smile while burning. The goal of a healthy work-life balance is not to become fireproof so we can endure more flames; the goal is to know when to step out of the fire entirely.

True resilience isn’t about how long you can withstand the heat; it’s about having the wisdom to grab a fire extinguisher—in the form of rest, boundaries, and recovery—before the fire becomes the only thing people see when they look at you.

Learning to navigate at night is one of the most empowering skills an outdoorsperson can master. It transforms a terrifying wall of darkness into a manageable puzzle. Without visual landmarks to guide you, you must rely entirely on trust in your tools and disciplined technique.

Here is a guide to building this skill safely and effectively.

1. The Golden Rule: Micro-Navigation

In daylight, you might walk 2km aiming for a large hill. At night, that hill is invisible. You must break your route down into tiny, manageable “legs” (e.g., 100m–500m).

• Shorten your legs: Never aim for a distant destination. Aim for the next immediate feature you can find (a stream junction, a wall corner).
• Attack Points: If your target is small (like a campsite), find a large, obvious feature nearby (like a lake edge) to navigate to first. This is your “attack point.” Once there, use a precise bearing for the short final distance.

2. Trust Your Compass

At night, your senses will lie to you. You may feel like you are walking straight while actually circling. You must trust the compass needle over your instinct.

• Walk on a Bearing: Take a bearing from your map. Hold the compass flat against your chest and turn your body until the needle lines up. Pick a distinct object in your torch beam (a specific rock or tree), walk to it, then stop and repeat. This “leapfrog” method ensures you walk in a straight line.

3. Count Your Steps (Pacing)

Since you cannot see how far you have travelled, you must measure it.

• Know your count: In daylight, measure how many double paces (every time your right foot hits the ground) it takes you to walk 100 meters. For most people, it is between 60 and 65.
• Beads: Use “pace beads” (or toggles on a lanyard) to count off every 100m. If you need to walk 450m, count 4.5 sets of your 100m pace.

4. Use “Handrails” and “Catching Features”

Make the terrain work for you so you don’t have to be perfect.

• Handrailing: Instead of walking a straight line through a void, follow a linear feature (a “handrail”) like a fence, a stream, or a forest edge. It acts as a guide in the dark.
• Catching Features: Before you start walking, identify a feature beyond your target that will “catch” you if you overshoot. For example, “If I cross the paved road, I have gone too far.”

5. Night Vision and Equipment

• Red Light: Use a headlamp with a red light mode. White light destroys your night vision, blinding you to the subtle shapes of the land. Red light allows you to read the map while still seeing the silhouette of the horizon.
• Luminous Gear: A compass with luminescent markings is essential. Charge it with your torch for a few seconds before checking a bearing.

How to Practice Safely

Start on a familiar path at twilight. As it gets darker, try to locate exactly where you are on the map every 5 minutes. As you gain confidence, try moving offpath in a safe, enclosed area (like a park with clear boundaries) before heading into the wilderness.

We run some awesome introduction to Night navigation evenings

We run some awesome courses teaching how to do this

Title: Mastering the Dirt: What to Expect on a Beginner Mountain Bike Coaching Course

Mountain biking is often perceived as an adrenaline-fueled pursuit reserved for daredevils, but at its heart, it is a skill-based sport where technique trumps bravado. For those new to the sport, or road cyclists trading tarmac for trails, a beginner mountain bike coaching course is the single best investment you can make—often far more valuable than a carbon fiber upgrade.

The Morning: Foundations and Safety

Most courses begin not on a mountain peak, but in a flat, grassy car park. The day typically starts with the “M-Check,” a systematic safety inspection of the bike to ensure the wheels, brakes, and drivetrain are trail-ready.

Once safety is established, the coach introduces the most critical concept in off-road riding: Body Position.

• The Neutral Position: Standing tall on the pedals with level cranks, keeping your weight centered. This is your “home base.”
• The Attack Position: Lowering the chest, bending the elbows, and looking up. This prepares you for rougher terrain.

Riders will spend the first hour drilling these postures, learning to separate their body movements from the bike. You will learn that unlike on a road bike, a mountain bike needs room to move beneath you.

Mid-Day: Core Controls

As the group moves to slightly more varied terrain, the focus shifts to controls—specifically braking and gears. Beginners often fear the front brake, believing it will send them over the handlebars. A good coach will debunk this myth immediately. You will learn “modulation”—the art of feathering the brakes rather than grabbing them. Drills will teach you to use the front brake for stopping power and the rear brake for control, all while dropping your heels to brace against the deceleration.

Gear selection is next. You will learn to anticipate the trail, shifting before a climb starts to avoid the dreaded “crunch” of changing gears under load.

Afternoon: Cornering and Trail Flow

The afternoon is usually dedicated to the skill that separates flowing riders from twitchy ones: Cornering. Instructors will teach you to look where you want to go (avoiding “target fixation” on rocks or trees) and to lean the bike while keeping your body upright. This maximizes tire traction. You might practice on cones first, learning to open your hips and point your belly button toward the exit of the turn.

Finally, the group hits the trails. This is where the magic happens. You will apply your new “toolkit” of skills to real-world features—rolling over roots, navigating small drops, and keeping momentum through berms. The coach will ride sections with you, providing real-time feedback and often video analysis.

The Takeaway

By the end of the day, the transformation is usually visible. The “death grip” on the handlebars relaxes, and fear is replaced by calculated focus. A beginner course doesn’t just teach you how to ride a bike; it teaches you how to read the trail, managing risk so you can access the reward of flow.

10 Essential MTB Skills for Beginners This video is relevant because it visually demonstrates the exact body positions, braking techniques, and cornering drills discussed in the article, offering a perfect visual recap of a typical beginner syllabus.

We offer some awesome introduction courses

UK rock climbing grades are famously complex because they prioritize information over simple difficulty. Unlike most systems that give you one number for “how hard it is,” the British “Trad” system gives you two: one for how hard the moves are, and one for how likely you are to get hurt.

Here is the breakdown of the UK grading systems.

1. Traditional (Trad) Grades

This is the unique UK system used for routes where you place your own gear (cams, nuts) for protection. It consists of two parts: the Adjectival Grade and the Technical Grade.

Part A: The Adjectival Grade (The “Vibe”)

This measures the overall feel of the route. It factors in:

• Physical exertion (how pumped you get).
• Danger (how good the gear is).
• Seriousness (runouts, rock quality).

The Scale:

• M / D / VD / HVD: Moderate, Difficult, Very Difficult, Hard Very Difficult (Beginner/easy territory).
• S / HS: Severe, Hard Severe (The classic “entry-level” for competent climbers).
• VS / HVS: Very Severe, Hard Very Severe (The benchmark for intermediate climbers).
• E-Grades (E1, E2, E3…): “Extreme.” This is an open-ended scale for expert climbing. E1 is the entry into high-performance trad.

Part B: The Technical Grade (The “Move”)

This measures only the hardest single move on the route (the crux). It ignores how tired or scared you are; it just asks, “How hard is it to pull this one move?”

The Scale:

• 4a, 4b, 4c: Juggy, good holds, requires basic balance.
• 5a, 5b, 5c: Smaller holds, requires technique and finger strength.
• 6a, 6b, 6c: Very technical, often powerful or extremely delicate.
• 7a, 7b…: Elite difficulty.

Crucial Warning: Do not confuse UK Technical grades with French Sport grades. UK 6a is much harder than French 6a.

• French 6a = ~5.10a (Intermediate)
• UK Tech 6a = ~V3/V4 Boulder move (Hard)

2. How to Read the Two Together

The magic of the UK system happens when you combine them. The relationship between the “Adjective” and the “Number” tells you what kind of route it is.

Example: The “Standard” pairing For a balanced route with decent gear and steady climbing, the grades usually pair up like this:

• VS 4c
• HVS 5a
• E1 5b
• E2 5c

Scenario A: The Grade is “High Adjective / Low Tech” (e.g., HVS 4c)

• Translation: “The moves are easy (4c), but the grade is high (HVS).”
• Meaning: This route is either bold (dangerous runouts with no gear) or extremely sustained (easy moves that never end).
• Vibe: Scary but technically easy.

Scenario B: The Grade is “Low Adjective / High Tech” (e.g., VS 5a)

• Translation: “The move is hard (5a), but the overall grade is low (VS).”
• Meaning: The crux is difficult, but it is safe. You probably have a piece of gear right by your face while you do the hard move.
• Vibe: A “one-move wonder.” Safe but pumpy.

3. Sport & Bouldering Grades

If you are climbing indoors or on bolted rock in the UK, the system changes.

• Sport Climbing: The UK uses the French Numerical System (e.g., 6a, 6a+, 6b). This is a single grade for the overall difficulty of the route.
• Bouldering: The UK uses a mix of the V-Scale (V3, V4) and the Font Scale (6A, 6B). Note that Font grades use capital letters to distinguish them from sport grades.

We run many coaching and instructional courses that will help you understand the above, and work on pushing your grade

Sheffield is surprisingly well-served for paddleboarding (SUP), offering a mix of grit-stone urban canals, managed country parks, and scenic Peak District reservoirs.

However, a crucial rule applies here: most reservoirs in the Peak District strictly prohibit swimming and paddleboarding due to cold water shock and hidden machinery. You should stick to approved locations but many local groups take precautions, and use these reservoirs despite the warnings.

Here are the best 5 legal and safe spots to paddleboard in and around Sheffield.

1. Sheffield & Tinsley Canal (Victoria Quays)

Best For: Urban exploring and an easy, sheltered paddle. The historic Victoria Quays basin in the city centre is the perfect launch point for a unique urban ride.

• The Vibe: Industrial heritage meets street art. You paddle past old warehouses and under bridges, eventually reaching the spot made famous by The Full Monty.
• Logistics: You need a Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) license to paddle on the canal. Launching is usually easiest from the Quays.
• Note: This is an “out and back” route. The water is calm, making it great for beginners, though you should be mindful of barges and debris in the water.

2. Ladybower Reservoir

Best For: Iconic Peak District scenery and big water feels. Historically off-limits, Ladybower now allows paddleboarding, but strict rules apply to protect the water and users.

• The Vibe: High-moorland views and pine forests. It is one of the most scenic places to paddle in the UK.
• Access Rules: You cannot just turn up and launch. You must book a slot through Ladybower Paddlesports, launch only from their designated pontoon, and wear a mandatory buoyancy aid.
• Cost: There is a launch fee (approx. £10–£15), and sessions are often limited to weekends or specific times.

3. Rother Valley Country Park

Best For: Beginners, families, and equipment hire. Located just southeast of the city, this is a dedicated watersports centre with a large, clean lake.

• The Vibe: Safe, supervised, and social. It’s a great place to learn the basics without worrying about river currents or canal boat traffic.
• Logistics: You can launch your own board for a fee (check their “launch and recover” prices) or hire equipment directly from the centre.
• Bonus: There is a cafe right on the water’s edge for a post-paddle coffee.

4. Manvers Lake (Wath-upon-Dearne)

Best For: A community club atmosphere and clean water. A reclaimed industrial site turned into a beautiful lake, home to a very active boat club.

• The Vibe: Sporty and friendly. It is popular for triathlon training and open-water swimming, so the water quality is generally excellent.
• Access: It is run as a club (Manvers Waterfront Boat Club). You typically need to join as a member or book a specific session/course. It is less of a “turn up and dip” spot and more of a community hub.

5. River Don (Kelham Island Loop)

Best For: Experienced paddlers seeking a challenge. The River Don runs through the heart of industrial Sheffield.

• The Vibe: Gritty and adventurous. Paddling through Kelham Island offers a view of the city’s breweries and museums from the waterline.
• Warning: Rivers are dynamic environments with weirs and currents. This is not for total beginners.
• Access: The most popular launch is near Ball Street Bridge (Kelham Island). Ensure you check water levels—too high is dangerous, too low is a scrape.

⚠️ Where NOT to Paddle

Avoid Rivelin Valley and Damflask Reservoir (unless you are part of the specific sailing/rowing club there).

For more details

We have had the above logo for a long time, and felt due for any update, this is the version i am leaning towards.