[Helen F H]

When i used to teach kayaking i became an instructor the slow and hard way. I worked my way up through the ranks, gaining new skills and the tickets that went with them. Then i went on and did my level 1 coach and spent a couple of seasons assisting with groups. Then when i hit 18 i did my level 2 coach and started being a proper instructor, running my own courses etc. So from my first go, to my qualification was about 5 years.

I used to hate working with people who had been to college and got their ticket in a matter of months. They were fine until something out of the ordinary happened, then they hadnt got a clue! The experience that helps you in that situation simply was not there.

I also used to run the canoe club. I did this because i enjoyed teaching kids (god only knows why), and therefore i think that showed in the quality of the teaching they got. I didnt have to be there, i did it because i wanted to share the joy of the sport with others, not to earn money ( i did it for free).

Eventually i got sick of it, and since breaking my wrist i do not have the strength necessary to rescue a full kayak and empty it (most of them are around 300 litres in volume). So i packed in.