To those who asked, I haven't observed a course yet (apart from the one I was on, obviously). But from what I can tell, they don't require the "observe" thing before the "assist" thing anymore. From the BSAC website it states the requirements as basically:
- Done course yourself
- Be an instructor
- Serve "actively" as an assistant instructor to gain recommendation
In fact, it even now says that "Sitting at the back as an observer is neither appropriate nor acceptable training for someone who is to be an Approved Instructor."
All from
http://www.bsac.org/techserv/sdc/nxi.htm
Sounds like some promising courses people have come up with anyway.
Gavin: I can't get down to the Midlands that weekend, otherwise it would have been perfect.
Janos: never actually occured to me to check the POE...
Contacting regional coaches would have been a next step, but I know they don't do anything over summer so hoped a club might be doing it before then (I won't have a car after the end of September, back at Uni).
Gareth: I was trying to get our training officer to get a combined course run, but hes complaining that we don't have enough time to do it and wants to do a basic course (which i'm still working on talking him out of - both for the students doing something more useful, and for me so I can assist!). Certainly still a possibility though, i'll do some more work of talking him into it :O)
Nick: I could make any of those dates you mentioned in August / September, i'll PM you with more details about what i've done / where I am, etc, and see if I can be of use to you
David