--- title: Dragon Boat Coaching Courses | Get Qualified to Lead | BDA description: Get qualified to lead dragon boat sessions with BDA-aligned coaching courses. Start from Basic Helm and progress to Level 3 performance coaching. Enroll image: https://dbx.events/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dbx-theme/images/og-default.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://dbx.events/get-qualified#main) [![DBX Dragon Boat Experience](https://dbx.events/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dbx-theme/images/dbx-lockup.png?width=1000&height=300&name=dbx-lockup.png)](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) [Home](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) [Youth](https://dbx.events/youth?hsLang=en) [Scouts](https://dbx.events/scouts?hsLang=en) [Corporate & Crews](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews?hsLang=en) [Get Qualified](https://dbx.events/get-qualified?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://dbx.events/blog?hsLang=en) [About](https://dbx.events/about?hsLang=en) [Enquire](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [Home](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) [Youth](https://dbx.events/youth?hsLang=en) [Scouts](https://dbx.events/scouts?hsLang=en) [Corporate & Crews](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews?hsLang=en) [Get Qualified](https://dbx.events/get-qualified?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://dbx.events/blog?hsLang=en) [About](https://dbx.events/about?hsLang=en) [Enquire](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [07453 214 171](tel:07453214171) [contact@dbx.events](mailto:contact@dbx.events) - - - - - ![538177272_18525473419049071_2937134922596012817_n](https://dbx.events/hs-fs/hubfs/538177272_18525473419049071_2937134922596012817_n.jpg?width=1440&height=1911&name=538177272_18525473419049071_2937134922596012817_n.jpg) # Get qualified to lead on the water BDA Modular Coaching Scheme awards, delivered at our London venues. Two tracks: helm awards for steering a boat safely, and coaching awards for training a crew. Everyone starts with Basic Helm, and we take you through to Coach Level 2. [Enquire about a course](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [See the awards](https://dbx.events/get-qualified#helm) Tracks: helm awards and coaching awards 2 BDA awards we deliver 5 Two coaches holds Level 3 L3 Certified by the Director of Coaching BDA Why we run the courses ## More qualified helms means more boats on the water Dragon boating is limited by a simple thing: a boat cannot go out without a qualified helm. Every club, school and centre that wants to run sessions needs someone certified, and there are not enough of them. The BDA scheme is modular and club-based, which means a Level 3 coach can deliver and assess it locally rather than everyone travelling to a national course. That is what we do. Awards are certified by the BDA Director of Coaching, and you need current BDA membership to hold one, which includes personal liability insurance. ## How the scheme fits together Basic Helm is the door to everything. After that you choose whether you want to steer better or start coaching, and the two tracks can be taken side by side. 1. 1 Everyone starts here ### Basic Helm Level 1 The personal skills award every other award is built on. Boat control, crew briefing, race rules and emergency procedures. Whether you want to steer or to coach, this comes first. 2. 2 Then choose a track ### Advanced Helm Level 2, or Coach Level 1 Advanced Helm takes your steering to race standard. Coach Level 1 introduces the skills to coach a crew safely in training and racing. Many people do both. 3. 3 Run your own sessions ### Coach Level 2 or Centre Coach Level 2 Helm and coach crews, supervise helm training and bring new members into the scheme. Coach Level 2 is the club and competition route; Centre Coach is calibrated for recreational centres and schools. ## Helm awards Personal skills awards. These are about handling the boat, and they are the prerequisite for every coaching award. Helm track, Level 1 ### Basic Helm Level 1 The starting point for everyone The prerequisite for the Advanced Helm award and for every coaching award. Covers the personal skills required to helm a dragon boat safely: boat control, crew briefing, race rules and emergency procedures. Prerequisites None. BDA membership required to hold the award Format Practical and theory, club-based Leads to Advanced Helm, Coach Level 1 Who it's for Anyone who wants to steer, or to start coaching [Enquire about Basic Helm](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) Helm track, Level 2 ### Advanced Helm Level 2 Steer a crew safely in any normal race Qualifies you to run a crew safely over any normal racecourse and under any normal race conditions. A high standard of boat control, racing awareness, and a working understanding of the rules and regulations. Prerequisites Basic Helm Level 1 Format Practical and theory, club-based Focus Boat control, race awareness, rules Who it's for Helms who want to steer in competition [Enquire about Advanced Helm](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) ## Coaching awards Coaching awards. From your first session coaching a crew to running a club's programme. We deliver and assess up to Level 2. Coach track, Level 1 ### Coach Level 1 Your first coaching award Introduces the skills necessary to coach a crew safely, both in training and in racing. For committed paddlers who hold the appropriate helm award and want to start coaching rather than only paddling. Prerequisites Basic Helm Level 1, committed racer Format Practical and theory, club-based Leads to Coach Level 2 Who it's for Paddlers starting to coach [Enquire about Coach Level 1](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) Coach track, Level 2 ### Coach Level 2 Helm, coach and develop other helms Qualifies you to helm and coach crews under all normal training conditions, supervise the training of helms, and introduce new members to the Modular Coaching Scheme. Performance coaching alongside safety, crew briefing, risk assessment and welfare. Prerequisites Coach Level 1 Format Practical and theory, club-based Operates at Participation and performance level Who it's for Club coaches, team leads [Enquire about Coach Level 2](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) Coach track, Level 2 ### Centre Coach Level 2 For schools, centres and event providers The Coach Level 2 award calibrated for recreational centres rather than competitive clubs, with reduced racing and performance content. Helm and coach crews in centre conditions, supervise helm training, and bring new members into the scheme. Prerequisites Basic Helm Level 1 Format Practical and theory, at your centre Operates at Participation level Who it's for Schools, watersports centres, events [Enquire about Centre Coach](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) ![538177272_18525473419049071_2937134922596012817_n](https://dbx.events/hubfs/538177272_18525473419049071_2937134922596012817_n.jpg) Going further ## Coach Level 3 and Level 4 The two senior awards let you supervise and assess other coaches, and produce courses for the scheme. Under BDA rules they are assessed by the Director of Coaching under the guidance of a Level 4 coach, so they are not something we deliver ourselves. If you are heading that way, talk to us: we can advise on the route and point you to the BDA. - Level 3: supervise helms and coaches, assess up to Coach Level 2 - Level 4: assess up to Coach Level 3, develop the national scheme - Both assessed by the BDA Director of Coaching - Log books and course details from the BDA directly [BDA coaching scheme](https://www.dragonboat.org.uk/the-bda/coaching/) ## Ready to get qualified? Tell us which award you are interested in and where you are starting from. We'll be in touch within 24 hours with upcoming dates. [Enquire](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [![DBX Dragon Boat Experience](https://dbx.events/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dbx-theme/images/dbx-lockup.png?width=1000&height=300&name=dbx-lockup.png)](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) London’s specialist in youth dragon boat development and BDA coach training. Based at Canary Wharf and Royal Docks. [07453 214 171](tel:07453214171) [contact@dbx.events](mailto:contact@dbx.events) Canary Wharf and Royal Docks, London - - - - - ## Youth - [Youth development](https://dbx.events/youth?hsLang=en) - [Schools](https://dbx.events/youth#schools) - [Team GB pathway](https://dbx.events/youth#pathway) - [Scouts programme](https://dbx.events/scouts?hsLang=en) ## Training - [Corporate event days](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews#corporate) - [Club crew training](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews#crews) - [Charity and race days](https://dbx.events/#charity) - [Get qualified](https://dbx.events/get-qualified?hsLang=en) ## Organisation - [About DBX](https://dbx.events/about?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://dbx.events/blog?hsLang=en) - [British Dragon Boat Association](https://www.dragonboat.org.uk) © 2026 Dragon Boat Experience. All rights reserved. BDA-affiliated coaching. 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