ADAPTIVE APPRENTICE COACH

This training course is your gateway to the world of adaptive mountain bike coaching! Open to three-wheeled adaptive riders and two-wheeled riders, it’s perfect for those interested in working or volunteering as a tail guide or assistant coach for adaptive and two-wheeled mountain bike programs.

1-DAY COURSE

  • THE PERFECT ENTRY INTO ADAPTIVE OR TWO-WHEELED MTB COACHING

  • LEARN TO ASSIST ADAPTIVE RIDERS WITH VARYING PHYSICAL & COGNITIVE NEEDS

  • GREAT PREPARATION TOWARDS THE ADAPTIVE OR TWO-WHEELED INTERMEDIATE COACH COURSES

REGISTER

COURSE OVERVIEW

    • This course has been developed in partnership with adaptive riders and adaptive sports organizations and is open to both Adaptive and two-wheeled riders, and acts a great stepping stone into the world of mountain bike coaching.

    • Adaptive and 2-wheel riders who aim to coach and support beginner to low-intermediate adaptive and/or 2-wheel riders.

    • Work as a volunteer guide to lead group rides for beginner to novice adaptive and two-wheeled riders.

    • Work as an assistant coach or as a ‘tail guide’ with another Level 1 certified coach, or higher.

    • Prepare for either of the Intermediate Coach Courses

    • The one-day Apprentice Adaptive Course introduces the skills for coaches to work with adaptive riders on three-wheeled, electric adaptive mountain bikes. This training course introduces coaching adaptive mountain biking, focusing on guiding and supporting riders with varying physical and cognitive needs. The day includes detailed discussions on coaching considerations and a hands-on workshop covering adaptive e-bikes and equipment.

    • Includes GSMBC Reference Guide, Apprentice Course Booklet and Online Workshop.

    • NOTE: This course does NOT certify coaches to teach independently! However, it is a great stepping stone to the Intermediate Coaching Courses and Level 1 Certification.

    • 1 day totalling approximately 8hrs

    • Includes pre-course reading materials and online workshop which constitutes approximately 1-2 hrs.

    • 16 years age minimum

    • Confident riding two-wheeled or three -wheeled bikeson intermediate (blue) single track, technical terrain.

    • Passion for mountain biking, for helping other people and being outdoors.

    • Minimum one-to-two years mountain biking experience recommended.

    • Good quality, well maintained two or three wheeled mountain bike and helmet, ideally with suspension and disc brakes.

    • E-assist MTB’s or Class-1 EMTB’s (limited speed, no throttle) are welcome.

LEARN TO TAIL GUIDE OR ASSIST ANOTHER CERTIFIED COACH WITH THIS 1-DAY COURSE

LEARN TO TAIL GUIDE OR ASSIST ANOTHER CERTIFIED COACH WITH THIS 1-DAY COURSE

Adaptive Mountain Bike Coach Certification

  1. Learn how to connect with students and provide a human-centric approach to guiding and learning.

  2. Learn the guiding, risk and class management skills to lead group rides on beginner to novice terrain.

  3. Improve your own riding skills and confidence with feedback from the GSMBC Mentor.

  4. This course will also cover the basic teaching skills and structure to assist a Level 1 certified coach, or higher.

Apprentice Adaptive Mountain Bike Coach Certification

ASSISTING CERTiFIED COACHES IS THE PERFECT ENTRY INTO MOUNTAIN BIKE COACHING!

Adaptive Mountain Bike Coach Certification
Professional Mountain Bike Instructor

Personal video analysis on every coursE WITH THE Sportsense coaching app!

ADAPTIVE INSIGHT VIDEO

Check out this video from Bowhead Corp in Whistler Bike Park to gain an insight into modern adaptive MTB’s and what they are capable of!

GSMBC ADAPTIVE PODCAST

Listen in and learn more about coaching Adaptive Mountain Biking with GSMBC’s Adaptive Program Director, Hannah Bostrom, GSMBC Adaptive Coach Mentor Jen Gadou and GSMBC’s Education Director, Paul Howard

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

    • Food, water, tools, spare tube and clothing to suit the conditions that day… we ride rain or shine!

    • First aid kit not essential, but recommended.

    • Well maintained, modern mountain bike ideally with suspension and disc brakes

    • Good quality, well fitted mountain bike helmet.

    • Gloves and knee pads are recommend.

  • Every GMCS course aims to finish between 4 - 4.30pm, depending on the conditions that day and the specific course location.

  • The Adaptive Apprentice Coach Course is for riders and coaches of all ages but the minimum participant age is 16 years old. We want to encourage all riders on two and three wheeled bikes to join the amazing career of mountain bike coaching by getting involved as tail guides or assistant coaches to support their local community programs, or their friends out on the trails!

  • No. You can take the Intermediate Coaching Course without taking this course. This course is great for volunteers or newer riders that want to help clubs, shops or high schools with their mountain bike programs, but who aren’t ready to commit to becoming a certified coach.

  • Yes! Your GSMBC Mentor will work with you to develop your bike set up and technical riding skills.

  • No. This course trains new coaches to assist as a tail guide or an assistant coach to another Level 1 Certified Coach.

    However, it does prepare you to lead (guide only) beginner group riders in green terrain, in a program with multiple coaches. Check out the FAQ’s below for more info on the course standards.

  • Coaches must be able to show fairly consistent technique when riding at trail speed on green and blue single track terrain. Some technical examples include:

    • Dynamic Positioning: able to control their own body mass to ensure a strong, yet mobile position on the bike when climbing and descending off road.

    • Speed Control: able to use the brakes on loose surfaces to slow down or maintain speed, without skidding.

    • Flow: able to scan varied terrain and choose the appropriate lines to ride safely, efficiently and smoothly.

    • Corners: able to connect or disconnect from the bike to control its direction at varied speeds, on a variety of corners.

    • Bumps: Able to use or manage their body as suspension to control bumps and rollers in technical terrain.

  • Coaches must first connect with students so they can effectively assist as a tail guide, while helping to ensure a smooth, fun, safe lesson. :

    • Connecting with students to promote socially safe, fun learning environments.

    • Prioritizing safety and risk management at all times.

    • Assisting certified coaches and groups with confidence in inherently risky mountain bike terrain.

    • Using the GSMBC Coaching Models to support safe, effective lessons that inspire and progress the students.

    • More standards are outlined in detail in the GSMBC Course materials, following registration.

REGISTER

Course Includes GSMBC Coach Reference Guide, Course Booklet & Online Workshop

Don’t forget to grab yourself some GSMBC Merch from our custom store!

COURSE REQUESTS?

If you or your team, friends or community are looking to book a course at a new location or during a time that is currently offered, please reach out to us via our course request form, available here:

GSMBC COURSE REQUEST FORM