ADVANCED COACH - FLOW
LEVEL 2 & 3 MTB CERTIFICATION
The Advanced Coach Course is the perfect progression for coaches to gain more advanced riding and coaching skills in flow/bike park style terrain, while working towards their GSMBC Level 2 or 3 Coaching Certification.
4-DAY MTB CERTIFICATION COURSE
DEVELOP your coaching skills for intermediate to advanced riders.
Learn to safely teach jumps, drops, CORNERING & MORE.
Essential training for Level 2 & 3 certifications
COURSE OVERVIEW
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Coaches comfortable riding intermediate to advanced trails and small to medium tabletop jumps.
Coaches looking to teach advanced cornering, descending, and introduce students to jumps and drops.
Experienced Level 1 coaches seeking to elevate their mountain bike programs.
Coaches aiming to refine their skills and earn an advanced certification.
Passionate coaches dedicated to inspiring and mentoring others through mountain biking.
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The Advanced Coach FLOW Course is designed to elevate coaches on the Level 2 and 3 certification pathways. This course trains coaches how to teach intermediate to advanced riders in cornering, descending and technical terrain, while safely introducing jumps and drops. Key student goals include:
Developing cornering, descending, and pumping skills for confidence and speed
Enhance speed control on flow, steeps and technical terrain
Encourage safety, confidence and consistency on jumps and drops
Over four days, coaches will focus on developing the core coaching components: Social, Risk Management, Teaching, and Technical. They'll learn to further connect with riders, build and adapt their own lessons using the industry-leading GSMBC methodologies and coaching tools. Ongoing feedback and mentoring will ensure effective learning, growth and progression!
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4-day course plus 2-3 hours of pre-course reading and online workshop.
Total of 35 hours, including both riding and coaching assessments
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GSMBC Level 1 or PMBIA Level 1 Certification is required. PMBIA & BICP Certified? Get your free crossover certs here
2+ seasons of coaching experience recommended, but not mandatory
Comfortable riding at speed on technical and flowy intermediate to advanced terrain, including green, blue, and black trails
40hr Wilderness First Aid (or equivalent) is recommended, but not required
Minimum age requirement of 17. Coaching advanced riders involves greater inherent risks, requiring higher levels of skill and accountability from coaches who bear legal responsibility for their students.
ADVANCED COACH FLOW: INTRODUCING JUMPS & DROPS, REFINING CORNERING & DESCENDING SKILLS
ADVANCED COACH FLOW: INTRODUCING JUMPS & DROPS, REFINING CORNERING & DESCENDING SKILLS
Learn to design advanced, skill-based lessons tailored to the needs of your students, focusing on cornering, technical terrain, jumps, and drops.
Master the art of safely introducing jumps and drops using industry-proven progressions that build confidence and technique.
Refine your personal riding skills while sharpening your ability to analyze and improve your students' performance with precision.
Enhance your coaching expertise with a human-centered approach, fostering meaningful connections and inspiring progress in every rider.
Elevate your passion for coaching and guiding others to reach their full potential on two wheels.
Personal video analysis on every coursE WITH THE Sportsense coaching app!
COURSE INSIGHT VIDEO
Take a look at this video to see a few of the common terrain and riding skill examples from the Advanced Coach - Flow Course.
GSMBC Advanced Coach Flow - Course Insight Video.
PLEASE NOTE: Exact terrain and feature size may vary depending on course location
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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BIKE: We recommend either a modern, well maintained downhill bike or enduro bike with at least 6 inches (150mm) of front and rear suspension with good quality disc brakes and tires, is ideal for this course. It doesn’t need to be the latest and greatest, just well maintained and appropriate for riding advanced, technical terrain. Click here to view a suitable trail bike for this course.
A good quality, well fitted full face helmet and knee pads are required in lift access bike park. For courses in non-lift accessed trail centres an open face helmet is optional.
Gloves, elbow and spine protection are recommended but not essential.
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
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Every GSMBC course aims to finish between 4 - 4.30pm, depending on the conditions that day and the specific course location.
Coaches are required to attend the course in full to be eligible for GSMBC Coach Certifications.
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The minimum age requirement for this course is 17 years old. With a higher degree of inherent risk associated with riding with and coaching advanced mountain bikers, requires an increase age minimum compared to the Intermediate Coach Course.
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Nope, we hold this course in both lift accessed bike parks and regular trail centres. The course works great whether we are catching a chair to the top, or riding to the top.
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Yes! Your GSMBC Mentor will work with you to develop your bike set up and technical riding skills throughout the course.
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During the Advanced Coaching FLOW Course, coaches will have several opportunities to practice teach, lead groups, and demonstrate their riding skills.
Coaches seeking their Level 2 Certification, will need to meet the minimum standards in the riding and coaching assessments for either this course, or the Advanced Coach TECH course.
Coaches seeking their Level 3 Certification, will need to meet the minimum standards in the riding and coaching assessments for this course and the Advanced Coach TECH course. More details on the Level 2 and 3 Certification requirements can be found here.
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Our goal is to create a fun, friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere, so coaches can learn and progress at ease. The coaching and riding skill assessments continue throughout the 4 day course as an overall impression, avoiding a ‘final exam’ senario. This human centric approach reduces stress and lets coaches explore, learn, and grow through experience.
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Coaches are assessed using the PECAM. Marking System that we have adapted from the Coaches of Canada Skill Development Model.
Processing | Emerging | Consolidating | Autonomous | Mastery
Level 2 Coaches are required to be at the ‘Consolidating’ stage of skill development in both the coaching and riding skill assessments.
Level 3. Coaches are required to be at the ‘Autonomous’ stage of skill development in both the coaching and riding skill assessments.
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Level 2 Coaches are required to be at the ‘Consolidating’ stage of skill development when riding at trail speed on green, blue and single black (advanced) terrain.
Level 3 Coaches are required to be at the ‘Autonomous’ stage of skill development when riding at trail speed on green, blue and single black (advanced) terrain.
Some technical examples include:
Dynamic Position: Demonstrates advanced body positioning, maintaining control and agility during steep descents, high-speed trails, and technical features such as jumps and drops.
Speed Control: Applies precise braking techniques to manage speed on loose, steep, or technical terrain, including controlled approaches to jumps and drops.
Flow: Scans and anticipates varied terrain, choosing optimal lines to maintain speed, efficiency, and smooth transitions, particularly when navigating jumps, drops, and tight technical sections.
Cornering: Applies advanced cornering techniques, including high-speed skills, proper bike-body separation, and smooth transitions through diverse and challenging corners.
Bumps and Rollers: Uses body mechanics to absorb or pump through bumps and rollers, maintaining speed and control in technical terrain.
Jumps and Drops: Demonstrates proper technique for takeoff, mid-air control, and landings, showing confidence and precision on small to medium tabletops.
PLEASE NOTE: Exact terrain and feature size may vary depending on course location. Coach assessment will be adapted accordingly.
Level 2 coaches should demonstrate consistent technique on small to medium jumps (1-2 bike lengths from lip to knuckle).
Level 3 coaches should showcase refined, playful technique on small to medium jumps (2-3 bike lengths from lip to knuckle) with autonomy and confidence.
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Coaches must establish strong connections with students to effectively plan, adapt, and deliver engaging, relevant, and safe lessons.
Level 2 Coaches are required to be at the ‘Consolidating’ stage of skill development when coaching during the Advanced Coach FLOW course.
Level 3 Coaches are required to be at the ‘Autonomous’ stage of skill development when coaching during the Advanced Coach FLOW course.
Core Certification Standards for advanced-level coaching include:
Applying GSMBC Coaching Models to deliver precise, impactful lessons that inspire growth and elevate student control and performance.
Building rapport with students to foster a socially safe and productive learning environment.
Demonstrating advanced risk management and safety prioritization on challenging mountain bike terrain.
Confidently leading groups in dynamic, intermediate to advanced terrain.
Developing progression plans tailored to student goals, ensuring concise and precise communication.
Utilizing varied demonstration techniques to effectively model proper riding and technical skills.
Assessing individual student abilities and adapting lessons to meet varying skill levels and learning styles.
Providing clear, constructive feedback to guide improvement while maintaining student confidence.
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: