EXPERT COACH
LEVEL 4 MTB CERTIFICATION
The Expert Coach Course is the industry’s most advanced and comprehensive certification program for mountain bike skills coaching. Designed for experienced Level 3 coaches, this course is perfect for those who work full-time with high-level students or lead long-term skills development programs.
5-DAY COURSE
DEVELOP your coaching skills for ADVANCED to EXPERT riders.
REFINE YOUR SKILLS COACHING FOR LONG TERM RECREATIONAL & COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS
Essential training for the TOP-TIER LEVEL 4 COACH certification
COURSE OVERVIEW
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Coaches confident riding advanced to expert trails, including medium to x-large tabletop jumps.
Professionals seeking to coach expert riders across all terrains and disciplines, including jumps, drops, steeps, and high-speed riding.
Level 3 certified coaches or instructors aiming to guide advanced to expert riders in both short- and long-term programs.
Coaches looking to refine their craft by blending technical and mental skills for outcome-based coaching.
Full-time professional coaches ready to elevate their expertise and learn from industry leaders.
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The Level 4 Certification is the pinnacle of coaching education, designed for seasoned coaches ready to guide advanced to expert riders across all terrains and disciplines. This course focuses on coaching medium to x-large jumps, steep technical terrain, advanced cornering, drops, and high-speed riding, while blending technical and mental skills for outcome-based coaching.
Participants will learn how to address a wide range of student goals—including building confidence, adaptability, style, and precision—through both short- and long-term programs. Ideal for Level 3 coaches or full-time professionals seeking to refine their expertise and elevate their coaching to the highest level.
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5-day course plus 2-4 hours of pre-course reading and online workshop.
Total of 44 hours, including both riding and coaching assessments
Assessments include:
Online Workshop
2x Written Submissions
Skills Coaching Assessment
Riding Skills Assessment
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GSMBC Level 3 or PMBIA Level 3 Certification is required. PMBIA & BICP Certified? Get your free crossover certs here
5+ seasons of coaching experience recommended, but not mandatory
Comfortable riding at speed on technical and flowy advanced to expert, including green, blue, black and double black trails
40hr MTB-specific Wilderness First Aid (or equivalent) is strongly 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.
Not sure if you’re ready for Level 4?
If you want to understand what it takes—without committing to the full certification—the 2-Day Expert Prep Course is your next step.
Designed to bridge the gap to Level 4, this course gives you clear insight into expectations, performance standards, and the depth of coaching required—while actively preparing you to succeed when the time comes.
EXPERT SKILLS COACH: LEARN TO BUILD & COACH LONG TERM COACHING PROGRAMS
EXPERT SKILLS COACH: LEARN TO BUILD & COACH LONG TERM COACHING PROGRAMS
Develop tailored, long-term coaching plans designed to support the growth of advanced to expert riders.
Refine your ability to coach advanced skills on expert terrain, including technical features, jumps, and drops, using proven, rider-focused progressions.
Sharpen your eye for technique and learn how to analyze and address your students' performance with a human-centric, individualized approach.
Elevate your coaching expertise and technical knowledge to better inspire and guide riders and athletes toward their full potential.
Personal video analysis on every coursE WITH THE Sportsense coaching app!
COURSE INSIGHT VIDEO
This video provides an insight into some of the terrain and riding skill examples that are typical during the 2-day Expert Prep and 5-day Expert Coach - Level 4 Course
✺ 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 mandatory.
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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Yes, for now. The lift accessed environment allows us to not only access a huge variety of terrain but also helps manage energy levels when riding and coaching during a pretty intense 5-day course. This helps keeps the coaches stoked while managing risk and covering course content efficiently.
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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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The pathway towards the Level 4 requires coaches to;
Meet the course standards for all the written, coaching and riding components of the expert coaching course.
Attend at least one GSMBC Online Class.
Many coaches work as instructors or coaches for many years before attending the Expert Coaching Course. This industry experience is a key training tool to building the knowledge, skills and experience that are necessary to become a top-tier Level 4 Coach.
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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 5 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 4 Coaches are required to be at the Autonomous level of skill development, or higher, for both their riding and coaching skills.
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Level 4. Coaches are required to be at the ‘Autonomous’ stage of skill development in both the coaching and riding skill assessments, while coaching expert riders in expert 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 safe, well designed bike park medium, large and x-large tabletop jumps and drops.
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Coaches must establish strong connections with students to effectively plan, adapt, and deliver engaging, relevant, and safe lessons.
Level 4 Coaches are required to be at the ‘Autonomous’ stage of skill development in both the coaching and riding skill assessments, while coaching expert riders in expert terrain.
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: