Matt Giblin

 

Background

I have been working in the outdoors for almost 20 years, in a wide variety of coaching environments.
Early experiences as an activity instructor at a Yorkshire outdoor education centre led to employment as a
chief instructor at a multi-activity centre in Shropshire.

In 2003 I completed a BSc (Hons) Degree in Outdoor & Environmental Education at Liverpool John Moores University. Post-graduation, I gained a passion for coaching skill development and instructor training, with involvement in delivering British Canoeing Coach Education courses.

A move to North Wales gave me the opportunity to further this experience, to develop my own paddling skills and to work in challenging settings with diverse groups of clients and students. During this time, I provided BC Coach Education courses and Coach Update weekends for Canoe Wales & Canoe England.

In 2008 I completed a PGCE in Physical Education which led to employment as a PE teacher at a sports college in Manchester. I spent 6 years as a Faculty Lead for Education, Access & Creative Industries. I was also Course Leader of the Outdoor Adventure Studies Foundation Degree & BA in Outdoor Leadership at Hugh Baird University Centre, Liverpool.

I’ve paddled throughout the UK and Europe, as a British Canoeing level 4 White Water Kayak Coach, Level 3 Sea Kayak Coach, Canoe Coach and provider of multiple British Canoeing coach education, leadership and personal performance awards.

Film Making

Since 2008 I’ve been filming / producing our Kayak Essentials instructional DVDs and have discovered a new passion for all aspects of the process. I hope that future opportunities will see me do more of this work and other related activities.

We recently won two awards:

Best Instructional Film ‘Sea Kayak Essentials Vol 2’ at the 2017 Reel Paddling Film Festival

SeeMôr Film Festival for ‘On Celtic Tides’ – the story of Nick Cunliffe’s and John Jackson’s epic round-Anglesey swim

 

 

In 2019 I completed an MA in Sports Coaching, and have developed an interest in a wide range of research topics linked to coaching and the outdoors. These include the use and validity of observing peers, developing communities of practice and the mechanisms used by coaches and educators when developing decision-making skills in their students.

My Masters dissertation focused on situational awareness of sea kayak guides and how situational demands impact on this. Long term, I am aiming to complete a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance.

 

 

Paddlesport Qualifications

Level 4 White Water Kayak Coach
Advanced White Water Kayak Leader

Level 3 Sea Kayak Coach
Advanced Sea Kayak Leader

Moderate Water Canoe Coach

Moderate water leader (open canoe)

 

British Canoeing Provider

FSRT Provider
Personal Performance Award Provider
(across disciplines)

Paddlesport Leader Provider
Paddlesport Instructor Provider

Core Coach Training Tutor
Sheltered Water (canoe & kayak) Tutor/Assessor

Sea Kayak Coach Tutor/ Assessor

 

Mountain Training Qualifications

Mountain Leader (summer conditions)
Rock Climbing Instructor

 

Mountain Training Provider

Lowland leader Director

Hill & Mountain Skills Tutor

Rock Skills Tutor

Mountain Leader Second Staff

RCI second staff

 

Academic qualifications

BSc (Hons) Outdoor & Environmental Education

PGCE Physical Education – with QTS

MA Sports Coaching – Sept 2019