Cost of Coaching
Published March 6, 2008 | 
Silbs mentioned the price of gas going up, JB then commented on the cost of traveling to coach. Of course you can come up with numbers to prove anything but I think it’s fair to say most coaches are not getting paid a ton of cash. Let’s say an instructor got $11.00 an hour (yeah, I know, let’s pretend. . .) and taught a 6 hour class, they would earn $66. It’s not hard to imagine these days dropping $30 on gas alone just to get to the point of instruction whether a shop, lake, beach. . you name it. Just to make things easy we won’t mention other costs such as; food, taxes, certifications, general wear and expense on the vehicle and gear. . . So if you drop $30 on gas you are down to $36 or teaching for $6/h. . . but remember THAT is IF you were getting $11/hr. I don’t even want to do the math for a coach in the UK! Yarg!
Most shops of course are quite small and have very little room to move on wages. Often they pick up things such as certification costs and product discounts. Many Vendors offer coaches deals as well. So you have to take that all into account too. However you look at it though, coaches are not in it for the money! The only thing most of us ask is that we don’t end up paying to coach. . . With the cost of gas climbing I’m betting that math will be ever more on their minds.
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6 Responses to Cost of Coaching
I’ve always looked at coaching as being a passion, not a money maker. And, when I figure out what I’ve spent on kayaking and related activities (keeping certifications up, improving my skills, abilities and knowledge) as well as equipment, I certainly couldn’t have supported myself on the income. But, it is, and continues to be, none-the-less PRICELESS!
From that first dip of the blade into the water sea kayaking, and coaching/instructing others, has changed my life — yes for the better!
I’m grateful to all my paddling partners I’ve had over the years, Gary, Dick, Derrick, Sherri, Bob, Rick, Jeff, Sue, and so many more (it would take pages to name them all). And, I’m especially greatful to Sam Crowley who’s been my mentor over the past several years as I’ve worked to become and Instructor Trainer.
My goal is to continue to grow, and be coaching into my 80′s (at least another 20 years)! And, if gas is $10.00 a gallon, to get to the launch site, I may either move to the launch site and walk over, or get a tricycle with a small trailerfor my kayak !!!!!
Wow…we pay a lot better than that! You should move to Ohio, Derrick.
. . . suddenly 500 coaches start calling Ohio! (despite their deplorable voting record! LOL!)
while i also teach out of passion for the sport, it has to be said that FAR too many people who get involved teaching and guiding do so for the “lifestyle”. Coaching is a career as well as a lifestyle, and those who chose to pursue it to the highest levels deserve to be paid accordingly. Considering we are responsible for people’s lives on the water, wages need to reflect that!
I think one of the biggest problems in this industry is just that fact. Outfitters and schools do not charge what the service they are offering is worth – look at mountain guiding, skiing, or any other sports activity that involves YEARS of training for the guide/coach, at considerable expense to that individual. Look at what the companies charge for their trips or instruction, and then compare that to paddle sports. I definately think we are undervaluing our product!
That being said, your example of $11/hour is REALLY low. That is basically the starting wage for instructors out here with little to know experience, just starting down their path teaching flatwater programs. Anyone with what would be the equivalent of a L3 in the BCU stream is getting paid roughly $200/day for 8 hour days of coaching. I know quite a few coaches averaging roughly $250-300 per day for full days, and even know of a select few individuals coaching at the highest levels earning upwards of $500/day!
As for guides, that is a different story altogether, though thankfully wages have been improving the last few years as there is a dearth of quality people willing to guide, for too many years the wagews were too low and that scared many excellent potential lead guides into changing careers.
That was a rather long ramble/rant, at the end of the day, we should be paid what our experience and skills are worth! Thankfully I work for a large shop and school that is putting over 3000 people per year through various school programs which has the leeway to attract and retain quality coaches and pay them accordingly.
michael (who is quite happy with his paycheque every 2 weeks and loves to teach!)
Screw it, I’m in it for the fame
It went from Class to Mass to Crass!
Hemingway