Francesca Coakley

Apprenticeship Tutor

I have always felt calmer, more relaxed and able to cope better with life’s challenges when I can spend time outside. I’ve always been interested in teaching, and being a tutor with Channel Training allows me to combine both of these together.

I have been coaching and instructing paddlesport since 2011, initially working with a community sports trust to take youth at risk and those with additional needs canoeing on the canal networks in London. Over the past 13 years I’ve had the opportunity to work with a huge variety of groups in a range of environments across the UK, setting up the first paddleboard club in London to most recently working at a new centre in Worcestershire developing the staff team and activity offering for the local community.

As well as enjoying adventures out on the water and in the mountains, I also take part and compete in long distance triathlons and I’ve had the opportunity to compete abroad. I have a particular interest in open water due to the range of health benefits it can provide and as well as teaching on outdoor specific courses, I also tutor for the RLSS and British Triathlon on their grassroots qualifications.