Sea Kayak

ACADEMY

Coaching and Qualifications

Sea Kayaking Courses

Sea Kayak Academy provides quality courses, from first-time paddlers to advanced sea kayaking assessments.

Expect to improve skills, increase awareness and meet like-minded people, all whilst having fun enjoying the spectacular beauty of Pembrokeshire in Wales.

Excellent instructor-to-group ratios

To ensure you get the personal attention you need. From complete beginner to advanced sea kayak guru, we are here to help you along every step of that wonderful journey.

Located in the Beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

We have access to the Pembrokeshire coastline which is the perfect environment for learning, exploring and developing your sea kayaking skills.

High-end Equipment

With top-level equipment available including drysuits and women-specific buoyancy aids. To keep you warm and comfortable during your time with us.

Skill Level

Courses are listed in order of difficulty and experience level. Find where you are now and work your way down the list from there!

Discover your potential

Sea Kayaking Courses

Sea Kayak Academy provides quality courses, from first-time paddlers to advanced sea kayaking assessments.

Expect to improve skills, increase awareness and meet like-minded people, all whilst having fun enjoying the spectacular beauty of Pembrokeshire in Wales.

Discover your potential

Excellent instructor-to-group ratios

To ensure you get the personal attention you need. From complete beginner to advanced sea kayak guru, we are here to help you along every step of that wonderful journey.

Located in the Beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

We have access to the Pembrokeshire coastline which is the perfect environment for learning, exploring and developing your sea kayaking skills.

High-end Equipment

With top-level equipment available including drysuits and women-specific buoyancy aids. To keep you warm and comfortable during your time with us.

Skill Level

Courses are listed in order of difficulty and experience level. Find where you are now and work your way down the list from there!

Choose your course

Stunning Pembrokeshire view with sea kayakers

Our Reviews at Sea Kayak Academy

Leigh

22. February, 2023.

I just finished a few days of moderate water training with Ian. What a great experience! Ian is a natural born teacher; patient, calm, constructive and able to nudge you out of your comfort zone in a way that feels controlled. He had me paddling in a tidal race on the first day, which is something I never thought I’d have the confidence to do. I feel I have gained so much confidence and skill from my time out along the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, and also really enjoyed Ian’s extensive knowledge of the local wildlife and geology. I’m already planning to return for more!

Martin Bates

27. January, 2023.

2 days with Ian on an intermediate sea kayaking course. Throughout the 2 days Ian was flexible,supportive and completely client focused. A great 2 days with loads learnt and techniques improved. Plenty of laughs along the way. Thanks. Martin

Darren Wynne

26. January, 2023.

Had a brilliant couple of days on a BC Sea Kayak Award Course with a mate. Very informative, excellent local knowledge, totally flexible with the itinerary, relaxed and helpful. Hadn't met any of the team prior to booking, but through a series of messages I was happy that they could cater for our objectives. Excellent communication throughout, simple to pay and even got a free camp spot into the bargain! We learnt way more than we could have expected, from planning with charts, maps and apps through to reading the water and picking routes through the rocks. Got some surfing into the bargain and some tide race action too! Maneuvering was practiced through some caves and rocks with some nice pour over features. Did some rough water rescue and a some risk assessment. SKA couldn't have been more accommodating throughout. The excellent photos taken by Ian were a really nice additional touch.....not many people take a DSLR out on the water! Thanks for a brilliant couple of days. We will be back for sure! Darren.

huw samuel

19. January, 2023.

Earlier review was for a previous session, but just been for a two day improvers course with Amy and Ian, as always totally professional but very relaxed and enjoyable. Considering the time of year we had great weather with plenty of sunshine, adding to a great experience. 👍

Jolien Gekiere

4. December, 2022.

I did an Advance sea kayak leader course with Ian and it was everything I was looking for. Ian is inspirational coach and did a great job with getting the best out off the conditions and tried to give every member off the group what they were looking for. I learned a lot and this was for sure not my last paddle with Ian.

Peter Smith

1. December, 2022.

Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training with Ian Jennings from Sea Kayak Academy; Had a fantastic 4 days training on the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast. Along with his expert knowledge and wealth of experience, Ian's approach and coaching style in leadership was exceptional! I can highly recommend Sea Kayak Academy for any level of paddler. Truly inspirational!

Ian Kavanagh

21. November, 2022.

Pembrokeshire is a hidden gem for sea kayakers; tidal races, rockhopping and scenery that can only be experienced, not described. Ian Jennings found exactly the conditions we were looking for and guided us safely through to its best bits, all done with his easy going manner. We'll definitely be back.

neil buckland

17. November, 2022.

I had an amazing coaching session with Ian and faced some demons and came away feeling that I had progressed and was ready for more 🙂

Helen Platel (Solva Holiday Cottages)

4. October, 2022.

I was very lucky to have one to one instruction with Amy, it was a fantastic session, very concise but relaxed all at the same time ❤️ I’ve learnt loads and am hoping to come back for more. I’d recommend Sea Kayak Academy to all

Ben

26. September, 2022.

I learnt to sea kayak some years ago with Ian who taught me to be an independent paddler. I still go back and book trips and training with Ian, he has amazing local knowledge and is a great coach so you always have an enjoyable day on the water.

Sea Kayak Academy

Highlights

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Top level coaching

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Low group to coach ratios

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No minimum booking numbers to run

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Pembrokeshire coast

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Dedicated training room

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Equipment included

About us

A team of kayakers who are dedicated to providing quality kayaking courses and qualifications.

The Sea Kayak Academy focus on the individual development of each and every paddler we meet.

We aim to help you become the safest, most confident paddler you can be. Whilst qualifications are great for measuring our abilities we intend to focus on making better paddlers first.

We have dedicated onsite facilities including a drying tunnel, training room and a kayak shop.

About the team at Sea kayak academy

Plan Your Next Course With Us

From complete beginner to advanced sea kayak guru, we are here to help you along every step of that wonderful journey.

View our courses and book with us today!

Plan Your Next Course With Us

From complete beginner to advanced sea kayak guru, we are here to help you along every step of that wonderful journey.

View our courses and book with us today!

Details

Sit On Top - Safety Day

Learn about the basics of using a sit-on-top kayak safely in the sea environment.

Gain the ability to plan simple trips and paddle them with confidence.

Details

Sit On Top - Improvers Day

Coaching on your specific needs to improve skills, knowledge and confidence allows you to get to more adventurous locations in the future.

Details

Introduction to Sea Kayaking

For those who’ve never kayaked before but who are intrigued by the more traditional sit-inside sea kayaks.

Details

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning

Plan and navigate effectively on coastal journeys in moderate sea conditions.

What Our Clients Say

"SoT Kayak Safety course

Amy, our instructor for the day, was excellent, communicating everything clearly. I was immediately reassured. Guidance, tuition and activity were nicely balanced with plenty of time for exploring caves and observing wildlife. I’d highly recommend this course to anyone looking to explore their local coastline. I feel much more confident in planning and executing a trip now.

– Jonathon S

"Fantastic!!!

Thoroughly enjoyed our day and learnt so much. Amy our instructor was amazing and very knowledgeable in terms of using the Kayak safely as well as the local area and its wildlife. Thanks very much – we will be back.

– Gareth

FAQs

What kit do you provide?

Here at Sea Kayak Academy, we believe in providing the absolute best experience possible.

We feel that your experience is a far more enjoyable one if you are using the best equipment and staying warm and dry, which is why we are proud to provide quality kit including dry suits.

Equipment you will be provided with for all water-based courses includes:
Kayak
Paddle
Buoyancy aid
Spraydeck (for sit-in kayak courses)
Drysuit / Wetsuit*
Shoes
Helmet
Drybag (for your sandwiches, spare warm layers, etc)

In winter and on cold days you can wear one of our dry suits, on cooler days one of our long john wetsuits and paddle jackets and on those particularly hot days, just your own shorts and t-shirt will do.

What do I need to bring with me?

Water-based courses

Always bring:

Comfortable warm layers to be worn underneath a drysuit.
Shoes
Towel
Water bottle
Lunch
Extra snacks

Also bring on…

Hot days:

Sunscreen
Sun hat
Swimwear if you opt to wear a wetsuit, or for that lunchtime swim

Cold days:

Extra sweatshirt
Warm hat

Land-based courses

Always bring:

Lunch (Alternatively the nearest garage is located a 10-minute drive away in Letterston)
A notepad and pen

We will provide tea, coffee and water.

Can I bring my own kit:

You are most welcome to bring any or all of your own kit.

You do not need to notify us ahead of time what kit you require, we will be able to organise all required equipment when we meet you.

Before heading out from the base for the day your coach will check to ensure that your kit is suitable for the environment and is in good condition. If anything is deemed unsuitable for the course we will ask you to use our equipment.

We can also help you with any questions you may have about your equipment.

Sea Kayak Academy has a range of equipment for sale. Please visit our online shop or get in contact for details.

More Faqs

Our Blog

Should I choose a Sit-on-Top or a Sea Kayak?

Equipment use, Kayaking

Should I choose a Sit-on-Top or a Sea Kayak?We often get asked "Which is better? A sit-on-top kayak, or one of those ones where your legs are on the inside?" Of course, there is no easy answer to this question. Instead, I would ask, "What is it you want to get out of...

What should I take with me when paddling on the sea?

Equipment use, Kayaking

What should I take with me when paddling on the sea?Walk into any kayak shop as a newbie paddler and you may be overwhelmed by the huge selection of safety gear on offer. Just what is it all? And do you actually need it to go out paddling? There’s a vast variety of...

Kajak Sport – Marko’s Sea kayak in Pembrokeshire

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Marko from Kajak Sports experience with Sea Kayak Academy. Kajak Sport is a company based in Finland that designs and manufactures high-quality kayak parts – if you own a sea kayak it’s highly likely that at least some of the parts are manufactured by Kajak Sport. One...

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