Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning Course

The Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course is a classroom-based training designed to develop the technical knowledge needed to plan and navigate safe sea kayak journeys in tidal coastal environments.

This Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) course is a prerequisite for those seeking the Paddle UK Sea Kayak Leader award, and is also highly recommended for anyone undertaking independent journeys on the sea.

Who This Course Is For

This course is suitable for paddlers who are planning coastal journeys and want to develop a solid understanding of navigation, tides, and weather interpretation.

• Paddlers preparing for Sea Kayak Leader training or assessment

• Sea kayakers planning journeys in tidal waters

• Club paddlers and leaders building navigation confidence

What the Course Covers

The course provides the tools and understanding required to plan and navigate coastal journeys in moderate sea conditions.

• Interpreting charts, maps, tide tables, and coastal pilot information

• Visual navigation, pilotage, and simple transits

• Compass use and basic navigation techniques

• Sourcing, interpreting, and applying weather forecasts

• Planning coastal journeys and identifying hazards

• Understanding the role of the Coastguard and effective liaison

• By the end of the course, each participant will have planned at least two coastal journeys to take away as references for future trip planning.

Course Format & Practical Details

• Duration: 1 day (approximately 7 hours)

• Format: Classroom-based

• Environment: Coastal navigation theory

• Equipment: All equipment provided

• Accommodation: On-site camping and local options available

• Minimum participants: 1

Relationship to Awards

This course is a prerequisite for the Paddle UK Sea Kayak Leader award. While it is not an assessment, it provides essential underpinning knowledge for safe leadership and independent sea journeys.

Available Course Dates

This course runs on demand and is scheduled around suitable conditions and interest.

👉 Email the Academy to enquire about upcoming dates or to register interest.

Next Steps

If you’d like to discuss whether this course is right for your experience or how it fits into your paddling pathway, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to advise.

Plan your visit

All Sea Kayak Academy courses meet at our base in Pembrokeshire before heading to the coast.

We always meet at the Academy to check equipment, talk through plans, and choose the best paddling location for the conditions on the day.

Helpful information before you book or arrive:

• Where We Meet – meeting point and what to expect on arrival
• Getting Here – travel options and approximate journey times
• Accommodation – on-site camping and Holmus Cottage
• FAQs – common questions about courses and logistics

👉 Arrival details and directions are provided to booked participants.