Paddle UK learning · Pembrokeshire weekend
The Coastal Plan & Paddle Weekend
Don’t just learn to plan. Build a genuine coastal journey on Saturday, then take that thinking onto the water with an Academy coach on Sunday.
Plan before you launch
Turn forecasts, charts and tides into a workable journey
This calm, technical course gives sea kayakers a practical planning process, not a collection of isolated calculations. It is useful for independent paddlers, club paddlers and anyone working towards Sea Kayak Leader assessment.
A good fit if you…
Want more confident coastal decisions
- Have reasonable sea-kayaking experience
- Plan journeys in tidal coastal waters
- Want to understand charts, forecasts and tidal information properly
- Support or lead paddlers within a club
- Are preparing for Sea Kayak Leader training or assessment
Relationship to the award
Required knowledge, not an assessment
For the current Paddle UK Sea Kayak Leader assessment pathway, candidates need the Weather, Tides, Surf and Swell and Navigation for Paddlers modules or eLearning. Access to all four official eLearning modules is included with this weekend. Existing Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning certificates remain accepted.
It is equally valuable if your goal is safer independent journey planning rather than a qualification.
What the course covers
A repeatable coastal-planning process
The Academy workshop applies the four modules to realistic sea-kayak journeys. The coached water day remains within the operating remit of the coach and is adapted to the forecast, conditions and group.
Charts & coastal information
Interpret nautical charts, maps, tide tables and coastal pilot information.
Tides & timing
Use tidal information to understand movement, timing, options and margins.
Weather
Find, interpret and apply forecasts to realistic coastal journey decisions.
Pilotage
Use visual navigation, transits, compass techniques and identifiable coastal features.
Hazards & alternatives
Identify exposed sections, escape options, decision points and workable alternatives.
Complete journey plans
Develop at least two coastal journey plans to retain and use as future references.
How the blended weekend works
Learn first. Apply it together.
The official eLearning gives you the core knowledge before you travel. The Academy weekend then concentrates on discussion, judgement and applying that knowledge to real coastal journeys.
Before you arrive
Complete four official modules
- Weather
- Tides
- Surf and Swell
- Navigation for Paddlers
- Access is included in the weekend price
At the Academy
Turn knowledge into decisions
- Ask questions as your plan develops
- Work through real sea-kayak journey choices
- Test assumptions with an experienced provider
- Learn from other paddlers’ routes and reasoning
- Bring a journey you genuinely want to paddle
- Leave with two completed coastal journey plans
The featured Academy experience
Plan it on Saturday. Paddle it on Sunday.
The weekend combines four current Paddle UK eLearning modules with a live Academy planning workshop and a coached day on the Pembrokeshire coast. It turns the required knowledge into practical, memorable learning.
Day one · Plan
Build a real coastal journey
- Apply learning from the four official Paddle UK modules
- Work with real charts, forecasts and tidal information
- Explore hazards, timings, escape options and alternatives
- Develop a journey plan you genuinely want to paddle
- Question and refine your decisions with an experienced provider
Day two · Paddle
Put the plan into practice
- Recheck the forecast, tides and group before launching
- Compare the plan with the coast in front of you
- Make sound decisions as conditions and information change
- Adapt the route with your Academy coach
- Review what worked and what you would change next time
Make a weekend of it
More than a classroom prerequisite
Come to Pembrokeshire for a purposeful coastal weekend, with the practical arrangements kept straightforward.
Stay at the Academy
Optional on-site camping and campervan space when ground conditions allow, with local accommodation and Holmus Cottage options nearby or on site.
Bring your own kit or use ours
Academy sea kayaks and essential paddling equipment are available if required, making the weekend easier for people travelling further.
A weekend worth travelling for
Combine recognised learning, real coastal application and time on the Pembrokeshire coast rather than completing the knowledge in isolation.
Next public weekend
8–9 May 2027
£325 per person including VAT
Two Academy days · four Paddle UK eLearning modules included · maximum six paddlers
We need three participants to run the weekend. We will confirm it by 9 March 2027; if the minimum is not reached, choose a future date or receive a full refund. Please avoid non-refundable travel arrangements until confirmation.
Choose how to reserve
Book online or directly by email
Book online for immediate confirmation through our secure booking system.
Pay by bank transfer and save the booking fee
Email the Academy to request your place. We’ll confirm availability and send payment details.
Plan your visit
A proper Pembrokeshire coastal weekend
Day one begins in the Academy classroom at New Holmus Farm. Day two takes place at the most appropriate coastal location for the forecast, conditions and group. Exact joining details are sent once your place is confirmed.