Safety Courses

Join us on one of our safety courses and we’ll get you feeling more comfortable about planning and executing your own journeys on the sea.

Improve your kayaking safety and confidence on the sea with these Safety courses.

1. Use this guide by clicking on the level tabs above. ↑

2. Find the tab that describes your level best.

3. Match your level with the courses available below. ↓

Previous experience required:

None, start here if you haven't been in a kayak before or only a few times. We will endeavour to find the most *sheltered water* possible.

 

Sheltered Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group from being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow-moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)

Small enclosed bays, enclosed harbours where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore, defined beaches with easy places to land throughout, no tide races, overfalls or surf.

 

Previous experience required:

For our level 2 courses, you should have a small amount of previous kayak/watersport experience or at least be fairly water confident. We stay mostly in *sheltered water* but will look to start developing your confidence in small waves and light winds.

 

Sheltered Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group from being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow-moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)

Small enclosed bays, enclosed harbours where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore, defined beaches with easy places to land throughout, no tide races, overfalls or surf.

Previous experience required:

For our level 3 courses, you should have a fair amount of experience in a kayak in *sheltered water* - whether it be in a Sit-on-Top, sea kayak or other. At this level, we start to guide you out of *sheltered water* and spend some time in areas of *moderate water* conditions.

Level 3 courses are often pitched at paddlers looking to obtain their British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award.

 

Sheltered Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group from being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow-moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)

Small enclosed bays, enclosed harbours where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore, defined beaches with easy places to land throughout, no tide races, overfalls or surf.

Moderate Water as defined by British Canoeing:

A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straightforward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height).

Previous experience required:

For our level 4 courses, you should have plenty of sea kayak experience, be very comfortable with the use of a spray-skirt and be comfortable with being rescued in flat water.

Level 4 courses are often pitched at paddlers looking to obtain their British Canoeing Coastal Sea Kayak Award and aspirant British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leaders.

At this level, we generally aim to be in sustained *moderate* sea conditions with the possibility of venturing into some low level *advanced* conditions such as gentle tide races and overfalls.

 

Moderate Water as defined by British Canoeing:

A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straightforward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height).

Advanced Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Any journey on the sea where tidal races, overfalls or open crossings may be encountered and which cannot be avoided; sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or are difficult; sea state 4 and winds above Beaufort force 4; launching and landing through surf (up to 1.5 metres trough to crest height).

Previous experience required:

For our level 5 courses, you should have plenty of sea kayak specific experience in *moderate* sea conditions. You should be comfortable with being rescued in *moderate* sea conditions and an ability to roll is desirable.

Level 5 courses are often pitched at paddlers looking to obtain their British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Award and aspirant British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leaders.

At this level, we are seeking out *advanced* sea conditions, tidal rapids and/or exposed swell.

 

Moderate Water as defined by British Canoeing:

A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straightforward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height).

Advanced Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Any journey on the sea where tidal races, overfalls or open crossings may be encountered and which cannot be avoided; sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or are difficult; sea state 4 and winds above Beaufort force 4; launching and landing through surf (up to 1.5 metres trough to crest height).

 

Safety Courses

Sit-on-top-safety-course

Level 1 and 2

Sit on Top Safety Day

Learn about the basics of using a sit-on-top kayak safely in the sea environment. This course is predominantly water-based and designed to give you the ability to plan simple trips and paddle them with confidence.

 

 

Sea kayak safety course

Level 2

Intro to Sea Kayak Safety Day

Learn about the basics of using a sea kayak safely. This safety course is predominantly water-based and designed to give you the ability to plan and execute simple trips and deal with some of the common mishaps that can happen on the sea with confidence.

 

 

Jellyfish-kayaker

Level 1 and 2

Weather and Tide Awareness Day

In this dry, classroom-based course you will build on the trip planning elements of the Safety Courses. Prepare to have your mind opened to maps, charts and the environmental factors that affect our time out on the water giving you all the skills to choose your locations safely and with the confidence of knowing what to expect.

 

 

paddle with maps day 2

Level 1 and 2

Paddle with Maps Day

Take your maps out on the sea and learn how to navigate in a real environment. This course we will take our OS maps out on the sea and learn how things translate from paper into real life.

 

 

Private Kayak coaching/guiding

All Levels

Private Kayak Coaching/Guiding

Your guide, your choice of craft, single or multiple days and a bespoke action plan for your progression. This is the quickest most dedicated way to improve your kayaking skills.

 

 

Features

R

Kayaking courses for all abilities

R

Small coach to trainee ratios

R

Quality equipment

R

Dedicated facilities

R

Top level coaches

Join us!

To progress your sea kayaking