Sea Kayak Courses

At Sea Kayak Academy

We have a wide range of sea kayak courses for all abilities.

Based in Pembrokeshire

With its many bays, headlands and intricate rocky coastline. Sea kayak Academy has access to the perfect environment for learning the magnificent activity of sea kayaking. Expect to improve your skills, increase your awareness and meet like-minded people, all whilst having fun and enjoying the spectacular beauty around us.

We’ll have a sea kayak course for you

Whether you’ve never sat in a sea kayak before or you’re looking to push your sea kayaking skills in strong winds, tide races and overfalls. We maintain small instructor to group ratios as we want to ensure you get the personal attention you need.

How to Book?

Have a look at our Level Guide below to work out what level of sea kayak course is suitable for you then scroll down to see what courses are available at your level.

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).

 

Sea Kayak Courses

Introduction-to-sea-kayaking

Level 1

Introduction to Sea Kayaking Day Trip

For those who’ve never kayaked before but who would like to spend a day seeing what sea kayaking is all about. Starting at our base we’ll discuss the weather and tides to find a suitable sheltered location for the day. On the water, we’ll teach you the fundamentals you need before embarking on a short day trip to showcase the wonders of sea kayaking.

 

 

Sea kayak safety course

Level 2

Intro to Sea Kayak Safety Day

Learn about the basics of using a sea kayak safely. This 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.

 

 

Sea Kayak Beginners

Level 1 and 2

Sea Kayak Beginners Course

Intrigued by the magic of the sea? Perhaps you’ve done a bit of kayaking before? Do you want to explore the majesty of the coast? From trip planning to boat handling, we will cover everything you need to safely venture a little further.

 

Sea Kayak Improvers

Level 2

Sea Kayak Improvers Course

This is where we start to take all the fundamental skills we’ve learned previously and take them into a slightly more challenging and exciting environment. We’ll introduce you to a bit of wind, small waves, rock hopping and gentle surf in a progressive and comfortable way.

 

Sea Kayak Award

Level 3

Sea Kayak Award (British Canoeing)

Here we focus on you becoming a fully independent paddler, able to plan your own trips and competent to deal with any mishaps that might arise along the way.

 

 

Coastal Sea Kayak Award

Level 4

Coastal Sea Kayak Award (British Canoeing)

At this level, we take the idea of you being a fully independent paddler and transpose it into the moderate sea environment. We’ll focus on safety, rescue and all the skills you need to comfortably control your kayak in winds up to Force 4, surf up to 1m and tidal flows up to 2 knots.

 

 

Advanced Sea Kayak Award

Level 5

Advanced Sea Kayak Award (British Canoeing)

Tide races, overfalls, swell, technical rock-hopping and winds of Force 5 and above. If this sounds exciting and you want to learn to master your kayak in these environments this is the course you’re looking for.

 

 

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.

 

 

Sit-on-Top Sea Kayak Award

Level 3

Sit-on-Top Sea Kayak Award (British Canoeing)

Here we focus on you becoming a fully independent paddler in conditions up to Beaufort Force 3 winds, surf up to 0.5m and small ocean swells. You’ll soon be able to plan your own trips and be confident to deal with any mishaps that might arise along the way.

 

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

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Small coach to trainee ratios

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Quality equipment

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Dedicated facilities

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Top level coaches

Join us!

To progress your sea kayaking