Getting Ready

​

Before getting to the water you must choose kit and equipment suitable to the purpose of your chosen activity and have the correct knowledge to use it. Planning ahead can increase your time spent on the water. Key points you may consider are:

What will I wear?

What are the clothing options available to me? How might my chosen activity affect which clothing I choose? How might my clothing choices make me more or less vulnerable to external factors? Am I confident in my fitting and the use of my chosen personal safety equipment?

What will I use?

What are the different equipment options available and why might I choose one over the other? How do I use my equipment? What adjustments can I make to my craft and equipment to make me more comfortable and effective? What do I do if there is a problem with it?

Have a think about what additional equipment might be useful to have access to on the bank.

​

What else might I need?

Does the water I am paddling on require a licence and how would I acquire that? How much fluid and calories will I need to consume during my chosen activity?

​

​

At the Location

​

When heading to the water you should have an understanding of your chosen location and how you will access it. Key factors to consider include the type of water, the weather and features of the location you choose.

You can take each of these factors into consideration and ask yourself some questions to ensure the correct decisions are made.

Factor: Type of water

I may need to know: Am I on moving or still water? What are the current water levels? What difference will this make to my session? Where can I go and are there restricted areas? Why might those limits be in place?

Factor: Weather

What I might observe: What is the weather forecast for the time I am on the water? How might the wind speed and direction affect me? Can I use the weather to my advantage during my session?

Factor: Accessing the water

I may need to know: Where are the best access points to the water and what makes them suitable? How I can minimise damage to the bank when getting on? What are the best techniques to lift and carry my chosen craft? Are any aids available to help me get it on and off the water? How can I secure my craft safely to a vehicle or trailer?

​

​

On the Water

​

When on the water you should be in control and aware of your surroundings and other users. Key skills to achieve control include you staying relaxed and understanding how to move your craft.

Consideration: Other users

I may need to know: What is the skill level of other members of my group? Who or what else will be on the water? What is the etiquette around fellow water users?

Consideration: The environment

I may need to know: How might our activities have an effect on the environment? What can I do to minimise that effect? How can I minimise disturbance to wildlife?

Skill: Controlling the direction of my craft

I may need to know: Which are the most effective and efficient strokes I can use to move forward and steer my craft? How can I stop my craft and return to my start point? What corrective strokes might I use? What is the most effective and efficient posture when paddling my chosen craft? How will this posture affect its performance?

Consideration: Safety and rescue

I may need to consider: Am I confident in my ability to get myself or others back to shore or into the craft? What potential injuries might occur during my session?

​

After the Session

​

Every time on the water is an opportunity for learning and improving. You can create a positive impact on your future experiences by performing a good post- activity assessment. Congratulations and celebrations conclude the session with your Paddle Explore Award and explanation of how the award is added to your GoPaddling profile on the British Canoeing Website.

​

This course is delivered as a full day, and runs all year round weather permitting. We recommend appropriate clothing suitable for the conditions of the day.

 

Course Fee £115. British Canoeing Certificated Award.

​

Maximum of 6 people per course.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

​