Course Aims:
This is an improvement award that helps paddlers develop fundamental paddlesport skills on flat water. The emphasis is on gaining a breadth of experience, creating the desired movement of the boat and developing an understanding into how the paddle, boat and water interact.
Craft:
The award is obtained by taking the assessment in both a kayak and a canoe. Any style of kayak or canoe is permissible e.g. open cockpit, sit on top, V shaped hull or flat bottomed etc. Where a doubles crew takes the test, each person must perform each task from both the bow and stern.
Pre-requisites:
- Candidates must be able to swim 25 metres wearing a Buoyancy Aid.
- As a BC Course – up to date BC membership is required
- Have experience of paddling two different craft:
- e.g. surf kayak, closed cockpit kayak, open cockpit kayak, closed cockpit canoe, single open cockpit canoe, racing boat, tandem open cockpit canoe, wave ski, sit on top, flat hulled boat, v-shaped hull, slalom boat, polo boat or sea kayak.
IN 2 different locations e.g. Canal, river, lake/loch, or sea, (different parts of large bodies of water will count as 2 locations)
AND 2 local competitions e.g. Club events, slalom, polo, sprint, freestyle, Bell boats etc.
OR 2 Journeys – Any journey of 2 hour + duration
Course Covers:
- Lift, Carry and Launch canoe & kayak
- Efficient forward paddling
- Steering the canoe or kayak
- Moving sideways
- Preventing a capsize
- Turning
- Return to the bank and get out
- Securing
- Capsize, swim & self rescue
- Peer rescue
- Personal risk management
- Awareness of others
- Equipment
- Safety
Activity Information Facts:
- Minimum Age – 14 Years Old
- Fitness Level – Moderate
- Cost - £80 PP
- Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
- Start time – 9am
- Duration – Full Day
- Location - River Wye, Symonds Yat West.
What we provide:
- Boats
- Paddles
- Spray decks
- Wet Suits (If requested)
- Buoyancy Aids
- Helmets
