Home > Introductory course - Spring 2017
Introductory course - Spring 2017
So you want to give paddlesports a try, but are not sure how to get started? This course is for those who are new to canoeing and kayaking or those who have had very little paddling experience and would like to gain basic skills and knowledge. Given the variety of disciplines within paddlesports, we try our very best to introduce course participants to a range of boats; including river kayaks, sea kayaks, and open or “Canadian” canoes. By the end of the course most people will have enough experience to join in club trips and begin exploring the rivers, lochs and sea of the Highlands.
The course consists of indoor and outdoor sessions, plus day trips. We start with 3 pool sessions at the Inverness Aquadome to accustom you to getting in and out of a boat in a warm safe environment. The principal part of the course will consist of 6 outdoor sessions on the Caledonian Canal at the Muirtown Basin in Inverness. This will enable you to learn and develop a range of skills in kayaks and canoes, before putting them into practice on day trips/journeys on river, loch and sea. All participants are encouraged to go on 4 trips, usually 2 in sea kayaks and 2 on the river.
The course is suitable for adults or family groups (parent(s) with one or two juniors over 12) and costs £125 per adult, £75 for children/retired. The cost covers all sessions including trips and equipment hire. The club can provide boats, paddles, buoyancy aids, spraydecks and basic waterproof tops. Coaching will be provided by volunteer club coaches and leaders.
To join the course, you will need to book a place in advance. Once booked, you must become a fully paid-up club member (if you are not already). It is possible to add both the event booking and a new subscription to your basket, so that you can make a single payment for both.
The course will follow the BCU 1 star syllabus (http://canoescotland.org/courses-training/bcu-star-awards) and it is anticipated that participants may want to go for 1 star assessment once they have completed the course. If there is sufficient demand, a date for this will be arranged once the course has finished.
The dates are:
Pool sessions:
- Fridays 17th, 24th and 31st March, Inverness Aquadome, 9-10.30pm
Outdoor training:
- Wednesday 26th April
- Friday 28th April
- Wednesday 3rd May
- Friday 5th May
- Wednesday 10th May
- Friday 12th May
The sessions will take place from 6.30pm-8.30pm each evening. All will be based on the Caledonian Canal at the Muirtown Basin, Inverness, with access to the facilities in the Scout Hut.
Day trips: all participants are encouraged to go on four trips, usually two in sea kayaks and two on the river. Places will be reservable on a first come, first served basis once the pool sessions have started - we will send out an email reminder when bookings open. There will be a choice of eight dates:
Sea kayak trips:
- Saturdays 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th May
River trips
- Sundays 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th May
If you have any queries or would like more information, do not hesitate to contact the course organiser, Margaret Pearson, sea@invernesscc.org.uk.