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Introductory course - Spring 2018
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 2 pool sessions at the Inverness Aquadome to accustom you to getting in and out of a boat in a warm and 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 a minimum of 2 day trips, preferably 1 in a sea kayak and 1 on the river.
The course is suitable for adults and costs £125 per adult, £75 for unwaged/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:
- Friday 16th and 23rd March, Inverness Aquadome, 9-10.30pm
Outdoor training:
- Wednesday 18th April
- Friday 20th April
- Wednesday 25th April
- Friday 27th April
- Wednesday 2nd May
- Wednesday 9th May
The outdoor sessions will take place from 6.00pm to be on the water for 6.30pm-8.30pm each evening. All will be based on the Caledonian Canal at the Muirtown Basin, Inverness.
Day trips: all participants are encouraged to go on a minimum of 2 trips, usually 1 in a sea kayak and 1 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 six dates:
Sea kayak day trips:
- Saturdays 28th April and 12th May
River trips
- Sundays 29th April and 13th May
Multi-Disciplinary Club Trip Tayside:
- Sat 19th May
- Sun 20th May
If you have any queries or would like more information, do not hesitate to contact the course organisers:
Ruth Mantle- youth@invernesscc.org.uk, and Liz Downing- cpo@invernesscc.org.uk.
Thanks for your interest and we look forward to seeing you out on the water!