Courses

We run a range of courses to enable you to get more out of your kayaking.

1:1 coaching and tuition is possible.

Our rates include all equipment including wetsuits. All courses are run by British Canoe Union certified Kayak instructors. Safety equipment is carried on all trips. Client / instructor ratio does not exceed 8 clients to 1 instructor. On specialist courses the ratio is 6 clients to 1 instructor.

If you do not see what you want contact us as we can often customise courses and clinics.

See below for BCU Star test training and assessments.

Adult Introduction to kayaking course level one

For anyone who wants to discover sit-on-top kayaking. It is also suitable for anyone who has bought a kayak and wants to improve their skills. All equipment including wetsuits is provided. We will cover rescues, solo paddling and explore our fantastic coastline.

We are running this extra slightly shorter course of 6 weeks instead of our normal 8 week course. It means that it will not run into the Summer holiday season.

Dates: Wednesday 2 July to 6 August. 1815-2045

Cost:
£233

8 week Introduction to sit-on-top kayaking course. Includes a free 9th week for any classes missed.

Saturday 20 September for 8 weeks. 1000-1230. £322 and includes a copy of Sit on top kayak, a beginners manual by Derek Hairon. Book directly with Highlands College . Tel 608608. Course Ref SK1KO1.

Saturday 20 September for 8 weeks. 1300-1530. £308. Book directly with Jersey Kayak Adventures.

Kayak safety clinics 2008.

2007 saw a number of incidents when sit-on-top kayakers got  into difficulties as a result of a lack of training and experience.

This 4 hour safety clinic covers a range of skills to enable you to paddle with greater confidence and know your limits. It is a short and intensive class designed to cover some basic safety skills which we all mean to practice but never quite get around to doing!

Maybe you have just bought a kayak or realise you need some practice and training in safety matters.

Clinics cover: Capsizing. Self rescue techniques. Assisted rescues. Ways to avoid falling in. Personal safety gear. Safety kit. Using paddle floats. Towing. Float and trip planning. This is a great opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced sit on top kayak coaches in the UK.

The clinic does not cover paddle skills. This is covered on the 8 week courses.

Dates:

Saturday 20 Sept 1000-1500. Book directly with Highlands college, Adult Education. Tel 608608. Download a booking form.

Includes: Sit on top kayak manual.

Cost:

£107 if we supply all kit.

Safety clinic gift vouchers available.

Sit on top kayaking level 2 course

An 8-week course aimed at clients who have completed the level one course or have similar levels of performance.

The course will develop your skills and knowledge in more depth to enable you to get even more enjoyment from kayaking.

All equipment including wetsuits is provided. One free catch up paddle for any session missed is added to the course if you are unable to make all 8 sessions due to other plans.

Dates:
Wednesday 30 April – 18 June 1800-2030

Cost:
£300

Recreational sea kayaking

Perhaps you have completed a kayaking course, have some experience of kayaking, or want to explore our coast a bit more. This class enables you to gain more time afloat with experienced instructors.

For anyone who wants to get out and discover the incredible coastline of Jersey from a kayak. Paddle into secluded bays, explore caves and observe wildlife.

Paddle under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor and learn about our coastal history.

Skill acquisition is not a key aim of this course. However, the improvement of techniques and advice to improve your paddling is available.

Derek Hairon, British Canoe Union Sea kayak coach.

Dates:
6 weeks.
Tuesday 20 May to 24 June. 1800-2030

Cost:
£225 per person.

Improver group kayaking sessions

Most weekends in the summer and once/twice a month in Spring/Autumn.

Choose when you want to paddle with others of a similar standard.

For those who have completed our courses (or have reached a similar level of ability) and want to continue kayaking in company with experienced local instructors.

This is not a formal course. It is a chance to get afloat with others of a similar skill level when it suits you.

Instructors are always happy to give you handy hints and tips to improve your kayaking.

Usually on Saturday or Sunday mornings at 1000 but afternoons are also possible. Please contact us for dates or see the news board. Sit-on-top or closed cockpit options available.

Dates. Saturdays: 28 June 1000, 12 July 1000, 26 July 1400, 9 August 1000, 23 August 1400, 6 September 1000. Other dates will be added. Look out for the improver group E mails.

Sundays: 21 Sept 1400, 12 October 1400.

Cost
£37.50 per session with all kit supplied.
Buy 4 vouchers and choose when you want to paddle £130

Own kit option on improver groups.

If you have all your own kit and have completed our level one course (or are of a similar ability) you can join the improver events for £25 per paddle or £100 for a block of 4.

Note: your equipment must be of a suitable standard for the planed event.

Children’s Summer holiday course.

8 - 13 years. 5 half day sessions (afternoons).
Opportunity to take the new British Canoe Union Paddle-power awards. These are designed specifically for young people.

To encourage maximum enjoyment and fun afloat we have a range of children’s sized equipment and wetsuits as well as smaller kayaks and paddles. Correctly sized equipment aids learning.9 - 13 years.

See the Education Sport and Culture brochure for the morning courses.

The courses are staffed by BCU kayak Coach Chantal Quaeck and Krista. Both have considerable experience of working with young people. Venues will vary.

Cost:
£125.

Introduction:

8 to 11 years. Mon-Fri 1400-1630. July 21-25, 4-8 August, 25-29 August.

11 to 13 years. Mon-Fri 1400-1630. 28 July-1 August. 18-22 August.

Level 2. (For young people with some kayak experience).

11-13 years. Mon-Fri 1400-1630. 11-15 August.

Subject to a minimum number enrolling.

Adult Closed Cockpit Sea kayak class

Using traditional style decked kayaks this course will provide students with the opportunity to use sea kayaks which are based on traditional Inuit designs. These fast and responsive craft are of a higher performance than sit on top kayaks.

The course will cover all aspects of sea kayaking and rescue techniques. Previous sit on or closed cockpit kayak experience is useful to get the most out of this course.

As this course is using higher performance craft the class size will be to a maximum staff student ration of 1:6.

Opportunity to obtain British Canoe Union awards if required.

All equipment including wetsuits is provided.

A free 9th week catch up paddle is added for any clients who are unable to make a class due to prior commitments.

Derek Hairon or Gary Kemp British Canoe Union Sea kayak coach.

Dates:
8 weeks. Sunday 1000-1230 21 September. Course ref SK1KO2 Book via adult education at Highlands . Tel: 608608. Adult Eduction Website

If there is demand we will run a second course starting 21 Sept 1300-1600 and booked diectly with us.

Cost:
£360

Week long kayaking course.

Learn from leading sit on top kayak instructors who provided lots of knowledge for the leading book “Sit on top kayak a manual” by Derek Hairon.

This 5 day course of either mornings or afternoon classes will follow a similar structure to our popular level one course.

Dates:
30 June.