Pre-requisites
You should be a keen paddler with Three Star skills (Please bring proof
with you if you have the 3 star award). If you have a log book and would like it signed then please bring it with you.
The BCU 4 star syllabus is available on the BCU website at www.bcu.org.uk
Course Content
We will be using local coastal venues around the island. If the abilities of the group and weather conditions allow, we may be able to include offshore kayaking to Les Ecrehous or Paternosters reef and perhaps opportunity to night paddle.
The course will cover.
To get the most form this course it is a very good idea to be able to demonstrate skills in a linked and fluid manner so you will get the most out of the course.
The new 3 star standard (whether you have the award or not) is a good benchmark.
Personal Paddling Skills
Lifting, carrying and launching/landing
Efficient and effective sea paddling skills
Forward paddling
Forward paddling
Reversing and stopping
Maintaining direction
Changing direction
Moving sideways
Support strokes
Rolling
Practical navigation
Rescue Skills, Safety, Leadership and Group Management
Boat and shore based safety and rescue skills
Incident management and first aid in the 4 star environment
Being an effective team leader and team member in rescues/incidents
Application of leadership
Leadership strategies, judgement and decision making
Safety awareness and risk management
Group control and management
Equipment
Theory
Equipment
Safety (includes coastguard and rescue services)
Weather
Hypothermia/first aid
Access
Planning
Group awareness and management
Navigation
Etiquette (include collision regulations and signals)
General (and historical)
Leadership responsibilities
Water features/hazards
Night or poor visibility paddling techniques.
Staff
Our staff are all BCU qualified coaches. Please see our staff profiles on the about us page of the website www.jerseykayakadventures.co.uk
The Venue
Jersey is a fantastic location for sea kayaking with a wide range of 3 and 4 star level venues. All are easy to reach. With the third highest tides in the world, Jersey offers lots of sea kayak opportunities. It has produced world class surf kayak champions (Gary kemp, David Speller) and skilled sea kayakers like Kevin Mansell, Derek Hairon, Justine Curgenven, Franco Ferrero.
You can easily paddle a calm coast in the morning, practice surf in the afternoon or discover one of our tide races or rock gardens. Explore caves and wildlife and still be able to go out for a good meal or chill out at the theatre or one of the many Pubs after the course. See the activities in Jersey page for more information.
Accommodation
Contact us to discuss possible options as we can advise on all types of accommodation on Jersey.
Car hire/transport.
Hire of a car in Jersey is sometimes a better option than bringing your own if you do not plan to use your own kayaks. If you are bringing your own kayak it is worth asking the ferry company if you can wheel it onto the ferry. We find it helps to say it would be like taking a cycle onto the ferry. Just ensure you have a trolley. We can transport you kayak on our trailer.
What will I need?
We have various sea kayaks and access to shorter high performance surf/playboat style kayaks which are great tools to develop your rock garden skills or surfing. However, if you already have your own, then do bring it. We advise you not to rush out and buy kit for the course, but use it as a chance to find out what would best suit your needs. The following list is a suggestion of what you should bring:
Equipment
Hat and gloves
Good quality footwear (to cope with beach and boat)
Water bottle
Vacuum flask
Swimming costume/ trunks
Personal toiletries and medication
Notebook and pens
If you have already:
Personal kayaking clothing
Kayak
Paddle
Buoyancy aid
Dry bags
Helmet
Spraydeck
Tow line
Wetsuits can be supplied. We do not supply wetsuit boots for hygiene reasons.
Tidal planning and navigation
The first day is an optional tides and navigation class to cover the requirements of the BCU award. If you already have an RYA or similar award in coastal navigation then this is accepted by the BCU.
If you do not need to do the navigation class, or will cover this on a later date, you can opt for a kayak trip with our staff on the first day of the 5 day course. The rate will be as for the 5 day course.
Useful Books
Coaching Handbook - BCU Publication. Pesda Press.
Sea Kayak Navigation second edition- by Franco Ferrero, Pesda Press
Sea Kayaking – Gordon Brown. Pesda Press
Canoe and kayak Handbook-BCU Publication. Pesda Press.
