Kayaks
Kayaks were invented and first used by the Inuit, more traditionally referred to as Eskimos. Their craft were
constructed using skins on a frame of driftwood - since the Eskimos lived beyond the tree-line, this was their only option.
The boats were lightweight and robust. They were used for hunting.
Although many different types of kayak exist today, from long sleek sea kayaks, ideal for touring, to impossibly short
playboats for tricks and tight manoeuvers, the basic idea is the same as the original Inuit boats.
A kayak is defined as a boat which you sit in and power with a double-bladed paddle.
Kayak Trips
Paddlepower and Adventure can offer a wide variety of expeditions for both novice and expert.
These can be anything from one-day river trips on gentle water, to multi-day sea kayak tours. You will find some
scheduled trips on our
Course Programme, but we would very much like to hear
what you would like to do, as customised adventures are our speciality.
Intermediate courses are for those who have done more than one week of kayaking and want to progress their
skills, or for those who want to have a go at another discipline.
Advanced courses are open ended and are open to anyone who is comfortable on grade 3 rivers
and wanting to improve their skills on this grade or move up to grade 4.
Foundation Safety and Rescue
The Foundation Safety and Rescue course, as the name suggests, lays the foundation
that all the other rescue courses are built upon. This training course will give the candidate
the necessary skills and knowledge to look after and rescue people in a sheltered water environment.
This course is open to anyone wanting to improve their knowledge of rescue techniques, and skills in applying them. The course
provides valuable skills, and isn't just for people planning to do star or coaching awards.
There is no assessment for this course. Your rescue skills will be assessed later through either star or coaching awards.
Click this link for the
BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue syllabus (External Site).
Paddlepower and Adventure run Foundation Safety and Rescue courses. Click
Course Programme to see when the next one is.
Kayak Courses
The most basic course would be an introduction to kayaking. This is suitable for beginners, or those who have
no previous experience whatsoever. Here we would like to dispel a common myth: it is not necessary to learn
to roll your kayak to enjoying kayaking. Rolling is an advanced technique - many people safely enjoy this
sport without ever learning this challenging self-rescue technique. (Of course if you are keen to learn how, we can help!).
Beyond the basics, we would recommend that you follow the BCU star award scheme. This will give you a qualification
which is recognised nationwide, and which will enable others to identify where you are in your skill progression.
1 Star
The 1 Star Award is the most basic. To pass, the individual must demonstrate basic control of the boat and
foundational skills. This is a generic award - the candidate can undertake the test in any paddlesport craft - open canoe, sit-on,
sea, surf or white water kayak.
Click this link for the
BCU 1 Star syllabus (External Site).
Check Paddlepower and Adventure's
Course Programme for 1 Star courses.
2 Star
The 2 star is an improvers' award designed to develop fundamental paddlesport skills on flat water. It
is generic therefore taken in both kayak and open canoe. The emphasis is on gaining a breadth of
experience, creating the desired movement of the boat and developing an understanding of how
the paddle, boat and water interact. The candidates performance will be measured against the BCU syllabus.
During the assessment the candidate will lead a simple journey on flat water. The journey will be about 30-60 minutes in duration.
Click this link for the
BCU 2 Star syllabus (External Site).
Paddlepower and Adventure run both training and assessment courses at 2 star. Click
Course Programme for 2 Star courses.
3 Star White Water Kayak
The 3 star White Water Kayak award is discipline specific. It is an intermediate level course, designed to show that the
candidate can paddle on moving water, up to and including grade 2. It will also show that the candidate
can operate as part of a led group, and can contribute to the smooth running of a trip in this environment.
As well as looking at skills to control the boat, and stay in control, you will find out how to choose
appropriate lines on the river. We will also look at water features and how these interact with the boat
and affect the boat's handling.
Click this link for the
BCU 3 Star White Water Kayak syllabus (External Site).
Paddlepower and Adventure run both training and assessment courses for 3 star White Water Kayak. Click
Course Programme for 3 Star White Water Kayak courses.
3 Star Sea Kayak
The 3 star sea kayak award is discipline specific. It is an intermediate level course, designed to show that
the candidate can journey in a moderate tidal environment as part of a led group with winds no more than
force 4. This course will give the candidates the necessary skills to be able to manoeuvre their sea
kayak in these conditions. As well as looking at skills to control the boat we will also look
at how wind affects the boat and look at water features and how these interact with and affect the boat's handling.
Click this link for the
BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak syllabus (External Site).
Paddlepower and Adventure run both training and assessment courses for 3 star Sea Kayak. Click
Course Programme for 3 Star Sea Kayak courses.
4 Star White Water Leader
4 Star White Water Leader is a leadership award designed to show that the candidate can lead people on moving water
up to and including grade 2 and be led on water up to grade 3. This course will give the candidate the
necessary skills to lead people in this environment, including personal paddling, rescue skills and leadership
strategies.
Click this link for the
BCU 4 Star White Water Leader syllabus (External Site).
Paddlepower and Adventure run both training and assessment courses for 4 Star White Water Leader. Click
Course Programme for 4 Star White Water Leader courses.
4 Star Sea Kayak
4 Star sea kayak is a leadership award designed to show that the candidate can lead competent paddlers (competent
means people that do not require coaching to be in this environment) on moderate tidal waters with winds
no more than force 4 and sea state 4. This course will give the candidate the necessary skills to lead
people in this environment, including personal paddling, rescue skills and leadership strategies.
Click this link for the
BCU 4 Star Sea Kayak syllabus (External Site).
Paddlepower and Adventure run both training and assessment courses for 4 Star Sea Kayak. Click
Course Programme for 4 Star Sea Kayak courses.
White Water Safety and Rescue Training
The White water safety and rescue training course will build upon knowledge gained from the foundation course,
and will enable trainees to learn new skills and learn how to apply these skills in a moving water environment up to grade 2.
This course is open to anyone wanting to improve their knowledge in this important safety area. It can be taken in isolation, and
needn't be part of the quest for star of coaching awards. The course is not assessed - white water safety and rescue techniques
are assessed during 4 Star Leader Assessment.
Click this link for the
BCU White Water Safety and Rescue syllabus (External Site).
Click
Course Programme to see when the next course runs.