Intro to Kayaking Course - 3 Week

This three week kayaking course gives participants the opportunity to learn the finer points of kayaking from our professional instructor team.

Level: Grade 0: This means it is a flat paddle and should be within most people’s abilities.

Book for the next available dates or contact us for a private group booking
£89

13th May and 20th May 2025 plus an additional hire session to practice
6.30pm
Duration: 1.5 hours per week

Get into kayaking with our professional coaches, from novices to aspiring kayakers we can provide inspiring and progressive coaching sessions on the water.

Options: A 3 week intensive kayaking course with two coached sessions and third hire session to practice your skills

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Bank Based Briefing
Dry Bag
Paddles
Professional Coaches
Certification Fee

We also have some back support for those with back problems

What else we can provide on request

Waterproofs
Hire of Wetsuits
Hire of Drysuits

Spend 3 weeks developing and honing kayaking skills from rescues to support strokes. This course includes the Paddle UK start award.

Dates

13th and 20th May 2025 or contact us to make a private group booking

Requirements

Suitable for ages 8+ Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult 21 years and over.

Timings

Options for evening or weekend courses

Included

Opportunity to try a variety of kayaks
Buoyancy Aid
Dry Bag (if needed)
Instructor

What you will need to bring

Bring comfortable clothing such as gym wear, shorts, a t-shirt or wetsuit, along with a pair of water shoes, or old trainers. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. No special equipment or clothing is required.

Location:

We have the perfect river location for paddlesports such as canoeing, kayaking and SUPs on the River Great Ouse, at Kempston Outdoor Centre near Bedford. It is well situated just 30 minutes from Milton Keynes, an hour North of London and half way between Cambridge and Oxford.

3 Week Kayaking Course Format

Life is busy! So we have specifically designed this course to better fit into your busy lives. Our feedback from our hugely popular 4 week courses, was there was often at least 1 x session that our customers could not make it to, so our team sat down and came up with our new 3 week program. The first 2 x weeks will be coached sessions led by our experienced, qualified coaches to help you get the most out of your time on the water. This is followed by the final session being a credit for our most popular trip, our half day paddle from Kempston. You can book in the final session at your leisure (via the website), anytime this season, allowing you to choose when it best suits you. Why not bring along a friend, just ask about our monthly offers and discounts for an even more affordable way to take to the water.

Session Details

Work with our qualified and experienced coaches in a fun environment to learn different kayaking skills, meet new people, and relax after a long day!

The course involves 2 x coached evenings on the beautiful River Great Ouse at our Kempston HQ and then you receive a credit for a half day hire, to be booked in at your leisure during the rest of the season to test out your new found skills. Suitable for ages 12+ Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult 21 years and over.

After your course you may wish to work towards your British Canoeing Paddle UK Discover Personal Paddling Award (You would need to book the one day Discover Course for this)

If you need a bespoke session such as a large group then please contact us.

What's Covered in the Course?

Theory – General elements of paddling
Safety – Staying safe and understanding the conditions
Access – where you can paddle
Equipment – Knowing how to use and look after your equipment
Skills - Personal Paddling skills, support strokes, performance strokes
Rescues - from self rescues to supporting others

What's Next?

Once you've learnt the basics, try one of the next steps!

Open sessions: book on to one of our open sessions to independently experiment, with instructors available for tips and tricks.
Book hire of canoes, kayaks or SUP's and paddle independently
British Canoeing Start Award - this syallabus will be covered and a certificate awarded
British Canoing Discover Award - A one day Paddle Uk personal paddling award, check for dates on our website
British Canoing Explore Award A 2 day Paddle UK personal paddling award, check out dates on our website
Paddle Sports Safety and Rescue (PSRC) The pre requisite for the PSI below (Paddlesports Instructor), this oen day safety skills and drills is fantastic to feel confident and independent on the water
Paddle Sports Instructor Paddle more, develop skills and share them with others as a fully fledged instructor

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.