Totnes Kayaks Academy

NEW 2008 SPRING PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLE

White Water trip to North Wales (2 Day)

Aim: Going paddling in Europe and want to get some skills in before? This course will cover boat set up, personal paddling skills and leadership on moving water. 

Pre Req: Confident kayaker. (BCU 2/3 Star)

Course Duration: 2 Days starting at 9.30 1st day & ending 16.30 on 2nd day.  Four participants max.

Achievement: Honing of skills to undertake Alpine trips.

Date: 05 - 06/4/2008  Cost: £200 or £300 if including B&B & transport.

Intermediate Sea Paddling
Aim: Have you started in basic kayaks and now want to progress into sea kayaks? This course will show you how. You will be taken through equipment and
planning before undertaking a coastal day trip, where you will learn differences in boat handling skills, towing, beach landings and simple rescues. Top tips will be
shared and time will be available to deal with any queries you have.    

Pre Reqs: Basic kayak paddling skills (BCU 2 Star or above). You can use your own boat or demo boats can be booked through Totnes Kayaks.

Course Duration: 1 Day 9.30 to 16.30.   Six participants max.

Achievement: Confidence and skills to undertake day trips at sea.

Date: 26/04/2008   Cost: £60.00 Each

Tandem Canoe Fundamentals

Aim: If you have always wanted to get yourself and your family out onto the rivers and flat water estuaries in an open canoe, but don’t feel you have the basic skills
required, then this course is for you. It covers personal and boat equipment, practical boat handling skills and many top tips.

Pre Req: None.  You can use your own boat or demo boats can be booked through Totnes Kayaks.

Course Duration: 1 Day 9.30 to 16.30 (7 Hours). Three Couples max.

Achievement: Ability and knowledge to take an open boat out, and enjoy your day safely on flat water.   

Date: 27/04/2008   Cost: £80.00 per Pair

Navigation for Sea Paddlers

Aim: Provide understanding of the skills required to navigate at sea. Covering charts, compass work, distance and timings, and then putting this theory into practice
with a sea paddle. 

Pre Req: Confident sea paddler. (BCU 2/3 Star)

Course Duration: 1 Day 8.30 to 19.30.          Four Participants Max.

Achievement: Ability to understand the theory of navigating safely at sea and able to put it into practice.

Date: 10/05/2008   Cost: £75.00 Each

Flat Water Kayak Safety & Rescue

Aim: Paddling down rivers & estuaries or on lakes and canals is a great way to explore the countryside in kayaks, but knowing what to do if things go wrong is
essential and could save lives. This one day workshop will take you through towing, throw lines, capsize and rescues.

Pre Req: Basic paddling skills and feeling comfortable on the water. You can use your own boat or demo boats can be booked through Totnes Kayaks.

Course Duration: 1 Day 9.30 to 16.30. Four Participants max

Achievement: Confidence in dealing with situations arising from paddling on flat water. BCU Canoe safety test pass slip.

Date: 11/05/2008  Cost: £65.00
 
Kayak/SOT Fundamentals

Aim: Understand how to take your kayak or sit-on-top out onto the water safely.  Covers clothing  & equipment required, attaching it to vehicle, choosing a safe
location to paddle, core concepts of paddling and basic safety.

Pre Req: None

Course Duration: 1 Day 9.30 to 16.30. Six Participants max.

Achievement: Being confident to take up kayaking safely and look proficient on the water.

Dates: 18/05/2008 and 20/07/2008  Cost: £40.00 Each

Sea Safety & Rescue

Aim: Paddling around the coasts of Devon opens up a whole new world of kayaking. However being ‘out there’ can lead to you or your group finding yourself in
difficult and changing sea conditions, when things can go wrong. This one day workshop will give you the skills and knowledge to have the right equipment and
techniques to deal with it. Covering equipment, radios and safety kit, rolling, re entry roll, ladder rescues and towing.

Pre Req: Good intermediate paddling skills. (BCU two star or above). You can use your own boat or demo boats can be booked through Totnes Kayaks.

Course Duration: 1 Day 9.30 to 16.30. Six participants max.

Achievement: Feel safe as a group when things go wrong, and gain confidence in dealing with situations arising when paddling out at sea.

Date: 24/05/2008    Cost: £65.00 Each

Canoe Safety & Rescue

Aim: Paddling down rivers and estuaries or on lakes and canals is a great way to explore the countryside in canoes, but knowing what to do if things go wrong
is essential, and could save lives. This one day workshop will take you through towing, throw lines, capsize and rescues.

Pre Req: Some tandem or solo paddling experience. You can use your own boat or demo boats can be booked through Totnes Kayaks.

Course Duration: 1 Day 9.30 to 16.30 (7 Hours). Four participants max.

Achievement: Confidence in dealing with any situations arising from paddling on flat water. (Plus BCU Canoe safety test pass slip.)

Date: 25/05/2008  Cost: £65.00 Each

Sea Expeditioning 5 Day (Camp)

Aim: Are you up for a challenge? Can you cope with setting off on day 1 to come back a new person on day five? Then perhaps you should sign up! Every aspect
of running an expedition will be covered including planning, navigation, chart work, radio use, equipment, boat loading and  weather interpretation, before heading
off to the Cornish coast. From there you will travel 3–4 hours daily, covering 10 to 12 miles, whilst taking time out to learn personal paddling skills, towing, rescues,
beach/coast landings and camp craft. You will be met by Totnes Kayaks staff on day 3 to re-provision.           

Pre Req: Reasonable sea kayaking skills. (2/3 Star Level).

Course Duration: 5 Days starting at 9.30 on 1st day and ending at 16.30 on 5th day.  Six participants max.

Achievement: BCU UKCC 3 Star Sea (Old 4 Star Sea).

Date: 28/05 to 01/06/08 Cost: £300

Sharpham Canoe Weekend 2 Day (Camp)

Aim: Want to get into touring with open boats, but not sure what is required? This weekend trip covers planning/tides, equipment, boat loading, paddle skills and
camping tips. You will be guided down the Dart Estuary to Sharpham, with plenty of time to practise boat skills. On arrival camping skills will be demonstrated,
with a BBQ provided in the evening. After a full English breakfast you will have time for slightly more adventurous boat handling/rescue demos before loading up
and paddling back to Totnes.   

Pre Req: Some tandem or solo paddling experience. You can use your own boat or demo boats can be booked. An equipment list will be provided in advance,
but includes camping gear, tent, sleeping bag etc. You need to provide lunch and snacks for both days.  

Course Duration: 2 Days: starting 9.30 first day, ending 15.30 second day.  Six participants max.

Achievement: Confidence and experience in journeying in an open canoe, combined with practical boat handling and camping skills.

Dates: 28-29/06/2008  Cost: £100.00 Each (Incl. BBQ & Breakfast)

Sea Expeditioning 2 Day (Camp)

Aim: How do you fancy being self- sufficient for a weekend, and guided around some of the most beautiful coastline in the UK? Well now’s your chance! Planning,
equipment, boat packing and outfitting will be covered before getting onto the water. From there you will paddle roughly 3-4 hours (with stops), and will cover
5-10 miles each day while learning boat paddling skills. You will be shown how to choose suitable beaches and set up camp.

Pre Req: Some experience with paddling sea kayaks is necessary. You can use your own boat or demo boats can be booked through Totnes Kayaks. An
equipment & food list will be provided in advance.

Course Duration: 2 Days, starting at 9.30 on 1st day and ending at 16.30 on 2nd day.  Six participants max.

Achievement:  Confidence and experience in journeying in a sea kayak, combined with practical boat handling and camping skills.

Date: 12-13/07/08   Cost: £90.00 Each