Sea Kayak Courses
Introduction to Sea Kayaking
Course length: 2 days or 5 days
Cost: £190 / £475
Level: Beginner
Aimed at those who have never kayaked, or who have tried it on holiday or at school and want to learn more. The course focuses on learning fundamental skills in calm waters, while enjoying journeys through stunning scenery.
We will start by introducing you to the equipment, and fitting you in your kayak. On day 1 you will usually launch from our base in central Oban, while on subsequent days you may drive a short distance to explore a different stretch of coastline. Throughout the course, your instructor will teach you the skills needed to paddle efficiently, interweaving the teaching with journeys so that you can see how those skills come together in practice.
You may be able to obtain the British Canoeing Start or Discover Award as part of this course, for a small additional fee. Details of the awards can be found on the British Canoeing Awarding website.
All equipment and clothing is provided, but you will need a packed lunch.
The course starts at 09.30 and finishes around 16.30 each day.
2021 Dates :
2 day: 20/21 March, 10/11 April, 22/23 April, 6/7 May, 15/16 May, 5/6 June, 23/24 June, 3/4 July, 22/23 July, 31 July/1 August, 14/15 August, 25/26 August, 4/5 September, 22/23 September
5 day: 19-23 May, 5-9 July
Sea Kayak Confidence Builder
Course length: 2 days or 5 days
Cost: £190 / £475
Level: Improver
For paddlers who have spent a few days on the water, and now want to improve their skills. We will start to head out into slightly more exposed waters, learning to deal with wind and waves. This course is also suitable for whitewater paddlers wishing to try sea kayaking.
Working with each paddler’s individual needs, the instructor will focus on improving efficiency and confidence, building up the conditions according to the level of the group. Forward paddling and maneuvering will be key, allowing you to head out on longer, more adventurous trips. Skills will be placed in context, so (weather permitting) you will be journeying on all days. There will also be opportunities to explore what happens when it goes wrong, with a focus on how to be proactive in dealing with capsizes and rescues.
You may be able to obtain the British Canoeing Discover or Explore Award as part of this course, for a small additional fee. Details of the award can be found on the British Canoeing Awarding website.
All equipment and clothing is provided, but you will need a packed lunch.
The course starts at 09.30 and finishes around 16.30 each day.
You will usually meet at our base in central Oban, there may be a short drive from there to enable us to find the most appropriate sea conditions.
2021 Dates :
2 day: 17/18 March, 7/8 April, 17/18 April, 12/13 May, 2/3 June, 27/27 June, 14/15 July, 24/25 July, 21/22 August, 15/16 September, 29/30 September
5 day: 29 March-2 April, 28 April-2 May, 26-30 Jul, 2-6 September
Practical Sea Kayak Navigation
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £210 (including certificate)
Level: Improver
This 2-day course covers the fundamentals of navigation, tidal planning and weather awareness. Although there is some classroom / online content (depending on Covid restrictions), the bulk of the course is spent outdoors, putting the knowledge into practice. Course attendance entitles participants to the British Canoeing Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning certificate (pre-requisite for BC Sea Kayak Leader Assessment).
As the course will be primarily practical in nature, participants should be able to paddle for up to 15km per day, in winds of up to Beaufort Force 3 and waves of up to 0.5m.
For full details of the BC Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning syllabus, see the British Canoeing Awarding website.
All equipment and clothing is provided, but you will need a packed lunch.
The course starts at 09.30 and finishes around 16.30 on both days.
2021 Dates : 23/24 March, 18/19 August, 25/26 October
Introduction to Rough Water Sea Kayaking
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £190
Level: Intermediate
Aimed at paddlers wanting to move into more challenging conditions, and improve their boat handling. The focus will be on using skills in context while journeying, including navigation and tidal planning aspects. Exact conditions will depend on the weather, but we will aim to work in winds of around F3 and waves of around 0.75-1m, with scope to move beyond that if it is appropriate for the group.
The course will normally start at our base in Oban, where you will look at weather forecasts and tides, gaining an understanding of how to use them to choose a paddling location. On the water the emphasis will be on technical and tactical knowledge, making sure you are efficient, accurate and confident in your paddling. Weather permitting, conditions will be built up over the course, increasing the challenges as we go. In lighter conditions, we will focus on consolidating technical skills. We may also head to tidal waters.
You may be able to obtain the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award as part of this course, for a small additional fee. Details of the award can be found on the British Canoeing Awarding website.
All equipment and clothing is provided, but you will need a packed lunch.
The course starts at 09.30 and finishes around 16.30 each day.
You will usually meet at our base in central Oban, there may then be a short drive to enable us to find the most appropriate sea conditions.
2021 Dates :
10/11 March, 14/15 April, 26/27 May, 11/12 August, 9/10 October
Rough Water Skills Development
Course length: 2 days or 5 days
Cost: £190 / £475
Level: Experienced
Aimed at those who are already comfortable in small waves (0.5-0.75m) and light to moderate winds (up to Beaufort Force 3-4), this course will take your paddling skills to the next level. Depending on the group and the conditions, we will be working in winds up to Beaufort Force 4, waves around 1m, and tides of around 2kn, or combinations of those conditions.
Working with each paddler’s individual needs, the instructor will focus on improving efficiency and confidence, building up the conditions according to the level of the group. This could include rockhopping, downwind paddling, and dealing with awkward landing and launching. Skills will be placed in context, so (weather permitting) you will be journeying on both days. There will also be opportunities to explore what happens when it goes wrong, with a focus on dealing with complex scenarios.
You may be able to obtain the British Canoeing Coastal Sea Kayak Award as part of this course, for a small additional fee. Details of the award can be found on the British Canoeing Awarding website.
All equipment and clothing is provided, but you will need a packed lunch.
The course starts at 09.30 and finishes around 16.30 on both days.
You will initially meet at our base in central Oban, there may be a short drive on one or both days to enable us to find the most appropriate sea conditions.
2021 Dates:
2 day: 24/25 April, 10/11 July
5 day: 4-8 October
Advanced and Tidal Sea Kayaking
Course length: 2 days or 5 days
Cost: £220 / £550
Level: Advanced
Using the fantastic range of tidal locations right on our doorstep, this course allows paddlers to push their skills in challenging waters. Paddlers should be comfortable in waves of up to 1m, including experience of launching & landing in surf. Numbers for this course are capped at 4.
The waters around Oban include strong tides and exposed coastlines. This course will look at how to plan journeys in these areas, and how to handle strong tidal flows. Depending on the weather, we will head to classic destinations such as the Grey Dogs, Cuan Sound or the Falls of Lora, making full use of the tides to help us on our way. The course will cover the skills needed to paddle in tidal waters, strong winds, and challenging waves, including the safety considerations of heading there as part of a group.
All equipment and clothing is provided, but you will need a packed lunch.
The course starts at 09.00 and finishes around 16.30-17.00 each day.
You will initially meet at our base in central Oban, there will be a short drive on both days to enable us to find the most appropriate sea conditions.
2021 Dates:
2 day: 13/14 March, 2/3 October
5 day: 1-5 March, 3-7 November
Women's Rescues and Incident Management
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £190
Level: Improver / Intermediate
This is a women-only course focused on rescue techniques and dealing with incidents. It is aimed at female paddlers who are looking to paddle more independently, to be more confident in rescue situations, and at those who are working towards leadership qualifications. Paddlers should be able to comfortably control their kayak in winds of Beaufort F3 or higher, and waves of 0.5-0.75m. This course is linked to the SCA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme.
During the course, we will look at specific rescue techniques, including ways of handling boats safely and of dealing with paddlers who are considerably larger than the rescuer. We will then put those techniques into context with work on scenarios, thinking about how to keep everyone as safe as possible, and what to think about when things go wrong. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions, try things out, and test ideas, in a safe and supportive environment.
All equipment (including drysuits) can be provided, though paddlers who have their own equipment are encouraged to bring it, as testing your setup in a range of situations is in itself a valuable process. You will need a packed lunch.
The course starts at 09.30 and finishes around 16.30 each day.
You will usually meet at our base in central Oban, there may then be a short drive to enable us to find the most appropriate sea conditions.
2021 Dates :
11/12 September