Go Kayaking – Flat Water Conditions

This course is pitched at entry level and will take place on flat water - sheltered lake or sea with wind up to force 2 (6 miles per hour)

Skills Covered

When the staff meet the group and discuss aspirations and previous experience, they will decide on a more accurate structure for the day. This will ensure that all participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills at a pace that suits them. They will also bring course participants into the planning process, looking at the current weather, equipment required, choice of location….

A variety of skills will be covered over the day, including:

- Planning your day

- Choosing the right boat and paddling equipment

- Basic boat handling – launching & landing, forward, backwards and basic turns

- Skills necessary to be an effective member of a group,

- Safety considerations appropriate to the environment,

These are some of the essential skills required to get a float for the first time. All of these areas will be covered in a practical way during the course and reinforced on the bank, giving you the opportunity to learn from the staff and other course participants alike.

Outline Programme

8.45 - 9.15 a.m.

Arrive at Tollymore, registration and outline for the day from staff.

4.15 p.m.

Return to Centre after a day ‘on the water’

5.00 p.m.

Course Review

It is important to note that the above outline programme is a guide. Times may vary due to weather conditions or other reasons.

Our Staff

The instructor(s) who will work with you are all highly experienced and qualified. Tollymore prides itself in the knowledge and experience that its full time and part time staff bring to its courses. Our staff are all keen canoeists who know all the local ‘hot spots’ enabling them to choose the most suitable site to run your course. You may well have met them on the water in the past, if not you’re sure to bump into them in the future on days when they are not working!

All are obliged to attend annual staff updates and training courses

What do I need to bring?

The following list is of equipment we recommend you bring. All essential equipment is available from our extensive stores. 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. But if you do have any of your own equipment do bring it along our staff will be required to vet for suitability equipment such as buoyancy aids and helmets.

You should bring the following personal equipment with you:

• Footwear – wet suit boots
• Gloves
• Thermal Tops
• Towel
• Waterproof Jacket
• Small First Aid Kit
• Waterproof Trousers
• Vacuum Flask
• Warm Outdoor Wear (fleeze is ideal)
• Personal Medication
• Hat
• Notebook
• Pen

Accommodation
Your course is a one-day course, however, you are welcome to use our showers and changing rooms after the course ends. Tollymore has a number of comfortable meeting rooms, where the instructors will meet the group prior to the start of the course. We will also meet here and discuss the course and what to do next over a cup of tea or coffee.

Catering
Your course is self-catered, so you will need to bring a packed lunch and some spare food. You can fill a flask with tea or coffee at the centre if required.