Beginners Courses 2023
Details on 2023 courses will be published Feb/Mar 2023
Our beginners course will take place on Thursday evenings throughout Summer.
The course start date has not yet been decided. The first evening will be a "dry night", during which you will meet the coaches, be able to ask questions about the paddling course and register and pay for the course. Places are allocated first come, first serve.
When: Thursday evenings. Start date TBC
Where: The 33rd Sea Scout Scout HQ on Halton Road.
How Much Does It Cost?
What's covered?
Can I Book My Place Now?
The British Canoeing Discover Certificate is a flat water award that demonstrates an individual has basic boat control and foundation skills. The Discover can be taken in any kind of paddlesport craft, although we will mostly use river kayaks during the course.
You can read more about the British Canoeing Discover award here
The price for 2022 is £55.00 for juniors (under 18) and £85.00 for adults.
The cost of the Paddle Discover Award includes the free use of all equipment needed, coaching over the summer in order to pass your award and membership for a year.
You pay on the night that you register. We accept cheques, cash or bank transfers.
We do not manage a booking system for the beginners course. Please, do not contact us asking to sign up or reserve a space.
Simply turn up to the registration night when the date is confirmed. Keep checking back here for confirmation of start date.
We expect to be able to accommodate all those who turn up on the dry night (subject to coaching availability).
What happens if I dont pass?
Will I get wet?
Why Are There Only Beginners Courses In the Summer?
There is no fixed date or time by which you need to "pass" your paddle discover award. There will be assessments programmed in at the end of the course, but if you are not ready, you can postpone until you are. As a member, you will get coaching and guidance throughout the year so there is no panic to get qualifications. We want you to have fun most of all!
We try to do the majority of the 'getting wet' part while in the pool, especially early on in the year when the water is still cool. We will build your confidence in the water so this won't be an issue. You are likely to get wet as part of your assessment and practice assessment, but you could accidentally get wet at any time, so come prepared each week with a dry change of clothes just in case.
When the weather warms up, getting wet is all part of the fun. This is a watersport after all!
There’s really no better time to learn than in Spring and Summer when there’s plenty of daylight in the evenings, and the water’s warmed up.