Open Canoe Lakes & Rivers Week
This full week of coaching and guiding is aimed at those with little or no moving water experience and to give you the skills to paddle easy whitewater with style and confidence.
Starting on one of the stunning Lake District lakes we'll peel back the basic skills, re-evaluating them, finessing them and tweaking them to make them suitable for more complex moving water. Along the way we'll learn some new skills and techniques too. The emphasis will be on developing our understanding of how the canoe interacts with the water and how we can maximise our control.
As the week progresses we'll move onto some easy (grade 1/2) rivers to test our new skills, taking the time to play, make mistakes and develop organically with some appropriate challenges.
Towards the end of the week the aim is to paddle a grade two river trip and put all of the skills into practice.
During the week we'll work on and explore the following:
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Core Flatwater Skills; forward paddling, effective turns both static and on the move, maintaining stability.
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Moving Water Skills; crossing the flow, getting into and out of eddies, running simple rapids.
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Reading and understanding moving water and how the canoe interacts with it.
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Working tactically on the river to keep everyone safe.
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What outfitting is appropriate and how we can maximise it.
£399 per person
FAQs
Where do we meet?
To make the best use of water and weather conditions, the exact venue will be decided day to day, this is normally a dropped pin shared in a whatsapp group chat.
How long are the days?
This is a five-day course. We’ll normally meet at 9am and aim to be off the river before 4pm
What do you provide?
Five days of expert guiding and coaching tailored to the group and with emphasis on enjoyment. This course doesn’t include equipment but I may be able to help with certain items, feel free to ask and I’ll see what I can do.
What do I need to bring?
Open canoe with bouyancy & swimlines
Paddle & Spare
Bouyancy Aid & Helmet
Suitable Clothing
Packed Lunches
Personal Medication
Is this suitable for me?
This is aimed at paddlers with little or no moving water experience who would like to progress into this environment under an expert eye. If you're not sure please do get in touch and we can chat, maybe there is another course that is more suitable to your needs
Where can I stay?
I recommend Penrith as a central point giving us good access to the A66 / M6 Corridors. I normally put everyone in touch beforehand to give you the option to share lifts and book somewhere communal. I’ve got a few recommendations too.
Newby Court in Newby near Penrith is a great self catering option and Kirkby Stephen Youth Hostel is also very reasonably priced.