Introduction to Paddesport Courses 2010

Course	Dates
1) 6 sessions, Mondays	March 29th, April 12th, 19th, 26th, May 10th, 17th ** COURSE 1 NOW FULLY BOOKED **
2) 6 sessions, Mondays	June 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, July 5th, 12th ** COURSE 2 NOW FULLY BOOKED **
3) 6 sessions, Mondays	July 26th, August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, Sept 6th ** COURSE 3 NOW FULLY BOOKED **

(All sessions start at 6pm. Each session is 2 hours in duration, this includes time preparing and getting onto the water.)

Course aim

You will learn the following skills:

Safety, paddling basics, warm-up, forward paddling, sweep strokes (turning), stopping, reverse paddling, draw strokes (moving sideways), edging, rafting (making a line of kayaks).

Award

Children will receive the BCU Paddlepower Start certificate on completion of the course. Adults will gain the skills necessary to be assessed for the BCU 1 star award (1 star assessment is not included).

Course structure

1x combined admin / introduction session - for course 1 this is in a swimming pool at Trentham High school. Courses 2 and 3 at the TCC clubhouse and we will take you out in our 8 seater bellboats and/or outriggers.

3x coach-led tuition sessions - where you will learn all the basic skills to feel confident in kayak. These sessions comprise instructional coaching with plenty of time to practice plus activites and games.

2x experience sessions. The main course is based around single seat kayaks but we will also give you the chance to try Canadian canoes (open canoes that seat up to 3 people) and racing/straight-running kayaks. Course 1 will also have some time in the bell boats (12 seat, twin hull canoes), Hawaiian outriggers (6 seats and 40 feet long) so you'll get the chance to experience a wide variety of paddlesport as well as a longer journey around the lake.

Who is it suitable for?

Anyone from 8 to 80! Whether you've never even sat in a kayak before or you are returning to paddlesport after a few years away, we'll have you paddling in no time.

What's provided?

All of the following - a suitable sized kayak (from our large selection to suit all ages and sizes), paddle, buoyancy aid, waterproof outer layer.

All you need to bring is a full change of clothes (just in case) and a towel. Wear lightweight clothing (not jeans) and old trainers that you don't mind getting wet.

Cost

The cost of the full (6 week) Course is £40. This includes all tuition, use of boats and equipment and temporary club membership.  At the end of the course if you decide that you wish to join the club. You will receive a £10.00 discount for the first member and £5.00 for each additional family member.

Booking

Due to high demand advance booking is essential. Please Email the club (gordon@trenthamcanoeclub.co.uk) to provisionally book a place or make an equiry. Places will be confirmed upon receipt of payment. 

Coaches

Dave and Gordon coach this course. They both began paddling at TCC and specialise in introducing beginners to paddlesport. This is the third year they have run this course.

Sessions will additionally be supported by junior cadet leaders and other club coaches where necessary.

All TCC coaches hold BCU coaching qualifications and are first aid trained and CRB checked.

Next steps

Hopefully you will enjoy your time on the course and you'll want to continue to develop your paddling skills. TCC promotes the BCU Long Term Paddler Development, offering a logical progression through the sport whatever your aims.

After the introductory course children can progress on to the next stages of the Paddlepower programme and adults can train for the BCU star awards. TCC coaches also offer a full programme of race training.