Youth Group Paddling

Introduction session

We run introduction sessions for school groups, youth groups and uniformed groups like scouts guides brownies and cubs.

Young people have a two hour evening or weekend paddling session with our community paddling team supporting activities so that paddlers learn team work skills paddling canoes or build confdence and a sence of adventure in our kayak. for regular adventurers we offer evening paddling in the dark for experienced groups.

Youth Development sessions

Development of moving water skills and use of a Spraydeck.

Spray decks are used by proficient paddlers and are designed to keep water out of the boat when paddling longer distances. They help keep paddlers dry and warm in the boat, but to ensure that paddlers can use them safely on paddling trips.

We like all participants to have experience of using them on the river before going on a trip. They are not essential to be worn on a paddling session but are useful for paddlers looking to undertake a day trip by kayak as they help keep paddlers safe, warm and dry.

Boat confidence courses

We practice a simple technique of capsizing a boatl to build up confidence then build up to wearing a spray deck in the pool

Next we develop techniques for capsizing and releasing the spray deck so that it is easy to remove. The decks are designed so that they release when paddlers swim or pull the deck off.

Rescue skills

We plan to look at methods of swimming and emptying boats as well as developing rescue skills by knowing how to capsize and swim downstream safely in slow moving water.

On a river trip there is always the potential to capsize on moving water or even on a lake. Simple safety techniques can help a paddler be rescued quickly and easily on a river or lake.