Hayle Canoe Club

Established 1983

Affiliated to the British Canoe Union

                    Courses

This year we will be running British Canoe Union Paddlesport Performance courses for adults and youths over 14yrs old (both 1 and 2 star courses), and paddle power courses for children above 8 and up to 14 years old.

Training Takes place on Wednesday evenings from the club’s base at the end of North Quay, Hayle.  We have do have basic changing facilities here, but at present, no toilets (though we are working on it!).  Our plan is to run three lots of both One star and paddlepower courses, commencing on dates as listed below.

If you cannot make Wednesday evenings, as a trial this year we are taking names for a Saturday ‘One Star’ course.  These will be run on an ad-hoc basis, dependent on demand.  If you are interested in this option please get in touch with our training co-ordinator, Kerry Rice, phone 01209 713485 or email kerry.rice69@gmail.com, and she will take your details and keep you informed.

In addition, 3 star courses, FSRT (Foundation Safety and Rescue) Test, First Aid, and UKCC Level 1 and Level 2 coaching courses can all be arranged, subject to demand.

 

Back to the courses:  The club will provide you with a kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid and protective helmet. All students are required to bring with them clothing suitable for water sports – you will get wet!! A wetsuit is ideal, preferably with short arms but if not a wetsuit, a couple of thin layers on the upper body covered by a lightweight windproof jacket will be ample (along with a pair of shorts/lightweight trousers. An absolute must is a suitable set of footwear – an old pair of trainers you don’t mind getting wet, ‘jellies’, beach shoes or wetsuit boots must be brought with you. Finally, please bring with you a warm change of clothes for when paddling is finished – you cool down quickly once you stop exercising.  Once the on water activities have finished, we run a basic refreshments facility where you can get yourself a warm drink and perhaps a bacon butty before leaving for home. (Donations to the club of course, Weds nights only)

 

We offer many different styles and makes of kayaks to try. We recommend you try whatever we have to offer before purchasing your own.  Following completion of the course we will then help you pick the right boat for your size, skill and budget and of course goals.

 

Please be aware that coaches are only permitted to take a limited number of students per course, so places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

 

Please also bear in mind that all our coaches operate on a voluntary basis, with all fees paid going directly into club funds.  For reasons of safety, you will be required to follow the instructions of the coaches at all times. The coaches reserve the right to remove you from a course, without re-imbursement, if you fail to comply with their instructions or are in any way disruptive to the group. That said, we encourage families and want everyone to enjoy themselves both on and off the water!

 

Course Specifics:

BCU Paddlesport 1 Star

 

Prerequisites – Need to be over 14 years of age and to swim 25 metres.

 

Time schedule – Wednesdays 6-8pm for 5 weeks including test

 

First course commencing Wednesday 4th May 2011.

 

Second course commencing Wednesday 8th June 2011.

 

Third course commencing Wednesday 3rd August 2011.

 

For enquiries and course fee details please contact Kerry Rice on 01209 713485 or E-mail on kerry.rice69@gmail.com  You can also download the application form here, and send direct to Kerry along with your payment.

 

The BCU 1 star is a flat water award that demonstrates that an individual has basic boat control and foundation skills. In this course you will learn what is necessary to participate safely in organized kayak trips. Through the course you will learn basic strokes, boat control, outfitting a kayak for safety and what it means to be a responsible kayaker. The course will include personal paddling skills, rescue skills, safety, leadership and group skills and theory.

 

This course is a one star training course and will not make you an expert paddler. It is intended to lay down a solid foundation on which to build. Only years of paddling in varying conditions will make you an expert. The most important attribute a kayaker can have is common sense. This can’t be taught, but in time on the water and more advance trips and courses will help. Because you can perform a self-rescue in flat water does not mean you have the skill to do large crossings or rough water paddling by yourself. Many beginners are very ambitious and want to head out into open water. Don’t! Start slow and keep within your experience level. Paddle with more experienced paddlers and come on some trips. Join the club and learn from your fellow paddlers. After going on a few organized trips, take our 2 star training course the following season.

 

BCU Paddlesport 2 Star

 

Prerequisites – BCU 1 star or equivalent, membership of the club and over 14 years of age.

 

Time schedule – Wednesdays 6-8pm First course all summer(includes far more than just the 2 star syllabus), Second course for approx. 10 weeks including test

 

1st course commencing Wednesday 18th May 2011.

 

2nd course to commence mid-summer, dependent on demand

 

For enquiries and course fee details please contact Kerry Rice on 01209 713485 or E-mail on kerry.rice69@gmail.com  You can also download the application form here, and send direct to Kerry along with your payment.

 

The BCU 2 star course is an improvement award that helps paddlers develop fundamental paddle sport skills on flat water. The emphasis is on gaining a breadth of experience creating the desired movement of the boat and developing an understanding into how the paddle, boat and water interact.

 

This course is intended for kayakers who have completed the 1 star training programme or have equivalent experience.

 

We ask you to come prepared to work hard and have an enthusiastic attitude. You will only get as much out of this programme as you put into it. We offer many different styles and makes of kayak for use on this course. If you have not already purchased a kayak, this programme will help you increase your knowledge of which boat fits your needs. The goal of this course is to improve your skills so you can kayak safely with more experienced paddlers in protected areas. This course is a 2 star course and will not make you an expert paddler. It will reinforce the foundation laid down in the 1 star training. As stated already, only years of paddling in varying conditions will make you an expert.

 

Topics include fine tuning forward and reverse paddling, stopping, draw, rudder and sweep strokes, boat edging, support strokes, bow rudder and low brace turns, paddling different boats in different locations and an assessed journey. Capsizing and self rescue, peer rescue, safety, leadership and group skills plus much more. Many of these skills to be carried out in closed cockpit kayaks and open canoes.

 

BCU Paddlepower Start and Paddlepower Passport

 

Prerequisites – Need to be under 14 years of age and to swim 25 meters.

 

Time schedule – Wednesdays 6-8pm for 5 weeks

 

First course commencing 18th May 2011

 

Second course commencing 22nd June 2011

 

Third course commencing 10th August 2011

 

For enquiries and course fee details please contact Kerry Rice on 01209 713485 or E-mail on kerry.rice69@gmail.com  You can also download the application form here, and send direct to Kerry along with your payment.

 

Paddle power start

 

This award is designed to provide a framework for a paddlers first session and provide encouragement and signposting to future sessions. It is intended that coaches will award the START certificate at the end of the first session. This is the first step towards the passport certificate

 

Paddle power passport

 

Paddle power passport comprises four progressive levels that guide the new paddler from initial start session through twenty four competencies, skills and knowledge. These encourage each paddler to achieve a recognisable standard. Adults would achieve a similar standard via the One Star criteria.

 

At the end of your five week course you should have achieved both of the above and be able to send off for your certificate from the British Canoe Union.

 

This course will not make you an expert paddler. It is intended to lay down a solid foundation on which to build. Further courses within the paddle power scheme are designed to improve your ability and experience. So after completing this course join the club and get involved in as much as you can with trips, pool sessions, and further training.    

The full B.C.U syllabus for all these courses can be found at www.bcu.org.uk  (Personal performance awards)