Kayak, canoe and SUP Pathways

"Will I like canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding?"

Take part in a taster sessions and gain your Paddle Start Award

"How do I learn the basics?"

Take a British Canoeing Paddle Discover course either as a one day course or attend a series of tuition sessions. The Paddle Discover award can be taken in any type of paddle craft.

"I'm enjoying this! How do I progress my skills?"

Take a Britich Canoeing Paddle Explore course either as a two day course or attend a series of tuition sessions. The Paddle Explore award can be taken in any type of paddle craft.

"I'm a proficient paddler now, where else can my paddling take me?"

Safety on the Water Training

At PCC safety on the water is our prime objective and we take this very seriously. All leaders will have been trained to make sound judgements for your safety. However your safety and that of your fellow paddlers is also a personal responsibility. At PCC we encourage everyone who has reached the Paddlesport Explore standard to undertake an Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Training and then as required follow this up with discipline specific training, eg WWSR or Sea Kayak rescue skills training. It is further recommended that all competent paddlers develop a clear understaning of both generic and dynamic risk assessments.

PCC recommend that Safety Skills are refreshed regularly within the discipline specific spheres.

Whitewater

At PCC you’ll already have been fortunate enough to have learned basic moving water skills as you progressed through the Personal Performance Awards. Now learn to Eskimo Roll.

Go on some introductory whitewater trips.

Complete the BC whitewater personal performance awards.

You will now have the essential skills for whitewater kayaking. Go run some rivers with your friends!

BC white water Leader Award - now you can safely lead others on whitewater.

BC Advanced Whitewater kayak leader award. Now you’re a pro!

Freestyle

Freestyle skills can be developed early on – just try one of our freestyle boats (aka playboat).

Attend our sessions to nail the basics and learn to Eskimo Roll. Pool sessions and Lake sessions)

Go on some introductory whitewater trips where you can transfer those skills to moving water.

Complete BC freestyle personal performance awards progressing form flat water to the advanced awards.

Now you’ve done all the basic training. Get out with your mates, find a wave and have a play!

Enter a competition or two!

Who knows, you could be the next GB Freestyle Team member!

Slalom

The Olympic sport of canoe-slalom. At a basic level is done on placid water. Attend the PCC slalom training sessions and enter the PCC Slalom League. (This is an aspiration)

Attend a Division 4 national slalom event which are always friendly and welcoming to beginners at slalom. You can progress through the divisions up to Div 1 and then Premier division.

Go for Olympic team selection?

Touring

By the time you’ve completed your BC Explore award, you’re fairly self-sufficient and some gentle river cruising, kayak fishing or wildlife watching is well within your grasp.

Complete any of the BC Touring Personal Performance awards to develop skills and ensure safety.

Sea

Commonly available to hire at holiday destinations, seeing the coastline by kayak is an attractive proposition and specific sea kayaks are best suited for this.

Go on the PCC introductory Sea paddling course and trips trips. (aspiration to repeat the same training as last year)

You will now have the essential skills for sea kayaking. Go build experience and confidence with your friends!

Complete any of the BC Sea kayak awards to learn basic coastal safety and skills specific to sea kayaks.

Attend a BCU Tidal Navigation and Coastal Planning course.

Enjoy your journeying and perhaps meet some seals.

Surf

Just like you can surf on a board, surfing in a kayak can be really good fun and very exciting. At a basic level, any reasonably manoeuvrable craft will do the job, eg. a whitewater kayak.

Complete any of the BC Surf kayak awards

If you want to take it further, get yourself a specific surf kayak and start riding the tubes! 

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

This one of the fastest growing sports and PCC encourages all members to have a go on the Lake.

Progression from the Lake is to try the new skills on the canal and then venture onto the Medway River.

Attend BC personal Performance Awards

Participate in WW training events (aspiration to get Barry to run some sessions for us at Matlock)

Become a qualified coach

Coaching others can be a rewarding pastime and is a possible career. 

Complete Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FSRT).

Volunteer to help the instructors at PCC when they are running sessions.

Become a BC member and attend either a BC Paddlesports Instructor course or Core Coach course.

Get some hands on teaching practice and log your sessions and hours. Don’t forget to keep working on your personal awards and leadership awards which will enhance your personal skills and go on to develop your coaching remit.

Enjoy the experience of helping others learn and have a good time whilst you do it, but you needn't stop there - the coaching qualifications go all the way to performance coach.