Sea Kayak Courses
Wherever you are in your career as a paddler, there is always room for improvement and another way of looking at best practice. The industry is constantly evolving through advances in boat design, materials, technical clothing and equipment. This has opened up the world of sea kayaking to a wider audience who now have the ability to go further for longer in comfort.
We are all limited by the capacity of our craft, when you feel you have reached the benefits of the vehicle it is time to upgrade and there are many options out there. Why not visit a center where you can try more advanced boats and increase your technical skills, knowledge and ability. If that place is also one of the most scenic places in the UK then what an added bonus.
Our courses are aimed to lift your current ability! We often we get new paddlers wanting to jump in to more advanced courses, or moderate paddlers who do not rate their ability against more advanced paddlers and join courses that may hold them back. We like to work with our clients and learn exactly where they are in their journey, and what they want from the course. So that we match our clients to the course, the location, the condition and your peers.
We are very lucky here in Torbay to have an international audience so you never really know who your going to be sharing the experience with. Often on a tour you will multiple nationalities all with the desire to explore the area and meet other paddlers. We are also very lucky to have larger numbers of Cetaceans living in our coastal waters and taking a course has a higher likely hood of seeing them due to the secluded areas we are able to get to, once you have had some training on day two.
We will always take a journey on our courses to see the areas of special scientific interest and the beautiful secluded spots at the right times for the tide and the sun. We run our courses through the pre and post season, so that we always have them to ourselves and can train and play in peace.
Each course is pitched to a slightly more advanced level of ability and awareness of the paddler. Call Kieran for a friendly chat to confirm which course would be best for you. Below is a list of the courses we run and please contact us for an itinerary, course structure and what to bring. We look forward to discussing your requirements with you.
We like to consider a weather window for bookings, pick a date where you have the flexibility to go either day around this date. Therefore, we should be able to cherry pick the weather for you. The more information and longer you give us the greater the course will be for you. To find a course that's right for you see below. For up to date information and last minute spaces on courses please visit our facebook page. www.facebook.com/SKTorbay.
Sea Kayaking for Beginners - 2 Days
Learn how to Sea Kayak in our introductory course, that empowers beginners to take their kayaking to the next level. If you have never been in a kayak or canoe before then this is the course for you. We will train you on land and sea taking in the holistic nature of Sea Kayaking and its environment. You will master easy techniques to steer the craft with your body and learn the theory behind the muscle groups that increase your leverage to paddle and steer. This will naturally increase your glide and your ability to maneuverability across the water and reduce over steer and breaking.
You are able to progress at your own rate or just come and enjoy the adventure and try something new. Most paddlers find that after the course there paddling ability, knowledge and awareness is significantly increased.
What the Course Involves
The Intro course covers the holistic nature and environment of Sea Kayaking for a beginner or someone who has had a few journeys and looking to start a new career in paddling.
The course breakdown:
- launching, landing and loading
- surf/rock emergency landings,
- capsize, self-rescue, low bracing,
- paddling skill development and techniques to BCU 2 star
- edging - using your body to steer and reduce drag
- using the skeg and kayaking in wind
- safety equipment, clothing, boats and paddles
- setting up your boat, trimming and accessories
- packing boats and choosing a boat
- kayak fishing and equipment
- coastal navigation, meteorology and the tide
- reading the water, lines of transit, eddies and protection
- estuary and river crossing, narrows, tidal races.
- watching marine wildlife code and understanding marine wildlife behaviour
- paddlesport etiquette on the water
- trip planning day/weekend/expedition
- group management and leadership
You can expect to go rock hopping, meet the local seals and paddle through caves. Please contact us for a full course itinerary. Please visit our Facebook page for upcoming training dates and courses with places on them. We will upload several dates here but for current information visit www.facebook.com/SKTorbay.
What to Bring
You don’t need to bring any technical clothing or equipment, as we cater for everything. We’d always advise you to bring beach clothes or gym/walking gear on a cooler
day, and this is worn under our dry gear. It’s usually possible to keep your feet dry, but it’s advisable to bring old or wet shoes. Just in case you want to swim, a swimsuit.
Further Information
Due to the size of our solo touring sea kayaks we only cater for teenagers from the age of 12 or up on our courses. Unless they have there own boat, some considerable personal experience in flat water or certification. Younger teenagers that are robust may also be able to attend.
Our stable beginner solo boat max capacity is 130Kg, if you are near or above this please let us know prior to booking
Where
- Oddicombe Beach or Meadfoot Beach for the Hopes Nose Headland
- Paignton Sands - Boat House for the Backwaters of Livermead, Hollicombe and Corbyn Head
- Brixham Breakwater for St Mary's Bay and Berry Head.
- Brixham Oxon Cove or Goodrington for the backwaters of Elberry, Crystal, Churston and Fishcombe Coves
- Kingswear to access the Dart through Waterswell Creek
- Shaldon Beach or Coombe Sellers for access to the Teign
Who
- Ages 8 and Up
When
- March 15 - July 10
- September 5 - October 25
Current Course Dates
- May 15th / 16th 22nd / 23rd
- June 05th / 06th 19th / 20th
- July 03rd / 04th
- Sept 11th / 12th 25th / 26th
- Oct 09th / 10th 23rd / 24th
Group Size
up to 6, Minimum 2
Paddler Experience
No prior experience of water or boats is necessary, all instruction is provided.
Larger groups can be catered for with additional guides. Group discounts will depend on duration and group size.
Cost
- 1 Person £185
- 2 People £350
- 4 People £650
- 6 People £900
- 6 + Please call
Sea Kayaking for improvers! 2 Days
If you have had some previous experience kayaking or canoeing and know how to hold a paddle correctly, then this maybe the course for you. At the end of the course you should feel confident to go out with peers, with the right information and awareness to create your own adventure.
You will have the opportunity to try a range of boats, paddles and equipment. A chance to try something new and train on how to use it effectively and safely.
What the course involves
Over the 2 days we will develop your ability to 'edge' your kayak to increase your maneuverability and glide. This reduces the drag of the hull of the boat through the water and reduces the need of correcting paddle strokes that slow down the craft.
We will look at the kayak skeg (dagger board in the hull) and the different manufacturers and their designs. We will experience how to use them effectively in wind and how to trim (lower the boat) the boat.
We will visit an estuary and a headland to see the differences of tidal movement and the effects at river mouths and what the changes of the tide brings.
Over 18s only
Due to the nature of this course and using solo kayaks this course if for adults only. You do not need to be physically fit but 2 days is a lot for a teenager unless there are special circumstances or previous training.
What to Bring
Bring snacks and water with you, and in the summer months we recommend shorts and sports tops. Conditions can change, but we outfit you with any technical clothing that you may require.
Don’t Miss a Thing
We carry a waterproof camera so we can snap images as we go. We will happily forward them to you afterwards.
Where
- Oddicombe Beach or Meadfoot Beach for the Hopes Nose Headland
- Paignton Sands - Boat House for the Backwaters of Livermead, Hollicombe and Corbyn Head
- Brixham Breakwater for St Mary's Bay and Berry Head.
- Brixham Oxon Cove or Goodrington for the backwaters of Elberry, Crystal, Churston and Fishcombe Coves
- Kingswear to access the Dart through Waterswell Creek
- Shaldon Beach or Coombe Sellers for access to the Teign
Who
- Adults, over 18s
- Paddlers with experience
- Paddle distance round 12 - 16km
When
- 15 January - 06 July
- 7th September - 25 October
Cost
- £185 1 Person
- £350 2 People
- £650 4 People
- £900 6 people
- 6 + please call
Group Size
- 2 - 6
Paddler experience
These tours are pitched at beginners or those who have had a couple of tours or beach hires and want to take there paddling a step further.
Current Course Dates
- TBA - First confirmation will create date generation
Sea Kayaking course for solo paddling
If you now own your own boat you want to know how to get the best from it, or you may now be ready to take on a Touring Sea Kayak. We have a range of boats for you to choose from or you are welcome to come and train in your own boat.
We will look at the holistic nature of solo paddling and incident management, working on self rescues in deep water, rock landings when things go wrong and how to get help or tow a casualty.
You may now wish to go exploring and learn how to read the water and cross estuaries or pass between islands, where wind can meet tide to create over falls and tide races. Great to play in, not to get in if you have no training.
What the course covers
Over the two days we will develop your skill and ability to paddle in condition. When your environment suddenly changes and you get caught out we will teach you how to manage your craft and get home safely.
On day one we will work on your technical skill and ability to control the kayak in flat, sheltered water and through the day progress into open water where we will work on self and assisted deep water rescues.
On day two we will choose a location that has condition to look at incident management and how to land in surf and on rocks. We will look to launch and land in small surf on a beach and slipway.
By the end of the course you should be able to competent to plan a trip and deal with most potential scenarios by having a coping strategy to avoid them.
Please contact for an itinerary of the 2 days.
Where
- Oddicombe Beach or Meadfoot Beach for the Hopes Nose Headland
- Paignton Sands - Boat House for the Backwaters of Livermead, Hollicombe and Corbyn Head
- Brixham Breakwater for St Mary's Bay and Berry Head.
- Brixham Oxon Cove or Goodrington for the backwaters of Elberry, Crystal, Churston and Fishcombe Coves
- Kingswear to access the Dart through Waterswell Creek
- Shaldon Beach or Coombe Sellers for access to the Teign
Who
- Adults, over 18s
- Paddlers with experience
- Paddle distance round 12 - 16km
When
- 15th March - 15 June
- 1st September - 15 October
Cost
- £185 1 Person
- £350 2 People
- £650 4 People
- £900 6 people
Group Size
- 2 - 6
Physical Ability
Participants will have a good understanding of their craft and their environment and be looking to push their boundaries.
Current Course Dates
- TBA - First confirmation will create date generation
Our advanced courses are for paddlers that wish to start taking on the coast on their own rather than the sheltered waters of estuaries and bays. The South Devon coastline is stunning and peppered with hidden gems of coves and secluded beaches.
We will launch and land in surf, negotiate rock landings and train in deep water self-rescue. We will spend considerable time around the South Devon coastline that is the greatest places to view cetaceans and other marine wildlife. We get all sizes of visitors to Torbay from Blue Whales to Risso's Dolphin.
A Course for the solo paddler
This course works on discussion around paddling solo and coping strategies to use should you be solo when things go wrong.
Trip planning and navigation are essential when you are alone. As is the ability to contact those that need to know. A recommendation is to complete a VHF course alongside this and we can deliver this and the BCU open water and Tidal Navigation module.
Where
- Oddicombe Beach or Meadfoot Beach for the Hopes Nose Headland
- Paignton Sands - Boat House for the Backwaters of Livermead, Hollicombe and Corbyn Head
- Brixham Breakwater for St Mary's Bay and Berry Head.
- Brixham Oxon Cove or Goodrington for the backwaters of Elberry, Crystal, Churston and Fishcombe Coves
- Kingswear to access the Dart through Waterswell Creek
- Shaldon Beach or Coombe Sellers for access to the Teign
Who
- Adults, over 18s
- Paddlers with experience
- Paddle distance round 12 - 16km
When
- 15th March - 15 June
- 1st September - 15 October
Cost
- £185 1 Person
- £350 2 People
- £650 4 People
- £900 6 people
Group Size
- 2 - 6
Paddler Ability
- Know how to capsize and self rescue
- Have experience in surf and swell
- Know how to use a skeg
Current course dates
- TBA - First confirmation will create date generation
For further information on our kayak tours and the Geo Safari, call us, in Torbay, Devon.