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Spend 3 weeks in 3 progressive blocks of coached skills developing and honing kayaking skills including forward paddling, turning, steering, safety and rescues as well as support strokes. This course includes the Paddle UK Start, Discover and Explore Awards. (Additional costs for certification)Dates:
20th May, 27th May and 3rd June 2026 at 18.30pm for 90 mins plus a complimentary hire session
Requirements:
Suitable for ages 8+ Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult 21 years and over.
Timings:
As above with options for evening or weekend private and group courses
Included:
- Opportunity to try a variety of kayaks
- Buoyancy Aid
- Dry Bag (if needed)
- Instructor
What you will need to bring:
Bring comfortable clothing such as gym wear, shorts, a t-shirt or wetsuit, along with a pair of water shoes, or old trainers. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. No special equipment or clothing is required.
Location:
We have the perfect river location for paddlesports such as canoeing, kayaking and SUPs on the River Great Ouse, at Kempston Outdoor Centre near Bedford. It is well situated just 30 minutes from Milton Keynes, an hour North of London and half way between Cambridge and Oxford.
3 x 3 Block Three Week Kayaking Course Format
Life is busy! So we have specifically designed this course to better fit into your busy lives.
The 3 blocks are designed to fit perfectly together to improve and progress your kayaking skills here on the river in Bedfordshire.
Level 1 - Intro to Kayaking (Includes the Paddle UK Start Award)
Week 1 Kayak Skills Coaching
Equipment and craft choice
Getting onto the water
Effective forward and backward paddling in kayaks
Turning your kayak
Correction strokes and kayak steering
Moving your kayak sideways
Week 2 Kayak Skills Coaching
Steering on the move
Edge control
Intro to support strokes
Simple river journeys
Week 3 Kayak Skills Coaching
Capsize drills
Intro to spraydecks
Self rescue
Peer rescue
This is followed by the free final session being a credit for our most popular trip, our half day paddle from Kempston. You can book in the final session at your leisure (via the website), anytime this season, allowing you to choose when it best suits you.
Progess Onto Level 2 - Intermediate Kayaking Skills - includes the Paddle UK Discover Award. See more here
Progress Onto Level 3 - Moving Water Kayaking Skills - includes the Paddle Uk Explore Award. See more here
Why not bring along a friend, just ask about our monthly offers and discounts for an even more affordable way to take to the water.
Session Details:
We will run the initial kayak coaching sessions from our base at Kempston Outdoor Centre where we have over 300 craft and lots of different kayaks to sample.
Over the duration of the course you will be encourage to try different kayaks including cross over kayaks, touring kayaks, tandem kayaks.
The course will include access to our dedicated white water training venue where we can vary the flow from simple fast moving flows to more challenging white water allowing participants to consolidate skills.
We will also be exploring different sections of the River Great Ouse showcasing features and potential hazards allowing paddlers to become more independent kayakers.
We will include some classic journeys to allow participants to enjoy touring and exploring by kayak and also use our Bromham venue to tackle a short section of local rapids and paddle back to the centre.
The 3 week blocks of 90 mins per session allow paddlers to progress from introductory skills and ensuring the correct foundation is in place for power transfer, active core, strong forward paddling through to journeying and paddling well in more dynamic environments.
Suitable for ages 12+ Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult 21 years and over.
If you need a bespoke session such as a large group, youth club or school then please contact us to arrange a private booking.
What's Covered in the Course?
• Theory – General elements of paddling
• Safety – Staying safe and understanding the conditions
• Access – where you can paddle
• Equipment – Knowing how to use and look after your equipment
• Skills - Personal Paddling skills, support strokes, performance strokes
• Rescues - from self rescues to supporting others
• Journeying - considerations to plan trips, the environment, and more
• Moving Water Skills - Breaking in, breaking out, crossing the flow called Ferry Gliding and reading the water
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Kempston Outdoor Centre, Hillgrounds Road, MK42 8QP Bedford, United Kingdom, Kempston Outdoor Centre, Hillgrounds Road, Bedford, MK42 8QP, United Kingdom
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