Sea Kayak Explorer & Wild Camp

Do you want to extend your sea kayaking skills and build up to undertaking your first multi-day adventure?

Are you looking for varied and remote locations to experience as you learn?

Doe the idea of comfortable accommodation and hearty breakfasts and lunches suit you more than a tent or bunkhouse and feeding yourself?

If so, then this is the course you need to be on and our base in Strontian, overlooking Loch Sunart, is ideally located to take advantage of the whole of the West Highland Peninsulas.

After a week of exploring with us, you will be tired yet exhilarated and ready for more undertaking your own wild camping adventures under your own steam...

What is included?

1. Three days of coaching geared largely towards you and your development towards undertaking a one-night wild camping expedition on Thursday & Friday
2. Four nights' accommodation (Sunday to Wednesday nights) at Otterburn, our own B&B, on the shores of Loch Sunart
3. Dinner on the first evening (Sunday)
4. Cooked breakfast or a lighter option on the first four mornings
5. Packed lunches Monday to Wednesday
6. All expedition food from Thursday lunch to Friday lunch
7. Use of all our specialist kayaking equipment
8. Use of our expedition-weight waterproof jackets and trousers (or lighter options)
9. Option to hire a two-piece drysuit for one day (rescues) or the full week.
10. Tent (solo or two-person as appropriate) for the expedition
11. All expedition food and group cooking equipment
12. Transport each day of the course

If you already have experience in sea kayaking and are just looking to take your first steps in multi-day expeditions, then you would probably be better off looking at our Introduction to Sea Kayak Wild Camping two-day courses.

Who will be guiding me?

Throughout this course, you will be coached by Karl, owner and head guide of Otter Adventures and husband to Laura, owner of Otterburn B&B who will look after you off the water. Karl has over 35 years of outdoor coaching and leading experience, land and water-based and is also a qualified teacher, experienced lecturer and Scottish Canoe Association Coach and Mentor. Flexibility and adaptability are some of his strengths and you can be assured of receiving the coaching and advice you need.

The main price is for one person in their own room for the duration of the course. In the 'Optional Extras' section, you will find a price for bringing a paddling partner to share your room and for hiring drysuits.

NB: Due to a limitation of the booking system, the finish time shows as 18:30 on the last day when we will aim to finish around 15:00. Our booking system is limited in respect of finishing times and we apologise for any confusion.

The requirements for our Explorer Weeks are relatively few. You should:

1. have an above average level of fitness
2. have some experience of kayaking, not necessarily sea kayaking
3. be 18 years or over
4. want to develop you kayaking skills and learn to wild camp from your kayak

You will be asked to help move equipment and load trailers throughout the week.

Don't worry if:

1. you are over 6'3" (190cm) or 16 stone (100kg),
2. you lack experience in sea kayaking,
3. you have a specific medical or dietary need.

If any of the above apply to you, or you have any questions about your suitability, then please get in touch with us before booking.

General Equipment

1. Your preferred paddling clothing appropriate to the forecast weather conditions
2. Casual clothes for morning/evening wear
3. Sunhat
4. Suncream & lip balm
5. Sunglasses with retainer cord
6. Gloves & beanie hat (if cold)
7. Shoes to wear whilst kayaking (they will get wet)
8. Reusable water bottle
9. Flask if you prefer hot drinks during the day
10. Snacks whilst paddling (optional)
11. Personal medication
12. Personal accident & possessions insurance
13. Bank card/cash (evening meals Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are not included)

Specific Expedition Equipment

1. Sleeping bag
2. Sleeping mat
3. Your own plate, mug bowl and cutlery
4. Small wash bag with biodegradable toilet paper and eco-friendly soap (for expedition)
5. Small towel
6. Spare shoes/sandals to wear on shore or waterproof socks to put under your paddling shoes
7. Waterproof jacket & trousers to wear onshore
8. Headtorch and spare batteries
9. If bringing anything electronic (e.g. phone, camera), bring a spare battery or external battery pack as appropriate

This is a combined coaching course based from our B&B were the tuition is geared towards developing your understanding and confidence in wild camping expeditions from your sea kayak.

The below list is not specific as we tailor the content to you as far as we are able to. It is likely that we will cover the following:

1. Journey planning including tides and tidal flows
2. Use of maps, charts and tidal atlas to aid planning
3. Efficient forward paddling and appropriate journeying skills
4. Other sea kayaking skills as appropriate to your level and aspirations
5. Capsizing, rolling and reduces can be included (you may wish to hire a drysuit for these aspects)
6. Packing sea kayaks for expeditions

If there is something specific you would like to include, please let Karl know before booking so he can be sure to advise you appropriately.

You should aim to arrive around 18:00 on Sunday evening as this will give us time to get acquainted before dinner and maximise time the next day.

On Monday morning we will sort kayaks and paddling equipment for the first three days of coaching before heading out on the water fairly locally in order to assess your current paddling ability and look at skills development as necessary.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be full days of paddling (c.5-6 hours of paddling) in some of the best locations that the West Coast of Scotland and Ardnamurchan has to offer. Where we go will be dependent upon your level of ability and confidence but also the winds and tides at the time.

On Thursday morning we will look at equipment and packing sea kayaks for expedition. We'll also go over group equipment and food before preparing ourselves for our one-night wild camp.

You'll be driven to the agreed location that we have planned together and accompanied on your mini-expedition to the wild camp site. Here we can look at topics such as:

1. Selecting campsites
2. Site arrangement
3. Pitching tents
4. Camp hygiene
5. Staying safe and organised
6. Camp fires and cooking