Paddle UK Start / Discover Course

During our Start and Discover Award, you will get to try out different craft. During this award, your instructor will work with you to evolve your decision making and practical skills, giving you confidence on the water.

What is the Discover Award?

The Discover Award allows you to develop your decision making and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water, as you become a more skilled and independent paddler. Through this award you will learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling.

Who is it for?

Anyone of any age who want to develop their skills on the water. You don’t need any previous experience to take your Discover Award, just the desire for fun and learning! You can take the award from any craft, from kayaks, canoes or SUPs.

Why should I do the Discover Award?

If you want to develop your skills from your Start Award, or feel like you need to expand your basic paddling knowledge further, this is the award you need. The award covers topics such as:

1. Encouraging independent decision making on different bodies of water (moving river, canal, estuary, harbour), covering safety and weather aspects too
2. Preparing for self-guided adventures
3. Equipment you will need for a variety of paddle trips
4. Further developing your canoe, kayak or SUP paddling and rescue skills.

After completing the Discover Award, you can progress onto the Explore Award which is aimed at progressing into all craft and developing your confidence to be an independent paddler.

Bring a spare change of clothes, incase you fall in. Depending on the time of year, you may also want to wear a wetsuit (we do have a few available), but if you don't have one, don't worry, just make sure you bring some layers! Bring a towel and shoes which won't fall off.

09:30 - Arrival and start

1. You'll start with a safety briefing and introduction to the kit.
2. Then we're out onto the water learning skills and techniques, having fun!

Lunch will be around 12:30pm.

1. Back onto the water for some more skills and practice!

16:30 - End of day.