We offer the Paddle UK Discover Award to our non members.
During this course you’ll develop your paddling skills to help make sure you have a fun and safe time on the water. You an take this course in either a Canoe or a Kayak, we will provide the kit for use during the course.
Our brilliant club coaches will give you confidence in the craft of your choice . By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to join our club sessions.
You will likely need to attend 4/5 sessions to achieve the Discover Award and be well on your way to becoming an independent paddler.:
- 4th May 6-8pm @ Conningbrook Lake
- 11th May 6-8pm @ Conningbrook Lake
- 18th May 6-8pm @ Conningbrook Lake
- Join the Big Paddle Cleanup on the Medway with Pirates Members
- 8th June 6.30-8.30pm @ Conningbrook Lake
Toilets and showers
Once attendees complete the course, they will be given a Paddle UK Award Certificate and be able to join regular club sessions and trips if they choose to do so.
The course includes Club membership for the rest of the year. The course cost is:
Adults: £90
Getting Wet
Kayaking is a water sport and participants should expect to get wet. During the weekend we will look at capsizing and safe exit from the boat as well as simple rescue techniques.
The capsize and rescue drills are done close to the club so that you can get changed into dry clothes and minimise the potential of getting cold.
Toilets and Changing rooms
We do not have any toilets directly on the lake. The nearest toilets are at Julie Rose Stadium a couple of hundred metres away from the slip way. We recommend that you shower when you get home after any paddle.
Equipment
We will provide you with a kayak / canoe, paddle, buoyancy aid, and spray deck (for use after you have demonstrated a confident capsize) though you are very welcome to use your own suitable gear if you have it.
We do have a limited number of waterproof paddling jackets (“cags”) that can be used if the weather is not kind. However, these are generally items that members have donated when they replace them, so describing them as waterproof may be optimistic.
We would recommend you bring at least the following
- Shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked (they will!) Sandals or flip-flops are not suitable as they do not fully enclose the foot.
- Synthetic clothing suitable for the temperature (natural fibres hold too much water and take much more heat out of you to dry, leaving you cold). Please avoid jeans and, if possible, cotton.
- A change of on water clothing for when you get off the water
- If you wear glasses or sunglasses, a retainer is wise. A floating one is good, but any secure attachment will do.
- If you are going to take any pictures a waterproof phone case and lanyard are essential.
- Sunscreen (we may be lucky enough to need it and glare off water is far greater than you might expect).
- Most important of all – a sense of humour. Fun is, after all, the whole point of the exercise.
We recommend all the above every time you paddle.
If you have any questions, please email Di Phillips on events@piratescanoeclub.com or message through our Public Facebook Page.
