Paddlesports and Sea Kayaking Courses in Scotland
Kayaking is a rewarding activity and the centre can equip you with the skills to get you started for sea or river kayaking. Our instructors teach to a very high standard and are happy to deliver tailored sessions.
Cumbrae is also a good base for any sea kayakers wishing to explore with safety support and instruction.
Making a Booking If you are interested in making a booking for any of our courses please telephone the centre on 01475 530 757. We are currently developing an online booking system to work with this website . Please give us a call to either book or discuss any of our courses. We can also be contacted by email We look forward to hearing from you
Scottish Canoe Association
Cumbrae is recognised by the Scottish Canoe Association as a training centre
Paddlesports Try a Day
Age 16+
Enjoy a wet and exhilarating day being introduced to the varied possibilities of canoe and kayaking, trying out a variety of boats and learn some fundamental skills. Successful completion of the course leads to the BCU Paddlesport start award. This day can be combined with Dinghy or Windsufing Try a Day to make a weekend of new activities. If you subsequently book onto any of our other 2 day courses (or longer!) the cost of this course will be deducted.
Level of Experience – None
Cost £45
- 09 Apr '12
- 05 May '12
- 04 Jun '12
- 29 Jul '12
- 26 Aug '12
Introduction to Paddlesports (BCU 1 Star)
Age 16+
BCU 1 star award
A generic course for those new to Paddlesports offering an opportunity to try a number of different craft and disciplines from open canoe touring to maybe surf kayaking.
Learn fundamental skills and foundation strokes to enable progression within the sport.
Level of Experience – None
Cost £170
- 20 Apr '12 - 22 Apr '12
- 08 Jun '12 - 10 Jun '12
- 13 Jul '12 - 15 Jul '12
Introduction to Paddlesports (BCU 2 Star)
Age 16+
BCU 2 star award
A residential course for those requiring a thorough grounding in the fundamental skills and foundation strokes of both canoe and kayak, you will be introduced to all the essential equipment and be able to experience a variety of craft suitable to the local environment.
Gain your first taste of Canoe and kayak journeying perhaps even attempting a circumnavigation of Cumbrae by the end of the course.
This course will provide ample opportunity for coaching progression into the various disciplines, successful completion of the course will lead to the BCU 2 star award a pre requisite to entry into the BCU coaching scheme.
Level of Experience – None
Cost £380
- 25 Jun '12 - 29 Jun '12
- 13 Aug '12 - 17 Aug '12
BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Training
Age 16+
Fundamentally this course is designed for all paddlers irrespective of craft. The objective is to teach simple and safe skills that can be applied appropriately. The course aims to provide the student with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely in a sheltered water environment and to be able to deal with common emergencies. These skills will then form the basis of all safety and rescue training throughout the BCU Scheme and is a pre-requisite for anyone entering the coaching scheme
Level of Experience: BCU 2 Star standard.
Cost £75
- 12 May '12
- 17 Jun '12
- 01 Sep '12
Sea kayaking Try a Day
Age 16+
This course is designed for those wanting to take their first steps in 'Britain’s fastest growing watersport’. Covering all the basics, this relaxed and flexible course will instil confidence and create a desire for further progression. No previous experience required.
Cost £45
- 16 Jun '12
- 19 Aug '12
- 02 Sep '12
Introduction to Sea Kayaking
Age 16+
Covering all the basics, this relaxed and flexible course will instil confidence and create a desire for further progression. A journey in the local area on the second day allows you to consolidate your sea kayaking skills. No experience required
Cost £170
- 25 May '12 - 27 May '12
- 06 Jul '12 - 08 Jul '12
- 21 Sep '12 - 23 Sep '12
Learn to Sea Kayak
Age 16+
A 5 day residential course introducing all the fundamental skills required of a sea paddler the flexible nature of this course creates progression within the sport and include some journeying to explore the beautiful coastal waters around Cumbrae to consolodate your sea kayaking skills. No previous experience required
Cost £380
- 02 Apr '12 - 06 Apr '12
- 20 Aug '12 - 24 Aug '12
Sea Kayak Foundation Skills
Age 16+
This course is for those with some previous Paddlesports experience looking to transfer their skills to sea kayaks. You will learn how to apply foundation strokes to the sea environment, find out about the essential equipment and be introduced to some coastal navigational theory..
Level of Experience – BCU 2 star standard.
Cost £75
- 13 May '12
- 05 Aug '12
Sea Kayak Foundation Skills (BCU 3 Star training)
Age 16+
An introduction to all the elements required for the BCU 3 star sea kayak award – including sea kayak core skills, safety and rescue techniques and a basic understanding of coastal navigation and tidal planning.
The additional day incorporates the chance to undertake a typical sea kayak trip to consolidate the learning and contribute as a qualifying journey towards the BCU 3 star sea/touring awards.
Level of experience: BCU 2 star standard or above.
Cost £170
- 22 Jun '12 - 24 Jun '12
- 07 Sep '12 - 09 Sep '12
BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak Assessments
Age 16+
For Those requiring assessment. additialnal dates available at other times by request.
Cost £75
- 25 Jun '12
- 10 Sep '12
Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue Skills
Age 16+
An in depth look at kayak rescue skills as applied sea specific craft and the coastal environment. Examines approaches to incident management using methods used to train professional coaches and guides with plenty of chance for real time practice in rougher waters. Inspiring the learner to venture further in more challenging conditions with confidence
Cost £75
- 06 Apr '12
- 10 Jun '12
- 16 Sep '12
BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning:
Age 16+
This shore based course is a pre requisite for the BCU 4 star sea kayak leader award as well as been an essential training resource for any sea kayaker wanting to venture further with confidence in tidal coastal waters.
A set of dividers and a plotter are required for this course.
Cost £75
- 28 Apr '12
- 15 Sep '12
Introduction to Sea Kayak Expeditions 2/3 days
Age 16+
So you’ve done some sea kayaking and you like the idea of loading up your camping gear and heading off into the distance. We offer two and three day options. The two day introduction to expeditions will show you what you need and how to pack it in your boat. Camping overnight you will experiment with stove cooking and some bush craft skills along the way. A great introduction to wilderness travel by boat in the heart of one of the UK’s finest sea kayaking locations.
The Intention on the 3 day course, with two nights camping is to get further afield and weather permitting we hope to be able to circumavigate the Island of Bute.
BCU 2 star standard with some sea kayak specific experience is required for both expeditions (or have attended preparation evening sessions).
- Related :
- Paddlesport Evenings Sessions
2 days cost £170
- 30 Jun '12 - 01 Jul '12
3 day cost £255
- 02 Jun '12 - 04 Jun '12
- 25 Aug '12 - 27 Aug '12
Paddlesports Evening Sessions
Age 16+
If you live close to Largs or Cumbrae, this is the ideal way of getting afloat and enjoying the summer evenings. All kit is provided and the sailing sessions are suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers. BCU star awards appropriatte to your level can be achieved.
Both blocks of these evening dates are followed by our Intorduction to Sea Kayaking Expeditions course. This allows you to consider using the evening blocks as part of your preparation and training for a weekend of sea kayaking with an overnight camp, a great way to put all your skills into practice The expedition course will need to be booked seperately.
Transport is available from and to Largs Yacht haven with pick up at 6pm and return drop off at 9pm. Blocks must be booked and paid for in advance
Wednesday evenings 6-9pm 5 week blocks
Block 1; 30th May, 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th June
Option to "bolt" on Introduction to Sea Kayak 2 day expedition 30th June - 1st July
Block 2; 25th July, 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd August
Option to "bolt" on Introduction to Sea Kayak 3 day expedition 25th - 27th August
£100 per 5 week block
Additional courses on offer
Age +
Contact Cumbrae for;
Sea kayak guiding for longer expeditions
Bespoke Paddlesports tuition and river guiding
BCU White Water Safety and Rescue Training
BCU Star Award Assessments:
BCU Generic 1 and 2 Star
BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak
BCU 3 Star Open Canoe
BCU 3 Star Surf Kayak
BCU 3 Star Touring
BCU 3 Star White Water
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