SKW Kayak Courses
Please note all our tuition courses (except for Intro) are for Over 18's only.
At Sea Kayaking Wales we offer a full range of Courses from Complete Beginners to Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Assessments.
Introduction to Sea Kayaking
Level 1 - Beginner Course on sheltered to easy moderate water (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page)
No Experience Needed
Participants should have reasonable core strength and fitness.
Core Strength: Can you sit upright on the floor without needing back support for a while and can you then stand up using just 1 hand for support?
Fitness: Can you sustain 2 whole days of aerobic activity, similar in intensity to a lovely coastal walk?
Find out more and Join a Course
Explorer Sea Kayaking Course
Level 2 - This level of course includes journeying into minimal moderate water conditions (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page) and is often pitched at recently trained sea kayakers or more experienced sea kayakers who enjoy easy journeys.
Participants should have a reasonable understanding of forward paddling and boat handling techniques, with a view to developing these skills furtherer on relatively easy journeys.
Find out more and Join a Course.
Explorer Sea Kayaking Course
Level 2
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Level 2 - This level of course includes journeying into minimal moderate water conditions (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page) and is often pitched at recently trained sea kayakers or more experienced sea kayakers who enjoy easy journeys.
Participants should have a reasonable understanding of forward paddling and boat handling techniques, with a view to developing these skills furtherer on relatively easy journeys.
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Level 1 - Beginner Course on sheltered to easy moderate water (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page)
No Experience Needed
Participants should have reasonable core strength and fitness.
Core Strength: Can you sit upright on the floor without needing back support for a while and can you then stand up using just 1 hand for support?
Fitness: Can you sustain 2 whole days of aerobic activity, similar in intensity to a lovely coastal walk?
Intermediate Sea Kayaking Course
Level 3 - This level of course includes journeying in moderate water conditions (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page) and is often pitched at fairly experienced sea kayakers who enjoy journeying and aspirant BC Sea Kayak Award holders.
Participants should have a reasonable understanding of forward paddling and boat handling techniques, with a view to applying them to some moderate water conditions.
Find out more and Join a Course
Moderate Water Course
Level 4 - The journeys and exercises at this level are in sustained moderate water (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page) with some moderate water plus conditions. It may include easy tide races, rock gardening and swell/surf.
This level of course is often pitched at aspirant BC Coastal Sea Kayak Award holders and BC Sea Kayak Leaders.
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Advanced/Dynamic Water Course
Level 5 - At this level we are seeking out advanced water conditions (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page) in tidal rapids and/or exposed swell.
This level of course is often pitched at aspirant BC Advanced Sea Kayak Award holders and BC Advanced Sea Kayak Leaders.
Find out more and Join a Course
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Level 2 - This level of course includes journeying into minimal moderate water conditions (see environmental definitions at the bottom of the page) and is often pitched at recently trained sea kayakers or more experienced sea kayakers who enjoy easy journeys.
Participants should have a reasonable understanding of forward paddling and boat handling techniques, with a view to developing these skills furtherer on relatively easy journeys.
British Canoeing Environmental Conditions - 2018
Sheltered Water
Definition
Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)
Examples: Small enclosed bays, enclosed harbours where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore, defined beaches with easy places to land throughout, no tide races, overfalls or surf.
Moderate Water
Definition
Sea: A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straight forward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height).
Advanced Water
Definition
Sea: Any journey on the sea where tidal races, overfalls or open crossings may be encountered and which cannot be avoided; sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or are difficult; sea state 4 and winds above Beaufort force 4; launching and landing through surf (up to 1.5 metres trough to crest height).