Experienced sea kayakers ready to paddle in advanced, dynamic water and tidal conditions

Current or aspiring leaders aiming for the British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader qualification

Coaches and instructors seeking to develop leadership, group management, and decision-making skills

Individuals confident in challenging coastal environments who want to master advanced techniques and lead others safely

Exploration of Demanding Dynamic Sea Environments:
Tackle exposed coastlines, powerful tidal races, overfalls, and advanced rock gardens for the ultimate sea kayaking challenge.

Elite Skills Mastery:
Perfect advanced boat control, surf launches/landings in big conditions, complex rock hopping, and paddling in strong wind, swell, and fast-moving water.

Advanced Leadership & Safety:
Lead groups with confidence—practise dynamic risk assessment, incident management, and complex rescue scenarios in demanding environments.

Expert Navigation & Decision-Making:
Sharpen advanced navigation, tidal vector planning, weather analysis, and on-the-water route-finding for unpredictable and technical sea states.

Personal Independence & Resilience:
Build the confidence, independence, and mental resilience needed for self-reliant journeys in the most challenging sea conditions.

Specialist Coaching:
Train with highly qualified coaches who provide tailored, high-level feedback in small groups for maximum progression.

Use of high-quality sea kayaks and all safety equipment - find out more

Instruction from friendly, qualified British Canoeing Instructors

Small group sizes (max 1:4 or 1:5 instructor-to-student ratio)

Guided journeys exploring the stunning Anglesey coastline

Our Instructors follow the syllabus below for each of our Dynamic/Advanced (Level 5) Courses.

The 3 areas prioritized by your kayak instructor during the course will be based on the most popular choices within the group.

1. Planning/Condition Prediction Tools

2. Reading the Water – Understanding and Using the Patchwork of

Challenging Waters and “Safe Zones”

3. Boat Handling Performance for Stability and Manoeuvrability

4. Incident Management in Challenging Conditions

5. Situational Awareness

6. Leadership & Group Management

7. Coaching Group Members in Moderate Conditions

PDF Overview

PDF Framework Table

PDF Detailed Breakdown

Dry Trousers, Cag, Thermals, Buoyancy Aid, Helmet, Spraydeck, Wetsuit Shoes

or....

Drysuit, Thermals, Helmet, Spraydeck, Wetsuit Shoes and Buoyancy Aid

Kayak

Paddle

Change of clothes, towel, and warm layers

Packed lunch, snacks, water bottle

Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)

Any required medication

PDF Kit List

Course times: 09:00 – 15:30

Location: SKW Kayak Centre, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 1YF

Directions and parking: Sent after booking

Locations are chosen for safety and the best learning experience

To ensure you get the most from this Level 5 course, participants should meet the following requirements:

Have recent experience paddling in dynamic sea conditions or Grade 3/4 white water—at least 20+ days within the last 6–12 months

Be comfortable spending extended periods in tidal races, or beach surf, handling challenging environments with composure

Maintain strong paddle fitness, capable of sustaining moderate to high aerobic activity for up to 6 hours per day

Rolling skills are highly desirable but not essential—you’ll have opportunities to practise and develop rolling in dynamic conditions, but a reliable roll is not a requirement to join

Demonstrate a solid, balanced paddling technique, able to drive your kayak efficiently and maintain stability in rough, dynamic water

Age Requirement:
All tuition courses are for adults aged 18 and over. Teenagers (16–17) may attend if accompanied by a competent parent or guardian actively participating in the course.

Please note:
This is not a beginner course. If you’re new to sea kayaking or have limited recent experience, please check out our Introduction or Explorer courses first.

Book your Dynamic Water Sea Kayaking Course online

For questions, contact us by email, phone, or social media

Sea Kayaking Wales is a Demo Centre for SKUK Kayaks, who are based just down the road from us in Holyhead.

We also Stock Zegul Kayaks (in the picture above on the left).

Paddles - We also stock and demo Celtic Paddles.

Please get in touch for more information about these products.

British Canoeing: Sea Kayak & Coastal Sea Kayak Award - work through SKW’s handy checklists.

Coastal Sea Kayak Award

Advanced Sea Kayak Award

These awards may be able to completed on our courses that are 5 days or more

We are unlikely to be able to complete the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award award on 2 & 3 day courses, as we may be too busy playing and journeying, to complete the syllabus. Should you wish to complete this award please book onto a bespoke sea kayaking day with one of our coaching team or book a 5 day or more course.