For this Next Step Open Canoeing Skills course candidates should be water confident and ideally able to swim 25 metres wearing a buoyancy aid.
Candidates will ideally have completed a First Step Open Canoeing Skills Course or have paddled an open canoe before.
↓ Course summary
This Next Step Open Canoeing Skills course is designed to follow on from our 'First Step' courses and will focus on developing your boat handling skills. The day will be spent journeying through the islands on Strangford or on one of our many local inland venues depending on the weather. We will coach you in how to set the boat up, how to manoeuvre it with control, how to use the wind to your best advantage and you will also learn the necessary steps required to plan your own simple journeys.
↓ Who is the course for?
If you would like to be able to jump into an open boat and paddle it independently with confidence then this Next Step Open Canoeing Skills course is for you.
Our equipment stores are by far the best around with a stock of over 100 boats from across the range of models there are plenty to choose from! If you are thinking of buying a boat come along and ‘try before you buy’ and also get unbiased expert advice from our staff on the most suitable equipment for you.
All you will need to bring is footwear for the water, a long sleeved top for under your wet suit, swimwear and a towel/toiletries.
Participants are encouraged to bring any personal equipment so they get the opportunity to be coached using the equipment they are most familiar with
↓ What does my course fee include?
The Next Step Open Canoeing Skills course fee includes kit and equipment, in-course transport, instruction from one of our qualified instructors, packed lunch, tea/coffee and a famous chocolate brownie or flapjack.You may also wish to bring your own personal snack food for use during the course. You can fill a flask with tea or coffee at the Centre if required.
Accommodation:
Your course is a one day course, so accommodation is not provided. However, we do have changing rooms, showers and lockers available for your use.
We can offer you a nights' accommodation and breakfast either at the beginning or end of a course for an extra £26.50 per person. This is a great way to further enhance your time at Tollymore and savour the beautiful majestic setting that the Centre has to offer.
↓ Useful books and resources
BCU Canoe & Kayak Handbook
Discover Canoeing by James Weir
Previews of books are available on Presda Press website.
Current situation
As you are probably aware the current advice from the Northern Ireland Executive, Health Promotion Agency NI and Health & Safety Executive NI, as well as our expert group within Sport NI is that we cannot deliver any face to face courses for our customers including use of the Hot Rock Climbing Wall.
We know that you and many others like minded folk are very keen to get back on track with your plans to attend and complete a range of personal skills training and qualifications in a range of disciplines.
Believe us when we say we are equally keen to get outside with you and help you reach your goals and complete that journey.
How do we know? Because every day we get emails and phone calls asking when will courses resume and with every NI Executive mention of easing of restrictions the emails and phone calls are more frequent……
