Hayle Canoe Club

The Club

Courses

We run Paddlesport Performance Awards courses. These so-called 1 star and 2 star courses, and paddle power for children up to 14 years old, are in accordance with the syllabus of the British Canoe Union.

The full B.C.U syllabus for the courses below can be found as pdf documents at www.bcu.org.uk

3 star courses, canoe safety test, first aid, level 1 and level 2 coaching courses can be arranged.

The club will provide you with a kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid and protective helmet. All students are required to bring with them clothing suitable for water sports – you will get wet!! A wetsuit is ideal, preferably with short arms but otherwise a couple of thin layers on the upper body covered by a lightweight windproof jacket will be ample (along with a pair of shorts/lightweight trousers. An absolute must is a suitable set of footwear – an old pair of trainers you don’t mind getting wet, ‘jellies’, beach shoes or wetsuit boots must be brought with you. Finally, please bring with you a warm change of clothes for when paddling is finished – you cool down quickly once you stop exercising. We do have basic changing facilities, but unfortunately no toilets at present.

We offer many different styles and makes of kayaks to try. If you have not already purchased a kayak we will help you pick the right boat for your size, skill and budget.

Please be aware that coaches are only permitted to take a certain maximum number of students per course so places will be limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Please note that all our coaches are operating on a voluntary basis and you will be required to follow the instructions of the coaches at all times. The coaches reserve the right to remove you from a course if you do not follow their instructions or are in any way disruptive. We encourage families and want everyone to enjoy themselves on and off the water!

BCU Paddlesport 1 Star

Prerequisites – Need to be over 14 years of age and to swim 25 metres.

Time schedule – Wednesdays 6-8pm for 5 weeks including test

First course commencing Wednesday 19^th May 2010.

Second course commencing Wednesday 30^th June 2010.

Third course commencing Wednesday 11^th August 2010.

For enquiries and course fee details please contact Paul Bashforth on 07976 901510 or E-mail on pbashforth@btinternet.com. You can also download the application form and the health questionnaire here.

The BCU 1 star is a flat water award that demonstrates that an individual has basic boat control and foundation skills. In this course you will learn what is necessary to participate safely in organized kayak trips. Through the course you will learn basic strokes, boat control, outfitting a kayak for safety and what it means to be a responsible kayaker. The course will include personal paddling skills, rescue skills, safety, leadership and group skills and theory.

This course is a one star training course and will not make you an expert paddler. It is intended to lay down a solid foundation on which to build. Only years of paddling in varying conditions will make you an expert. The most important attribute a kayaker can have is common sense. This can’t be taught, but in time on the water and more advance trips and courses will help. Because you can perform a self-rescue in flat water does not mean you have the skill to do large crossings or rough water paddling by yourself. Many beginners are very ambitious and want to head out into open water. Don’t! Start slow and keep within your experience level. Paddle with more experienced paddlers and come on some tours. Join the club and learn from your fellow paddlers. After going on a few organized trips, take our 2 star training course the following season.

BCU Paddlesport 2 Star

Prerequisites – BCU 1 star or equivalent, membership of the club and over 14 years of age.

Time schedule – Wednesdays 6-8pm for 10 weeks including test

1^st course commencing Wednesday 19^th May 2010.

2^nd course commencing Wednesday 7^th July 2010.

For enquiries and course fee details please contact Paul Bashforth on 07976 901510 or E-mail on pbashforth@btinternet.com. You can also download the application form and the health questionnaire here.

The BCU 2 star course is an improvement award that helps paddlers develop fundamental paddle sport skills on flat water. The emphasis is on gaining a breadth of experience creating the desired movement of the boat and developing an understanding into how the paddle, boat and water interact.

This course is intended for kayakers who have completed the 1 star training programme or have equivalent experience.

We ask you to come prepared to work hard and have an enthusiastic attitude. You will only get as much out of this programme as you put into it. We offer many different styles and makes of kayak for use on this course. If you have not already purchased a kayak, this programme will help you increase your knowledge of which boat fits your needs. The goal of this course is to improve your skills so you can kayak safely with more experienced paddlers in protected areas. This course is a 2 star course and will not make you an expert paddler. It will reinforce the foundation laid down in the 1 star training. As stated already, only years of paddling in varying conditions will make you an expert.

Topics include fine tuning forward and reverse paddling, stopping, draw, rudder and sweep strokes, boat edging, support strokes, bow rudder and low brace turns, paddling different boats in different locations and an assessed journey. Capsizing and self rescue, peer rescue, safety, leadership and group skills plus much more. Many of these skills to be carried out in closed cockpit kayaks and open canoes.

BCU Paddlepower Start and Paddlepower Passport

Prerequisites – Need to be under 14 years of age and to swim 25 meters.

Time schedule – Wednesdays 6-8pm for 5 weeks

First course commencing 19th May 2010

Second course commencing 30th June 2010

Third course commencing 11th August 2010

For enquiries and course fee details please contact Paul Bashforth on 07976 901510 or E-mail on pbashforth@btinternet.com. You can also download the application form and the health questionnaire here.

Paddle power start

This award is designed to provide a framework for a paddlers first session and provide encouragement and signposting to future sessions. It is intended that coaches will award the START certificate at the end of the first session. This is the first step towards the passport certificate

Paddle power passport

Paddle power passport comprises four progressive levels that guide the new paddler from initial start session through twenty four competencies, skills and knowledge. These encourage each paddler to achieve a recognisable standard. Adults would achieve a similar standard via the One Star criteria.

At the end of your five week course you should have achieved both of the above and be able to send off for your certificate from the British Canoe Union.

This course will not make you an expert paddler. It is intended to lay down a solid foundation on which to build. Further courses within the paddle power scheme are designed to improve your ability and experience. So after completing this course join the club and get involved in as much as you can with trips, pool sessions, and further training.