Programme
All Workshops and Trips will be full day events. Approx timings: 09:00 to 16.00
Below is a list of workshops which are intended as a guide. However the symposium organisers retain the right to make changes according to both operational and unforeseen circumstances.
All participants will be able to book on workshops on arrival at registration before the weekend begins.
Below is a list of workshops which are intended as a guide. However the symposium organisers retain the right to make changes according to both operational and unforeseen circumstances.
All participants will be able to book on workshops on arrival at registration before the weekend begins.
Trip:
The day trips will be chosen on the day according to the weather and will be focussed on enjoying a day out on the water seeing the sights and spending time on the water with new people.
Skills Workshop (upto former 3* level):
For those from the novice who have done a little bit of sea kayaking to folk who have done a bit of sea kayaking but want some more focussed input into techniques and strokes. The exact content will be led by those participating.
Skills Workshop (former 3* level and beyond):
This workshop will focus on honing those skills required for 4star level, but without the leadership element, taking you on that the next step towards rough-water confidence. The exact content will be led by those participating.
Practical Navigation:
Putting the theory of navigation into practice. The main themes will be timing, distance estimation, map location and compass work. It will allow a degree of flexibility to cover participants needs.
Forward Paddling
For the majority of sea kayakers, sea kayaking is about journeying, and journeying in the most part is forward paddling. This workshop will look at your stroke and focus on creating good technique making you more efficient on a journey. There will also be the opportunity to experiment with wing paddles as a short-term coaching tool to enable you to feel the effect of upper body rotation and early blade exit and then recreating this with your own paddle.
Rock Gardens – an Introduction to:
Safe paddling in rock gardens, specific techniques for close quarter paddling - this session will introduce and develop essential rock hopping skills. Safety and rescue among the rocks will also be looked at.
Roughwater Paddling/Rescue Skills:
For those who want to develop their rough water skills, focus will be on key boat handling skills for handling over-falls, tide races, waves etc, leaving you a more confident, experienced and skilful paddler.
Incident Management:
The day will look at rescue and retrieving incidents that may develop within a group on the water. This could vary from capsizes in dangerous locations, tidal waters, rocky landings, members of the group being lost at sea, rafted tows etc. It is advisory to be of a minimum BCU 3* standard or equivalent experience.
Rock Gardens - (advanced):
Develop your close quarter sea kayaking skills in more challenging conditions. Develop surfing in rocky environments. Safety and rescue among the rocks will also be looked at.
Tidal paddling:
Topics we will cover reading currents, crossing currents, breaking in and out of current etc.
Surf for sea kayakers – an introduction *
The course is aimed at novice to intermediate paddlers that want to build their confidence in the surf. We will help you with various techniques including how to do effective braces, launch and land safely, getting off waves, timing, wave selection and manoeuvring.
* Please note this workshop is dependent on conditions which will dictate whether this goes ahead on the weekend.
The day trips will be chosen on the day according to the weather and will be focussed on enjoying a day out on the water seeing the sights and spending time on the water with new people.
Skills Workshop (upto former 3* level):
For those from the novice who have done a little bit of sea kayaking to folk who have done a bit of sea kayaking but want some more focussed input into techniques and strokes. The exact content will be led by those participating.
Skills Workshop (former 3* level and beyond):
This workshop will focus on honing those skills required for 4star level, but without the leadership element, taking you on that the next step towards rough-water confidence. The exact content will be led by those participating.
Practical Navigation:
Putting the theory of navigation into practice. The main themes will be timing, distance estimation, map location and compass work. It will allow a degree of flexibility to cover participants needs.
Forward Paddling
For the majority of sea kayakers, sea kayaking is about journeying, and journeying in the most part is forward paddling. This workshop will look at your stroke and focus on creating good technique making you more efficient on a journey. There will also be the opportunity to experiment with wing paddles as a short-term coaching tool to enable you to feel the effect of upper body rotation and early blade exit and then recreating this with your own paddle.
Rock Gardens – an Introduction to:
Safe paddling in rock gardens, specific techniques for close quarter paddling - this session will introduce and develop essential rock hopping skills. Safety and rescue among the rocks will also be looked at.
Roughwater Paddling/Rescue Skills:
For those who want to develop their rough water skills, focus will be on key boat handling skills for handling over-falls, tide races, waves etc, leaving you a more confident, experienced and skilful paddler.
Incident Management:
The day will look at rescue and retrieving incidents that may develop within a group on the water. This could vary from capsizes in dangerous locations, tidal waters, rocky landings, members of the group being lost at sea, rafted tows etc. It is advisory to be of a minimum BCU 3* standard or equivalent experience.
Rock Gardens - (advanced):
Develop your close quarter sea kayaking skills in more challenging conditions. Develop surfing in rocky environments. Safety and rescue among the rocks will also be looked at.
Tidal paddling:
Topics we will cover reading currents, crossing currents, breaking in and out of current etc.
Surf for sea kayakers – an introduction *
The course is aimed at novice to intermediate paddlers that want to build their confidence in the surf. We will help you with various techniques including how to do effective braces, launch and land safely, getting off waves, timing, wave selection and manoeuvring.
* Please note this workshop is dependent on conditions which will dictate whether this goes ahead on the weekend.