Paddle UK Paddle Discover Award in Hewish, North Somerset

Take your paddling skills to the next level with this one-day course designed to enhance your technique and introduce you to self-guided paddling adventures. Whether you choose kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding, you’ll learn key skills for navigating various water conditions and handling your craft with greater confidence. The course focuses on improving your decision-making, safety awareness, and rescue techniques, giving you the tools to venture out on your own safely.

Key Details

Duration: 1 day
Age: 16+
Group Size: 1-10 people
Craft Type: Kayaking, Canoeing, or Paddleboarding
Location: Hewish, North Somerset (exact venue confirmed upon booking)

Key Skills

Decision-making in different paddling environments (moving rivers, canals, estuaries, harbours)
Understanding weather and safety factors for self-guided paddling
Equipment selection and preparation for various water activities
Advanced paddling and self-rescue skills
Developing confidence for independent paddling trips

What to Expect

Throughout the day, you’ll work on refining your paddling skills and gaining the confidence needed to plan and undertake self-guided trips. The course begins with a focus on improving your technique, whether you’re learning new strokes, enhancing your balance, or adjusting your paddling style for different water types. You’ll then move on to decision-making, where you’ll learn to assess water conditions, weather, and potential hazards to make informed choices during your paddling adventures.

In the afternoon, the course takes a more practical approach, where you’ll plan a short trip, learning how to safely navigate, choose the right equipment, and handle various water challenges. There will also be time spent on rescue techniques, so you feel prepared in case of emergencies. By the end of the day, you’ll have the skills to enjoy paddling independently, whether on a calm lake, a moving river, or along the coast.

Location

Hewish, North Somerset, is a great base for paddling, located close to a variety of beautiful and accessible waterways. The area offers a mix of rivers, canals, and estuaries, with options to paddle both sheltered and flowing waters. One of the main venues for the course is the nearby River Avon, known for its gentle currents and scenic surroundings. The river provides a calm environment perfect for building paddling skills while still offering a bit of challenge for more experienced paddlers.

In addition to the River Avon, participants will also have the chance to explore nearby waterways, such as the Kennet and Avon Canal, which is ideal for more relaxed paddling. The location offers the perfect opportunity to gain a solid understanding of how to handle different types of water and conditions, preparing you for future paddling adventures.

Prerequisites

No prior experience is necessary for this course, but it’s recommended that participants have basic paddling skills. If you're new to paddling, it’s useful to have attended a Try Kayaking, Try Canoeing, or Try Paddleboarding session beforehand to get comfortable with your craft.

Why Choose Us

With over 30 years of experience, the centre offers expert-led courses that ensure you develop paddling skills at your own pace in a safe, supportive environment. Instructors are highly qualified, with a focus on making learning both enjoyable and practical, allowing you to progress confidently.

The centre’s commitment to high-quality outdoor education ensures that every session is well-organised, hands-on, and tailored to the needs of each participant. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your paddling journey or simply refine your skills, this course provides the foundation for successful self-guided adventures on the water.

Professional paddling instruction

Use of kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards

Safety equipment, including buoyancy aids and helmets

Full-day training session on water skills and techniques

Guidance on self-guided paddling and rescue practices

Transport to and from the venue

Food and drinks

Personal clothing and footwear suitable for water activities

Simply select the date you wish to book from the available options on the booking form. Once you choose a date, the available craft options (kayak, canoe, or paddleboard) for that session will be displayed underneath.

You should wear comfortable, quick-drying clothing suitable for water activities. A wetsuit is not essential but may be recommended for colder conditions. Sturdy footwear, such as old trainers or water shoes, is necessary to protect your feet while paddling.

Don’t forget a towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, and a packed lunch. If you have your own equipment, feel free to bring it along, but we’ll provide everything you need for the course.

Yes, this course is suitable for paddlers of all levels, including beginners. The session is designed to help you develop essential paddling skills in a supportive environment.

Even if you’ve never paddled before, our instructors will guide you through the basics, helping you build confidence in handling a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. If you’re completely new to paddling, attending a Try Kayaking, Try Canoeing, or Try Paddleboarding session beforehand can help. These sessions can be found below.

This course covers a range of topics to help improve your paddling skills and build confidence. You will learn about different water environments, safety procedures, and how to handle your craft in various conditions.

You’ll also gain experience in making independent decisions while paddling, selecting appropriate equipment for different conditions, and performing basic self-rescue techniques. The course will build on your existing skills, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced.

A basic level of swimming ability is recommended, as you’ll spend time on the water during the course. You don’t need to be an expert swimmer, but you should be comfortable in the water and able to float or tread water if needed.

Buoyancy aids will be provided, and all safety procedures will be covered to ensure you feel secure throughout the session.

The course will go ahead in most weather conditions, including light rain and wind. However, if the weather becomes dangerous or unsuitable for paddling (e.g., heavy winds, storms), the session may be rescheduled or moved to a sheltered location.

You will be contacted in advance if any changes need to be made. We recommend checking the weather forecast before attending and dressing appropriately.

This well-established outdoor centre in the Mendip Hills is known for delivering high-quality adventure activities and outdoor instructor training. Operating since 1987, it offers a wide range of land and water-based activities, including climbing, caving, paddleboarding, archery, bushcraft, disc golf, skiing, and tobogganing. Many of these take place at their flagship site, which also features a 165-metre dry ski slope, purpose-built target sports ranges, a private quarry for climbing and caving, and a dedicated watersports lake nearby. The centre works with individuals, schools, and groups, delivering outdoor education programmes that balance challenge, learning, and enjoyment. With a focus on safety, personal development, and progression, the team is made up of experienced, passionate instructors who lead everything from one-off taster sessions to full outdoor activity weeks. It’s also a leading provider of outdoor instructor training. Their Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training (AOIT) course equips aspiring instructors with the practical skills, qualifications, and real-world experience needed to start a career in the outdoor industry. With over three decades of experience, a growing range of high-quality facilities, and a commitment to developing the next generation of outdoor leaders, this centre remains one of the South West’s most respected adventure and training providers.