Paddle UK Introduction to White Water Safety Day

When on the water, accidents can happen, and it’s best to be prepared and have the skills to help if required. This course is designed for all paddlers, coaches, and volunteers working around the water. It can be completed as a bank-based or boat-based course. By the end of the course, you will have the skills to ensure your safety and the safety of others, as well as rescue skills to help yourself or others in difficulty.

Key Details

• Level: Beginner to Advanced
• Duration: 1 day
• Locations: Multiple locations available
• Instructor: Dan
• Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants

Key Skills

• Identifying and managing risks in white water environments
• Understanding the motivations and decisions of paddlers
• Effective use of clothing and equipment for safety
• Recognising and navigating water features and hazards
• Practical swimming and rescue techniques
• Supporting and rescuing swimmers
• Retrieving equipment in various scenarios

What to Expect

The course is structured into a comprehensive day-long programme, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In the morning, you'll focus on understanding the motivations of paddlers, collaborative support, and how to select rivers to match these motivations. You'll also learn about different crafts, safety considerations, and the appropriate clothing and equipment needed for white water activities. The session will also cover various water features, recognising potential hazards, and how to navigate them safely.

In the afternoon, you’ll engage in practical activities starting with defensive and aggressive swimming techniques. You'll learn how to support a swimmer in distress, including wading, reaching, and receiving a throwline. The session will also cover strategies for staying safe in the water and techniques for retrieving paddles and assisting others in recovering their equipment. The day will conclude with a review of the lessons, reflections on your own learning and areas for development, and a skills checklist to ensure comprehensive understanding.

Location

We cover various locations in the UK for our courses.

Most of our kayaking courses take place on the River Dart in Dartmoor – meeting point TQ13 7NT.

We also run courses at:

• Lee Valley White Water Centre (EN9 1AB)
• The National White Water Centre (LL23 7NU)
• Holme Pierrepont White Water (LL23 7NU)

We also travel to individuals and clubs to run training and assessments, covering most of England, up to Nottingham and Wales.

You can check the location on the booking form below. If you are unsure, feel free to contact the adventuro team who can help you book onto the right date for you, or organise a location for your session.

Prerequisites

Participants must be at least 16 years old, have a basic swimming ability, and be in good physical condition. No previous experience is required, making this course suitable for beginners through to advanced paddlers.

Why Choose Us

We offer a supportive and enjoyable learning environment, with small group sizes ensuring personalised attention from our highly experienced instructor, Dan. Our commitment to safety and high-quality instruction means you'll leave the course with the confidence and skills needed to navigate white water safely.

As a 1% for the Planet business, we give back to the environment with every booking, reinforcing our dedication to sustainable practices.