Whether canoeing or kayaking just for fun or training as an instructor, we have courses to suit everyone. Woodmill is situated amongst four different types of water making it an ideal location to learn, refine or develop your paddling skills. The centre is equipped with a huge range of canoes, kayaks or stand up paddleboards you’ll find, and our friendly qualified instructors are on hand to guide and support you.
Whatever your motivation, come and enjoy paddling at Woodmill and let us support you on your journey.
PADDLESPORT AWARDS
Welcome to our new and improved Paddlesport Awards! Now being delivered on a Level Based Learning, meaning you get to progress through the ranks before rising to the top and becoming an expert on the water.
LEVEL 1 - GET ON THE WATER
Our level 1 ‘Get on the water’ course is a 1 day course, which allows you to develop your safety and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler.
The course includes British canoeing’s discover, and paddle safer certificate. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling; giving you the confidence to progress to making your own choices and being independent at level 2.
You can choose any craft to paddle or have a go in them all!
LEVEL 2 - PROGRESS YOUR PADDLING
Our Level 2 ‘Progress your paddling’ gives you ownership; allowing you to choose where you move next in the world of paddlesport. Working with a coach you will be able to develop a programme that suits what you need. Learning to make confident choices with this individualised approach. Recognising your ability to independently paddle your chosen craft in a sheltered water environment.
On this course you will also gain a British canoeing Explore award certificate, which is a recommended standard for the majority of British Canoeing courses. There is no requirement to do the level 1 before participating on this course.
This is a 2 day course and just like Level 1, you can choose a craft to paddle in or have a go in them all!
LEVEL 3 - DEVELOP MASTERY
At Level 3, you’re reaching the stage of specialising. Because of this, we offer 3 different awards for you to choose from. Pick your speciality or if you want to become qualified across the board, do all three!
Sea Kayak Award
This award is designed to develop your skills and ability to apply appropriate decision making for an enjoyable and safe day out on the sea.
The Sea Kayak Award endorses your skill, judgment and the decision making required for a successful day on the sea. You will be confident in planning and undertaking journeys on the sea, in winds up to and including force 3 and/or tides up to 1 Knot, using sea kayaks or sit on tops, in tidal or non-tidal environments, with proficient skills to be in control throughout. Your award should be seen as a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with Coastal Sea Kayak Award holders.
This award will require you to have kayak proficiency like the Woodmill level 2. This award will take 2 days to complete.
SUP Sheltered Water Award
This award is designed to develop your understanding of how to plan and paddle a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) in sheltered water, using the appropriate abilities and decision making skills to travel safely on your pre-determined route.
Your SUP Sheltered Water Award will give you the ability to organise and carry out an enjoyable and safe trip on the water up to 200 metres from shore, up to force 3 in winds. You will be confident in considering how far you can safely travel from the shore, whilst identifying safe exit points, expanding your knowledge of rescue techniques and looking at the external and environmental factors which may affect our journey. You will create proficient skills to anticipate and adapt to problems we may encounter to enable us to have a safe and enjoyable day out stand up paddleboarding. Your award should be seen as a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with SUP White Water Award holders and SUP Surf Paddle Award holders.
This course will take 1 day to complete.
Canoe Award
This award is designed to develop your personal paddling and decision making skills so you have a fun and safe day out canoeing.
Your Canoe Award endorses your skill, judgment and decision making when journeying. You will be confident in planning and undertaking canoe journeys on the water in winds up to and including force 3 taking place on grade 1 rivers with simple eddy lines. Your award is a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with the Progressive Canoe Award.
This award requires you to have canoed before and be able to paddle solo. This will take 2 days to complete.
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SAFETY COURSES
Safety courses delivered by experts
Right in the heart of the city
PADDLESPORT SAFETY AND RESCUE
The Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course will teach you skills to stay out of trouble, give you practical solutions if you were to get into any difficulty and give you the tools to solve common paddling issues within a sheltered water environment. (Woodmill example: The Lake)
The course takes around 6 hours and will cover 6 modules: Clothing and Equipment, Safety Frameworks, Contact and Towing rescues, Self-rescues, Deep water rescues and Reflection and development.
SUP SAFER
This course is all about keeping safe on your SUP in sheltered water environment. SUP Safer is packed with safe practical solutions.
This is perfect for those who are new to Paddleboarding and are looking to get their own board in the future. Learn the basics and become confident and competent out on the water on your own.
The course takes around 4 hours and will cover 4 modules: SUP Equipment, Environment and Weather, Planning and Safety on the Water.
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