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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
No previous experience is required for this course, making it suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced participants.
Our instructor, Dan, will tailor the instruction to fit the experience level of each participant, ensuring everyone gains valuable skills and knowledge.
Participants should bring a swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, and any recommended safety equipment they have, such as a towline, throwline, webbing, karabiner, whistle, and knife.
If you do not have these items, we can provide equipment for you to use during the course, so there's no need to purchase anything specifically for this training.
Lunch is not included in the course fee. We recommend bringing your own packed lunch and snacks to keep you energised throughout the day.
The course will proceed in most weather conditions, as learning to manage and operate safely in various environments is part of the training. However, if conditions are deemed unsafe, such as during extreme weather, we will reschedule the course.
Participants will be notified in advance if there are any changes to the schedule due to weather conditions.
Booking a place on the course is straightforward. You can book online through our booking form below, where you will find all the necessary details and an easy-to-follow registration process.
Given the limited spots (maximum of 6 participants), we recommend booking early to secure your place.
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
About the centre
Newton Abbot
Operated by Rock The Boat Training LTD, a partner of adventuro.
