The Paddle UK White Water Safety Course is a two-day programme designed to equip paddlers with the skills, knowledge, and techniques necessary to keep themselves and others safe in Grade 3 white water environments. This course, suitable for a variety of watercraft including kayaks, canoes, SUPs, pack rafts, and white water rafts, covers essential rescue techniques and safety practices tailored to dynamic river environments.
Led by expert coaches, this course offers cutting-edge safety and rescue training developed from real-world experience and reflective practice. Whether you're a paddler looking to refine your skills or part of a group wanting to ensure the safety of your trips, this course provides the practical tools and knowledge to confidently navigate white water.
The White Water Safety Course covers four core areas, with a strong focus on practical rescue techniques:
Throughout the course, we’ll use real river environments to give you hands-on practice in executing these skills, ensuring that you're fully prepared for real-world white water scenarios.
The course takes place in Devon, with training sessions held on rivers known for their challenging Grade 3 white water sections. Specific locations will be selected based on water levels and conditions at the time of the course, ensuring an ideal training environment.
To participate in this course, you should:
We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality training based on real-world experience and cutting-edge rescue techniques. Here’s why you should choose us for your Paddle UK White Water Safety Course:
By the end of this course, you will have the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to safely navigate and rescue in Grade 3 white water, making you a stronger paddler and a more capable group leader.
This course is designed for paddlers with experience in Grade 2/3 white water who want to improve their safety and rescue skills. It's suitable for those using a variety of watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, SUPs, pack rafts, and white water rafts.
The course covers essential skills, including:
Yes, you should be comfortable paddling in Grade 2/3 white water environments and have basic white water paddling skills. This course builds on your existing knowledge and equips you with advanced safety and rescue techniques.
The White Water Safety Course is designed for a wide range of watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, SUPs, pack rafts, and white water rafts. Our instructors tailor the rescue techniques to suit the specific challenges of each type of craft.
The course typically runs from 9am-5pm each day. Mornings are focused on theory and learning new rescue techniques, while afternoons are spent practicing these techniques in real river conditions. We aim to simulate real-world rescue scenarios to ensure practical, hands-on learning. The day ends with a debrief to discuss progress and key takeaways.
No, accommodation is not included in the course fee. However, we can recommend nearby accommodation options, including bunkhouses, lodges, and campsites. Many participants choose to share accommodation with others to reduce costs.
No, food is not provided. You should bring your own packed lunch, snacks, and water for both days. Make sure to bring enough food to keep your energy up, as the course involves physical activity and time on the water.
To prepare for the course:
If you are uncertain about your readiness for the course, feel free to reach out to us for advice on how to best prepare.
We closely monitor water levels and river conditions to ensure the course can be delivered safely. If conditions are unsuitable, we may move to an alternative river location or adjust the schedule. Safety is our priority, and we ensure the course is both productive and safe, regardless of weather conditions.
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About the centre
Buckfastleigh, Devon
Operated by ABC Kayaking, a partner of adventuro.
