Axe Vale Canoe Club

We are running two introductory courses in May 2024 for people interested in learning how to paddle a kayak &/or canoe. The aim of our courses is to provide you with the skills to enjoy paddling in the local river/estuary conditions and then leading on to paddling at sea if you choose to continue paddling with us. The course could help you towards achieving a wish to: go on trips on canals, rivers, estuaries or at sea, take you friends/family for trips in suitable conditions, etc.

The course follows the British Canoeing Paddle Awards syllabus comprising Discover and Explore Awards. The initial course lasting typically 3 to 6 sessions (depending on your self-progression) will result in the Discover Awards in either kayak or canoe as you choose. Following this, if you decide you wish to continue paddling with us, we can help you achieve the Explore Award over the Summer.

Note there are separate Junior Courses aimed at young people with a separate information leaflet. If you are 11 to 15 years old, you may prefer the Junior course which runs either Friday Evening or Saturday Morning.

Courses will be run by qualified BCU coaches. Each course comprises a series of weekly sessions which are held on a Tuesday or Friday evening on the Axe estuary in Axmouth/Seaton. To gain the Discover award may take you between 3 and 6 session as the award is gained based on your progress rate (rather than after a fixed number of sessions). You should attend at least the first four consecutive sessions though you can miss one week if you have diary clashes. To continue on to the Explore Award you may choose to continue paddling and learning new skills though the Summer period (typically another 6 sessions depending on your progress again). The courses will probably combine into one group in August on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Any attendee with additional needs must contact Donna Vincent on 07866 531982 prior to booking on the course to check if the course and our provision is suitable for them as we paddle on complex water and this may not suit everyone.

Included in the course fee is Membership of the club for the year, enabling you to carry on coming along until summer sessions end in early September and on appropriate trips throughout the year; during these additional sessions we will do local paddles and help you gain more experience.

Is this course suitable for you? We do not use Sit-on Kayaks for the course - enclosed kayaks are used with spraydecks or open canoes. To do our course on our flowing/wavy waters you will need certain amount of flexibility/mobility (typically we would expect as a guide: an ability to kneel down for extended periods, the ability to rotate your torso 45 deg each way whist sitting down). Our courses are aimed at equipping you for group paddling on rivers and sea in a range of conditions, rather than solo sit-on paddling on calm water.

On the Application Form you will be asked to choose your preference of Kayak or Canoe. If you are unsure which to choose then the following general advice applies:

- Kayak - our kayaks are river/sea kayaks which you sit inside and you are given the skills to use the spraydecks to keep dry inside (they are not Sit-On kayaks). If you have a Sit-on and wish to use it for the course then please bring it along. If you choose ‘kayak’ you will be expected to perform a full capsize so you experience how to exit the kayak up-side-down and swim to shore safely, so you need to be happy to get your head wet. Max number per session is up to 12 kayaks.

- Canoe - these are open canoes (Canadian canoes) which you paddle with two people initially then move on to paddling them alone. They are paddled with a single ended paddle. Again you will be expected to learn how to capsize safely but in this case you do not get your head wet as you fall out before that happens in an open canoe. As a generalisation, canoeing tends to be more comfortable as you can move around more, though it is advisable that you able to kneel within the canoe. Maximum number per session is up to 6 canoes

There is a tendency for the kayak option to be more popular but be assured that it does not matter at this stage which you learn as transferring the skills to the other type of craft is very straightforward. So please do not worry if you have to learn to canoe first but would prefer kayak as we can easily transfer you after the course.

Venue:       Axe Vale Canoe Club, Axmouth Harbour, Seaton (EX12 4AA)

Course IP1:  Tuesdays - 7th May 2024 (max 16 people e.g. max 12 kayaks plus 6 canoes) (FULL)

Course IP2:  Fridays    - 10th May 2024 (max 11 total of either craft) (FULL)

Times:        Meet at 6:00 pm at the Club House, Seaton. We will be off the water at 9:00 pm

Cost:          ADULT - £120 (including Paddle Discover Award Certificate & membership for the year)
                  YOUTH - £60 (including Paddle Discover Award Certificate & membership for the year)

Please download and read the Information Leaflet (PDF) on the right --->

Booking Closed - please use the ‘AVCC on WebCollect’ on-line application process.

Click the ’Apply Here’ button, sign-up for WebCollect (or Sign-in if you have used it before),
and on the AVCC page, select the ‘Intro to Paddlesports Course (IP1 or IP2)’ as appropriate.

If you want to talk to someone first then please call Colin Schofield on 07889 842104.

Click here to read our Event/Course Data Processing Notice.

All participants must be able to swim 50 metres, although for assistance, buoyancy aids will be provided. Minimum Age is 11 years old. The club insurance covers third party liability but not personal accident.

You will need to bring along:
- two sets of clothes (one for canoeing and one to travel home). For canoeing bring suitable clothing and shoes – for
   example: thin fleece, thermal top (man-made fibre), tracksuit bottoms, lace-up shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
- a towel for a shower when you get off the water,
- for those who wear glasses, something to tie them on (so they do not get lost in the river).
We will provide all the other kit and equipment you need during the course.

On successful completion participants will gain a BC Discover Paddle Award Certificate (included within the course cost). With the inclusive summer membership, you can continue to attend and progress your skills, as well as take part in a number of trips which will be planned for the weekends. If you progress to the BC Explore Award, please note that there is an additional fee for the Explore certificate (£10) payable to British Canoeing.

There is  an Information Sheet for use during the course here:

Here are copies of the British Canoeing Paddle Award leaflets:

DISCOVER - EXPLORE