Kids' Kayaking
At Explore Highland we know how much fun it is to be in the great outdoors and going on a new adventure. We want to share this with the next generation, to introduce them to learning a new skills/sport in a safe environment whilst having loads of fun.
Our programme, based in and around Inverness, offers kids from 10-16 yrs to take to the water in a range of crafts and develop not only their paddling skills, but give them a taste for adventure.
Kids can work through the various workshops and progress at their own pace.
Our 2012 programme will run over the Summer with bookings opening in April.
Kids' Kayaking Programme Flowchart
Family Paddling
For families coming into the area on holiday wishing to book an adventure or hire equipment, we have suitable boats and kit for children too.
All of our Kids Kayaking instructors are placed through the Disclosure Scotland scheme.
Workshops offered are outlined in the table below.
2012 Kids Paddling Programme
| Workshop | Focus | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
Introduction to Kayaking (Outdoors) |
Includes paddling safety, launching and landing your kayak, use of spray decks, safe water exits, and basic paddling techniques. Included will be a briefing about water safety and paddling on the Caledonian Canal. |
Age between 10-16yrs, able to swim 50m front and back crawl and tread water for 60 seconds. |
River Safety |
This safety workshop will help the young paddler appreciate the risk associated with river paddling and develop an awareness and skills required. Excercises will include throw bag use, wading skills, swimming in moving water and self rescue. |
Successful attendance at 'Kayak Skills' and able to swim 100m front & back crawl. |
River Kayaking |
Young paddler will be taken onto slow moving water to learn how to break in and out of the flow, ferry glide, river signal communication and group safety. |
Successful attendance at 'River Safety' |
Kayak River Trip |
A day out river kayaking using all skills learnt at ’ River Kayaking’, this journey will allow the young paddler to be guided down the River Ness in a group. Some basic survival skills may also be included depending on weather conditions. |
Successful attendance at 'River Kayaking' |
Canoe Skills |
With the skills and water safety learnt during ‘Kayak Skills’, the young canoeist will then be shown how to use a single bladed paddle. Working in tandem canoes, skills taught will include canoe handling, edge control, basic paddling techniques and canoe safety & rescue. |
Successful attendance at 'Kayak Skills' |
Loch Canoe Trip |
A day out in and open tandem canoe. Using all skills learnt at ’Canoe Skills’, this journey will allow the young canoeist to be guided across Loch Dochfour and into Loch Ness. Some basic survival and bush craft skills may also be included depending on weather conditions. |
Successful attendance at 'Canoe Skills' |
Sea Kayak Skills |
With the skills and water safety learnt during ‘Kayak Skills’, the young paddler will then be shown how to control a longer faster sea kayak. This workshop will teach sea kayak handling, edge control, turning and sea kayak safety & rescue. |
Successful attendance at 'Kayak Skills' |
Loch Sea Kayak |
A day out in the sea kayak. Using all skills learnt at ’Sea Kayak Skills’, this journey will allow the young sea kayaker to be guided across Loch Dochfour and into Loch Ness. Some basic survival and bush craft skills may also be included depending on weather conditions. |
Successful attendance at 'Sea Kayak Skills' |
BCU 2 Star Training |
The British Canoe Union syllabus will be covered in both canoe and kayak. |
Successful attendance at 'Kayak Skills' and 'Canoe Skills' workshops |
Equipment provided for all activities includes: canoe/kayak, buoyancy aid, cag, helmet, spray deck, paddle. A full kit of safety equipment will be carried by the instructor and, where necessary, will also be provided for participants. |
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| Please email us if you require more information. | ||
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
- Albert Einstein