Sea Kayak Award (Personal Performance) Training and Assessment

If you are interested in attending this training and assessment you should be able to swim and have experience of kayaking in winds up to force 3 and tides of up to 1 knot. For more information click HERE. There are no prerequisites or age requirements so start your award today!

Tollymore’s excellent location between Carlingford Lough and Strangford lough gives us access to some fantastic sea kayaking locations. The Sea Kayak Award (Personal Performance) 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 may be used as a benchmark of competence when joining a commercial expedition or for joining an extended club trip. It is also a prerequisite to be attending your Sea Kayak Leader training. For full details of the award syllabus, candidates should visit the British Canoeing website. The training and assessment course will take place across two days, focusing on the following key areas: Boat handling skills such as:

• Efficient forward paddling
• Turning
• Bracing and balancing
• Rolling

Safety and rescue such as:

• Dealing with a swimmer - i.e. including self-rescue and boat carries
• Throwline use and towing
• Personal safety equipment

If you are intending to be assessed for this award, please read carefully the British Canoeing syllabus before booking a place. You'll be expected to provide evidence of previous paddling experience and have all personal safety equipment for the duration of the course. See the British Canoeing guidance notes for this kit list.

This programme is aimed at those wishing to develop the necessary skills to journey in a moderate environment on the sea. The Sea Kayak Personal Performance Award is the standard of paddling required before attending a Sea Kayak leader Award Training course, you will also need  to have completed the Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning course.

• White Water Safety and Rescue Training

The following list is of equipment we recommend you bring. All essential equipment is available from our extensive stores. We advise you not to rush out and buy kit for the course, but use it as a chance to find out what would best suit your needs. However, if you do have any of your own equipment do bring it along our staff will be required to vet for suitability equipment such as buoyancy aids and helmets. You should bring the following personal equipment with you: Footwear - wet suit boots, thermal tops, warm outdoor wear (fleece is ideal), hat, gloves, towel, small first aid kit, vacuum flask, personal medication, notebook and pen.

Footwear - wet suit boots	Thermal tops
Vacuum flask	Warm outdoor wear (fleece is ideal)
Gloves	Hat
Small first aid kit	Towel
Personal medication
Notebook and pen

Our equipment stores are by far the best around with a stock of over 100 boats from across the range of models there are plenty to choose from! If your thinking of buying a boat come along and ‘try before you buy’ and also get unbiased expert advise from our staff on the most suitable equipment for you. Participants are encouraged to bring any personal equipment so they get the opportunity to be coached using the equipment they are most familiar with

The course fee includes full use of the centre equipment, in course transport, coaching, and packed lunch on both days.

• The course fee does not include accommodation, but does include packed lunch on both days
• If you require catered accommodation, the cost will be an additional £56.50.  This includes accommodation on Saturday night, evening meal on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning. There is also a short instructional session on Saturday evening.

Course accommodation (when restrictions permit!) will be in shared twin ensuite rooms. If you would prefer not to share a room, single occupancy may be available for an additional charge.