What is the Start Award?

The Start Award is the place to start your paddling journey. If you’re brand new to the sport and really want to learn the basics to get started, then this is the award for you. You’ll cover everything from getting in and out of the boat, what you need to wear and paddling forward.

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What is covered in the Start Award?

Through a series of three 1 to 1 1⁄2 hour sessions you will learn the basics to get you started on your paddling journey.

• Clothing and equipment information : think of it like a crash course in everything you need to physically get yourself on the water, covering all the types of equipment you’ll need.

• Tips for getting on the water including how to get safely in and out of your kayak from different places you are likely to paddle.

• Learn to paddle with practical skills such as paddling forward, turning and stopping... pretty much everything you need to get started and moving.

• Staying safe on & off the water, you’ll learn about how to stay safe & make the most out of your paddle session.

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What makes Longridge Canoe Club a great place for Paddlesports and Racing Kayaks?

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• Longridge Canoe Club is an Affiliated Club of British Canoeing and has a long history in the sport.

• Throughout the year members compete at all levels of our sport from Novice races starting at 4 miles, we can get you racing within a few months (or even weeks) if you are keen.

• Training with other members will see you moving up to intermediate courses at 8 miles and the more advance at 12 miles.  In the summer there are sprint events at 200 metres, 500 metres, or the 1000 metres (all as seen in the Olympics); and in the winter you can choose a series of longer races starting at 12 miles, through to 35miles.

• The Club has members who have represented for Great Britain in sprint and marathon; over the years including competing and winning medals on the international stage of world championships and at Olympic & Paralympic Games.

• We also have a long tradition of members entering the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race - in the “Everest” of the sport – a challenging 125mile course taken-on either non-stop or over 4 consecutive days.

• So, we can offer an insight to a unique paddling experience and the kayaks that we use are slightly different to most that you will be familiar with. We like to paddle faster and more efficiently than most!

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What more do you need to know?

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Costs for all three sessions start from only £90 per person and includes;

• Three sessions with a qualified British Canoeing coach.

• A British Canoeing ‘Start Award’ Certificate on completion of course.

• Use of our more stable racing kayaks, paddle and buoyancy aid*

• Small groups of 3-6 (max).

• Parking Permit for Free Parking on site*

• British Canoeing Paddlesport Insurance*

• Thames River/Environment Agency River Licence*

• You can book as a group, family or individually.

(* for the duration of each session that you are with our Coach).

 

You can book & pay on-line (we will send the links once you have confirmed your interest).

Email us to ask anything more: info@longridgecanoeclub.org.uk

 

When are the next Start Award courses running?

Please Follow this link back to check the course dates

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All dates Subject to availability and river conditions.

Please ask about other courses coming up.

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We look forward to welcoming you to our Club and introducing you to our sport.