Paddle Safer Course (Free)

!!! Please read all description carefully !!!

Paddle Safer

Please also see the Paddle Awards (free), you can find the link at the bottom of the page - if interested, then you can sign up for both Paddle Safer and Paddle Awards courses.

If you’re a new or novice paddler and want to raise your awareness of paddling safely, then the Paddle Safer is for you!

It’ll help you develop a better understanding of how to be safe when taking to the water.

During this award, your instructor will work with you to develop your knowledge around equipment and environmental factors, as well as practical rescues, giving you confidence on the water.

What is the Paddle Safer Award?

The Paddle Safer award is exactly what it says on the tin. This practical course gives you top tips and considerations to support you to paddle safer. Over the 3 hours, you will learn how to choose appropriate equipment. You will also develop an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling, such as the environment.

During the session, you will develop your knowledge, experience and ability to plan your paddles and trips. It will highlight what to expect and look out for, based on the places you paddle. You will practice a range of rescue techniques, and learn how to support each other and explore possible solutions to common mishaps.

Who is Paddle Safer for?

It is for anyone of any age who wants to develop their awareness and skills on the water. You don’t need any previous experience to take your Paddle Safer Award, just the desire for fun and learning! You can use any craft, including kayaks and stand up paddleboards.

What is covered in the Paddle Safer Award?

1. Clothing and equipment information, it covers everything you need to know to physically get yourself on the water, covering all the types of equipment you’ll need, as well as any additional safety equipment you could consider.

2. The paddling environment, you will discuss and observe the sheltered water environment, based on the places you usually paddle, as well as what to look out for with the changing weather forecast.

3. Learn to plan your journey, with top tips around what to expect and look out for, considering your experience and ability.

4. The fun bit, practicing your rescues, you’ll learn about how to stay safe and make the most out of your paddling session, providing practical solutions if you get into difficulty, how to support each other and call for help.

Paddle Safer Overview

Minimum age - 16 years *for this course (If you are interested in groups for 10+, please let us know.)

Duration - Paddle Safer will be delivered in 2 parts: duration in total 3h

Prerequisites - No prerequisite

Cost: Free (the number of available places is limited)

Location: 1st part - in the canoe room, Umbrella Canoe Club (in our centre: Umbrella-Family Centre CIC/Umbrella Canoe Club, Penny Appeal Campus, Thornes Park, Wakefield, WF2 8QZ)

2nd part: on the water (Horbury Junction or Stanley Ferry or Fall Ings Lock - depending on the weather conditions)

Available dates (all dates are for the 1st part of the course, dates for the 2nd part will be provided for participants upon completion of the 1st part):

- Monday 22/09/2025 07:00pm - 08:00pm

- Thursday 25/09/2025 03:15pm - 04:15pm

- Friday 26/09/2025 07:45pm - 08:45pm

- Tuesday 30/09/2025 07:30pm - 08:30pm

*if you are interested but not available on the above dates, then please contact us.

Certification

Attendance certificates are issued to candidates on completion of the course.

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If you are interested in a kayak or SUP session, please visit our Facebook page or website - link below:

https://umbrellacc.co.uk/?page_id=515

***Other courses

Paddle Awards (Start & Discover) - https://PA1.eventbrite.co.uk

Paddle Awards (Explore) - Available soon