Skills Development

In addition to the regular Saturday morning social & introductory paddle sessions, extra training sessions are sheduled periodically through the year - particularly around the beginning of semester when there is an influx of new members. These training sessions usually have an emphasis on a particular canoeing discipline, but don't be put off. The skills covered in these sessions include many that are useful for ALL types of kayaking. Training with different types of boat is also desirable because it helps you to adapt your skills, practice, and gain more experience. Sometimes a skill is easier to learn in a particular type of kayak.

Skills sessions for any kayak discipline are open to all club members
Sessions cover many basic skills used with all kayaks

Training arrangements for the different disciplines are generally as follows.

• Sea Kayaking skills (basic training) - Periodic morning sessions in the river, using sea kayaks. Sessions typically cover basic paddling skills, manoeuvring, wet exits, recoveries, and rescues. Introductory surf skills sessions are generally held later as a separate trip.
   
• Canoe polo skills (Pool training) - a series of evening sessions in the University Pool, using "polobats" and other smaller kayaks, or any kayak if desired. Sessions typically cover paddling techniques, manoeuvring, wet exits, recoveries, rolling, ball skills, etc. These sessions are a chance to practice your skills in fresh water.
   
• Flatwater skills -these sessions take place in the river, and aim to help members move from basic kayaks over to racing kayaks (TK1s and K1s).
   
• Whitewater skills (intro day) - these training sessions are typically held only once per semester. They are day trips that take place below Wivenhoe dam using whitewater kayaks. It helps to have attended other skills sessions prior to this. Sessions typically cover paddling techniques, manoeuvring, wet exits, recoveries, rolling, moving water techniques (ferrying, eddy turns, peel-outs), with the option of negotiating a rapid. Playing canoe polo is a useful way to develop necessary whitewater skills.
   
• Internet Resources - a great deal of training information is available by searching the net. A great place to obtain information and demonstrations of basic paddle and rescue techniques is http://kayakpaddling.net.

New Members

New members with little paddling experience will find the most convenient and useful training sessions are the polo sessions in the pool, followed by the sea kayaking sessions on the river. These will help you to get more out of the whitewater training day at Wivenhoe dam, although they are not a prerequisite. The whitewater training day is worth doing even if you do not have a strong interest in whitewater kayaking.

Remember that if you are very new to paddling, and have little idea what to do, then you should come to the regular Saturday morning paddling sessions (at least until you are competent by yourself). On Saturday mornings there are other more experienced club members available to give you tips, help you choose the right boat, and to assist you should you get into difficulty.