ISLE of LEWIS INTERMEDIATE+ COACHING WEEK
This is a 5 day coaching course for intermediate paddlers looking to develop confidence and improve their skills, to make that next step into venturing into more advanced environments - all set at one of the very finest sea kayak destinations.
The Loch Roag area on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis has everything the sea kayaker could ask for - Atlantic swell, fantastic surf, tidal rapids and moving water, remote islands, rock hopping, caves, cliffs and beaches to die for. Whatever skill you are looking to develop - whether it is confidence in the surf, challenging your rock hopping tactics, moving water skills, or tactics and techniques for bigger swells and stronger winds - you can have it all to choose from here - quite often on the same day! Our experienced coaches will provide quality individualised coaching, to develop the skills that you want and need, and push your sea kayaking to the next level. With small ratios and two guides, we will ensure you get the experience and coaching you are after for the week.
Working together with Zoe Newsam Guiding, this 5 day course will be based in the Loch Roag area on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. Accommodation is not included in this course, but there are fantastic options either at the Cnip Grazing campsite or the Otter Bunkhouse. We shall meet for paddling each day at agreed times and locations.
This course runs after our St. Kilda and Outer Hebrides expedition (see this page). Contact Us if you wish to combine the two for a 11 day package (with a weekend breather in between).
Dates:
August 6th-10th 2018
Prices - £400 per person
Enquiries and Booking:
If you have any queries at all, or with to join us for this expedition, please do contact us either by e-mail or message us on Facebook.
RAPID DEVELOPER - (BEGINNER) 2 or 5 days
Sea Kayaking definitely appeals to you, and no wonder - it offers adventure, challenge, breathtaking scenery, wildlife, cliffs, arches, caves, white sand beaches - all set on the truly world-class Scottish coastline. The snag is you're not really sure where to start!
Our 2 or 5 day introductory courses will give you those all important fundamental sea kayaking skills to get you going. We shall explore the basics and develop your technical and tactical awareness in this stunning environment. We shall also cover those all important safety and planning aspects, to foster independence so you can plan and execute your own sea trips safely. Our highly qualified, experienced and knowledgable coaches will tailor the course to your needs and wants, and ensure you leave hooked on your new sport.
Previous flatwater kayak skills would be beneficial (especially for the 2 day course), but not essential.
2 day or 5 day packages are available for this course.
Venue
Courses based normally in Moray Firth or Fort William, Scottish Highlands.
OR contact us to discuss a tailor made course at a venue closer to you
Dates
Dates coming soon
OR contact us to arrange your own tailor-made booking
Price -
Tailor made depending on trip requirements,
2 day course from £150 per person; 5 day course from £500 per person
Enquiries and Booking
If you have any queries at all, please do contact us either by e-mail or by messaging us on Facebook
RAPID DEVELOPER - (INTERMEDIATE) 2 or 5 days
You're hooked on sea kayaking, and loving those tranquil days. However, there's been some days, when the sea has been a bit lumpier, it's moving rather than being still, there's surf at the beach, and the wind has been stronger than you would've liked! Some days you've got to the coast, and it's been a marginal decision whether to go or not.
This course is designed to take your sea kayaking to the next level, and allow you to access those fantastic places you love or are wanting to explore, safe in the knowledge that you can handle it if it's a bit rougher. Based on the world-class Scottish west coast, we shall develop tried and tested technical and tactical templates to allow you to control your boat with style in: strong winds to Force 4, surf landings, more exposed coastlines, bigger swells and some moving tidal water. Activities such as rock hopping and surfing will also allow you to open a new exciting and adrenaline-fuelled door of the sport. With quality individualised coaching, we shall get you executing these moves with style.
On top of this, we shall develop those all important safety and planning skills to foster independence and ensure your rough water trips are safe as well as fun.
Our highly qualified, experienced and knowledgable coaches will tailor the course to your needs and wants, and ensure you leave hungry for more.
This course is ideal for those with previous sea kayaking experience - who have completed coastal trips in light winds and smaller swells.
2 day or 5 day packages are available for this course.
Venue
Courses based normally near Fort William, Scottish Highlands.
OR contact us to discuss a tailor made course at a venue closer to you
Dates
Dates coming soon
OR contact us to arrange your own tailor-made booking
Price -
Tailor made depending on trip requirements,
2 day course from £150 per person; 5 day course from £500 per person
Enquiries and Booking
If you have any queries at all, please do contact us either by e-mail or by messaging us on Facebook
RAPID DEVELOPER - (ADVANCED) 2 or 5 days
Advanced sea conditions in a kayak can be hugely exciting, adrenaline-fuelled, and can leave your grinning from ear to ear. It can also be unforgiving, challenging and carry real consequence if you are out of your depth.
This course is designed for the sea kayaker looking to develop their rough water handling skills in an environment that appeals to them, or a whistle-stop tour of: tide races, overfalls, bigger surf, bigger swells, stronger winds, more advanced rock hopping moves or open water crossings. Alongside the development of a sound planning process and advanced safety and rescue techniques; we shall build on your technical and tactical templates, allowing you to add a new layer which has you playing in these advanced environments with skill and sophistication. An exploration of psychological skills and anxiety control will also have you heading out with excitement and anticipation rather than shaking legs and a dry mouth. Our highly qualified, experienced and knowledgable coaches will tailor the course to your needs and wants, and ensure you leave hungry for more.
Intermediate sea kayaking skills, with experience of paddling in 1 metre swells and Force 4 winds are required for this course.
2 day or 5 day packages are available for this course.
Venue
Courses based normally near Oban or Thurso (depending on requirements), Scottish Highlands.
OR contact us to discuss a tailor made course at a venue closer to you
Dates
Dates coming soon
OR contact us to arrange your own tailor-made booking
Price -
Tailor made depending on trip requirements,
2 day course from £150 per person; 5 day course from £500 per person
Enquiries and Booking
If you have any queries at all, please do contact us either by e-mail or by messaging us on Facebook
ROLLING CLINICS
The sea kayak roll is arguably an essential skill for any sea paddler looking to venture into more intermediate and advanced environments. Nonetheless, it is complex - a variety of jig-saw pieces are required to fit together with good timing to execute the move. As with any skill, some people are lucky and pick it up almost instantly, whilst for the majority it requires time and effort.
"Practice makes Perfect" is the age old adage, but with the kayak roll - the RIGHT practice is essential. This means the roll needs to be the type that is appropriate for you, your make-up and your craft - and must have a solid technical basis, with exercises that will help you celebrate success rather than foster frustration - we shall give you all this and more.
Our knowledgable coaches have proven experience delivering rolling clinics, and have tried and tested methods and exercises that will help you on your way to success. Whether you are starting from ground zero, have been practising for a while and are "nearly there", whether you wish to make your roll bombproof on the river, sea or loch, or if you wish to roll on your off-side, we can definitely help.
Courses can take place either indoor pool based or outdoors on the river, loch or sea depending on your specific requirements.
Courses can be tailor made for individuals, pairs or larger groups who are at a similar stage in their rolling journey.
Venue
Courses normally based in Scotland.
OR contact us to discuss a tailor made course at a venue closer to you.
Prices
Tailor made depending on your requirements
Enquiries and Booking
If you have any queries at all, please do contact us either by e-mail or by messaging us on Facebook
BC COASTAL NAVIGATION and TIDAL PLANNING (CNTP)
The British Canoeing Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning course is a must for any sea kayaker, whether they are a recreational paddler, club member or aspirant leader, guide or coach. This 1 day classroom-based course gives you the fundamental knowledge of weather, tides and navigation in order for you to plan safe trips and ensure you can have the best adventures on the sea. Rest assured this is a practical course with lots of group involvement and activities, together with plenty of practice at trip planning to enable you to leave safe in the knowledge you can plan your next trip well. Our course providers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to show you what works, and break down the complex weather and tidal theory into simple language all can understand.
This award is a pre-requisite for the Sea Kayak Leader award. We regularly run this course together with Sea Kayak Leader training courses - please see more details here or contact us for more information.
More information: See the British Canoeing Awarding website page for full details of the course setup and structure, as well as the pre-requisites.
Dates and Venues:
13th October 2018, Based near Aviemore
29th October 2018, Based near Fort William*
23rd November 2018, Based near Aviemore
OR contact us to organise a tailor-made booking
*Can be booked with Sea Kayak Leader Training which is running the following 2 days - see details here, or contact us for more information.
Prices: £75 per person
Enquiries and Booking: If you have any queries or wish to join us for this course, please do e-mail us (info@rapid-development.co.uk) or send us a message of Facebook. Booking Terms and Conditions are available here, which outline what is included in your course.
BESPOKE SEA KAYAK COACHING
No matter what kind of coaching you are looking for: beginner or advanced? 7 days of 1 day? individual or group? tide race skill development or helping you take your first strokes? - Rapid Development is on hand to give you the best possible experience. Scotland has arguably one of the finest coastlines in the world, and offers fantastic venues. Scotland is our home, but equally we can provide an international experience for you as well. Our qualified, knowledgable, friendly and experienced coaches will strive to make sure your experience is tailored to your needs, wants, aims and aspirations.
To discuss your next white water kayak coaching course, simply e-mail us or message us on Facebook.
SEA KAYAK COACHING
