LEAM BOAT CENTRE - Childrens Courses

Upcoming course dates. Click to download.

Beginners course

What will we do?

The course is an introduction to kayak skills built around games & fun river trips. It is aimed at the complete novice or someone who has tried it out a few times, say on holiday. We follow the British Canoe Union paddle power scheme, developing paddle/boat skills, & knowledge of river safety issues, but concentrate on making sure that fun is the number one priority!

After meeting your instructor you will be given an introduction to the equipment & safety briefing. Then it’s onto the boating lake! (Only 2 ½ ft deep so ideal for introductions) You will enjoy a combination of playing group games & some skills challenges. The group will usually take a short trip up the river to treasure island!

The course consists of 3 sessions, each 2 ½ hours long, and costs £45. There is one each week of the school holidays (easter through to the end of the Summer holiday) and we also run weekend courses throughout the warmer months.

What age range is it for?

We offer canoe/kayak lessons from age 6 up approx (we accommodate 4 & 5 year olds too for special short courses). Groups are split approximately by age, so that children are with others of similar age and experience. Parents/Guardians are welcome to join in too & pay for the hire but it is not a requirement as all courses are run by a qualified BCU instructor.

What do we need to bring?

Basic sports wear e.g. shorts and t shirt, and a fleece if it’s cooler weather.
Old footwear, sandals or wet shoes. (crocs have a habit of falling off!)
A towel & change of clothing (and shoes).

We provide buoyancy aids (compulsory) & all necessary paddling equipment.
Shower/changing rooms are available (hot shower 50p token) & there’s a take away snack bar.

Improvers course

Aiming to finish off book 1 and make some headway into book 2, this course will concentrate a bit more on skills, whilst still involving lots of games and general messing about on (and perhaps in!) the water.

Advanced course

For those that are getting keen on this funny old sport of ours, this course will aim to get paddle power book 2 polished off - looking at some more advanced paddling skills, and rescuing each other. Prepare to get wet!

These courses both consist of 3 x 2 1/2 hour sessions, and cost £45

The courses are designed so that they enable children to progress at their own pace through the paddle power scheme, and are always having fun and pushing the skills as much as they want to. Many children – especially younger ones - will chose to repeat certain courses before going on to the next one, and as always we will ensure that they are challenged and most of all having fun in the process!

2 Star course

For older children and teenagers, this course will bridge the gap between paddle power book 2 and the new 2*. (this course is also ideal for those of you with the old style 2* that want to improve your paddling and upgrade to a new 2*) We will spend a fair bit of time looking at the open canoeing aspect of the award, as well as polishing all the necessary kayak skills for the 2*. The course will consist of 2 days at Leamington, and then the really fun bit - a day trip to the river Wye, where you get to practice leading the group and can even have a go at the rapids at Symonds Yat!

The course (including the river trip) costs £95
(Course only - £60, trip only - £45)

And then what...
once you have completed the 2*, you can go on to do the 3* and 4* white water courses, and the Canoe Safety Test, along with the adults.... and once you are 16 you can start to become a canoe and kayak coach yourself!

Booking and consent form