About
Our summer programme this year is designed specifically to introduce people to paddlesports. We'll help you learn essential skills, show you how to be safe on the water and support you as you grow in confidence.
All participants will be fitted with a correctly sized buoyancy aid and kept under close supervision by the instructors.
Based at the Round O in Enniskillen, we are offering regular evening sessions, over five weeks, during July and August. If you are new to paddlesports and attending one of our courses suitable for beginners, you can book all five sessions or if you can't commit to every week, just book the dates that suit your summer schedule! Early booking discounts apply.
Something for Everyone: Choose between kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), or open canoes. All ages from 7yrs up. All paddling and safety equipment provided.
All Abilities Welcome: Perfect for absolute beginners and for anyone who hasn't paddles in a while. You'll learn basic strokes and essential skills to keep you safe, progress your learning and gain confidence on the water with each session.
Expert Guidance: Our highly experienced instructors will be right there on the water with you, offering support and encouragement close by and helping you master key techniques.
Fully Inclusive: We pride ourselves on providing a safe, supportive environment for all ages and abilities. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or queries.
Flexible choices: Both members and non-members are welcome, and you can choose the dates that suit.
Prices per session: Adults: £20-25 Under 18s: £12-£15 Book early for a 10% discount.
Evening Skills Sessions available:
Kayak Skills (Tuesdays): Five progressive sessions, starting on 21st July, with coaching designed to suit beginners as well as those who have a little experience. Coached by our friendly and experienced instructors, this course is perfect for anyone new to kayaking or paddlers returning to the sport after a while. Beginners are very welcome and there is no need to be able to swim. We will cover basic paddling techniques, launching and landing safely, kayak stability and body positioning and basic safety and rescue skills. Separate sessions are also available for more experienced paddlers who want to work on more advanced techniques such as rolling.
Multi-craft taster sessions (Wednesdays): These individual taster sessions are a great way for people to give paddlesports a try. We'll introduce participants to various craft - open canoes, stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and different types of kayaks. Perfect for beginners who are new to paddlesports and and for those who haven't paddled in a while. Or maybe you have kayaked before but would just like to try paddle boarding. No previous experience is needed and there is no need to be able to swim.
Inclusive Paddling - Open Canoes (Thursdays): This is an excellent opportunity for families and friends to paddle together. Uniquely designed to cater for those with and without physical/ learning/ extra needs, this course is ideal for anyone who feels they need a little extra support to paddle, or for anyone who feels nervous on the water. It will be coached by our friendly, experienced and disability (Paddle-Ability) trained coaches and we will mostly use rafted open canoes for extra stability. Kayaks may also be available for some sessions. Carers are welcome to attend and paddle if they wish.
Sea Kayak Skills (Thursdays): These sea kayaking sessions are a progressive set of five outdoor lessons, suitable for beginners aged 14yrs+, using sea kayaks, also known as touring kayaks. These are single seater kayaks, designed for travelling in wider bodies of water. These are stable, straight tracking kayaks which are ideal for exploring our loughs and slow moving rivers.
Kids & Family Fun - Multi-craft Paddling (Fridays): Paddlesports designed specifically for younger children, aged 7yrs+, and their families and friends. These will be fun inclusive sessions with games, designed to teach basic skills and build confidence in a fun and supportive way. Suitable for everyone, no experience necessary and non swimmers are welcome. Personal Performance Award Certificates available. We will mainly use kayaks but can also include open canoes and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) to suit the weather and the participants needs.
Junior Leadership Development (Fridays): We are ready to welcome a new group of young people to join our successful Junior Leader program, designed for young people aged 13yrs+. This is an ongoing year-long set of courses that includes in-house training, mentored volunteering opportunities and official National Governing Body training courses and awards. We start with skills development leading to NGB personal proficiency awards. Then, throughout the year, official training and assessment courses will be delivered including Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (an essential NGB pre-request course), Safeguarding Awareness, REC First Aid, Paddlesport Instructor Training and Assessment, EP Outdoor Instructor Health and Safety Training plus mentoring, on-the-job, training and volunteering opportunities. This programme is available as a series of 5-week courses throughout the year.
Equipment:
We provide: All the paddlesports equipment needed - kayaks, canoes or SUPs, spraydecks paddles, buoyancy aids and helmets.
You bring: Personal paddling wear. You can wear a wetsuit if you have one, or normal outdoor sports clothes; fleeces or tracksuit and top, to suit the weather. Please wear shoes to get wet and a waterproof coat. Get in touch if you need more advice about what gear to wear or buy. You must bring a full set of dry clothes, shoes and a towel.
