Paddlesport Development Programme
Whether you want a fun and supportive introduction to kayaking, progress how you’re currently paddling white water or your first experience on the Olympic Course, we’ve you covered! Our Paddlesport Development Programme is comprised of five different courses designed to take you from a complete beginner, all the way to styling your lines on the Olympic course.
What’s included?
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Coaching with our friendly, professional, and approachable coaches, that are up to date with the most modern and effective paddling and coaching techniques in white water kayaking. All coaches will provide you with honest and individual feedback to get you paddling in the most stylish, efficient, and enjoyable way.
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All equipment which includes a kayak, spray deck, paddle, wetsuit, wet boots, helmet, and buoyancy aid
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Lee Valley White Water Centre membership
What’s not included?
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Personal third party liability insurance
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Food and beverages
We offer this programme in two formats:
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Option 1: four weekly sessions on the same day of the week and time. Junior courses are for ages 8 - 16 and Adult courses are 16+
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Option 2: an intensive day course at the weekend which follows the same topics as the four week programme but covered over one day - currently unavailable
Please note: If you do not meet the minimum experience required for the course you wish to attend, the coach reserves the right to refuse your participation. In which case we’ll do our best to move you to a more appropriate course if possible. If there’s no suitable course available, we’ll transfer you to a course at a later date. If you’re unsure of the appropriate course for you then please see the experience required section for each course. If you’re still unsure then contact us to discuss the best option for you.
Available Courses
Flat Water Kayaking Course
Environment: Lake
Session length: Junior - 60 minutes | Adult - 60 minutes (March) 90 minutes (from April onwards)
Course length: four weeks (on the same day of the week and time)
Prices: Junior (8 - 16) £80 | Adult (16+) £150 (April onwards)
Session timings:
- Adult - Thursday and Friday at 18:30 and Saturday at 10:00
- Junior - Sunday at 10:00 (please note, junior courses restart in June)
If you’ve previously had a go and want to learn more or you’re starting from scratch and want a challenge, our Flat Water Kayaking course is great for teaching the basic skills of paddling, allowing you to progress and enjoy yourself on the water in no time. Based on our lake, we’ll look at everything from setting up the kayak, to what to do when you capsize plus a whole range of skills to get you in control and paddling with ease.
Experience required:
- General session: aged 16+
- Junior session: aged 8 - 16 - Parental Consent Form required
- Limited or no previous kayaking experience
- A reasonable level of general fitness (will allow for greater progression and enjoyment)
- Confident being in water (there’s no requirement to be able to swim, although it’s recommended)
We’ll look at:
- Fundamentals:
- Connectivity (setting up the kayak to optimise control)
- Posture (using your posture in different ways to control the kayak)
- Power transfer (using the appropriate muscle groups, and technique to move the kayak)
- Feel (understanding how to best use your body with the paddle to affect the kayak in a positive way)
- Paddling forwards, sideways, stopping and paddling backwards
- Using a spray deck and basic self-rescue
- Basic peer rescue
What to expect:
- Ratio of one coach with up to eight people
- Modern professional coaching and individual feedback
- Excellent facilities including changing rooms, lockers for personal items and The Terrace Bar & Café
What next?
If you’d like more development from one of our coaches you could book onto one of the following:
- Introduction to White Water Kayaking Course
- Bespoke Coaching
Please discuss the options with your coach to determine what’s most suitable for you.
During this course, the coach may deem it appropriate to pass you off on the lake (see Lake Assessment for details). Please discus with your coach a suitable option for further development. It should be noted that the Lake Assessment must be passed before attending the Introduction to White Water Kayaking Course.
Booking this course
To be able to book this course you'll need one of our free Lee Valley memberships. Already a member? Contact us for more information.
Introduction to White Water Kayaking
Environment: Legacy Course
Session length: Junior - 60 minutes | Adult - 60 minutes (March) 90 minutes (from April onwards)
Course length: four weeks (on the same day of the week and time)
Prices: Junior (8 - 16) £100 | Adult (16+) £180 (from April onwards)
Session timings:
- Adult - Thursday and Friday at 18:30 and Sunday at 10:00
- Junior - Sunday at 10:00 (please note, junior courses restart in June)
We’ll continue to develop and transfer all of the skills you’ve already learnt, and apply them on white water. We’ll look at a whole host of skills to get you well on your journey as a white water kayaker.
Experience required:
- General session: aged 16+
- Junior session: aged 8 - 16 - Parental Consent Form required
- Competent paddling a kayak on the flat water including paddling forwards, carving and turning the kayak on an edge, and have an understanding of how trim effects performance
- Must have paddled previously with a spray deck and know how to exit boat with deck
- A reasonable level of general fitness (will allow for greater progression and enjoyment)
- Confident being in water and be able to swim (there’s no requirement to be able to swim, although it’s highly recommended)
If you do not have good control on flat water then the Flat Water Kayaking Course may be more suitable for you.
We’ll look at:
- Entering and exiting the flow
- Adapting posture to optimise control of the kayak
- Positioning the kayak on the white water
- Understanding river features and choosing lines on white water
- Swimming and self-rescue in white water
What to expect:
- Ratio of one coach with to up to six people
- Modern professional coaching and individual feedback
- Excellent facilities including changing rooms, lockers for personal items and The Terrace Bar & Café
What next?
If you’d like more development from one of our coaches you could book onto one of the following:
- Developing White Water Kayaking Course - please discuss suitable options with your coach regarding further development.
- Bespoke Coaching
Booking this course
To be able to book this course you'll need one of our free Lee Valley memberships. Already a member? Contact us for more information.
If you're looking to book a Junior course you'll need to have been accredited by the venue - this accreditation will show on your Lee Valley membership. If you have any queries on this please contact us.
Developing White Water Course
Environment: Legacy Course
Session length: Junior - 60 minutes | Adult - 60 minutes (March), 90 minutes (from April onwards)
Course length: four weeks (on the same day of the week and time)
Prices: Junior (8 - 16) £100 | Adult (16+) £180 (from April onwards)
Session timings:
- Adult - Thursday and Friday at 18:30
- Junior - Sunday at 10:00 (please note, junior courses restart in June)
Following on from our Introduction to White Water Kayaking Course, we’ll continue to develop all of your white water skills to help build your confidence and develop your decision-making and line choice to get you paddling the Legacy Course purposely. We’ll look how you can maximize the use of white water, helping you become a more effective and efficient paddler, all whilst having fun.
Experience required:
- General session: aged 16+
- Junior session: aged 8 - 16 - Parental Consent Form required
- Lee Valley Lake Assessment
- Attended the Introduction to White Water Kayaking Course at Lee Valley White Water Centre or similar course at a different centre. Evidence of similar course must be shown before booking.
- Be competently paddling on the flat water, including paddling forwards, carving and turning the kayak on an edge.
- Breaking in and out of moving / white water, paddling down river, and understand the effect trim has on the performance of the kayak
- Know how to use a spray deck
- A reasonable level of general fitness (will allow for greater progression and enjoyment)
- Confident being in water and be able to swim (there’s no requirement to be able to swim, although it’s highly recommended)
If you have limited white water kayaking experience then the Introduction to White Water Kayaking Course may be more suitable for you.
We’ll look at:
- Use of river features to aid your position and line choice
- Maximising the use of your posture to control the kayak
- Optimising the use of the paddle
- Strategies for confidence, anxiety, and arousal control
What to expect:
- Ratio of one coach with up to six people
- Modern professional coaching and individual feedback
- Excellent facilities including changing rooms, lockers for personal items and The Terrace Bar & Café
What next?
If you would like more development from one of our coaches you could book onto the following:
You may also be at the level to do the Legacy Skills Competency Assessment. Please discuss the options with your coach to determine what is most suitable for you.
Booking this course
To be able to book this course you'll need one of our free Lee Valley memberships. Already a member? Contact us for more information.
If you're looking to book a Junior course you'll need to have been accredited by the venue - this accreditation will show on your Lee Valley membership. If you have any queries on this please contact us.
Introduction to Advanced White Water Course
Environment: Olympic Course
Session length: 60 minutes
Course length: four weeks (on the same day of the week and time)
Price: Adult £140
Session timings:
- Saturday at 16:30 (from April onwards)
We endeavour to create the most relaxing learning environment for you by breaking down the Olympic Course and transferring all you know into this advanced environment.
Experience required:
- Legacy Assessment
- Being able to swim and be safe in white water
- A good level of general and paddlesport fitness (will allow for greater progression and enjoyment)
We'll look at:
- Line choice and breaking down bigger rapids
- Strategies for confidence, anxiety, and arousal control
What's next?
Once you have attended this course it may be appropriate to do the Olympic Assessment. Please discuss with your coach suitable options regarding further development.
Booking this course
To be able to book this course you'll need to have passed a Legacy Assessment - this assessment accreditation will show on your Lee Valley membership and allow you to book when you log in. If you have any queries on this please contact us.
Developing White Water Advanced Course
Environment: Olympic Course
Session length: 60 minutes
Course length: four weeks (on the same day of the week and time)
Price: Adult £140
Session timings
- Sunday at 16:30 (from April onwards)
If you're looking to maximise your use of this environment, maybe improve your control or even build confidence, we have you covered! We'll help you get everything from this course, encouraging you to attempt new lines, harder moves, helping you on your way to becoming a proactive and confident advanced white water kayaker.
Experience required:
- Olympic Assessment
- Being able to swim and be safe in white water
- A good level of general and paddlesport fitness (will allow for greater progression and enjoyment)
Please discuss with your coach suitable options regarding further development during the course.
We’ll look at:
- Maximising your use of waves, holes and stoppers to slow down, control, and change direction
- Maximising the use of your posture to control the kayak
- Optimising the use of the paddle
Booking this course
To be able to book this course you'll need to have passed an Olympic Assessment - this assessment accreditation will show on your Lee Valley membership and allow you to book when you log in. If you have any queries on this please contact us.