Adult Learn to Kayak Weekend Course

GoPaddle.ie Learn to Kayak course is run on the Saturday & Sunday of a single weekend from 10:00am - 4pm.

Date: 30th & 31st Aug 2025

*Save €10 per person when two or more people book together.

Our friendly and knowledgeable kayak instructors will guide you through all the skills needed to paddle safely on flat water including basic self rescue skills.

No experience needed.

All specialist equipment is provided, you just need old runners, togs and a towel.

Over the course of the weekend you will Learn to Kayak in both Sit on Top and Sit in Kayaks.

Canoeing Ireland Level 1 Kayak Skills assessment included.

**All courses are run by qualified Canoeing Ireland Instructors**

Graduates of this course are eligible to join our Thursday evening Adult Kayak Academy.

We provide:

1. Kayak and Paddle
2. Wetsuit
3. Buoyancy Aid
4. Helmet
5. Fully qualified Canoeing Ireland Kayak Instructor

What you'll learn:

Over the duration of the course your will cover the follow topics:

1. Introduction to Kayak Equipment and Safety gear.
2. Introduction to the most useful kayak handling skills you needed to paddle safety on flat water also known as Grade 1 water.
3. Introduction to river safety and rescue.
4. We'll cover the theory of getting out kayaking safely with your friends and family.

Minimum age 17 yrs.

No experience needed to join this class but you should be comfortable in the water and be able to swim with the help of a buoyancy aid. (life jacket)

1. wetsuit if you have one, if not one can be provided free of charge.
2. something to wear under the wetsuit, ie swimming togs or shorts and T-shirt
3. towel
4. old runners that will get wet
5. any relevant medication, eg inhalers etc...
6. packed lunch and a warm drink for lunch.
7. something warm to wear over the wetsuit at lunch time plus a warm hat.

The course will be broken down into 4 parts.

Day 1

Morning Session

Introduction to Kayak Equipment and Safety gear.

The first on the water session is an introduction to all the skills you will need to paddle safety on flat, Grade 1 water. Skills are delivered in a fun and engaging way.

Afternoon Session

More time spent practicing the morning skills. Our friendly instructors will set some fun challenges for you and your new kayak buddies to complete. A great way to put your new skills to work.

We will finish Day 1 with an introduction to river safety and rescue.

Day 2

Morning Session

After a robust warm up to, get the bodies loosened up after all the fun of day 1 we'll jump straight on the water. This will be a great opportunity for you to let your instructor know if there are any particular skills from day one you would like to spend more time working on.

We'll cover the theory of getting out kayaking safely with your friends and family.

Afternoon Session

Now we'll put all your new skills to good use with a short, scenic kayak trip up the Slaney to the beautiful little River Boro.

One last look are some river safety and rescues and its time to wrap up and head home for the weekend.

We think you will totally deserve and nice coffee and a slice of cake on the way home

Check out the Coffee Hub at the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy.