DRAFT: We hope to finalize this document soon and move it to the club website!
The club aims to run sea kayaking trips at a range of levels in order to cater for a broad range of abilities and motivations. To make it clearer what level each trip is pitched at, and what level of ability participants should be at, we’ve devised a simple set of trip designations. The classifications are based on British Canoeing's 'Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance'.
| Designation | Limits | Suitable for... |
|---|---|---|
| A. Basic | BC sheltered water Rivers, lakes, bays, estuaries etc. with flow <0.5 kt. Wind up to F3, less than 200m offshore, no tide races, overfalls or surf. |
All club members who have passed induction / beginner course (Trips typically not organised by the sea trips coordinator, but as general club trips) |
| B. Beginner sea trip | Coastal paddles up to 6 miles, with regular simple landings (surf up to 0.5 m). Wind up to F3, with shelter. Tidal flows have little effect. | Must have either attended a previous club sea trip or a pre-trip session on the river. Able to paddle 6 miles over a day, can competently control a sea kayak in light winds and is able to complete a deep water rescuer as both rescuer and casualty. |
| C. Intermediate | BC moderate water (sea): Easy landings max 2 miles apart, crossings up to 2 miles, up to 2 kt tide, no races, wind up to F4,surf up to 1m. |
BC Sea Kayak award / old 3* award, or equivalent competence. Able to paddle 10 miles over a day, including open crossings. Confident paddling in waves up to 1m, winds up to force 4 and in easy surf and can perform rescues (and tow) in these conditions. |
| D. Advanced | BC advanced water (sea): More advanced conditions, surf up to 1.5m |
BC Coastal Sea Kayak award / Sea Leader / old 4* award, or equivalent competence. Confident in winds exceeding F4, tide races, overfalls, surf and crossings exceeding 1 hour duration and can perform rescues in these conditions. |
Please do ask trip organizers if you’re unsure about whether a particular trip is suitable for you.