The aim of this section is to provide the beginner to canoeing and kayaking with an overview of the techniques and terminology prevalent today.

As a beginner new to paddlesport, your objective, should you aspire to becoming a competent canoeist, is to have :-

1)  Tried some or all of the different disciplines and techniques mentioned in this section;
2)  Been on at least 2 river trips within the first year;
3)  Passed the 3 star test (an exam of technical ability).

The guides here are just some of the many teaching aids available to you within the club.  There are also DVDs to borrow, instructors at the poolside, and reports and photos of club trips.

Your progress is largely down to you - if you want to learn something, just ask!  These guides aim to provide you with just enough information to get you going.  Coaching within the club is, by necessity, an unstructured affair as people join throughout the year in different numbers.  The solution we have adopted to solve this problem is to organise and run coaching courses as and when people request them and provide adhoc coaching during pool sessions throughout the year.

Remember: If you want to know how to do something, just ask!

Happy paddling!