Introduction Session

Introduction Session

Our Introduction session is the standard route to joining our club, you may be dead set on joining anyway, or you may just be interested and want to see what it’s like. We do it this way as we find it works better for everyone rather than simply joining a session on an ad-hoc basis. It allows our sessions to be more progressive with individuals being at similar levels, often attaining their next paddling award as a group by new cohorts all starting around the same time.

This event takes place periodically between April and October at High Rid Reservoir and typically runs from 11am – 2:30 pm on a Saturday or Sunday and usually in April, as well as early and late summer. It will introduce you to the clubs committee and coaches, talk about what the club does and then get you on the water in kayaks, canoes and Stand-Up-Paddleboards (SUPs). This will let you get a feel for the club, and for paddling, and help you to decide if you would like to attend our regular sessions, which we hope you will 🙂 

Wetsuits, Buoyancy aids and cagouls will be provided,  you just need to have additional clothing and trainers that can get wet. See our FAQ page for more info on what to wear.

For the introduction session, we will provide boats and paddles. We ask that on this occasion that you don’t bring your own craft (if you have one) unless this has been pre-arranged due to special requirements. For the introduction day, we typically use open canoes, Stand up paddleboards (SUP) and sit-on/Sit-in kayaks. Depending on the weather, alternative craft or setups may be utilised (such as rafted canoes).

This event is for Adults, Juniors and families. We have no age restrictions however attendees would need to be able to swim 50m (in a t-shirt and/or with wetsuit/buoyancy aid) and follow instructions. You are not required to try all three craft, you can sit out a craft session however they are all fun and we would encourage you to try them all if you are able to. We do however expect that you try at least one craft. 

Please be aware that paddling is not allowed on High Rid outside of an official club session, whether a club member or not. The club offers a comfortable environment in which to enjoy water sports more safely and which we hope you can enjoy along side us.

Typical Agenda for the introduction day:
– Prompt start in (or beside) the classroom for an intro with club and safety briefing
– Get Kitted Up
– Warm up
– Split into 3 groups
– Session A
– Switch Craft, Session B
– Switch Craft , Session C
– De-kit and Debrief.

Click here for additional participant information.

Please note that spaces are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Bookings are not confirmed until the session fee has been paid.

Introduction sessions are arranged on an ad-hoc basis depending on resources and spaces being available within the club. Where there are no scheduled sessions, we operate a notification list, whereby you simply add some basic information to this list and we will contact you when the next introduction session is scheduled.

If you have any questions then please see our FAQ’s and then if not answered, drop us an email and we’ll happily help.

If there are no sessions shown above or you cannot make any of the dates shown then to get information emailed to you when future introduction sessions are confirmed, please add your details to our notification list using the button below. As soon as the next session is planned, all subscribers to this list will be emailed with an offer to join us for the day and spaces are then allocated upon event sign-up and payment.