Novice

[DavidN]

Hi guys,

I'm keen to get involved in sea kayaking and intend doing an introductory course in May this year. No kayaking experience but have dinghy raced and cruised the West Coast of Scotland a bit. Before booking course and subsequently buying boat and all the bits and pieces, I wanted to check if there are any experienced paddlers locally that would be willing to take a novice with them and provide some guidance - I live in Larbert and would be keen to paddle on the west coast. My experience of sailing is that I learned very quickly from those around me and am looking to do the same with paddling.

Look forward to hearing from you all

David - 45 year old, married, 2.4 kids, mortgage and company car

[MikeB]

Hello David - welcome - I'd strongly recommend getting some basic training via a course / centre, to learn "good practise" and perhaps take some of "star" awards to be able to demonstrate personal competence - it's also worth joining a club active in sea-paddling.

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Kayak Club is one such in your immediate area and I know they are active in sea-kayaking, as indeed are some of the others in the area.

The SCA has a comprehensive directory of clubs and centres, and there are also some listed in the SEA site / Almanac / Clubs, and Centres & Hire. Links to SCA / CKKC etc are all in the Alamanac.

When you have a little experience under your belt, the SCA Touring Calendar trips are a great way to go paddling as well.

Hope this helps - Regs, Mike.

[DavidN]

Thanks for your response Mike. Just to clarify - I have no intention of going paddling until having completed a 5 - 7 day course - only then will I be looking for some experienced paddlers to join.

[Helen M]

Hiya David - having dinghy raced and cruised the west coast of Scotland you'll have an advantage over most novices - wind, tide and waves etc! All you need now is to transfer those dingy racing skills to paddling! Do everything at top speed - only allow a very small alotted time for refreshment stops and ignore pubs! There - you'll fit in nicely!

Umm .. should add if you come across Dave, Mike and myself ... we'll prob be in the pub - having leisurely paddled from A - B and back. And .. if it looks kinda rough out there we may never have started out in the first place!

See you on the water

H - x

Ps - welcome to the world of paddling

[Airth]

Hi, I'm new on the site and have just got back into paddling, both sea and rivers, but I've been a member of Cumbernauld & Kilsyth club for years and can confirm they are very active in sea kayaking.

What I would suggest is coming to the pool night in St Morris's school in Cumbernauld Tuesday nights ( adult session 7:30 - 9:00 ), you can cover the basics in a couple of nights and it's warmer than the sea, most people are ready for their first outdoor trip within a few weeks. ( you can hire all the gear you would need for a small fee )

A kayak course can be great fun but the pool is only £1.50 a night and we have people of all abilities from beginner to coach, you can take it at your own pace and advance as you hooked....... and thats what will happen you will get hooked.

And if your looking for people in the area to paddle with you only have to travel as far as Airth.

Get in touch if you want to go to the club.

Cheers. Andy.