Paddling Skills Courses

River Deep Mountain High provides a range of paddling skills and safety courses from RDMH Watersports base.
The below RDMH courses and BCU courses are all run by highly qualified and friendly RDMH instructors, and include all technical equipment and complimentary hot chocolate! We use cameras to provide constant photo and video material to help you see instantly how you are doing so that you can improve quickly, gaining maximum achievement.

*The BCU 3 star test can be completed without having passed your BCU 1 or 2 star tests. This is the benefit of doing the RDMH skills courses.

Other paddling courses that we can arrange externally include:

• BCU UKCC
• BCU White Water Safety and Rescue Course

N.B. Externally arranged courses need a group of at least 4 people to be initially interested for us to arrange the course and advertise for others to join.

Paddling Skills Courses Details

Below is a brief overview of each of the paddling skills courses - please contact us to arrange course dates.

RDMH Introduction to Paddlesport

Be safe on the lake and have the confidence to take your family on a paddling journey.

The RDMH Introduction to Paddle Sport contains elements of the Foundation of Safety Rescue Training (FSRT) but does not require you to reach any particular standard to be able to pass the course as it is based around having fun! It also introduces you to the basic paddle strokes.

BCU 1 Star Test

This qualification can be taken in either a Canoe or a Kayak:

Canoe BCU 1 Star Test
Canoes are wide and stable boats that can fit up to 3 people in, generally kneeling or sitting as you would on a chair - you use a one-ended paddle.

Kayak BCU 1 Star Test
Kayaks are small single person boats where you sit with your legs out in front of you, as if you were sitting on the water - you use a double ended paddle.

This is personal achievement, flat water award that any beginner can complete. The BCU 1 star test allows you to quickly enjoy controlling the boat and be able to demonstrate basic rescue and safety skills. This award takes 1 day to complete which costs £75 per person.

RDMH Paddlesport Development

Get more experience of paddling on flat water, giving you practice and time to experiment different skills. This course sets you up to start learning skills on moving water.
You can do a Paddling Development course in a Kayak, a Canoe or in both. If you want training in either a Canoe or a Kayak, this course introduces you to rescues, new paddle strokes and moving water conditions - giving you the skills to be able to be able to join our 3 star test training (i.e. skipping the 2 star test award if you are not interested in learning the skills for the other craft - and then work towards completing your 3 star training in the kayak or the canoe). The Paddlesport Development course can bring you up to the required standard to complete your BCU 2 Star Test in the canoe and kayak. This award takes 2 days to complete and costs £134 per person.

BCU 2 Star Test - Canoe and Kayak

This qualification must be completed in a Canoe and a Kayak

This is a personal improvement award that is on flat water and establishes your experience and movement in the boat as well as developing your understanding of how the body, boat and blade interact with the water. Before you complete your 2 star test you need experience of paddling in 2 different craft in 2 different locations and completed 2 journeys (at least 2 hours in duration). More experience is preferable. You also need to be able to swim 25 meters wearing a Bouyancy Aid.
This award takes 2 days to complete which costs £134 per person.

BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT)

This is an official Canoe and Kayak Lifeguard and Safety assessment for taking groups out and feeling safe paddling on the lake or river. You do need to hold a BCU 2 star test to book on to an FSRT.
This award takes 2 days to complete which costs £134 per person.

RDMH 3 Star Test - Training

This training is taken in either a Canoe or in a Kayak and involves learning more skills on flat and moving water.

Canoe
Completing your 3 star training in a Canoe will set you up for completing your BCU 3 star test for Open Canoeing.

Kayak
This also includes a pool session that will allow you to practice rolling in the kayak. Completing your 3 star training in a Kayak will set you up for completing your BCU 3 star test for White Water Kayaking.

BCU 3 Star Test - Assessment

This qualification can be in either a Canoe or a Kayak. The BCU recommend that you have your BCU 2 star test but this qualification can be completed without having passed your BCU 1 or 2 star tests. This is the benefit of doing the RDMH skills courses.
This award takes 3 days to complete which costs £189 per person.

BCU 3 Star Test - Open Canoe
You will be considered an intermediate paddler rather than a beginner once you complete your 3 Star Test. You need to display efficient adaptive paddling and manoeuvring skills, capsize - swim - and self rescue, deep water rescue and towing as well as doing a personal risk assessment.

BCU 3 Star Test - White Water Kayak
You will now be able to paddle on white water, comfortably being led on grade 2 water. The assessment will include your personal rolling, breaking in and out, the Eskimo rescue and throw line as well as going through theory on equipment and safety.