Course

Beginners Kayaking Skills

Book Now → Check Availability

⏱ 2 hours

📍 Itchenor

🏺 Beginner

Single Kayak £20 Members: £14

Double Kayak £40 Members: £28

Members save 30% on every booking — Join from £30/month

About the Course

Get comfortable on the water in two hours

Our Beginners Kayaking session is designed for anyone who wants to feel more confident in a kayak. In two hours, our friendly coaches will take you through the essential skills - getting in and out, basic paddle strokes, steering and safety awareness at a pace that suits you.

No experience needed, no pressure. Just a supportive environment to learn the basics and start enjoying the water.

The Experience

Your first strokes

Everyone starts somewhere and with us is a great place to start. We keep the groups small, the atmosphere relaxed and the focus on you feeling comfortable rather than ticking off a skills checklist.

The first twenty minutes happen on land and include: how to hold the paddle (there's a right way and a wrong way and almost everyone starts with the wrong way), how to get into the kayak without it shooting out from under you and what to do if you end up in the water. Then we're afloat and within minutes you'll be moving. The kayaks we use are stable, forgiving and designed for exactly this - learning without drama.

By the end of the session, you'll be paddling forward in a straight line (harder than it sounds), turning both ways, stopping and most importantly, knowing what to do if things go wrong. Two hours doesn't sound like much, but it's enough to go from "I've never done this" to "when can I come back?"

Before You Go

Preparing for your session

Locations: Itchenor (PO20 7AW) or Pulborough (RH20 1BJ)
Duration: 2 hours
What's Provided: Kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid, and coaching
What to Wear: Comfortable clothing you don't mind getting slightly damp. Trainers or water shoes (not flip-flops).
Experience: None. That's the whole point.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've never kayaked before — is this the right course?

This is exactly the right course. It's designed for complete beginners. We start with the absolute basics and build your confidence at a pace that suits you.

Will I capsize?

It's unlikely — the kayaks we use are very stable. But we cover what to do if it happens, so you'll feel prepared and confident.

What do I wear?

Comfortable clothing you don't mind getting slightly damp. Trainers or water shoes are best — no flip-flops. We provide all the paddling equipment.

Where does the course take place?

We run sessions at both Itchenor (Chichester Harbour) and Pulborough (River Arun). You can choose your preferred location when booking.

What can I do after this course?

You'll have the skills to enjoy our guided tours and hire sessions with confidence. If you want to develop further, our Discover Sea Kayaking course is the natural next step.