SUP Improver Sessions 2022
In conjunction with Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team
In partnership with @teamwolt - we are running a series of club style sessions aimed at raising your SUP skills with direct coaching and guided practice throughout the off-season. Suitable for new paddlers with only one or two session’s experience, right the way up to experienced paddlers wanting to develop better SUP skills or new techniques.
About the sessions…
Intermediate to advanced SUP sessions for over 16s.
2 hrs+ on the water plus brief and debrief time.
There are 6 ‘pay and play’ sessions and there is no requirement to attend them all to complete the course as instruction will be tailored to each paddler.
We recommend 3 sessions for most people to move from basic paddling to intermediate skill level, but you can choose your attendance based on your skill level and progress.
We will identify your paddling goals with you, keep a record of your progress and objectives in each session and give you plenty of direct advice and coaching to help achieve your aims.
With a maximum of 6 students per instructor you are guaranteed plenty of one on one instruction as well as lots of fun on a small friendly group paddle.
Timings & Location:
Sunday Mornings 9am – 12pm (2 hrs paddling plus briefing and debriefing time).
Our default launch site will be Bradford on Avon Station Car Park, but we may paddle other locations in the local area throughout the course:
Course 1 Dates 2022:
16th October - Bradford on Avon
23rd October - Bradford On Avon
30th October - TBA
20th November - TBA
27th November - TBA
4th December - TBA
Course 2 Dates 2023
TBA
Kit and equipment
We will provide boards, leashes, paddles, buoyancy aids and safety equipment.
We will endeavour to have a selection of different board shapes and sizes to allow you to try out various SUP designs. You are welcome to bring your own board to use in these sessions.
We encourage trying new skills and manoeuvres – (though if you would rather avoid falling in during a session we won’t force you to get in the water), so we have a selection of wetsuits and waterproof tops to help dress for the elements.
You are of course welcome to bring your own wetsuits/drysuits or other SUP clothing and we are happy to advise you on what’s best to wear. We recommend wearing wetsuit boots/water shoes or old trainers.
You may wear your own buoyancy aid, but this must be checked as serviceable and up to minimum 50N standard by our instructor before the session.
Costs:
Sessions are £45 per person per session.
Sessions will be limited to 6 paddlers per instructor.
Session must be booked online with WOLT prior to attendance.
Typical session itinerary:
9.00am Arrival, inflation and kit-up, meet instructors and paddlers. Pre-brief with each paddler to identify session goals.
9.30am Launch, 15min warm-up paddle / skills practice.
1hr of direct coaching and practice as a group. Local , or possibly taking in a short paddling route, covering some or all of the following:
- Basic paddle strokes and technique breakdown
- Balance skills and foot mobility
- Efficient paddling
- Extreme manoeuvring
- Paddling different board designs
- Paddling on moving water
- Safety, rescue and towing skills
10.30am Short break
Take a breather with a group chat to share learning experiences or stay on the water and practice a little more!
10.45am SUP Clinic
A chance to focus on the specific SUP skills you want to improve - dedicated one to one time with an instructor and guided skills practice.
11.30am Land and de-kit.
Short led discussion on a relevant SUP subject such as:
- SUP safety and route planning
- Kit preparation and essential gear
- Reading the river/weather/tides.
- Rules of the waterways / licencing
- Different SUP designs
Group Question and Answer session.
11.45am Individual Debriefs.
Run through with each paddler of the session’s key learning points and progress.
Advice on practice exercises and points to work on for next session.
12.00pm Depart.
