Brittany: Master Big Tides & Crossings
Date
Duration
Price
Ratio
Coach
Course dates
- October 25, 2026 - November 1, 2026
Commanding the flow in advanced tidal conditions
This is sea kayaking at its best! We explore incredible remote locations where only Mother Nature and the limit of our skills dictate our success... As sea kayakers, we get to experience these places in a way that few others do, close to nature and achieved with the careful planning of the wind, swell and tides and propelled through our own power. Our focus is to plan and execute trips in more demanding tidal locations such as around Brehat, les Sept Isles or, when conditions permit, Molène and Ouessant.
The beautiful thing about these trips is that we integrate the diverse range of skills and abilities needed as Sea Kayakers, from dynamic boat handling skills to efficient forward paddling, the ability navigate, carry out complex planning and read the sea and have the fitness for full days of paddling. Brittany is host to many incredible paddle destinations, remote islands and demanding tidal conditions due to its position at the mouth of the English Channel and on the edge of the continental shelf. We try to stay flexible in the location and wait until booking accommodation until just prior to the trip in order to keep the option open of visiting the islands in the far West. If the conditions are too big on the West coast, we can retreat to the beautiful Sept Îles and Île de Bréhat.
During this course, we cover the tidal planning, navigation and journeying aspects of the British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Award. In combination with the Brittany tide race and surf course, we would cover all aspects of the award. After the course, we will give you a personalised action plan to support your development in achieving the award. If you have the required level and experience, it is also possible to be signed off during the week.
Course Goal
Our primary objectives for this course:
- Develop tidal planning skills to enable paddling in more complex environments
- Put daily planning into practice on real journeys to be able to compare the theory to practice
- Develop navigation and seamanship skills in advanced tidal water
Course Details
Planning
- Tidal planning where tidal flows are faster than 2 knots or 4km/h
- Planning crossings in tidal waters
Navigation
- Navigation and map work from your boat
- Using bearings and a compass to aid navigation
- Using transits to cross tidal water, confirm position and check progress
Seamanship & Route Finding
- Identifying the clues which show tidal movement and direction
- Understanding where there will be more or less tidal flows
- Using features for rest and efficient journeying - use of eddies, back eddies, shallow waters and deeper channels
Before You Book
This is for sea kayak paddlers wanting to plan and undertake trips in complex tidal environments.
This course is for sea kayakers with some experience in tidal waters and the ability to paddle long days in more demanding conditions. You should be around the level of the British Canoeing Coastal Sea Kayak Award, and this course focuses on the skills necessary for achieving the Advanced Sea Kayak Award.
Challenging
This course combines paddling over 20km a day in moderate to advanced conditions with constant exposure to winds of Bft 4 and beyond, significant waves, surf, and tidal flow. These are full days in exposed and committing locations where a high level of fitness and a solid grounding in foundation skills are required.
- Day 1: Arrival (Meet at 19.00)
- Day 2: Course Day 1
- Day 3: Course Day 2
- Day 4: Course Day 3
- Day 5: Flexible Rest Day or Weather Buffer
- Day 6: Course Day 4
- Day 7: Course Day 5
- Day 8: Departure (Course finishes at 09.00)
Accommodation is not included in the course fee. For our level 5 courses, we only book joint accommodation the week before the course in order for us to remain flexible in the course location choice. As this is low season in Brittany, finding accommodation at this point isn't a problem. We may also change location mid-week to enable us to get the most out of the course.
Join us in reducing our environmental footprint by choosing sustainable travel options.
By Train: Brest & Guingamp are reached by direct train from Paris, with trains from Basel taking around 8 hours. We recommend travelling by public transport to reduce our environmental footprint, and travelling by train is by far the most comfortable way to make the long journey to Brittany.
By Car: We may be able to offer a car share one way, depending on when we travel, and otherwise we will create a WhatsApp group to coordinate car sharing amongst the group. We can assist with luggage and boat transport. Travelling by car to the West coast of Brittany is around a 12-hour journey from Interlaken.
We define the final meeting point just before the course. Our first choice meeting location is Le Conquet on the West coast, with Sept Îles and Île de Bréhat as backup locations if conditions are too big. If travelling by train, we suggest booking to Brest, where we can arrange onward transport, and if necessary, you can get off at Guingamp before if we first decide to access the islands on the north coast. We will try to arrange a common pickup where possible.
- 5 days of Coaching at a ratio of 1:4 with a British Canoeing Advanced Sea and Performance Coach.
- Any supplementary equipment can also be ordered through us in advance and is without charge.
On the Water: Base Layers
- For Under a Drysuit: Thermal base layers (top and bottom).
- Thin fleece or lightweight sweaters (layering is key).
- Warm socks.
- For Under a Wetsuit: * Swimwear or quick-drying underwear.
- Rashguard or UV-protection shirt.
- Headwear: A warm beanie for cold sessions and a peaked cap/hat for sunny days.
Technical Gear & Accessories
- Footwear: Closed-toe shoes for use on the water (e.g., neoprene boots or water shoes).
- Dry Storage: Personal dry bags (Pro tip: "double-bag" anything that absolutely must stay dry).
- Electronics: Mobile phone and a dedicated waterproof phone case/dry bag.
- Lighting: A headlamp (essential for evenings or early starts).
Lunch & Hydration
- Water Bottle: Reusable bottle for daily hydration.
- Lunch Box: A sturdy Tupperware-style box (this keeps your lunch dry and prevents it from being crushed in the kayak).
- Cutlery: A fork or spoon (if you plan on having anything other than sandwiches).
- Snacks: Your favorite energy snacks (bars, nuts, or fruit).
Personal Care & Clothing
- Shore Wear: Casual clothing, including shorts and T-shirts for warm weather.
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen and sunglasses (ideally with a retention strap).
Ready to pack? Click here for the full Packing List (PDF)
3. Cancellation by the customer
The withdrawal must be in writing and cancellation fees will be calculated as follows:
The Percentage refers to the cancellation fee from the total course or tour fee. For all our activities we recommend purchasing cancellation insurance at the time of booking.
3.3 Courses and Tours Abroad
- Up to 180 days before course start: 100% refund of the course fees.
- 179 - 90 days before course start: 75% refund of the course fees.
- 89 - 60 days before course start: 50% refund of the course fees.
- from 59 days to course start: 0% refund.
Directions to Le Conquet
Meet The Team
Jolien Gekiere
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Coaching Philosophy
At Hightide, we believe in coaching the individual. Our courses start from where you are and guide you toward your personal paddling goals.
For some, this means building confidence to paddle and enjoy nature. For others, it’s about improving efficiency for expeditions or long-distance paddling. It could also involve developing the skills to venture onto the sea or mastering techniques for rivers, rock gardens, and surf.
Whatever your aim, our extensive experience on the ocean and deep understanding of sea kayaking will help you move forward. All our coaches come from a sea kayaking background, hold professional qualifications, and are passionate not just about paddling but also about coaching. We’ve spent years refining what truly makes a difference in the sport and are committed to delivering it in the most effective way—by making you feel the learning.
When you join a Hightide course, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to keep improving and a structured way to retain what you've learned. We see our role as creating the right conditions for learning, so your progress continues long after the course ends.