Sea Kayak 1: Solid Foundations
Date
- see “Book now” Button
Duration
- 2 days
- 9:15am – 4:15pm
Price
- CHF340
Ratio
- 1:6
Coach
- Karel & Dave
Course description
This introductory 2 day course intends to introduce you to the sport, improve your confidence on the water and develop your paddling skills so that you leave with a firm grounding in the essential techniques of sea kayak paddling.
Amongst other things, we will look at efficient forward paddling, different methods for getting in and out of the boat, edging and turning strokes. The two consecutive days also gives us the time to focus on your individual needs and whether you join the course with more experience, you’ll still get lots out of the course and a solid grounding in the techniques whatever your level.
We will spend the majority of the first day perfecting your paddling techniques and the second day focuses on planning, safety on the lake and dealing with problems. By the end of the day, you’ll feel confident capsizing, getting out of the boat, helping others get in and getting in on your own.
Our aim is to make you as self-sufficient as possible and give you a solid grounding in the sport to enable you to go out kayaking confidently under your own steam. We also encourage you to create a personal development plan so that you can continue to practice the techniques that you have been taught on the course.
Prerequisites
Open for all with an interest in learning about Sea Kayaking. All necessary equipment is included.
Our Coaching Philosophy
At hightide we believe in coaching the individual. On our courses, we take people from where they are at and work towards what people want to achieve.
For some this might be gaining confidence to paddle and enjoy being out in nature, for others it means becoming more efficient in order to paddle expeditions or long distances. It could also mean developing the know how to venture out on the Sea or gaining the skills to play on rivers, around the rocks or in the surf.
Whatever your aim, with our wide experience on the ocean and our detailed knowledge of what makes up sea kayaking, we can help you achieve your goals and bring you forward. All our coaches come from a Sea Kayaking background, have qualifications on the Sea and are passionate not only about paddling but also coaching. We’ve spent years learning what really makes a difference in our sport and are committed to delivering it in the most effective way by making you feel the learning!
When you come to a course with hightide you’ll go away with a better understanding of how to improve and have a structure to remember what you have learnt. We believe our job is to set the conditions for the learning to happen so that when you go home it doesn’t stop.
Bewertungen
Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
As usual, had a great time with Hightide. They never disappoint with their professionalism, responsiveness to the needs of paddlers and they are always good for a laugh. Highly recommended!
Friendly staff, professional attitude
As a complete stranger to kayaking I did not expect this amount of progress I made in the course of a single day, the topics were carefully selected and built on top of each other, the instructor was easy going and relaxed, without making any compromises to safety.
Private Coaching (3 hours)
Excellent coaching session where I quickly enhanced my technique of turning, apprehend safely a rapid u-turn, optimize my move forward and learn how use the minimum of energy. It is exactly the type of coaching session that I was expecting, in order to get more familiar with my boat and the water element. On the top of that, conditions were perfect and the scenery of the lake is simply magical. Highly recommended.
The name says it all: solid foundations course
I found the course very useful. Even with some previous kayak experience I learnt a lot of new things and now feel confident to use a see-kayak on my own. My only regret is that I didn’t take this course earlier. Many thanks to Peter for his amazing coaching
Great Course
I already joined a few courses with Hightide and received once more helpful inputs for improvements and got a lot of practice. I appreciate their flexibility (in this case due to the weather conditions) and their constant efforts to provide a high level of service. Highly recommended. Thx!
Stunning location and great course
I consolidated skills and was challenged on this course! I learnt so much especially about safety and rescue on the water from Karel. I’m excited for the next step in my kayak adventure! Shout out to the great facilities; pool to chill in afterwards and delicious food at the beach café
Fantastic experience
Me: 29 year old male, no experience with kayaking or any other water sports. Overall verdict: Exceptional quality. Would recommend it to anyone. Instructor was clear, professional, empathic and fun. Adjusted the lessons for individuals in our group. Karel my instructor, spoke perfect English. He was professional and yet personable, who really gave me the confidence to get into the water. Lots of patience and empathy. Eventually convinced a nervous person in our group to flip (as per training) their boat and I was very impressed he convinced them. Karel clearly has a lot of experience and is amazing at sharing it. Lessons were given in a fun and logical manner and included basic paddling, turning, recovery, safety, towing, and theory – to name a few. Every instruction built upon another and were all clearly explained. Karel gave individual advice on technique and was willing to recap over any point without a hint of frustration. They provided all equipment and clothes needed (bring your own swim shorts) to do the lessons. Kayaks were in perfect condition and were matched to the person by the instructor, same goes for paddles, suits, shoes, and spraydeck etc. I absolutely loved it.
It was a perfect two days to feel safe on the lake
.. and it makes you want to practice/learn more… (eskimo roll?)
Stunning location and great course
I consolidated skills and was challenged on this course! I learnt so much especially about safety and rescue on the water from Karel. I’m excited for the next step in my kayak adventure! Shout out to the great facilities; pool to chill in afterwards and delicious food at the beach café
Hightide Kayaking
Verena and I had a great weekend with you on our course. It was very informative. We learned a lot about kayaking and our own abilities and had fun also. Karel is a good instructor very knowledgeable. We would recommend Hightide Kayak Coaching to anyone wishing to take up the sport of Kayaking. You’re never to old to start I am short before 68 years of age. We loved it and will be back for more! Thanks to all the Hightide team.
Learning new skills and light hearted fun
We had an absolute blast this weekend. Karl executed our course with professionalism and fun. I will most certainly be back for more experiences and to bring my boys for the solid foundation course.
Course pictures
Directions to Bönigen
On foot
> Walk from the railway station “Interlaken Ost” to the ships
> Turn right, follow the lakeside path (approx. 35 minutes)
> Walk past the campsite to the Strandbad Bönigen
By car
> car park directly in front of the Strandbad
> Coordinates >> 46°41’24.8″N 7°53’42.7″E
Public Transport
> Train to Interlaken Ost SBB
> Bus 103 Interlaken Ost to Bönigen See
> direction Iseltwald
> always :05 & :35 minutes after the hour
> Journey time approx. 5-10 min.
> timetable sbb.ch/fahrplan.html
> walk for approx. 3 minutes along the lake
Meet our Coaching Team
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