Liguria Level 1: Paddle the Sea
Dates
- 22nd – 26th April 2024
- (Accommodation 21. – 27.04)
- 28th April – 2nd May 2024
- (Accommodation 27.04 – 3.05)
Duration
- 5 Course days
- 6 Nights
Price
- CHF1090 (excl. accommodation)
Ratio
- 1:6
Coach
- 21st April: Dave
- 27th May: Karel
Course description
Our courses on the sea aim to give you the building blocks to venture out on your own and support you in becoming an independent paddler. After a week with us in Liguria you will feel confident planning trips in the Mediterranean, taking wind, surf and swell forecasts into account and have a good idea of what skills and tactics are needed to have fun in and around the rocks and out in the wind and waves.
Levanto is the base for our level 1 course on the Sea. This phenomenal location enables us to put our skills learnt on the lake and river into practice, with rock hopping, a surf beach, stunning cliffs and beautiful journeys all close to hand. The conditions can vary enormously but regardless of whether they are calm or more challenging there is always something we can work on to develop our confidence and skills and we always look to try and push your limits and skills in order to take your to the next level.
During all our courses on the Sea there is also the possibility to achieve the British Canoeing Performance Awards. These certificates show personal competence in planning and paddling alone or as part of a group in the relevant conditions and include the Sea Kayak Award in easier conditions, the Coastal Sea Kayak Award in moderate tidal conditions and the Advanced Sea Kayak Award in advanced conditions.
Prerequisite
You should feel confident paddling on the lake with wind and waves and have a good idea of an efficient forward paddling stroke and manoeuvring your sea kayak, being able to paddle 20 to 30 km in a day. You may already have some experience on the Sea and want to fine tune your skills to be able to better manage the wind, waves and more dynamic conditions around the rocks or in the surf.
If you have had no formal inputs into your paddling, you might want to join one of our fine-tuning courses or a private coaching session in preparation to give some things to develop on the lake. If you are unsure or have any questions regarding the level, just contact the office and Dave can give you a call.
Accommodation
Our Liguria trip is based in Levanto with optional accommodation included in single rooms with their own bathroom at Affitacamere Marco. If you’re travelling together, there is also the option of having a double room. Where accommodation is booked, this includes the night before the course start and the night of the last course day.
Booking without accommodation is also possible. There is an excellent campsite, Camping Acqua Dolce, a short walk from the water and early booking is recommended as the it is very popular.
Getting There
In order to reduce our environmental footprint, we encourage people to car share where possible or use public transport. You can travel to Levanto by train or car and it’s possible to park here for the week for free.
If you’d rather travel by train, there are very good connections directly to Levanto via Milan and we are also able to transport boats and equipment if you can arrange delivery to Bönigen.
Meeting point
On the first day of the course we meet at Affittacamere Marco at 08:00 and find a place for coffee. The evening before we normally meet for dinner or drinks around 19:00. We arrange this on arrival.
Price
Excluding Accomodation CHF1090
Including 6 nights accommodation
Single Room CHF1540
Double Room CHF1400
including all necessary material, BC Advanced Guide, Performance coach and accommodation
excluding transport costs and meals
Course Pictures
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.
Great Experience in a beautiful place
The course was just perfect for me. Dave is a great and enthusiastic teacher, always trying to get the best out of the situation as it is. We were very lucky with the weather and waves, allowing us to paddle calm sea as well as strong winds, big waves and we even tried kayak surfing. Rock hopping is fun too! My goal was to learn as much as possible. I certainly reached my goal. And on top of that, I got to spend a week in a beautiful place with a group of lovely people. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to improve paddling or just have a great time on the sea.
Liguria, Cinque Terra week, Sea Kayak Award
It was a great course with Hightide. We had theory and loads of paddling and practical opportunity to develop and improve paddling skills at the sea. Maria explained and demonstrated the skills and she created a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. She also made espresso to the whole group in one of our shorter day journey to Bonassola. Thanks to the good weather, we also had the chance to do a 18km kayak journey to Vernazza. Maria knows the best ice cream in the village. I absolutely recommend this trip, or any trip or course with Hightide. They have great equipment, in pristine conditions, amazing friendly and supportive staff and the best instructors. Really high level standards, after all, it’s Hightide!
Meet our Coaching Team
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