Are you unsure where to Start?
Then use our quick quide to help you get started with your learning process...
All the info you need whether Adult or Youth, click your category below to find out more!
Adult DinghyBeginner
RYA Level 1 (Start Sailing)
1 Day (6hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 16+
If you’ve never sailed before, but want to ‘have a go’ this is the course for you.
You’ll learn:
• An introduction to sailing a small dinghy
• Fundamental ropework
• Key sailing theory and background knowledge
Knowledge of capsize and recovery Click here to enquire
Adult DinghyImprover
RYA Level 2 (Basic Skills)
1.5 Days (9hrs)
3- 6 persons
Age 16+
This course consolidates what you’ve learned from RYA Start Sailing and builds on your current skills.
You’ll learn:
• Improved boat control
• New manoeuvres
• An introduction to racing
• Basic ropework
• Enhanced theory and background knowledge
• Practical knowledge of capsize and recovery
Experienced, but no qualifications?
Age 16+
Lost your certificate? Self-taught sailor? Maybe you have your own boat and never took part in formal lessons?
No problem! Just choose one of the following options, and we’ll have you out on the water in no time.
• Taster Session – this 1 hour session is aimed at complete novices and will give you an insight into the practical side of Dinghy Sailing. A great way to “test the water” to see if this is the sport for you. (2 persons minimum)
• Refresher Session – if you’ve not sailed for a long time and want to know how to get involved again, this is the session for you. We’ll assess your current level, and offer advice on how best to take your sailing forward.
• Private Tuition – 1.5, 3 or 6 hours’ coaching from professional instructors. Maybe you have specific goals in mind, or maybe you just need a few tips to get your next qualification? Get in touch and we’ll help choose the right path for you. (1 or 2 persons)
Don’t know the difference between a kayak and canoe? No worries - there are no prerequisites to this course, so if you’ve always wanted to try paddling, this is the place to start.
You’ll learn:
• Safe lifting, carrying and launching techniques
• Steering, turning, forward and backward paddling
• Basic rescue skills and capsize recovery
• Safety afloat, both personal and as part of a group
• Background theory relating to equipment, basic first aid, access rights to waterways and environmental issues
If you already hold your 1 Star certificate, this course is the next step. You should be able to swim 25 metres wearing a buoyancy aid and have paddling experience in 2 different craft.
You’ll learn:
• Improved paddling and steering
• Manoeuvres in confined spaces
• How to move sideways
• Capsize prevention
• New rescue techniques
• Risk management
• Additional theory knowledge
Experienced, but no qualifications?
Age 15+
Lost your certificate? Self-taught? Had a go on holiday and want to keep paddling?
No problem! Just choose one of the following options, and we’ll get you out on the water exploring and seeing the lake from a new perspective.
• Taster Session – this 1 hour session will give you an insight into the practical side of Kayaking or Canoeing. With enclosed Kayaks, Sit-On-Top Kayaks and Open (“Canadian”) Canoes for you to try, this is a great way to see which style of paddling suits you best. (2 persons minimum)
• Refresher Session – a 1 hour session, aimed at people who have tried paddling before, but have no formal qualifications. We’ll assess your current level and help you decide where you want to go with your paddling. (2 persons minimum)
• Private Tuition – 1.5, 3 or 6 hours’ instruction from professional coaches. These sessions are designed to be all about you! Whatever your personal goals might be, we’ll be able to help you along the route to your next level. (1 or 2 persons) Click here to enquire
Adult Windsurf Beginner
RYA Level 1 (Start Windsurfing)
1.5 Days (9hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 16+
This course is aimed at complete beginners, with the aim being to get you up on a board and understanding the basics of this exhilarating sport.
You’ll learn:
• How to launch and land
• Basic steering and power control
• How to change direction
• Self-rescue & Saftey
• Background knowledge to explain the mysterious “hows”, “whys” and terminology Click here to enquire
Adult WindsurfImprover
RYA Level 2 (Intermediate Windsurfing)
2 Days (12hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 16+
The intermediate course is split into two competencies – “Non Planing” & “Planing”. This allows a smooth progression from basic skills to advanced techniques.
Non-Planing
You’ll learn:
• To improve on all your existing “Start Windsurfing” skills
• A more efficient use of the kit and even your body!
• An introduction to the harness and footstraps
• The awesome “FastFWD Formula”
• How to choose the correct kit
Planing
You’ll learn:
• How to use the harness and footstraps in practice
• Enhanced turns and steering
• Advantages and disadvantages of different types of windsurfing kit
• Control in stronger winds
Please note, the core skills of both competencies are transferable, with the Planing criteria being largely reliant on weather conditions. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call. Click here to enquire
Adult WindsurfExperienced
Experienced, but no qualifications?
Age 16+
Lost your certificate? Self-taught? Maybe you were clearing out the garage and found your old 80’s kit?
No problem! Just choose one of the following options, and we’ll get you blasting around on the lake in no time.
• Taster Session – aimed at “newbies” this 1 hour session will give total novices an insight into the practical side of Windsurfing. Maybe you’re just interested in “having a go” to see if this is the sport for you. (2 persons minimum)
• Refresher Session – If you tried years ago and didn’t get on with it, come and try the modern kit, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much easier it is to use! We’ll assess your current level, and offer advice on how best to take your windsurfing forward.
• Private Tuition – 1.5, 3 or 6 hours’ coaching from professional instructors. These sessions are designed to be all about you! Whether you’re keen to improve your turns, learn the “beachstart” or even just want some help with setting up kit, whatever you want to achieve, we’ll help choose the right path for you. (1 or 2 persons) Click here to enquire
YouthDinghyBeginner
RYA Stage 1
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
Even if you’ve never seen a Sailing Dinghy before, we’ll get you zipping around in your own boat with this course!
You’ll learn:
• What you need to wear, and how to put it all on
• How to get your boat on to the water
• How to steer
• How to speed up and slow down
• The names for different parts of the boat
• Basics of how the wind works
• How to stay safe on the water
RYA Stage 2
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
On this course, we’ll get you well on the way to being a confident small boat sailor.
You’ll learn:
• How to get your boat on and off the water
• What all the different controls are for
• What a capsize is, and how to deal with it
• How to sail around any obstacles
• Rules about sailing near other people
• The “Points Of Sailing” Click here to enquire
YouthDinghyImprover
RYA Stage 2
5 ½ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
On this course, we’ll get you well on the way to being a confident small boat sailor.
You’ll learn:
• How to get your boat on and off the water
• What all the different controls are for
• What a capsize is, and how to deal with it
• How to sail around any obstacles
• Rules about sailing near other people
• The “Points Of Sailing”
RYA Stage 3
5 ½ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
When you achieve everything in this course you will change from a beginner into a real Sailor!
You’ll learn:
• How to sail on all “Points Of Sailing”
• How to sail efficiently and make your boat go super fast
• An introduction to racing
• Sailing terms to use when afloat, and their meanings
• Sailing manoeuvres
An introduction to sailing double-handed Click here to enquire
YouthDinghy Advanced
RYA Stage 4
PRIVATE TUITION
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
Completing the final stage before the RYA Advanced scheme will get you sailing a double-handed boat, as both crew and helm, and solving problems afloat. You will be able to demonstrate all the skills from Stages 1-4 unaided, with confidence and competence.
You’ll learn:
• Sailing techniques and manoeuvres from Stage 3 in a crewed boat
• Advanced ropework
• How to set up a boat according to weather conditions
• Background theory and knowledge relating to coastal sailing, including advanced climate and tidal information Click here to enquire
YouthKayak Beginner
BCU Stage 1 (Paddlepower Passport)
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-8 persons
Age 8-15
You don’t need any experience to do this course. It’s an introduction to the exciting world of Paddlesport.
You’ll learn:
• How to warm-up properly, and why you should before you paddle
• Forward and backward paddling
• Important paddling words and phrases
• How to steer and turn your boat around
• What different boats are like and how to use them
• How to stay safe on the water
• What to do if you fall out of your boat Click here to enquire
YouthKayakImprover
BCU Stage 2 (Paddlepower Discover)
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-8 persons
Age 8-15
This stage develops the skills you learned in “Paddlepower Passport” and gives you loads more!
You’ll learn:
• Different methods of getting your boat on the water
• Improved body position
• Rescues for yourself and to help other paddlers
• How to “edge”
• Capsize recovery, for yourself and other paddlers
• How to show good “catch”, “propulsion” and “recovery” with the blade Click here to enquire
YouthKayak Advanced
Not Sure?
Age 8-15
If you want to learn about Paddlesports, but can’t wait for the holidays, why not try one of these sessions?
Have you tried Kayaking or Canoeing on a school trip? Or maybe you had a go when you were on holiday? Do you want to see if you like Paddling before you do a whole course? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then a taster session could be for you!
Taster Session – this 1 hour session is for you and a friend to come and see how much fun it can be out on the water.
• You’ll have your own kayak, or you could both go out in an open canoe
• You’ll learn the basics of how to paddle your boat
• One of our friendly instructors will be with you the whole time to make sure you’re safe and having a good time
• 2 people minimum
If you were given an action plan when you did a Paddling course, or you’re going for an advanced stage in the BCU Paddlepower scheme, then a private tuition is the way forward for you.
Private Tuition – 1.5 or 3 hours’ coaching from professional instructors.
• The coach will make a special lesson just for you, helping you progress to your next stage or practicing the things you’re not too confident with.
• You can try different equipment, learn new skills and aim to get more tasks signed off in your logbook
1 or 2 people Click here to enquire
YouthWindsurf Beginner
RYA Stage 1
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
This course is the perfect way to get started, you don’t need to have any experience to come and have a go!
You’ll learn:
• What you need to wear, and how to put it all on
• How to get your equipment on to the water
• Balance games
• Steering and changing direction
• Self-rescue and safety when you’re on the water
• What the main parts of your equipment are called
• Freestyle moves! Click here to enquire
YouthWindsurf Improver
RYA Stage 2
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
If you’ve mastered all your Stage 1 skills, come and try Stage 2!
You’ll learn:
• Improved steering and brand new ways to turn the board around
• How to “see” the wind
• How to control the power of the wind
• Important windsurfer knots
• Windsurfing rules to stop people crashing!
• Background information about the weather, and special windsurfer words
• The “Points Of Sail”
RYA Stage 3
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
OK, so you’ve sailed through the first 2 stages and you’re totally hooked on windsurfing. Stage 3 is all about getting you going as fast as possible!
You’ll learn:
• Improved launching and landing
• Improved steering by using your body weight
• How to deal with stronger winds and more power
• The super-cool “beachstart”
• An introduction to the harness
• The “FastFWD Formula”
• Background knowledge about different types of windsurf equipment Click here to enquire
YouthWindsurf Advanced
RYA Stage 4
5 _ Days (15hrs)
3-6 persons
Age 8-15
This is the final stage before moving on to either Racing, or the National (Adult) Scheme and it’s all about blasting around reeeeaaally fast!
You’ll learn:
• How to use the footstraps
• Tacking and Gybing in stronger winds
• Improved stance when “hooked in”
• Dealing with stronger winds
• Sailing with different types of boards and rigs
• In-depth knowledge relating to weather, equipment, coastal sailing and equipment adjustment to suit both sailor and conditions.
As a lot of the skills in Stage 4 require specific weather conditions, please call 01252 871 808 for more information. Click here to enquire
The team at Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre has a wealth of experience designing activity programmes that are tailor-made to meet the requirements of the individual or group.
We can provide private tuition, one off taster sessions, progressive weekly courses, multi-activity packages, team-building programmes or something completely different..........
