Mike Bradford, BCU level 4 Sea Kayak and Canoe Instructor
Tailor made Sea Kayaking courses in the South West
As you can see from the photos and comments page, you will love sea kayaking! I can run courses from introduction days, safety training, through to specific BCU skill and coaching awards. I can take you, your family and friends on an expedition adventure along the coast, including camping overnight. Contact me to discuss how best to meet your needs.
 The following are courses that I can run
- Introduction to Sea Kayaking
- Improving your Paddling Skills
- Safety at Sea
- Self & Group Rescues
- One day trips
- Sea Kayaking Expeditions
Introduction to Sea Kayaking.
A practical day, introducing you to the necessary skills specific to sea kayaking. You will also begin to learn about tides, weather, safety and advice on buying boats, equipment and clothing. The venue is flexible and is often dependent on your location or the weather. Previous experience on the sea is not necessary but confidence in flat water paddling is required with the ability to move your kayak with ease.
Two day introduction to Sea Kayaking.
This course gives you more time to practise and develop your skills, it also gives you an opportunity to incorporate a trip along the Devon coastline.
Cost per day.
£50 per person fully inclusive for groups of 4 to 6.
£80 per person fully inclusive for groups of 2 to 3.
£150 for One to One Coaching.
Check booking page for dates and availability.
I will provide sea kayak, paddle, spraydeck, buoyancy aid, canoe cag & dry bags. A detailed information & kit list will be given to you, when you book a course.
If you book on a course it will be for you alone unless you bring others to join you on the course.
Sea Kayaking Expeditions for 2013
These are expeditions open to anyone who has the necessary sea kayaking skills and experience. Sea kayaks can be hired for £10 per day. Recent trips have been from Plymouth to Brixham, Lundy Island, Scilly Isles, circumnavigating the Isle of Wight and the best sections of the Pembroke coast.
Great Glen Sea Kayak Expedition
May 5th - May 10th.
A huge natural land fault has given us the Great Glen, filled with Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness. The Caledonian Canal links all three lochs allowing an expedition which begins in Fort William at the south Loch Lochy and culminates at the Dochgarroch Lochs, Inverness. I allow six days and six nights for the trip, wild camping at Loch Oich and Loch Ness. This trip requires a good degree of upper body fitness as the paddling can be long and arduous. Some kayaking experience is desirable, e-mail me and I can discuss the trip with you.
Scottish Caribbean
May 20th - May 24th.
This area is the nearest you will get to paddling in the Caribbean in Scotland!
On a sunny day it has golden sands and crystal clear water with the seabed visible as you paddle over. The wildlife is stunning, with hundreds of inquisitive common seals around, in amongst the calls of a great variety of birds.
Add to this the backdrop of the isles of Rum, Egg, Muck and Skye and it is a truly magical place.
We will be based at Sunnyside Croft near Arisaig on the West Coast of the Scottish Highlands and overlooking the Isles of Muck, Egg and Rum.
It is a beautiful campsite with great facilities, opened less than a year ago and within carrying distance from the waters edge.
What we do and where we go will very much depend on the weather,& the aspirations of the group.
The cost is my time and expertise as a guide for the 6 days, which is £200 per person.
Contact me for further details.
Lundy Island
June 8th - June 9th.
A safe & enjoyable crossing is dependent upon weather conditions and minimal swell. I will contact you during the week of the trip to let you know if the trip is likely to go ahead. If not, we will look at the next suitable dates & tides. We will camp overnight on Lundy, with the option of a return paddle the following day or returning by ferry. We aim to depart from Lee Bay within an hour of high water to take advantage of the ebb tidal stream. The crossing usually takes around 4 to 5 hours of constant paddling, with a short snack break every hour. You will need to have paddled sea kayaks before and be fit enough to paddle for that length of time. The cost is my time and expertise as a guide for the two days, which is £50 per person, campsite costs on Lundy range from £8 - £11 per person per day.
Isles of Scilly
June 17th - 21st & September 2nd - 6th.
Six days sea kayaking exploring the islands that make up the Isles of Scilly. We take the steamer from Penzance to St Mary’s then paddle across to the St Agnes camp site which will be our base for the week. The cost is my time and expertise as a guide for the six days, which is £200 per person, the cost of the ferry is £95 return, the cost to get the boats across £62, camp fees on St Agnes, £8 a day. The total being £397 for 2011, with a potential increase for the ferry next year.
Other Courses
If you have an idea for other courses or would like more information then please Contact me so that we can discuss your requirements and plan your next Sea Kayak experience.
Isles of Scilly June 11th - 16th & October 22nd - 27th.
Six days sea kayaking exploring the islands that make up the Isles of Scilly. We take the steamer from Penzance to St Mary’s then paddle across to the St Agnes camp site which will be our base for the week. The cost is my time and expertise as a guide for the six days, which is £200 per person, the cost of the ferry is £95 return, the cost to get the boats across £62, camp fees on St Agnes, £8 a day. The total being £397 for 2011, with a potential increase for the ferry next year.
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