Viking offers members a range of courses for all ability levels. We also welcome non-members and run beginners’ courses regularly subject to demand.
On kayak courses, you can choose between a traditional kayak or a sit-on-top kayak.
We have compiled some FAQs about our courses to help you decide if we are a fit for you. if you have any other questions, please get in touch: courses@vikingkayak.co.uk
Upcoming Courses
Note some of the dates below may not be the first date of the course and the course may already be in progress. Please click on the date to find out more.
May 27 Mon 
Course Information
This course is aimed at families, who want to learn to paddle together, or adults. You will experience your first session on the water, in a safe environment with experienced paddle leaders, and learn useful skills for an enjoyable paddling experience. The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to safely get in and out of your boat, make it move and return to your start point. This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, while understanding the factors that affect your paddling. Equipment supplied by Viking Kayak Club: Craft, Paddle, Buoyancy Aid, Spray Deck, Safety Helmet, Dry cag (top). You will gain a Paddling UK ‘Discover’ Award certificate plus 4 weeks’ membership of Viking Kayak Club from the start of the course to try out your new skills on a club night. Pricing per person:
- Non-VKC member £90
- VKC Member £50
If you are not a member you can join the course for the member’s price if you also purchase a club membership. This gives you a £40 discount per person. Prerequisites:
All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old. If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process. Booking Information
If you would like to book a place for your family, follow these steps: - Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information. Only paddlers who have pre-registered can join the course on the day.
- Visit the VKC Store, choose the course date from the list, select how many places you need and check out.
Got any questions?
Please see our Course FAQs If you have any questions or need any help, get in touch with Andrew Bennett courses@vikingkayak.co.uk or Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.uk Jun 15 Sat 
Course Information
This course is aimed at families, who want to learn to paddle together, or adults. You will experience your first session on the water, in a safe environment with experienced paddle leaders, and learn useful skills for an enjoyable paddling experience.
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to safely get in and out of your boat, make it move and return to your start point.
This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, while understanding the factors that affect your paddling.
Equipment supplied by Viking Kayak Club: Craft, Paddle, Buoyancy Aid, Spray Deck, Safety Helmet, Dry cag (top).
You will gain a Paddling UK ‘Discover’ Award certificate plus 4 weeks’ membership of Viking Kayak Club from the start of the course to try out your new skills on a club night.
Pricing per person:
- Non-VKC member £90
- VKC Member £50
If you are not a member you can join the course for the member’s price if you also purchase a club membership. This gives you a £40 discount per person.
Prerequisites:
All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old.
If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process.
Booking Information
If you would like to book a place for you or your family, follow these steps:
- Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information. Only paddlers who have pre-registered can join the course on the day.
- Visit the VKC Store, choose the course date from the list, select how many places you need and check out.
Got any questions?
If you have any questions or need any help, get in touch with Andrew Bennett courses@vikingkayak.co.uk or Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.uk
Jul 27 Sat 
Course Information
This course is aimed at families, who want to learn to paddle together, or adults. You will experience your first session on the water, in a safe environment with experienced paddle leaders, and learn useful skills for an enjoyable paddling experience.
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to safely get in and out of your boat, make it move and return to your start point.
This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, while understanding the factors that affect your paddling.
Equipment supplied by Viking Kayak Club: Craft, Paddle, Buoyancy Aid, Spray Deck, Safety Helmet, Dry cag (top).
You will gain a Paddling UK ‘Discover’ Award certificate plus 4 weeks’ membership of Viking Kayak Club from the start of the course to try out your new skills on a club night.
Pricing per person:
- Non-VKC member £90
- VKC Member £50
If you are not a member you can join the course for the member’s price if you also purchase a club membership. This gives you a £40 discount per person.
Prerequisites:
All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old.
If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process.
Booking Information
If you would like to book a place for you or your family, follow these steps:
- Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information. Only paddlers who have pre-registered can join the course on the day.
- Visit the VKC Store, choose the course date from the list, select how many places you need and check out.
Got any questions?
If you have any questions or need any help, get in touch with Andrew Bennett courses@vikingkayak.co.uk or Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.uk
Subscribe to filtered calendar
Course Information
This course is aimed at families, who want to learn to paddle together, or adults. You will experience your first session on the water, in a safe environment with experienced paddle leaders, and learn useful skills for an enjoyable paddling experience. The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to safely get in and out of your boat, make it move and return to your start point. This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, while understanding the factors that affect your paddling. Equipment supplied by Viking Kayak Club: Craft, Paddle, Buoyancy Aid, Spray Deck, Safety Helmet, Dry cag (top). You will gain a Paddling UK ‘Discover’ Award certificate plus 4 weeks’ membership of Viking Kayak Club from the start of the course to try out your new skills on a club night.Pricing per person:
- Non-VKC member £90
- VKC Member £50
Prerequisites:
All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old. If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process.Booking Information
If you would like to book a place for your family, follow these steps:- Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information. Only paddlers who have pre-registered can join the course on the day.
- Visit the VKC Store, choose the course date from the list, select how many places you need and check out.
Got any questions?
Please see our Course FAQs If you have any questions or need any help, get in touch with Andrew Bennett courses@vikingkayak.co.uk or Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.ukCourse Information
This course is aimed at families, who want to learn to paddle together, or adults. You will experience your first session on the water, in a safe environment with experienced paddle leaders, and learn useful skills for an enjoyable paddling experience.
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to safely get in and out of your boat, make it move and return to your start point.
This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, while understanding the factors that affect your paddling.
Equipment supplied by Viking Kayak Club: Craft, Paddle, Buoyancy Aid, Spray Deck, Safety Helmet, Dry cag (top).
You will gain a Paddling UK ‘Discover’ Award certificate plus 4 weeks’ membership of Viking Kayak Club from the start of the course to try out your new skills on a club night.
Pricing per person:
- Non-VKC member £90
- VKC Member £50
If you are not a member you can join the course for the member’s price if you also purchase a club membership. This gives you a £40 discount per person.
Prerequisites:
All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old.
If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process.
Booking Information
If you would like to book a place for you or your family, follow these steps:
- Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information. Only paddlers who have pre-registered can join the course on the day.
- Visit the VKC Store, choose the course date from the list, select how many places you need and check out.
Got any questions?
If you have any questions or need any help, get in touch with Andrew Bennett courses@vikingkayak.co.uk or Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.uk
Course Information
This course is aimed at families, who want to learn to paddle together, or adults. You will experience your first session on the water, in a safe environment with experienced paddle leaders, and learn useful skills for an enjoyable paddling experience.
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to safely get in and out of your boat, make it move and return to your start point.
This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, while understanding the factors that affect your paddling.
Equipment supplied by Viking Kayak Club: Craft, Paddle, Buoyancy Aid, Spray Deck, Safety Helmet, Dry cag (top).
You will gain a Paddling UK ‘Discover’ Award certificate plus 4 weeks’ membership of Viking Kayak Club from the start of the course to try out your new skills on a club night.
Pricing per person:
- Non-VKC member £90
- VKC Member £50
If you are not a member you can join the course for the member’s price if you also purchase a club membership. This gives you a £40 discount per person.
Prerequisites:
All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old.
If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process.
Booking Information
If you would like to book a place for you or your family, follow these steps:
- Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information. Only paddlers who have pre-registered can join the course on the day.
- Visit the VKC Store, choose the course date from the list, select how many places you need and check out.
Got any questions?
If you have any questions or need any help, get in touch with Andrew Bennett courses@vikingkayak.co.uk or Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.uk
Courses Available
In January 2019, British Canoeing Awarding Body, now called Paddle UK, launched the new Personal Performance Awards. They replace the existing Star Awards.
Paddle Awards:
Start Award
The Start Award is a place to start your paddling journey. If you’re brand new to the sport and want to learn the basics to get started, then this is the award for you. You’ll cover everything from getting in and out of the boat, what you need to wear and paddling forward.
You don’t need any previous experience to take your Start Award, just the desire for fun! You can take the award in any craft, from kayaks, canoes and SUPs.
Discover Award
The Discover Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water, as you become a more skilled and independent paddler. Through this award, you will learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling.
You don’t need any previous experience to take your Discover Award, just the desire for fun and learning! You can take the award from any craft, from kayaks, canoes or SUPs.
Explore Award
If you want to become independent on the water, go on self-guided adventures, know how to control your craft and stay safe on the water, this is the award for you. If you’ve never been paddling before, it might be worth starting with the Start and Discover awards. In this award, you will take ownership of your own decisions and learn to make confident choices, based on the places you paddle, wind and weather.
Anyone can take the Explore award. Designed to help you gain confidence on the water, it is aimed at any craft, age and ability.
Discipline-Specific Pathway Awards:
Each of the 12 disciplines has 3 levels of awards.
For example the White Water Discipline: White Water Award, Progressive White Water Award & Advanced White Water Award
The 12 Disciplines are: White Water, Canoeing, Surf Kayak, Sea Kayak, Touring, Stand Up Paddleboard, Freestyle, Rafting, Polo, Racing, Slalom, Wild Water Racing.
Safety & Rescue Courses:
FSRT
Paddle UK FSRT – Foundation Safety and Rescue Training – How to save yourself and others. Learn the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely in a sheltered water environment and to be able to deal with common emergencies.
AFA
Paddle UK AFA – Aquatic First Aid – first-aid and lifesaving skills in an aquatic environment, with particular attention paid to the situations paddlers are most likely to see.
WWSR
Paddle UK WWSR – The White Water Safety and Rescue Training course is designed for all paddlers operating in a moderate to advanced white water environment in either kayak or canoe and is required for those seeking their leader award.
Coaching:
Why not give back some of the skills and fun you have had! Learn to teach Canoeing and Kayaking. These courses will run when required.
Contact courses@vikingkayak.co.uk for more information.