Kayaking

The two-seater sit-on-top kayak design is more stable and forgiving than traditional designs, which makes the activity accessible to complete beginners and reduces the anxiety that first-time paddlers often associate with kayaking. Full buoyancy aid fitting and a water safety briefing are completed before any participant enters the water. Paddle technique instruction covers the forward stroke, turning, stopping, and coordination between paired paddlers, and progressive challenges including straight-line paddling, turning exercises, and target navigation keep the session engaging throughout. Qualified instructors with appropriate water safety and paddlesports qualifications supervise all sessions.

Kayaking on Beaudesert's two-seater sit-on-top kayaks gives participants a brilliant introduction to paddle sports with serious programme credentials. Scouts can work directly towards the Paddle Sports Staged Activity Badge (Stages 1 and 2), which is fully aligned with British Canoeing awards — achieving the British Canoeing Paddle Start Award automatically earns Stage 1 of the Scout badge. Girlguiding members earn the Water Adventure Badge, with canoeing and kayaking confirmed as qualifying activities on the Girlguiding website. Kayaking is a well-established DofE Physical section activity and can also contribute to the DofE Expedition section as a mode of travel. Schools deliver KS2–KS4 PE water activities and outdoor adventurous activities content. Two people in a kayak have to communicate or they go in circles — which makes this one of the most honest team challenges on the water.

Our kayaking instructors hold British Paddlesport Instructor qualifications at the appropriate level. All equipment meets British and manufacturer safety specifications, and all participants wear correctly fitted buoyancy aids throughout.

Kayaking is one of those activities that transforms a residential visit. There is something about getting on the water that creates an entirely different kind of group experience — the combination of paired cooperation, physical engagement, and the pleasure of open water makes this one of our most frequently requested summer activities.