PROGRESSIVE PADDLES - GROW YOUR PERSONAL SKILLS & LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE!
Progressive Paddles return this August with another series of practical, engaging development days designed to strengthen personal paddling skills and support progression into coaching and leadership pathways. These sessions are ideal for paddlers who already have experience in moderate water and want to build confidence, refine technique, and explore new environments under expert guidance.
Participation assumes prior paddling experience in moderate water conditions.
Whether you're refining sea kayak techniques, mastering white water kayak manoeuvres, or building confidence in open water canoeing, each session is tailored to your needs and delivered by experienced practitioners. You’ll build confidence and develop the skills required to navigate a wide range of conditions, strengthening your personal paddling ability and supporting progression into leadership or coaching pathways. The programme also continues to offer development opportunities in Stand‑Up Paddleboarding (SUP), providing structured progression for paddlers exploring dynamic water environments.
Sessions will take place at a range of locations across Northern Ireland, with each day running from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. To ensure suitable conditions and a safe learning environment, final locations will be confirmed shortly before each session, and timings may vary slightly depending on water and weather conditions.
If you would like more information on the sessions please email markstephens@paddleni.org.uk
Places are limited, so book early to secure your spot and continue your journey toward paddling excellence.
Cost Per Session
Paddle NI Member - £35 (Please note the cost of these sessions is subsidised as a benefit to members)
Non Member - £70
**Participants will earn 10 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for every Progressive Paddle session they attend—making it a valuable step in your coaching and leadership journey.**
Participants are required to bring their own boats and equipment. However, if additional gear is needed, please contact the team at Paddle Northern Ireland for assistance.
email: admin@paddleni.org.uk
telephone: 07526 691171
Details for each session and links to book are below:
Sea Kayaking
These courses are specifically designed for coaches and leaders to enhance moderate water paddling skills, focusing on safe sea kayaking techniques and maximising the potential of your sea kayak in the ocean.
The aim is to build your confidence, allowing you to enjoy and explore your working environment with greater ease. Tailored to your needs, these sessions provide an opportunity to advance your skills in areas such as rock hopping, surf landings, navigating headlands, moving water, and more.
The sessions will take place along the North and East Coasts, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, weather permitting.
Sunday 16th August 2026 - Rough Water Paddling
Sunday 6th September 2026 - Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue
Sunday 25th October 2026 - Tide Races & Moving Water
Sunday 15th November 2026 - Rock Hopping & Surf Skills
Sunday 6th December 2026 - Rough Water Paddling
Sunday 17th January 2027 - Rock Hopping & Surf Skills
Open Boat
These sessions are designed for coaches and leaders to enhance your moderate water paddling skills, focusing on safe open water techniques and how to optimise your canoe performance in open water.
The goal is to build your confidence, allowing you to enjoy and thrive in your working environment. Tailored to your specific needs, these sessions offer an opportunity to progress your skills in progressive white water techniques, traditional paddling style, decision making and much more.
The open water sessions will take place on the Strangford, Lough Neagh and other locations throughout Northern Ireland. The river sessions will take place on rivers such as the, Bann, Mourne, Derg, or others in Northern Ireland. All sessions will take place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, depending on water levels and weather conditions.
Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Open
Water Paddling Skills, Decision Making & Group Management
Saturday 14th November 2026 - Safe Group Paddling and Safety & Rescue
Saturday 5th December 2026 - Progressive White Water Techniques
White Water Kayak
These sessions are designed for coaches and leaders to enhance your moderate water paddling skills, focusing on safe river running techniques and how to maximise your performance in the boat and on the river.
The goal is to build your confidence, enabling you to play and enjoy your working environment. Tailored to your specific needs, these sessions offer an opportunity to advance your skills in areas such as choosing lines, manoeuvring, boofing, flaring and more.
The sessions will take place on rivers such as the, Bann, Mourne, Derg, or others in Northern Ireland, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, depending on water conditions.
Saturday 12th December 2026 - Safe Group Paddling and Safety & Rescue
Saturday 16th January 2027 – Choosing Lines, maintaining momentum, flaring and boofing
Saturday 6th February 2027 - Progressive White Water Techniques
Saturday 20th February 2027 - Safe Group Paddling and Safety & Rescue
SUP
These sessions are designed for developing paddlers, leaders, and instructors looking to enhance their SUP skills in varied environments, with a focus on progressive techniques, effective board control, and confident decision-making in dynamic conditions.
The aim is to build your confidence, enabling you to enjoy and perform in your paddling environment. Tailored to meet your individual needs, these sessions offer the opportunity to progress in areas such as efficient paddle strokes, environmental awareness, moving water skills, self-rescue techniques, and more.
Saturday 5th September 2026 - SUP Skills
Saturday 3rd October 2026 - SUP Handling in Dynamic Environments
Saturday 7th November 2026 - SUP Surf Skills
SUP Touring Skills - Date TBA