What’s included
- Instruction from qualified experienced paddlesports coach and mounatin leader David Walsh
- All packrafting equipment including buoyancy aids, packrafts, helmets, paddles and dry bags for spare layers/food
- For further information please download the course infromation pack and kit list PDF
Is it for me?
- Feel comfortable and confident swimming in cold water!
- Good level of fitness and enjoys all day exercise
- Are interested in getting into packrafting but don’t have equipment or experience
- Minimum age of 18
Modules & Itinerary
Day 1: Module 1 - Introduction, Safety and Woodland Loch Journey
Day 1, Module 1, provides an introduction to the very basics of packrafting. Day 1 has both classroom and practical, on the water, time. This is a half day based at Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow.
Day 1 covers:
- Types of packraft and set up
- Clothing and equipment selection
- Basic paddling technique
- Self rescue
- Risk management and safety
Todays course is a half day, 12:30 – 16:30
- Meeting location is Pinkston Watersports Classroom
Day 2: Module 1 - Introduction, Safety and Woodland Loch Journey
Day 2, Module 1, provides a packrafting journey around a woodland loch loop. Day 2 is entirely outdoors including a walk and on water journey. This full day is based around Loch Ard, Aberfoyle.
Day 2 covers:
- Environmental and access considerations
- Clothing, equipment selection and safety kit for a full day journey.
- Basic map reading (land and water)
- Carry equipment in or on a packraft
- Packraft repair
- Paddler rescue
- Open water techniques and safety
- Group Team work
Todays course is a full day, 10:00 – 16:30
- Meeting location is Milton forestry car park (GR 498010), west of Aberfoyle
- The walk through scenic woodland lets us understand the benefits of packrafts. The walk is 8km/5miles
Day 3: Module 2 - Open Water Safety, Navigation and Sailing
Day 3, Module 2, Looks at open water packrafting on large bodies of water. Day 3 is entirely outdoors all day and based on Loch Tay.
Day 3 covers:
- Clothing, equipment selection and safety kit for open water
- Open water risk management and safety
- Group Management
- Open water sailing
- Navigation skills (on water)
Todays course is a full day, 10:00 – 16:30
- Meeting location is McLaren Hall Car Park, Killin
Day 4: Module 3 - River Skills
Day 4, Module 3, Develops foundation skills in navigating moving water/rivers up to and including grade 2.
Day 4 is a full day on the river Tay and covers:
- Clothing, Equipment selection and Safety/ Rescue Kit for the river
- Team work and communication
- White Water Paddling Skills
- Identifying and navigating water features and hazards
- Portaging and scouting
Todays course is a full day, 09:00 – 16:30
- Meeting location is Aberfeldy, war memorial
- As part of the day we will organise a shared shuttle which will involve ensuring there is a vehicle downstream of our start point
Day 5: Module 3 - River Skills
Day 5, Module 3, Continues to develops foundation skills in navigating moving water/rivers up to grade 2. Day 5 is a full day based on the river Tay.
Day 5 covers:
- White Water Paddling Skills
- Incident management, self rescue, rescuing others
Todays course is a full day, 09:00 – 16:30
- Meeting location is Aberfeldy war memorial, next to General Wades Bridge
- As part of the day we will organise a shared shuttle which will involve ensuring there is a vehicle downstream of our start point
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