Discover the Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
A day of learning, confidence building and genuinely good fun
Over the past few weeks, Idris (12 years), Evan (14 years) and other members of Seren Dwr both took part in the Paddlesport Safety & Rescue course, each at different venues, with different conditions. Still, both coming away with the same thing… a lot more confidence and a real sense of progress in their paddling.
It’s one of those courses that people often think about doing, but aren’t always sure what it actually involves or whether it’s for them. Hopefully, this gives a clearer picture, because both of their experiences show just how worthwhile it is.
What is the Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course like?
Going into it, both Idris and Evan expected something fairly straightforward. A few rescues, a bit of safety knowledge, and that would be it.
But it turned out to be much more hands-on and engaging than they expected.
Idris described it as starting like what he imagined would be a “day camp” style session, but quickly realised how much more there was to it. By the end of the day, he’d gone from not really knowing how to rescue different types of craft to having a go at rescuing kayaks, paddleboards and canoes.
“Now I can rescue a kayak, paddleboard and a canoe… kind of!”
Evan had a similar experience. He expected a shorter session with maybe one rescue per craft, but instead found himself working through a range of different scenarios.
“It lasted most of the day… There were multiple rescues.”
What stood out for both of them was how practical it all was. It wasn’t just being told what to do; it was getting in, trying it, getting it wrong, and then figuring it out properly. That’s where the learning really sticks.
What are the locations like?
Idris completed his course at Cardiff International White Water, which made a big difference for him.
Being somewhere familiar meant he could focus fully on the course itself rather than worrying about the environment.
“I’m familiar with CIWW… it was really convenient, and it was a really sunny day, just perfect.”
That comfort definitely helped him settle into the day and just enjoy the experience.
Evan, on the other hand, headed to Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Centre, which offered a slightly different setup.
“It’s a really nice sheltered water environment… loads of space.”
Even though the weather didn’t quite play along:
“It poured with rain and was quite windy.”
But if anything, that added to the experience. Learning these skills in less-than-perfect conditions makes them feel more real and probably more useful in the long run.
What are the instructors like?
Both Idris and Evan spoke really positively about their instructors, which made a big difference to the overall feel of the day.
Idris worked with Ant, who created a really supportive environment:
“He was very kind and friendly… really helpful explaining everything.”
It meant Idris felt comfortable asking questions, trying things out and building confidence as the day went on.
Evan’s experience with Joey had a slightly different tone, but equally positive:
“He made it fun but didn’t let people get too silly.”
That balance is important. You’re learning serious skills, but it never felt heavy or pressured. It stayed enjoyable, which made it easier to stay engaged and take everything in.
What did they learn?
Quite a lot, and in a way that felt practical rather than overwhelming.
Idris picked up a range of new skills, especially around rescuing different types of craft and helping other paddlers on the water.
“I learnt how to rescue a kayak, paddleboard and a canoe… and how to help someone back into a kayak while you’re in one!”
That kind of hands-on learning is exactly what builds confidence.
Evan found that most of the course content was new to him, but he took it in step by step.
“Pretty much everything was new… I had to take quite a lot in.”
He also picked up some of the simple safety frameworks and approaches that help make sense of situations when things don’t go to plan.
And one very honest takeaway from him:
“A canoe rescue from a kayak is rather difficult.”
Which, if anything, shows how much he actually got stuck into trying things.
Favourite parts of the day?
There was a real mix here, and it’s clear both of them genuinely enjoyed the experience.
For Idris, it was the challenge that stood out most:
“Rescuing the canoes… it was fun and exhilarating.”
It pushed him a bit, but in a good way.
Evan enjoyed some of the more scenario-based elements:
“Rescuing a trapped canoe paddler.”
And then, in true honesty:
“My favourite thing was lunch… but canoe rolling was second.”
Which probably sums up the day quite well. Challenging, a bit tiring, but also relaxed and enjoyable.
Has it changed how they paddle?
For Idris, it definitely has.
“Now I can see how safety and rescuing others can enhance their experience.”
That shift from focusing only on your own paddling to being aware of others is a really important step.
He also mentioned how trying different crafts gave him a new perspective on how boats move and how to approach paddling in general.
Evan kept things simple but just as meaningful:
“I can help people if they get in trouble.”
And that’s really what the course is about. Feeling more capable, more aware, and more prepared.
Looking ahead
Both paddlers are still relatively early in their journeys, which makes this kind of course even more valuable.
Idris already has a clear idea of where he’d like to be:
“Rolling consistently… confident at 8c and maybe doing my first slalom competition.”
There’s a sense that this course has helped build a bit of that confidence to keep progressing.
Why it’s worth doing
The Paddlesport Safety & Rescue course isn’t just about learning what to do when something goes wrong.
It’s about building confidence, trying new things, and coming away feeling more capable on the water.
It’s practical, it’s supportive, and it’s genuinely enjoyable.
Both Idris and Evan went in not quite knowing what to expect, and both came out having learned a lot, had a good day, and were feeling better about their paddling.
If you’ve been thinking about doing it, it’s definitely worth it. You’ll get a lot out of it, and you might even enjoy getting a bit wet along the way. Big thanks to Ant Morgan and Cardiff International White Water plus Joey Chapman and Llandysul paddlers for being our fantastic Tutors and venues.
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