Sea Kayak Expeditions

Level 2 - Improver Minus These trips are perfect for those who have some sea kayaking experience and confidence.

This is our shortest expedition and can form a good introduction to expeditions for those who are unsure about taking on a longer trip or if you've not wild camped before. To join this trip you need to be confident that you have the fitness and ability to paddle a sea kayak for four hours (with breaks) each day for three days. You don't need to have lots of experience but kayaking should not be brand new to you (if it is then take a look at our courses).

• You should have some prior experience and confidence in a sea kayak such as an introduction course - this should be recent enough to influence your current confidence and skill level.
• These trips can also be suited to those with little sea kayaking experience but who have transferable knowledge and skill gained from a good level of experience in another paddlesport such as white water kayaking, paddleboarding or canoeing.
• Potentially more challenging than an Intro type course, typically four to five hours paddling per day (daily distances and paddling times will always vary depending on conditions).

Typical minimum number of days experience - 1 to 10+

Clients may have completed at least a day paddling sea kayaks for several hours and finished the day confident. Or clients may have done a recent introduction type course where they gained confidence and skill and experienced a range of conditions or may have experience based on multiple day trips or a mix of paddlesports experience from different disciplines. Or clients may have a substantial bank of experience from multiple trips and expeditions and are simply wanting to explore somewhere new or learn at their own pace.

Level 2 - Improver These trips are perfect for those who have some sea kayaking experience and confidence and want to build on their existing skills, or want to experience a more challenging journey.

• You should have some prior experience and confidence in a sea kayak such as an introduction course or some sea kayak day trips in mixed conditions - this should be recent enough to influence your current confidence and skill level.
• These trips can also be suited to those with little sea kayaking experience but who have transferable knowledge and skill gained from a good level of experience in another paddlesport such as white water kayaking, paddleboarding or canoeing.
• Progressive skills and longer journeys compared to intro level trips, typically between 12 and 20 km per day (daily distances will vary depending on trip type and conditions).

Typical minimum number of days experience - 2 to 10+

Clients may have done a recent introduction type course where they gained a good amount of confidence and skill and experienced a range of conditions or may have experience based on multiple day trips or a mix of paddlesports experience from different disciplines. Or clients may have a substantial bank of experience from multiple trips and expeditions and are simply wanting to explore somewhere new or learn at their own pace.

Level 3 - Intermediate These trips are for those who have a good level of knowledge and experience gained from time spent in sea kayaks in varied conditions. These trips may feature single days of up to 25 km (daily distances will vary) and its likely we will be paddling in wind and waves as part of the trip.

The Small Isles expedition features open crossings between islands, the longest of which is likely to be 14km. Good paddling fitness is necessary to join this trip - you should be comfortable paddling 25km in a day and being able to hold a paddling speed of 6 km/hour (3 knots) is an essential requirement for joining this trip.

• You should be confident holding a moving speed of 6 km per hour (3 Kn) and covering distances of 15 - 25 km for successive days. 
• You should have some experience of handling a sea kayak in force 4 winds and be very confident controlling a sea kayak in force 3 winds including the use of a skeg and turning your kayak efficiently in the wind and in waves.
• You should be practised at paddling effectively as part of a group and know how to react and take instruction in common sea kayaking situations - including rescues and capsizes.
• Great if you want to build on existing skill and knowledge and explore more committing coastline.

Typical minimum number of days experience - 8 to 20+

As a minimum clients will have completed an introduction type course and a further course or expedition where mixed conditions were encountered and a clear progression made. Most clients joining intermediate expeditions have done several trips before over the course of more than one season, usually a mix of courses, day trips and expeditions. If a client has only ever paddled in calm water then intermediate trips are not the right choice.

Level 2 - Improver These trips are perfect for those who have some basic sea kayaking experience and confidence and want to build on their existing skills, or want to experience a more challenging journey.

• You should have some prior experience and confidence in a sea kayak such as an introduction course or some sea kayak day trips in mixed conditions - this should be recent enough to influence your current confidence and skill level.
• These trips can also be suited to those with little sea kayaking experience but who have transferable knowledge and skill gained from a good level of experience in another paddlesport such as white water kayaking, paddleboarding or canoeing.
• Progressive skills and longer journeys compared to intro level trips, typically between 12 and 20 km per day (daily distances will vary depending on trip type and conditions).

Typical minimum number of days experience - 2 to 10+

Clients may have done a recent introduction type course where they gained a good amount of confidence and skill and experienced a range of conditions or may have experience based on multiple day trips or a mix of paddlesports experience from different disciplines. Or clients may have a substantial bank of experience from multiple trips and expeditions and are simply wanting to explore somewhere new or learn at their own pace.

Level 2 - Improver These trips are perfect for those who have some basic sea kayaking experience and confidence and want to build on their existing skills, or want to experience a more challenging journey.

• You should have some prior experience and confidence in a sea kayak such as an introduction course or some sea kayak day trips in mixed conditions - this should be recent enough to influence your current confidence and skill level.
• These trips can also be suited to those with little sea kayaking experience but who have transferable knowledge and skill gained from a good level of experience in another paddlesport such as white water kayaking, paddleboarding or canoeing.
• Progressive skills and longer journeys compared to intro level trips, typically between 12 and 20 km per day (daily distances will vary depending on trip type and conditions).

Typical minimum number of days experience - 2 to 10+

Clients may have done a recent introduction type course where they gained a good amount of confidence and skill and experienced a range of conditions or may have experience based on multiple day trips or a mix of paddlesports experience from different disciplines. Or clients may have a substantial bank of experience from multiple trips and expeditions and are simply wanting to explore somewhere new or learn at their own pace.

Level 4 - Intermediate plus These trips are for those who have a good level of knowledge and experience gained from several expeditions or lots of days out in sea kayaks in varied conditions. These trips may feature some longer days of at least 25km (daily distances will vary), committing coastline, longer open crossings and rougher seas.

This trip will give strong intermediate paddlers the opportunity to experience some challenging and committing paddling - we will be aiming to explore committing coastline and exposed headlands as part of this trip. There are some very strong tidal flows around the islands and so having a confident level of tidal paddling is essential for this trip, as is paddling in confused seas such as areas of clapotis. If you have any questions about the experience level needed to join this trip then feel free to get in touch.

• You should be confident holding a moving speed of 6 km per hour (3 Kn) and covering distances of 25 km or more. 
• You should be confident handling a sea kayak in force 4 winds and negotiating waves of 1m or more.
• You should have some knowledge and practice of rescues and be an effective group paddler.
• You enjoy the chance to paddle in more demanding conditions and to develop your skill and experience.

Typical minimum number of days experience - 10+

Clients would typically have a mixed bank of experience from at least one season of sea kayaking, typically several seasons worth of experience in a range of conditions and situations where a clear progression has been made. Clients may own their own kayak and paddle regularly or as part of a club or alternatively clients may have substantial adventure sports experience and able to use that fitness and experience to aid a more rapid progression in sea kayaking.

Level 3 - Intermediate These trips are for those who have a good level of knowledge and experience gained from time spent in sea kayaks in varied conditions. These trips may feature single days of up to 25 km (daily distances will vary) and its likely we will be paddling in wind and waves as part of the trip.

• You should be confident holding a moving speed of 6 km per hour (3 Kn) and covering distances of 15 - 25 km for successive days. 
• You should have some experience of handling a sea kayak in force 4 winds and be very confident controlling a sea kayak in force 3 winds including the use of a skeg and turning your kayak efficiently in the wind and in waves.
• You should be practised at paddling effectively as part of a group and know how to react and take instruction in common sea kayaking situations - including rescues and capsizes.
• Great if you want to build on existing skill and knowledge and explore more committing coastline.

Typical minimum number of days experience - 8 to 20+

As a minimum clients will have completed an introduction type course and a further course or expedition where mixed conditions were encountered and a clear progression made. Most clients joining intermediate expeditions have done several trips before over the course of more than one season, usually a mix of courses, day trips and expeditions. If a client has only ever paddled in calm water then intermediate trips are not the right choice.

Level 2 - Improver These trips are perfect for those who have some basic sea kayaking experience and confidence and want to build on their existing skills, or want to experience a more challenging journey.

• You should have some prior experience and confidence in a sea kayak such as an introduction course or some sea kayak day trips in mixed conditions - this should be recent enough to influence your current confidence and skill level.
• These trips can also be suited to those with little sea kayaking experience but who have transferable knowledge and skill gained from a good level of experience in another paddlesport such as white water kayaking, paddleboarding or canoeing.
• Progressive skills and longer journeys compared to intro level trips, typically between 12 and 20 km per day (daily distances will vary depending on trip type and conditions).

Typical minimum number of days experience - 2 to 10+

Clients may have done a recent introduction type course where they gained a good amount of confidence and skill and experienced a range of conditions or may have experience based on multiple day trips or a mix of paddlesports experience from different disciplines. Or clients may have a substantial bank of experience from multiple trips and expeditions and are simply wanting to explore somewhere new or learn at their own pace.