East Somerset – District Kayak, Canoe Sessions

Date: April to September (each Year)

Suitable for: Cubs and Up

Venue: Sutton Bingham Reservoir, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9QP.

Cost Range: £3 per one off session / £9 for a 3 week course

Scout Kayak & Canoe training is available at Sutton Bingham Reservoir. Groups can book either a one off session or a 3-week course to work towards the Scout Paddle Sports awards. Sessions will also qualify for ‘Time on the Water’. Emphasis this year will be given to requests for 3-week courses, training (hopefully) the next generation of Scouting water sports leaders.

Sessions run on Tuesday evenings 6pm to 8pm from April to September. All boats, paddles and safety equipment are provided (including buoyancy aids). Sessions are run by coaches, covered by Scout Association Adventurous Activity Permits scheme.

All groups must bring completed Health forms for everyone who is going on the water. Everyone must inform the instructors at the start of each session if they cannot swim at least 25m. The coaches can then set up the session to accommodate this.

DBS cleared leaders and adult helpers are welcome to join in on the sessions (numbers permitting) but must abide by the same rules as the scouts and join in with the session.

Session options and costs (costs are per person):

•  One off Kayak / Canoe session (1 week) £3
• • The aim of the session will be to cover all sections of the Paddle Sports – Stage 1 award
  • Groups can help to achieve this by covering sections 1 and 2 in advance of the session
• Three week Kayak / Canoe course £9
  • The aim of the course will be to cover all sections of the Paddle Sports – Stage 2 award
  • If the ability and desire to work with the instructors is high across the whole group or the group has kayaked before the aim will be to progress to the Paddle Sports – Stage 3 award

Maximum Group Size

It is important you are as accurate as possible with your group size when booking as the seasons are always oversubscribed and accurate numbers can allow multiple groups to attend each session.

If you would like to book any sessions, please complete the form attached and return it by e-mail to eastsomersetcc@gmail.com all booking enquiries must be by e-mail.

Please list as many dates as possible and please completely fill out the booking form as any gaps may result in the inability to fit you in. We are always oversubscribed and the more options you give us the more chance we can fit you in.

Group Leaders: Please remember to complete a AN form for your section informing District of the session outside the hall. This simple online form can be completed electronically.

Kit List for Canoeing / Kayaking:

• Old shoes or beach shoes (Mandatory).
• Old clothes or Wet suit, No
• A lightweight windproof top (if you get wet even a light breeze will quickly cool the body).
• If you wear glasses and need them for paddling, they will need to be tied on.
• If it is very sunny, sun cream and a hat are a good idea.
• If young people do not come correctly dressed, they may not be able to participate in the session.

After paddling:

• Change of Clothes / Towel / Drink & snack
• A bag for your wet gear (just in case you get wet!)

Don’t forget your health form!! – No Form, No paddling, No exception.

Paddling equipment: we will provide the following:

Kayaks, Canoes, Paddles, Spray decks (if appropriate), buoyancy aids.

Site Access – Site access has changed PLEASE ENSURE you read and pass on the updated information for 2024 contained within the ‘Operating Procedure for Scout Canoeing and Kayaking activities at Sutton Bingham Reservoir (2024)’.