SUP – Steve Banks Outdoors

Coastal Navigation course for Sea Kayakers & SUP paddlers

Steve ran a very well attended Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course for sea kayakers and SUP paddlers of varied experience and expertise. All were keen to develop their knowledge and understanding of the interaction between weather, tide, current and coastline to enable them to make the best and safest decisions for their paddling adventures.

Following a morning of critical information sharing and discussion, a significant part of the afternoon was spent practising journey planning using information gathered from primary sources such as sea charts, marine pilots and almanacs supported by trusted providers of weather, tide and sea state data. Steve also discussed pilotage and buoyage with everyone to ensure they could operate in areas shared with other users and commercial traffic.

If you are keen to venture out on the sea but would like to be able to independently decide the most appropriate options then this course is ideal. Steve does advertise a few each year but also runs them on demand. Do get in touch with him on 07796 213817 or email steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 27th, 2024|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course in Cumbria

Steve has a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course coming up on Monday November 27th based in Cumbria. This course is suitable for anyone going out sea kayaking, SUP paddling or sit on top paddling in coastal waters. It covers critical information about weather and tide and their effect on conditions; trip planning and decision making, navigation in advance and on the water as well as pilotage and buoyage. It is a prerequisite for anyone seeking to take British Canoeing’s Sea Kayak Leader assessment.

If you’re interested or would like more information please get in touch with Steve on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|November 6th, 2023|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

This course covers the critical issues to keep you safe on the sea using sea kayaks, sit on tops and paddleboards. Steve ran the CN&TP course this week for both recreational and qualification seeking sea paddlers. He covered weather, tides, currents, different coastlines, trip planning, navigation, buoyage, pilotage and more. It’s an extremely useful day for anyone going out on the sea in paddlesport craft. It’s also a prerequisite for anyone seeking sea kayak leadership qualifications.

If you’re keen to paddle on the sea and are looking to do so as safely as possible, then this is an ideal course for you. Steve advertises regular dates, though do get in touch to discuss your needs; he’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 1st, 2023|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course, Cumbria

Steve ran a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course last week for five sea paddlers keen to expand their knowledge and to improve their ability to plan safe trips on the sea. For the first time ever sea kayakers were outnumbered by paddleboarders. Steve has adjusted the course to better accommodate this new and rapidly growing activity. As the experience range of attendees is now significantly broader he’s made the course more practical and has moved some of the interesting, though not critical, theory to the Open Water Navigation course to make space for this. Everyone was pleased with the content and coverage. Steve will continue to refine the course to provide the best possible day for all concerned.

If you are paddling on the sea in any craft this course will make you aware of many critical issues you need to consider to help you make better decisions and to stay as safe as possible during your adventures. Steve advertises regular dates for the CN&TP course and also offers the Open Water Navigation course for those interested in more exciting environments and enhanced knowledge. He’s also happy to put on bespoke dates as required. If you’re interested in either event please check the website for dates or get in touch to discuss your needs: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|November 16th, 2022|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Sea paddling navigation & planning courses for SUP and Sit on Top kayakers

Long the domain of sea kayakers with their fast, specialised craft festooned with safety equipment, the sea is now just as likely to have people out paddling on Stand Up Paddleboards and Sit on Top kayaks – certainly in nice weather and on popular coastlines. The rapid rise in popularity of these craft has, unfortunately, led to many newcomers, inadvertently, finding themselves in challenging situations on rivers and on the sea.

British Canoeing’s Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course is a one-day classroom based event which Steve has run for many years for sea kayakers and which he is now adapting to encompass the expanded range of craft and paddler experience found on seas around the UK. If you are a sea kayaker, stand up paddleboarder or sit on top kayaker who would like to improve their maritime knowledge so as to be able to make sound decisions and to plan safe trips on the sea then this course should be very beneficial.

Steve’s next courses dates are Nov 8th and Dec 9th 2022. If you would like to check if the right course for you please get in touch for a chat: 07796 21381 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 17th, 2022|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off