STEVE BANKS OUTDOORS

A new one day practical course covering the essential information and skills required to stay safe and manage incidents in sheltered and moderate sea environments. This course is designed for recreational paddlers venturing out in closed cockpit sea kayaks and sit on top sea kayaks.  You should be at Sea Kayak award standard or equivalent to enrol (eg old 3 star).  This ensures we can work in the appropriate environments.  Steve runs these courses in Cumbria, though he can deliver them on demand if needed elsewhere (this may incur additional costs).

A one day theory course covering the essential information required to plan and execute coastal sea kayak trips including weather, tide, journey planning, pilotage and much more. It is very useful for all those venturing out in sea kayaks and is a prerequisite for the Sea Kayak Leader award.  Steve runs these courses in Cumbria, though is also available to deliver them on demand wherever they are needed.

“Hi Steve, Many thanks indeed for the coastal navigation course on Sunday. I found it very informative and useful. You certainly have a vast depth of knowledge and experience. It was a very enjoyable day.”

Steve Kendall, York CC, Wetherby

“Hi Steve, You’re like watching and listening to Brian Cox! [the scientist].  How do you know so much stuff?  This was a really good day, made much more so by your enthusiasm and ability to go off on all sorts of interesting tangents and to deal with any questions that came your way.”

Sian Chapman, Sedbergh

“Morning Steve, Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for the course yesterday. A massive help to me clarifying a number of things and so much better doing it face to face.”

Matt Womersley, Outdoor Education Manager, Kirklees Council

A two day British Canoeing training course in moderate water conditions for those wishing to develop the necessary personal paddling, group management and safety skills to operate effectively in this environment.  Steve typically runs this course in Cumbria, though can deliver them elsewhere on demand.

“Hi Steve, just to say thanks again. I thought the course was really well structured and had a great balance of relaxedness (if that’s a word) and high quality input. You communicate really clearly, your inputs are really constructive and you created a very supportive environment around us all. I also want to say how very much I appreciated the environmental input – the way you did it – lots of stories about interesting critters etc. – worked really well even with the group not initially all that concerned with environmental stuff; it is so important to raise awareness in all ways possible, and not just use the ocean as a big green/blue gym.”

Dr. Kate Rawles, Outdoor philosopher, Ulverston

“Hi Steve, Thanks for a great weekend, it really was brilliant.  I feel I got a lot from you over the weekend and hope to be paddling with you again soon.”

Chris Hooley, Clitheroe Canoe Club.

From January 4th 2021 this is now a single day assessment course in moderate water conditions for those wishing to gain this British Canoeing professional leadership award. BC have changed the format of leadership assessments to reduce the assessment time, though they have also reduced the ratio so that only 2 people maximum may be assessed at once – and they are encouraging 1:1.  Whilst the reduced ratio has affected the course cost, the new system does allow a more bespoke approach so that assessments can be arranged with and tailored to candidate’s requirements and diaries.  When you book and enrol, Steve will be happy to discuss your course in advance so you can ask questions and ensure you know exactly what to expect, you will also receive very comprehensive feedback at the end of the course with the offer of ongoing support as needed.

“Thank you Steve. Now my sinuses have properly drained and I’ve had time to reflect on the course / assessment, I recognise just how well you ran things. Despite my nerves, and a couple of unexpected challenges, I had two really good days paddling, learned loads by being out there doing stuff, by observing the other candidates and clients and from the very detailed feedback yesterday afternoon. I honestly cannot think of a single thing that I would choose to change in the way the weekend was delivered, either as a candidate or if I were ever to run such a course. I will keep much of the past two days with me for a long time to come and, oddly, the award feels almost an aside compared to the rest of the experience.”

Barry Curley, BC Guide, Ulverston

This course will introduce concepts and skills required to navigate from your sea kayak in more challenging sea conditions, poor visibility and when remote from recognisable features.

It is a prerequisite for the BC Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training and assessment. It will generally be offered the day before Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training so that the content can immediately be practiced and put to good use.

“Hi Steve, … I would also just like to say again what a fantastic course it was and will be recommending you to anyone looking to learn.”

Reece Game, Outdoor instructor, Oxford

This is the advanced sea conditions leadership training course. It is a valuable course for sea kayakers wanting to develop their skills and awareness in more challenging conditions as well as for those who wish to become qualified to lead others in this environment day and night. The course is two days plus a night paddle.

You must hold the 4 Star/Sea Kayak Leader award or the old SI/Level 3 Sea Kayak Coach award as a minimum to enrol on this course. The Open Water Navigation course is required before training and will be run the day before this course for those needing it.

“Hi Steve. I just wanted to thank you for another fun, exciting, testing and developing course. I’ve gone away with so much to work on but also with a load of confidence and enthusiasm to get out there! I really appreciated your calm and supportive manner when I was trying to reenter and roll. One for the action plan!”

Evan Cowen, Outward Bound, Loch Eil

From January 4th 2021 this is now a two evening and a single day assessment of your personal paddling, open sea navigation, safety, rescue and group leadership skills in advanced sea conditions day and night against British Canoeing’s syllabus. There will also be a theory examination in advance of the practical elements.

BC have changed the format of leadership assessments to reduce the assessment time, though they have also reduced the ratio so that only 2 people maximum may be assessed at once – and they are encouraging 1:1.  The new system allows a more bespoke approach so that assessments can be arranged with and tailored to candidate’s requirements and diaries.  Whilst Steve will advertise available dates you can also contact him for alternatives that are more suitable for you.  This course can be run anywhere there are suitable conditions, though travel and necessary accommodation outside of Steve’s local area is likely to incur extra cost.

When you enrol, Steve will be happy to discuss your course in advance so you can ask questions and ensure you know exactly what to expect, you will also receive very comprehensive feedback at the end of the course with the offer of ongoing support as needed.  Photo credit: David Brown.

“This trip has been a great learning experience and I really want to thank you for all the effort you have put in to help me develop my sea kayaking abilities and the standard of paddling that I have today. – all thanks to you sir!”

Ashish Jonathan, Outdoor activity manager, Hong Kong