Paddlesports at Camp Phoenix

Paddlesports is the collective term for all water based activities which use a paddle. At Phoenix we have a large variety of craft and firmly believe that not only does trying different craft keep things interesting, but it helps to improve your skills and knowledge in all disciplines. Our paddlesports courses are run in one of 2 different craft:

Introductory Level 1

These courses are perfect for complete beginners or those with minimal experience, covering all the basics to get you started in one of 2 different craft.  The course covers the foundation strokes and is a basic introduction to the sport.  The 2 days will invove a combination of games and fun activities intermixed with learning about the equipment and how to use it. After this course you will be able to move on to Level 2 training and attend off-site river trips through Camp Phoenix.  Level 1 is also a pre-requisite for becoming a member of Phoenix Canoe Club where you can get out on the water on a regular basis and work towards whitewater and other more advanced skills. This course also meets all the requirements for the Paddle UK Discover Award.

Kayak Level 1

Cost: £110

Duration: 2 Days – 10:00-17:00

2026 Course Dates:

Easter Holiday

Tuesday 31st March – Wednesday 1st April 

Tuesday 7th – Wednesday 8th April

Camp Phoenix Easter – Book Here!

Spring Holiday

Tuesday 26th – Wednesday 27th May

Camp Phoenix Spring – Book Here!

Summer Holiday

Tuesday 21st – Wednesday 22nd July

Monday 27th – Tuesday 28th July

Tuesday 4th – Wednesday 5th August

Monday 10th – Tuesday 11th August

Monday 17th – Tuesday 18th August

Camp Phoenix Summer – Book Here!

Open Canoe Level 1

Cost: £110

Duration: 2 Days – 10:00-17:00

2026 Course Dates:

Easter Holiday

Tuesday 7th – Wednesday 8th April

Camp Phoenix Easter – Book Here!

Summer Holiday

Tuesday 4th – Wednesday 5th August

Camp Phoenix Summer – Book Here!

Intermediate Level 2

Minimum pre-requisite of Level 1 or Paddle UK Discover award required.

Level 2 looks at developing you into a self-sufficient independent paddler. As well as working on the skills learnt at level 1, we look at more advanced strokes and basic rescue techniques so that the group of young people on the course can look after each other. Level 2 is split into Training and Assessment, dependent on your experience and level of skill you may want or need to attend more than one training course or gain additional experience before assessment. Assessments take place on off-site river trips, which run throughout Camp Phoenix.

Level 2 meets all of the requirements for Paddle |UK’s Explore award.

Kayak Level 2 Training

Cost: £110

Duration: 2 Days – 10:00-17:00

2026 Dates:

Easter Holiday

Thursday 9th – Friday 10th April

Camp Phoenix Easter – Book Here!

Spring Holiday

Thursday 28th – Friday 29th May

Camp Phoenix Spring – Book Here!

Summer Holiday

Wednesday 29th – Thursday 30th July

Wednesday 12th – Thursday 13th August

Camp Phoenix Summer – Book Here!

Autumn Holiday

Wednesday 28th – Thursday 29th October

Camp Phoenix Autumn – Book Here!

Open Canoe Level 2 Training

Cost: £110

Duration: 2 Days 10:00-17:00

2026 Course Dates:

Summer Holiday

Wednesday 19th – Thursday 20th August

Camp Phoenix Summer – Book Here!

Kayak or Canoe Level 2 Assessment (Off-Site River Trip)

Cost: £65

Duration: 9:30-17:00

2026 Assessment Dates:

Summer Holiday

Friday 31st July – Hertford Loop (River Lea)

Friday 14th August – Hertford Loop (River Lea)

Camp Phoenix Summer – Book Here!

Autumn Holiday

Friday 30th October – Hertford Loop (River Lea)

Camp Phoenix Autumn – Book Here!

River Trips

Minimum of Level 1 or Paddle UK’s Discover Award in Kayak or Open Canoe required. These fun day trips are off-site at a local river, they are the perfect way to put your skills into practice somewhere new. The rivers we use for these trips are the River Lea in Hertford and the Grand Union Canal at Harefield. Transport is included to and from the river.  We meet at the centre like all of our courses, load up a minibus and trailer and head off for the day. Participants will need to bring their packed lunch in a small sealed water tight container, most tupperware or plastic take away tubs are fine, plus a drinks bottle.

We aim to arrive back at Phoenix for 17:00.

Off-Site River Trips

Cost: £65

Duration: 9:30-17:00

2026 River Trip Dates:

Summer Holiday

Friday 31st July – Hertford Loop (River Lea)

Friday 14th August – Hertford Loop (River Lea)

Camp Phoenix Summer – Book Here!

Autumn Holiday

Friday 30th October – Hertford Loop (River Lea)

Camp Phoenix Autumn – Book Here!