Open Water Navigation

This course is designed for those paddlers carrying out open water journeys including islands over 2 nautical miles offshore in areas of strong tidal movement of 3+ knots and/or including winds of up to force 5 and is suitable for those seeking their 5 star award sea.
Designed to complement the areas covered in the 5 star leader training.

The aim is to give the student the tools to enable them to plan and navigate effectively on open water journeys in advanced sea conditions. It should increase the knowledge and awareness of the paddler and therefore improve their seamanship. This will include the following aspects:
To interpret sources of relevant information including maps, charts, coastal pilots, tide tables and tidal stream atlases.
To apply the above relevant information in calculating vectors and negotiating open crossings and/or coastlines with no landing zones and/or tide races and overfalls.
To develop the necessary knowledge to navigate on the water using advanced pilotage techniques in poor visibility or hours of darkness.

To ensure you have full up to date details and course pre-requisites, please visit www.bcu.org.uk

Course dates

 15.02.2014 to     15.02.2014    

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

Coastal Navigation

This course is designed for those paddlers carrying out coastal journeys including islands up to 2 nautical miles offshore in areas of tidal movement up to 2 knots and winds of up to force 4 and is suitable for those seeking their 4 star award sea.
This course is designed to compliment the areas covered in the 4 star leader training.
To ensure you have full up to date details and course pre-requisites, please visit www.bcu.org.uk

Course dates

 24.07.2013 to     24.07.2013    
 21.08.2013 to     21.08.2013    

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

5 Star Assessment (sea)

The Four Star and Five Star awards are leadership awards and enable paddlers to lead groups in appropriate conditions. The Star Award Scheme best suits paddlers aged 16 and over.
To ensure you have full up to date details and course pre-requisites, please visit www.bcu.org.uk

A Five Star Award holder has the personal, leadership and safety skills required to lead groups, (in formal and informal settings) in discipline specific advanced environments. The new award looks much the same structurally to the old 5 star, but the personal skills and leadership have been updated in line with current developments where appropriate.
When you successfully complete a Star Test you will receive a certificate (please note that we no longer issue badges)

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

5 Star Training (sea)

The Four Star and Five Star awards are leadership awards and enable paddlers to lead groups in appropriate conditions. The Star Award Scheme best suits paddlers aged 16 and over.
To ensure you have full up to date details and course pre-requisites, please visit www.bcu.org.uk
A Five Star Award holder has the personal, leadership and safety skills required to lead groups, (in formal and informal settings) in discipline specific advanced environments. The new award looks much the same structurally to the old 5 star, but the personal skills and leadership have been updated in line with current developments where appropriate.
When you successfully complete a Star Test you will receive a certificate (please note that we no longer issue badges)

Course dates

 01.03.2014 to     02.03.2014    

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

4 Star Assessment (sea)

The Four Star and Five Star awards are leadership awards and enable paddlers to lead groups in appropriate conditions. The Star Award Scheme best suits paddlers aged 16 and over.
To ensure you have full up to date details and course pre-requisites, please visit www.bcu.org.uk

This discipline specific test is designed to indicate that the candidate has the skill level to safely paddle and lead other competent paddlers on sections of moderate water. A four Star paddler will have the all round paddling ability, safety, rescue and basic leadership required to undertake trips on sheltered - moderate water with a group of paddlers able themselves to be able to operate in a self-sufficient manner. The new award looks much the same structurally to the old 5 star, but the personal skills and leadership reflect an easier environment.
We are lucky to have a full range of sea conditions around Anglesey, which allows you to experience a full range of sea conditions.
When you successfully complete a Star Test you will receive a certificate (please note that we no longer issue badges)

Course dates

 15.06.2013 to     16.06.2013    
 12.10.2013 to     13.10.2013    
 13.10.2013 to     13.10.2013    

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

4 Star Training (sea)

The Four Star and Five Star awards are leadership awards and enable paddlers to lead groups in appropriate conditions. The Star Award Scheme best suits paddlers aged 16 and over.
To ensure you have full up to date details and course pre-requisites, please visit www.bcu.org.uk

This discipline specific test is designed to indicate that the candidate has the skill level to safely paddle and lead other competent paddlers on sections of moderate water. A four Star paddler will have the all round paddling ability, safety, rescue and basic leadership required to undertake trips on sheltered - moderate water with a group of paddlers able themselves to be able to operate in a self-sufficient manner. The new award looks much the same structurally to the old 5 star, but the personal skills and leadership reflect an easier environment.
When you successfully complete a Star Test you will receive a certificate (please note that we no longer issue badges)

PRE-REQUISITES
Anyone wishing to attend a 4 star training is required to hold the new BCU 3 Star Sea or old 4 Star Sea Award.

If you are unsure which award you hold please contact your awarding nation to clarify.

Course dates

     25.07.2013     to     25.07.2013    
     22.08.2013     to     22.08.2013    

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

3 Star Training and Assessment

Successful performance at BCU Three Star level indicates that a candidate
can consider a competent performer in sheltered to moderate water
environments and have the ability to paddle unsupervised, with similar
standard paddlers on sheltered water. Flat water roll is essential (for assessment).

Course dates

 22.07.2013 to     23.07.2013    
 17.08.2013 to     18.08.2013    

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

2 Star Assessment

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc

BCU Week

Course dates

 06.05.2013 to     10.05.2013    

Alternatively you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call us on +44 (0) 1407 765 550 or +44 (0) 1407 762 425

General information

Please read here about equipment, directions to the office at the waterfront, opening hours etc