INFO: HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU BOOK…
It is impossible to exaggerate how important it is to choose the right kind of kayak tour or course. One important factor here is making an accurate assessment of whether the level of the kayak tour you are looking at suits your current level of experience. Another thing to think about is whether a sea kayak tour or a course would be best for you. What's your priority? Messing around or long-distance paddling? Are we bivouacking or staying on a campsite?
Before booking and paddling with us, you will need to get an idea about how we do things and what a MORYAK programme usually looks like. For instance, what is included in a sea kayaking tour and what isn't? What can you expect from us and what can we expect from you?
This is where you can find out...
Before booking and paddling with us, you will need to get an idea about how we do things and what a MORYAK programme usually looks like. For instance, what is included in a sea kayaking tour and what isn't? What can you expect from us and what can we expect from you?
This is where you can find out...
It is impossible to exaggerate how important it is to choose the right kind of kayak tour or course. One important factor here is making an accurate assessment of whether the level of the kayak tour you are looking at suits your current level of experience. Another thing to think about is whether a sea kayak tour or a course would be best for you. What's your priority? Messing around or long-distance paddling? Are we bivouacking or staying on a campsite?
Before booking and paddling with us, you will need to get an idea about how we do things and what a MORYAK programme usually looks like. For instance, what is included in a sea kayaking tour and what isn't? What can you expect from us and what can we expect from you?
This is where you can find out...
Before booking and paddling with us, you will need to get an idea about how we do things and what a MORYAK programme usually looks like. For instance, what is included in a sea kayaking tour and what isn't? What can you expect from us and what can we expect from you?
This is where you can find out...
-
What is included in our prices?
With Moryak the following things are usually included:
++ Professional guides or coaches ++
Our guides are all experienced, trained and certified to the highest international standards. In order to be able to keep our licences, we are all required to regularly update our wilderness first aid skills.++ High-quality boats and kit ++
Our "normal price" includes a kayak and all the necessary equipment. In contrast to others who offer similar programmes, MORYAK puts a strong emphasis on equipment of the highest quality. Our own love of paddling means that we would be incapable of wedging you into some ancient, poorly equipped plastic boat with a heavy aluminium paddle that we just found lying around. At MORYAK, we only use the best quality kit; equipment that we like to use ourselves, and which you will also enjoy using.++ Well-cared-for, thoroughly cleaned and hygienic gear ++
Besides the obligatory life vest and spray deck, we'll also provide you with neoprene long johns, neoprene shoes and a light paddling jacket. It goes without saying that this clothing will be undamaged, clean and hygienic.++ Professional and reliable safety equipment ++
For all tours and courses which take place out on the sea, we always have a large professional first aid kit with us and extensive safety equipment of the standard recommended by ISKGA. -
What is not included
This is not included in our prices:
++ The journey to and from the destination ++
We are not a package tour company and we do not have a licence to provide people with transport on a commercial basis. Nor are we too keen on this kind of thing either! (see the box on package tours).++ Food, cooking and service from dawn till dusk etc. ++
In order to be able to do the best job possible out on the water and ensure your safety, our guides really need their breaks. Just as we all like to eat and have a good time, we at MORYAK are all pretty good at cooking, and we enjoy doing it too, but it's something we do in our free time, after the day on the water – and it's something we do together with you.++ Accommodation ++
See Infobox "No package tours – real adventures" -
No package tours – real adventures
No package tours – what does this mean?
MORYAK runs kayak tours and courses for adventurers and individualists with team spirit – NOT package tours. This means that our guides will always do everything they can to make sure you have an unforgettable experience on the water – in the most positive sense of that phrase. Nevertheless, we also assume that, one way or the other, you will play an active role within the group, because you know that everyone, including you, will benefit from this. Long years of experience have shown us that most paddlers are very socially minded and so there are usually no problems at all. No package tours also means that transport to and from our tour and course locations is something which participants will need to sort out for themselves. Equally, accommodation and food are also not included in the service we provide. Campsites and holiday accommodation are billed separately with local providers, whilst those of us participating in group cooking fund their habit by paying into a kitty. We are legally required to do things in this way, as well as to declare that this is the case. And we stick to all of it too.
-
What is included in our prices?
With Moryak the following things are usually included:
++ Professional guides or coaches ++
Our guides are all experienced, trained and certified to the highest international standards. In order to be able to keep our licences, we are all required to regularly update our wilderness first aid skills.++ High-quality boats and kit ++
Our "normal price" includes a kayak and all the necessary equipment. In contrast to others who offer similar programmes, MORYAK puts a strong emphasis on equipment of the highest quality. Our own love of paddling means that we would be incapable of wedging you into some ancient, poorly equipped plastic boat with a heavy aluminium paddle that we just found lying around. At MORYAK, we only use the best quality kit; equipment that we like to use ourselves, and which you will also enjoy using.++ Well-cared-for, thoroughly cleaned and hygienic gear ++
Besides the obligatory life vest and spray deck, we'll also provide you with neoprene long johns, neoprene shoes and a light paddling jacket. It goes without saying that this clothing will be undamaged, clean and hygienic.++ Professional and reliable safety equipment ++
For all tours and courses which take place out on the sea, we always have a large professional first aid kit with us and extensive safety equipment of the standard recommended by ISKGA. -
What is not included
This is not included in our prices:
++ The journey to and from the destination ++
We are not a package tour company and we do not have a licence to provide people with transport on a commercial basis. Nor are we too keen on this kind of thing either! (see the box on package tours).++ Food, cooking and service from dawn till dusk etc. ++
In order to be able to do the best job possible out on the water and ensure your safety, our guides really need their breaks. Just as we all like to eat and have a good time, we at MORYAK are all pretty good at cooking, and we enjoy doing it too, but it's something we do in our free time, after the day on the water – and it's something we do together with you.++ Accommodation ++
See Infobox "No package tours – real adventures" -
No package tours – real adventures
No package tours – what does this mean?
MORYAK runs kayak tours and courses for adventurers and individualists with team spirit – NOT package tours. This means that our guides will always do everything they can to make sure you have an unforgettable experience on the water – in the most positive sense of that phrase. Nevertheless, we also assume that, one way or the other, you will play an active role within the group, because you know that everyone, including you, will benefit from this. Long years of experience have shown us that most paddlers are very socially minded and so there are usually no problems at all. No package tours also means that transport to and from our tour and course locations is something which participants will need to sort out for themselves. Equally, accommodation and food are also not included in the service we provide. Campsites and holiday accommodation are billed separately with local providers, whilst those of us participating in group cooking fund their habit by paying into a kitty. We are legally required to do things in this way, as well as to declare that this is the case. And we stick to all of it too.
LEVEL BLUE: THE RIGHT WAY TO GET STARTED
-
Your profile:
You can swim, you don't feel panicky when you are in the water, but you've never sat in a kayak. More than anything else, you're interested in trying something new and learning!
-
We recommend:
It's time to book a basic course! Whether this takes place in the context of a one day compact course, a weekend course, or one of our beginners' camps. You will be diving (sometimes literally) into the watery world of kayaking, and will start laying the foundations for a fantastic new hobby.
Our Sweden-programme "Introduction to Nordic Touring, St. Anna" is also perfect for you. Here you make a giant leap in one week and fully immerse yourself in the romantic world of kayak camping. -
Your development:
At this level, you will be learning the basic strokes and manoeuvres. You'll be practising self and partner rescues and you'll learn everything you need to know in order to go on your first kayak tours on flat water.
-
The right environment for you:
At this level you paddle with us on very calm water, in protected areas. To define what that means exactly, we'll stick to British Canoeing's "Environmental Definitions" for "very sheltered water" as best we can:
"Quiet canals with easy bankside access and egress; small lakes, which are not large enough and do not have difficult landing, where problems could occur if there is a sudden change in conditions; gentle, slow moving rivers. The definition implies weather conditions that are not in themselves likely to cause problems. At any point, the paddler should not be more than 50 metres from the bank. (Source: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 2)
"Very sheltered water" hence means not only very calm conditions, but also that you paddle close to the shore – initially no further away from the beach than 50m. During our "Introduction to Nordic Touring" course, in St. Anna, Sweden (Level Blue), we will relatively soon leave this extremely protected area and, as you gain experience and improve your technique, move further away from the shore, into slightly more realistic areas – always on the condition, of course, that the currently prevailing conditions and the ability of the group allow this. This means that during that week we usually make the step from "very sheltered water" to "sheltered water". You can find the definition for this under "Level Green".
LEVEL GREEN: BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS
-
Your profile:
You have already done a basic course and you feel quite comfortable out on the lake in calm conditions. You don't need to have the most important paddle strokes explained to you any more, and the same goes for dealing with the spray deck – but of course there is plenty to do in terms of refining your technique, practising rescues and how to use safety equipment, and lots more experience to accumulate, as well as additional knowledge. And, of course, you definitely want to be out on the sea now!
-
We recommend:
Broaden your horizons – Greenland rolling, expedition skills, winter paddling, safety training... And come with us to our sea novices' camp in Roses or to other "green" camps and holiday tours!
-
Your development:
At this level, you will gradually be becoming more confident and gathering a whole lot of experience which will serve as your “entry ticket” to the next level. The most important step at this level is, of course, the transition from freshwater to saltwater. You'll start to get to know the waves, and you'll feel comfortable in winds of up to 10 knots (Beaufort force 3).
-
The right environment for you:
At this level you paddle with us on rather calm, but open water, where there may be a little wind and smaller waves.
So here we are mainly in the area defined by British Canoeing as "sheltered water".
"Ungraded sections of slow moving rivers where the group could paddle upstream against the flow (not involving the shooting of, or playing on, weirs or running rapids). Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)." (Source: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 3)
Reading this definition, you will notice that "lakes and lochs" is written in brackets after "open water". Well, where our Level Green programs take place – mainly in the Mediterranean or the Baltic Sea – we don't have any lochs. And we are not on the lake, but on the sea. Still, however, the definition fits well with what we're doing here. We are not looking for any difficult sea conditions – that means maximum 10 knots (3 Bft) wind, maximum 50cm waves, no tides, no current and no long distances between safe landings.
The reason why there is a big gap in the Environmental Definitions between "Sheltered Water" and "Moderate Water" – as the lake on the one hand and the sea with tides and currents on the other hand – is probably because the thinking here was rather "British": In Great Britain there is no sea without tides and almost everywhere there are currents and it is rather difficult to find sheltered water once you venture out of a sheltered bay or quiet harbour. However, this is possible in many places on the Mediterranean Sea or the Baltic Sea – provided the right conditions are met.
So strictly speaking, due to the fact that we are paddling on salt water along rocky shores, we are somewhere between "sheltered" and "moderate water" on our Green Level programmes. But what "moderate water" actually means at its core (see level red) we avoid at this level.
LEVEL RED: IN YOUR ELEMENT
-
Your profile:
You are well on the way to becoming a real sea dog. Maybe you already know how to roll (or you're working on it), but whatever the case, you feel confident being out in the boat in moderate conditions and enjoy the experience. You are fit enough to tow a tired or injured fellow paddler and can implement instructions given by your guide.
-
We recommend:
Holiday tours where there may be the occasional wave or two and sections where it is not easy to land, maybe with a loaded boat and camping equipment, or great day trips with plenty of opportunities to mess around.
-
Your development:
At this level, you will be advancing from Beaufort force 3 to force 4 and refining your paddling technique whilst rockhopping or surfing in waves of up to a metre in height. You'll also be practising rescues under realistic conditions. Also, it's high time you started to experience your first tide races and some more ambitious crossings! You're starting to become a competent paddler and you enrich every trip, not only with your personality, but also with your experience.
-
The right environment for you:
Level Red typically involves conditions defined as "moderate water" in British Canoeing's "Environmental Definitions":
"A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straight forward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height)." (Source: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 4)
This typically denotes the environment and conditions in which we are paddling at Level Red. However: by far not all of our Level Red programmes deal with tides and currents! Even with our programmes on the Spanish Atlantic coast, where we usually encounter a tidal range of three to four meters, currents hardly play any role. Things are very different in Jersey though, where practically everything is about tides and currents.
On Jersey we also regularly deliberately exceed the limits of "Moderate Water" on our Level Red courses, because here we carefully and systematically learn how to paddle in stronger currents and tideraces, which British Canoeing categorically defines as "Advanced Water". This is in the nature of things: When it comes to learning something, sooner or later you have to push the boundaries – that's the only way to reach the next level.
Please always be aware: Our Levels denote levels of experience. This is not the same as difficulty levels. Unlike in whitewater paddling, when planing a course or a trip, we never know what conditions we will actually encounter out at sea. If we're trying to define an environment that's appropriate for your level of experience with appropriate conditions, then here we're setting out the maximum degree of difficulty in which we'll operate, given the conditions. If the sea is rougher than that, we stay on land or look for a place with more sheltered conditions. But it can also happen from time to time that we have "duck pond conditions" and we are actually paddling on flat water, with no wind and no waves and without any difficulty.
LEVEL BLACK: SALTWATER RUNS IN YOUR VEINS
-
Your profile:
Tide races, swell and surf are no longer something that you just have to “survive” – they make life interesting! And now you're looking for more! You are confident in your boat, even when the water is choppy. If, despite this, you end up capsizing, you know what to do, and it usually works. You not only pay attention to yourself, but also to your fellow paddlers, and you are able to help them if they run into problems.
-
We recommend:
Join in with everything which will further refine your technique, your reactions, and your feel for the boat. This could mean surfing in the waves of the Atlantic, kayaking in the tide race, or trying out a bit of whitewater kayaking! You definitely need to further train your rescue skills; a paddler with your level of experience is an important member of any group, and automatically ends up having a greater degree of responsibility.
-
Your development:
At this level, you solidify your abilities in difficult conditions. You take on responsibility, not just for yourself, but for your fellow paddlers too, and you gather experience which will be incredibly useful in situations of uncertainty.
-
The right environment for you
At Level Black we paddle on all suitable waters defined by the BC "Environmental Definitions", including "Advanced Water":
"Any journey on the sea where tidal races, overfalls or open crossings may be encountered and which cannot be avoided; sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or are difficult; sea state 4* and winds above Beaufort force 4; launching and landing through surf (up to 1.5 metres trough to crest height)." (Quelle: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 5)
*Sea State 4 on the WMO international scale means 1.25m to 2.5m waves. Long, breaking waves with foam heads, wind force 5.
Here it is particularly important to understand that Advanced Water and thus our Black Level also has its clearly defined upper limits. For us, this is: wind of more than 21 knots (Bft 6) and waves / surf of more than 2m (or less, with long wave periods). Depending on the sea bed structure, the topography of the shoreline and the direction of the wind, it can also mean we stop at wave heights of one and a half meters and less than 21 knots of wind. Level Black can be challenging, but it's not a suicide mission!
Typically, we expect "Advanced Water" conditions at Level Black. But that doesn't mean that we will find them every day. Please always be aware: Our Levels denote levels of experience. This is not the same as difficulty levels. Unlike in whitewater paddling, when planing a course or a trip, we never know what conditions we will actually encounter out at sea. If we're trying to define an environment that's appropriate for your level of experience with appropriate conditions, then here we're setting out the maximum degree of difficulty in which we'll operate, given the conditions. If the sea is rougher than that, we stay on land or look for a place with more sheltered conditions. But it can also happen from time to time that we have "duck pond conditions" and we are actually paddling on flat water, with no wind and no waves and without any difficulty.
LEVEL BLUE: THE RIGHT WAY TO GET STARTED
-
Your profile:
You can swim, you don't feel panicky when you are in the water, but you've never sat in a kayak. More than anything else, you're interested in trying something new and learning!
-
We recommend:
It's time to book a basic course! Whether this takes place in the context of a one day compact course, a weekend course, or one of our beginners' camps. You will be diving (sometimes literally) into the watery world of kayaking, and will start laying the foundations for a fantastic new hobby.
Our Sweden-programme "Introduction to Nordic Touring, St. Anna" is also perfect for you. Here you make a giant leap in one week and fully immerse yourself in the romantic world of kayak camping. -
Your development:
At this level, you will be learning the basic strokes and manoeuvres. You'll be practising self and partner rescues and you'll learn everything you need to know in order to go on your first kayak tours on flat water.
-
The right environment for you:
At this level you paddle with us on very calm water, in protected areas. To define what that means exactly, we'll stick to British Canoeing's "Environmental Definitions" for "very sheltered water" as best we can:
"Quiet canals with easy bankside access and egress; small lakes, which are not large enough and do not have difficult landing, where problems could occur if there is a sudden change in conditions; gentle, slow moving rivers. The definition implies weather conditions that are not in themselves likely to cause problems. At any point, the paddler should not be more than 50 metres from the bank. (Source: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 2)
"Very sheltered water" hence means not only very calm conditions, but also that you paddle close to the shore – initially no further away from the beach than 50m. During our "Introduction to Nordic Touring" course, in St. Anna, Sweden (Level Blue), we will relatively soon leave this extremely protected area and, as you gain experience and improve your technique, move further away from the shore, into slightly more realistic areas – always on the condition, of course, that the currently prevailing conditions and the ability of the group allow this. This means that during that week we usually make the step from "very sheltered water" to "sheltered water". You can find the definition for this under "Level Green".
LEVEL GREEN: BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS
-
Your profile:
You have already done a basic course and you feel quite comfortable out on the lake in calm conditions. You don't need to have the most important paddle strokes explained to you any more, and the same goes for dealing with the spray deck – but of course there is plenty to do in terms of refining your technique, practising rescues and how to use safety equipment, and lots more experience to accumulate, as well as additional knowledge. And, of course, you definitely want to be out on the sea now!
-
We recommend:
Broaden your horizons – Greenland rolling, expedition skills, winter paddling, safety training... And come with us to our sea novices' camp in Roses or to other "green" camps and holiday tours!
-
Your development:
At this level, you will gradually be becoming more confident and gathering a whole lot of experience which will serve as your “entry ticket” to the next level. The most important step at this level is, of course, the transition from freshwater to saltwater. You'll start to get to know the waves, and you'll feel comfortable in winds of up to 10 knots (Beaufort force 3).
-
The right environment for you:
At this level you paddle with us on rather calm, but open water, where there may be a little wind and smaller waves.
So here we are mainly in the area defined by British Canoeing as "sheltered water".
"Ungraded sections of slow moving rivers where the group could paddle upstream against the flow (not involving the shooting of, or playing on, weirs or running rapids). Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)." (Source: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 3)
Reading this definition, you will notice that "lakes and lochs" is written in brackets after "open water". Well, where our Level Green programs take place – mainly in the Mediterranean or the Baltic Sea – we don't have any lochs. And we are not on the lake, but on the sea. Still, however, the definition fits well with what we're doing here. We are not looking for any difficult sea conditions – that means maximum 10 knots (3 Bft) wind, maximum 50cm waves, no tides, no current and no long distances between safe landings.
The reason why there is a big gap in the Environmental Definitions between "Sheltered Water" and "Moderate Water" – as the lake on the one hand and the sea with tides and currents on the other hand – is probably because the thinking here was rather "British": In Great Britain there is no sea without tides and almost everywhere there are currents and it is rather difficult to find sheltered water once you venture out of a sheltered bay or quiet harbour. However, this is possible in many places on the Mediterranean Sea or the Baltic Sea – provided the right conditions are met.
So strictly speaking, due to the fact that we are paddling on salt water along rocky shores, we are somewhere between "sheltered" and "moderate water" on our Green Level programmes. But what "moderate water" actually means at its core (see level red) we avoid at this level.
LEVEL RED: IN YOUR ELEMENT
-
Your profile:
You are well on the way to becoming a real sea dog. Maybe you already know how to roll (or you're working on it), but whatever the case, you feel confident being out in the boat in moderate conditions and enjoy the experience. You are fit enough to tow a tired or injured fellow paddler and can implement instructions given by your guide.
-
We recommend:
Holiday tours where there may be the occasional wave or two and sections where it is not easy to land, maybe with a loaded boat and camping equipment, or great day trips with plenty of opportunities to mess around.
-
Your development:
At this level, you will be advancing from Beaufort force 3 to force 4 and refining your paddling technique whilst rockhopping or surfing in waves of up to a metre in height. You'll also be practising rescues under realistic conditions. Also, it's high time you started to experience your first tide races and some more ambitious crossings! You're starting to become a competent paddler and you enrich every trip, not only with your personality, but also with your experience.
-
The right environment for you:
Level Red typically involves conditions defined as "moderate water" in British Canoeing's "Environmental Definitions":
"A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straight forward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height)." (Source: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 4)
This typically denotes the environment and conditions in which we are paddling at Level Red. However: by far not all of our Level Red programmes deal with tides and currents! Even with our programmes on the Spanish Atlantic coast, where we usually encounter a tidal range of three to four meters, currents hardly play any role. Things are very different in Jersey though, where practically everything is about tides and currents.
On Jersey we also regularly deliberately exceed the limits of "Moderate Water" on our Level Red courses, because here we carefully and systematically learn how to paddle in stronger currents and tideraces, which British Canoeing categorically defines as "Advanced Water". This is in the nature of things: When it comes to learning something, sooner or later you have to push the boundaries – that's the only way to reach the next level.
Please always be aware: Our Levels denote levels of experience. This is not the same as difficulty levels. Unlike in whitewater paddling, when planing a course or a trip, we never know what conditions we will actually encounter out at sea. If we're trying to define an environment that's appropriate for your level of experience with appropriate conditions, then here we're setting out the maximum degree of difficulty in which we'll operate, given the conditions. If the sea is rougher than that, we stay on land or look for a place with more sheltered conditions. But it can also happen from time to time that we have "duck pond conditions" and we are actually paddling on flat water, with no wind and no waves and without any difficulty.
LEVEL BLACK: SALTWATER RUNS IN YOUR VEINS
-
Your profile:
Tide races, swell and surf are no longer something that you just have to “survive” – they make life interesting! And now you're looking for more! You are confident in your boat, even when the water is choppy. If, despite this, you end up capsizing, you know what to do, and it usually works. You not only pay attention to yourself, but also to your fellow paddlers, and you are able to help them if they run into problems.
-
We recommend:
Join in with everything which will further refine your technique, your reactions, and your feel for the boat. This could mean surfing in the waves of the Atlantic, kayaking in the tide race, or trying out a bit of whitewater kayaking! You definitely need to further train your rescue skills; a paddler with your level of experience is an important member of any group, and automatically ends up having a greater degree of responsibility.
-
Your development:
At this level, you solidify your abilities in difficult conditions. You take on responsibility, not just for yourself, but for your fellow paddlers too, and you gather experience which will be incredibly useful in situations of uncertainty.
-
The right environment for you
At Level Black we paddle on all suitable waters defined by the BC "Environmental Definitions", including "Advanced Water":
"Any journey on the sea where tidal races, overfalls or open crossings may be encountered and which cannot be avoided; sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or are difficult; sea state 4* and winds above Beaufort force 4; launching and landing through surf (up to 1.5 metres trough to crest height)." (Quelle: British Canoeing 2018: Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Pg. 5)
*Sea State 4 on the WMO international scale means 1.25m to 2.5m waves. Long, breaking waves with foam heads, wind force 5.
Here it is particularly important to understand that Advanced Water and thus our Black Level also has its clearly defined upper limits. For us, this is: wind of more than 21 knots (Bft 6) and waves / surf of more than 2m (or less, with long wave periods). Depending on the sea bed structure, the topography of the shoreline and the direction of the wind, it can also mean we stop at wave heights of one and a half meters and less than 21 knots of wind. Level Black can be challenging, but it's not a suicide mission!
Typically, we expect "Advanced Water" conditions at Level Black. But that doesn't mean that we will find them every day. Please always be aware: Our Levels denote levels of experience. This is not the same as difficulty levels. Unlike in whitewater paddling, when planing a course or a trip, we never know what conditions we will actually encounter out at sea. If we're trying to define an environment that's appropriate for your level of experience with appropriate conditions, then here we're setting out the maximum degree of difficulty in which we'll operate, given the conditions. If the sea is rougher than that, we stay on land or look for a place with more sheltered conditions. But it can also happen from time to time that we have "duck pond conditions" and we are actually paddling on flat water, with no wind and no waves and without any difficulty.
AT LEAST AS IMPORTANT: THE RIGHT CHARACTER OF A PROGRAMME
FIND THE PROGRAMME THAT'S JUST THE THING FOR YOU
OUR SYMBOLS WILL HELP YOU
Bungalow or a bivy bag? It's not just the level of experience that is important – the “other stuff” also matters! This means that you definitely need to make sure that you know what the character and focus of a programme is before you make your choice! Of course, a camping or bivouacking tour where you have everything in your boat has a totally different feel to a programme with a fixed base camp and day-trips to the nicest local playing-spots. Our system of symbols, based on four icons, should help you to easily get a quick overview of the most important factors when it comes to the character of a tour.
-
The Bear Factor
The bear stands for adventure, wilderness and that expedition feeling. Comfort, restaurants and a hot shower in the evening are not so important to you. Because you know that the greatest luxury is freedom and a campfire under a starry sky.
Nevertheless, you are prepared to weather the elements and Neptune's unpredictability, and you can put up with the cold, mosquitoes, simple food, and the odd night spent on a rock in a bivouac sack. -
Examples
++ One bear: Definitely no wilderness camping. In the evenings you'll be back at base camp or in a holiday home ++
++ Three bears: Camping and bivouacking in lonely bays under a starry sky are definitely part of it – but we never quite abandon “civilisation” ++
++ Five bears: The real thing – wilderness and the spirit of adventure. Desks and under-floor heating are a world away ++ - Super "bear tours"
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The Gelato Factor
Flip-flops, shorts and/or a bikini – you have a very clear idea of what holidays are really about. The most wonderful days of the year are inseparably bound up with spoiling yourself. Sun, sand, warm water… ice cream and a cappuccino in the afternoon… in the evenings, when all the paddling's been done, a cocktail at the beach bar or a freshly drawn pint of ale down the pub. But only once you've had a well-earned hot shower – preferably in your bungalow or glamping!
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Examples
++ One gelato: You sleep on a roll mat on the beach, we eat what we carry in our kayaks or what we forage… ++
++ Three gelati: Camping is great, as long as there are hot showers; and the odd bivouac here and there is fine, but there's got to be a break for cappuccino when we stop by at the harbour at midday! ++
++ Five gelati: A comprehensive programme of extravagance, as described above: I mean, what's the point otherwise? ++ - Super "gelato camps"
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The Dumbbell Factor
The dumbbell means fitness, of course. Whether the water is still or moving, this one's about the physical requirements of a tour, especially endurance.
Are you more of a sporty kind of character who loves challenges? Someone who, when others are starting to tire, feels like they've only just got warmed up? Committing to ambitious paddling objectives doesn't scare you off, and you love it when, in the evening, you can feel the effects of the day's paddling on your body... sounds like you would enjoy a “five dumbbell tour”! -
Examples
++ One dumbbell: when it's over, seasoned long-distance paddlers will have the feeling that they haven't even got started ++
++ Three dumbbells: Well-suited to most people with a standard level of fitness. Long-distance paddlers will also be able to get into the flow ++
++ Five dumbbells: Only suitable for those who are fit and who are keen on making good progress over longer distances. And then the same again the next day… ++ - Super "dumbbell tours"
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The Dolphin Factor
Wherever there are rocks and waves to be found, that's where you'll also be. Long-distance paddling on calm water is far too boring for you. Instead, you'd rather exhaust yourself with surfing and rockhopping. You can spend hours in one spot without getting bored.
The dolphin is the play factor. Lots of dolphins means: lots of messing about. Exciting, wet, technical paddling and lots of fun, whatever your level. -
Examples
++ One dolphin: Touring, touring, touring… ++
++ Three dolphins: of course we need to put some distance behind us, but there's plenty of time for fun too. ++
++ Five dolphins: a submerged rock, a narrow passage, into the cave… Oh, look, there's a great surfing beach over there! What? It's already time to go back?++ - Super “dolphin programmes”
Bungalow or a bivy bag? It's not just the level of experience that is important – the “other stuff” also matters! This means that you definitely need to make sure that you know what the character and focus of a programme is before you make your choice! Of course, a camping or bivouacking tour where you have everything in your boat has a totally different feel to a programme with a fixed base camp and day-trips to the nicest local playing-spots. Our system of symbols, based on four icons, should help you to easily get a quick overview of the most important factors when it comes to the character of a tour.
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The Bear Factor
The bear stands for adventure, wilderness and that expedition feeling. Comfort, restaurants and a hot shower in the evening are not so important to you. Because you know that the greatest luxury is freedom and a campfire under a starry sky.
Nevertheless, you are prepared to weather the elements and Neptune's unpredictability, and you can put up with the cold, mosquitoes, simple food, and the odd night spent on a rock in a bivouac sack. -
Examples
++ One bear: Definitely no wilderness camping. In the evenings you'll be back at base camp or in a holiday home ++
++ Three bears: Camping and bivouacking in lonely bays under a starry sky are definitely part of it – but we never quite abandon “civilisation” ++
++ Five bears: The real thing – wilderness and the spirit of adventure. Desks and under-floor heating are a world away ++ - Super "bear tours"
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The Gelato Factor
Flip-flops, shorts and/or a bikini – you have a very clear idea of what holidays are really about. The most wonderful days of the year are inseparably bound up with spoiling yourself. Sun, sand, warm water… ice cream and a cappuccino in the afternoon… in the evenings, when all the paddling's been done, a cocktail at the beach bar or a freshly drawn pint of ale down the pub. But only once you've had a well-earned hot shower – preferably in your bungalow or glamping!
-
Examples
++ One gelato: You sleep on a roll mat on the beach, we eat what we carry in our kayaks or what we forage… ++
++ Three gelati: Camping is great, as long as there are hot showers; and the odd bivouac here and there is fine, but there's got to be a break for cappuccino when we stop by at the harbour at midday! ++
++ Five gelati: A comprehensive programme of extravagance, as described above: I mean, what's the point otherwise? ++ - Super "gelato camps"
-
The Dumbbell Factor
The dumbbell means fitness, of course. Whether the water is still or moving, this one's about the physical requirements of a tour, especially endurance.
Are you more of a sporty kind of character who loves challenges? Someone who, when others are starting to tire, feels like they've only just got warmed up? Committing to ambitious paddling objectives doesn't scare you off, and you love it when, in the evening, you can feel the effects of the day's paddling on your body... sounds like you would enjoy a “five dumbbell tour”! -
Examples
++ One dumbbell: when it's over, seasoned long-distance paddlers will have the feeling that they haven't even got started ++
++ Three dumbbells: Well-suited to most people with a standard level of fitness. Long-distance paddlers will also be able to get into the flow ++
++ Five dumbbells: Only suitable for those who are fit and who are keen on making good progress over longer distances. And then the same again the next day… ++ - Super "dumbbell tours"
-
The Dolphin Factor
Wherever there are rocks and waves to be found, that's where you'll also be. Long-distance paddling on calm water is far too boring for you. Instead, you'd rather exhaust yourself with surfing and rockhopping. You can spend hours in one spot without getting bored.
The dolphin is the play factor. Lots of dolphins means: lots of messing about. Exciting, wet, technical paddling and lots of fun, whatever your level. -
Examples
++ One dolphin: Touring, touring, touring… ++
++ Three dolphins: of course we need to put some distance behind us, but there's plenty of time for fun too. ++
++ Five dolphins: a submerged rock, a narrow passage, into the cave… Oh, look, there's a great surfing beach over there! What? It's already time to go back?++ - Super “dolphin programmes”