Rough Water Skills II
Overview
Program: Skills Course
Conditions: Advanced
Venue: Anglesey, North Wales
Coach to Student Ratio: 1 to 4
Duration: 4 days
Cost: £360
Dates & Details
11 - 14 August 2025 with Nick
9 - 12 October 2025 with Nick
6 - 9 November 2025 with Nick & Kelly
Tackle Anglesey’s powerful waters on spring tidal ranges - challenging conditions are guaranteed at our famous tide race venues!
Aimed at confident rough water paddlers seeking the ‘next level’, fine-tune your skills and experience on our most advanced sea kayaking course!
Rough Water Skills II is aimed at sea kayakers already confident in rough water, and with previous tide race experience. If you’re happy to paddle independently in advanced water, if you have a reliable roll, and if you want to test your skills in rougher conditions, this course will deliver these aims.
Our course dates match larger tidal ranges to ensure powerful water at venues such as Penrhyn Mawr, the Stacks, the North coast and the Swellies. We’ll select paddling venues each day according to wind strength / direction and slack water times, to make the most of Anglesey’s most dynamic conditions.
Tell me more!
We will provide coaching in ‘white water skills’ for sea kayakers, to further refine eddy line transitions, upstream moves, boat control on standing waves, and coping tactics in whirlpools and recirculating features.
We’ll also focus on surfing skills in tide race environments - positioning, catching waves, maintaining control and changing directions.
In breezy weather the Anglesey coastline has great potential for rough water journeying, developing skills in turbulent wind and tide conditions, including downwind surfing skills. Overall, there’s a wealth of dynamic challenges for capable rough water paddlers - we won’t struggle to find great play spots!
Is this sea kayaking course for me?
Sea kayaking is a physical activity in a dynamic outdoor environment. You should be able to maintain moderate aerobic activity for up to 6 hours each day. We will encounter plenty of dynamic water each day, and will paddle in winds up to 20kts when required.
You should have rough water sea kayaking confidence, with recent tide race paddling experience. You should already be happy to paddle in advanced sea conditions.
You’ll need a reliable roll to make the most of our course aims. We don’t demand 100% success, and can provide coaching to refine your rough water rolling - but we ask that you have ‘real world’ rolling skills if choosing this specific course.
All participants must be over 18 years of age.
If you’re not sure of your readiness for this course, please contact us for advice. Our Rough Water Skills I course is also a great option for most paddlers seeking tide race skills coaching.
Kayaks & Kit
See below for a list of essential kit and suggested personal items for this course.
Most participants prefer to use their own sea kayak and kit for our sea kayaking courses. Please advise us when completing your online booking form if you require the use of a kayak, paddle or other kit. Kayak rentals are an additional £10 per person, per day.
Essential Kit
Dry suit or wetsuit & paddling jacket
Synthetic or wool base layers
Neoprene boots or old grippy trainers
Buoyancy aid (PFD)
Neoprene spraydeck
Helmet
Paddle
Personal Items
Dry bags for personal items
Hat & spare layers
Cap, sunglasses & sunscreen
Lunch, snacks & water
Small first aid kit with any personal medication
Towel & change of clothes for the end of the day
Meeting Time & Place
Depending on weather and conditions, our adventure will begin in Holyhead or Menai Bridge at 9:00 AM. We will confirm our meeting time and place 48 hours prior to the start of the course. For more information on where we meet, please visit our FAQs & Resources page.
