PzCC Club Course Details

Penzance Canoe Club offers the British Canoeing Paddle Start, Paddle Discover and Paddle Explore Awards.
There are some age conditions and those are explained below. Details of course types, cost and how to join are available by contacting our Club Secretary to arrange a beginners course.

The NEW Paddle Awards are for those getting into a boat for the first time, enabling them to feel confident in their chosen craft in a sheltered water environment. The awards help empower the paddler, enabling them to start their lifelong journey into paddlesport.  There are three Paddle Awards to choose from:

Paddle Start, your first time on the water ‘having a go’! A fun and enjoyable practical session, introducing you to paddlesport.


Paddle DiscoverTaking you on the next steps towards becoming an independent paddler, for a fun and safe time on the water. Developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling; developing your decision making and practical skills, giving you confidence on the water.


Paddle Explore, Your Explore Award gives you ownership; allowing you to choose where you move next in the world of paddlesport.

Course Types

Paddle Start

Penzance Canoe Club offers the British Canoeing Paddle Start Award.

Experience your first session on the water; learning useful skills for an enjoyable paddling experience. It aims to provide you with the basic knowledge to enable you to safely get in and out of your boat, make it move and return to your start point. This is your first step into the world of paddling, ensuring you feel safe, confident and ready to progress to the Discover Award.

There are no prerequisites or age requirements so start your award today!  Paddlers under the age of 11yrs must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian and must have a signed Parental Consent Form.
Paddles between the age of 11yrs and 18yrs can attend unaccompanied and must have a signed Parental Consent Form.

Paddle Start cost £???

Paddle Discover

Penzance Canoe Club offers the British Canoeing Paddle Discover Award.

Your Discover Award allows you to develop your decision making and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler. Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling; giving you the confidence to progress to making your own choices with the Explore Award.

Paddle Discover cost £60.00 per adult, £40.00 per child. (Under 18 yrs)
The Paddle Discover Award is delivered in the form of the PzCC Beginners Course. This will give the participant the core basic skill in paddlesport and the basic safety knowledge required.

This fee includes all equipment required to paddle, training and use of our excellent clubhouse changing facilities. The sessions will usually include a range of craft.

Most sessions will have a coach and an assistant to about 8 trainees.

Juniors can take part  in courses, unaccompanied, from age 11yrs yo 18yrs and must have a signed Parental Consent Form.

9 Years to 11 Years old (Minors) can not take part in the Paddle Discover Award. A responsible adult should first complete the Paddle Discover Award and then accompany the minor to club nights for training. Minors are trained on club nights at a much slower pace, defined by the minor. The course is as many sessions as it takes for the minor to reach the desired standard. The cost for a Minor Beginners Course is £40.00, minors must be a club member in order to take part in the Minors Beginners Course and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Courses are based at the Penzance harbour.

Coaches are completely voluntary and often run the sessions on evenings with sessions often starting at 6.30pm or at the weekend.

Each session (four minimum) will be approx. 3 hours long

All coaches are fully trained, qualified and most importantly capable of running beginner sessions safely and to a high standard.

Once your beginners’ course is completed you will be welcome to join the club. You will also be offered a 50% discount on the membership fee for a limited time after completing the course. As a club member you can then attend club paddling nights, trips and events for the season.

Please note equipment hire fees will be payable by all members that want to use any club equipment during club nights or events.


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