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White Water Kayak Coaching
For us, very little beats being on the river helping customers get the most joy, challenge, and development they can from its features.
Some want coaching to build confidence at a pushier grade, some want to elevate technical skills, and others want to hone surfing and freestyling moves.
Working in groups of just two to four, we give each paddler targeted challenges, attention and support – using the river features in different ways to help everyone best meet their individual goals and needs.
Who’ll be coaching me?
Joshua Telling or Tom Botterill. Both are hugely experienced and qualified whitewater kayak coaches and safety instructors, Find out more about them.
“I highly recommend booking with Rapid Skills. All coaching I’ve had has been really good, Josh and Tom both put all the participants at ease and are able to adapt things to ensure you get what you want out of the day.” – Emily KD
Our coaching levels:
We coach in grade 2, 3 and 4+ environments. When you fill in our sign-up form, we’ll check your chosen coaching will give you the best opportunities to safely get the most from your session. Transport to and from the river is not included in any of our coaching.
Grade 2 (suitable for Whitewater beginners)
We’ll help you build and develop your white-water skills and strokes on grade 2 river sections (like the Lower Dart, or the Aber Bran to Brecon section of the Usk).
We’ll help you to spot and nail the best lines, level up your break-outs and ferry glides, and develop the stroke work you’ll need to build a strong foundation as a whitewater paddler.
Experience you’ll need:
As a minimum, experience flat water paddling and safely capsizing with your spraydeck on. You may also have grade 2 whitewater experience and want to develop your control and confidence before stepping up a notch. You may have or be working towards your Paddle UK Whitewater award.
Kit you’ll need:
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A whitewater suitable kayak and paddle
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Footwear you can get wet (wetsuit boots or trainers are fine but a good grip on the sole is helpful)
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Warm paddling clothes – including a good cag and either wetsuit or dry trousers, plus thermals
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Helmet, spraydeck and buoyancy aid suitable for whitewater paddling
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Lunch, water bottle, and any car parking fees
If you have any questions about the suitability of your equipment or your experience, or would like advice before buying any kit for the session, please get in touch.
Current availability:
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20th January 2026
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21st January 2026
If you’re keen but these dates and locations aren’t for you, you could also check out our one to one coaching. Or if you would like to arrange a date for coaching with a group of friends please get in touch and we’ll look at other possible dates with you.
A word on water levels and logistics
We can’t control water levels – and this is partly why we specify areas not rivers when talking about coaching locations. Most of the time, our extensive experience helps us find a section with the right features at the right level for the group, in the area we’ve advertised. Occasionally though, we’ll be thwarted. If it’s really looking like we’re not going to be able to give you great value for money coaching in the area and date advertised we’ll get in touch with at least a few days' notice and discuss a change of venue and / or date. We’ll then make a decision at group level on the best way forward.
Whatever your current level, we’d love to hear from you and help you take the next steps in your paddling adventures – we hope to see you on the water soon!
“I Would 100% recommend training with Josh. I learnt so much from Josh and hope to return many times to continue the self growth. Josh is an absolute professional and a true leader in his craft.”
Eoin Connolly
