Power Boating

Courses can be used to simply increase your knowledge and confidence, or as a progression to the RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence which are recognised by maritime authorities worldwide. Most courses take place over two days. By taking your course at an RYA Recognised Training Centre, such as Haven Banks, you can expect to be taught by an experienced, qualified instructor.

Please also be aware that if you plan to charter a boat abroad an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is required. Courses are programmed within our Adult Evening and Weekend brochure and courses can also be run by request. Please contact us for more information or to arrange an RYA course.

 

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Get Afloat with Haven Banks

Is it for me?
If you have the urge to be out in the fresh air, explore new places and a love for speed, then RIBs and sports boats are for you. Either with friends or family, you’ll be amazed by your opportunities as nothing is very far away with the power and speed of a RIB or sports boat beneath you.

Learn at Haven Banks

RYA Powerboat Courses are a great way to get to grips with the basics of driving sports boats and RIBs and can help you to feel confident when taking your first trip and beyond. Also some insurance companies insist on drivers having certain qualifications so it is useful to have some training under your belt.

 

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Navigation & Expeditioning

Being centrally located between Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks and with the South West Coast Path on our doorstep, what we lack in mountains is certainly made up for by beauty of our coasts, countryside and moorlands. Each equally set to challenge your map reading and navigational skills at a level to suit.

Haven Banks offers recreational leisurely half or full day treks through to single or multi day and night ventures and expeditions. Whether you are looking for a venture on to the moor, some basic navigational skills or some moorland or mountain leadership skills, experience or qualifications, Haven Banks can support you throughout your venture.

We are an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for which we have supported numerous schools, colleges and youth organisations with their Bronze, Silver, Gold practice and qualifying expeditions.

We are also a provider of the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) with which we provided countless adults and young people with training and accreditation in map reading and navigation.

We have also successfully supported numerous schools with their official Ten Tors Challenge Training programmes, providing qualified staff or full management of training programmes with or without the support of school staff.

Not forgetting, we also offer kayaking, canoeing, sailing and biking expedition options for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, as well as National Governing Body coaching and leadership training and accreditation for NNAS and Mountain Training England (MTE)

 

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Dragon Boating on Exeter Canal

Dragon Boating

Dragon Boats originated from China's Southern Guangdong Province and as a sport the boats have been raced in China for over 2,000 years.

At Haven Banks we operate sessions with a maximum of 18 children or young people or a maximum of 16 adults (16 maximum for mixed age groups). In all cases, we recommend a minimum of 12 participants to effectively propel the boat.

Dragon Boating makes for a fantastic team-orientated activity, where timing, cohesion and group co-operation are key to success.

Teams sit in the boat on either side and propel the 48 feet/15 metre boat at speeds of up to 12 mile per hour using a single bladed paddle.

Dragon Boats offer groups a great introduction to paddlesport with leisurely ventures down the canal or on to the river or timed challenges over set distances.

For larger, more competitive and energetic groups, up to 3 boats and crews can be matched together to run a series of races on Exeter Quayside. This makes for a great corporate event.

 

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People climbing along the side of a cliff

Coasteering

Venturing on foot, you will climb, traverse and scramble over the rugged coastline and jump into the sea and salt water plunge pools. This is a fantastic activity requiring teamwork and group cohesion to overcome a range of varied obstacles and challenges.

Under the guidance of our instructors, participants will be taught how to safely negotiate rocky ledges, platforms and other challenging terrains. There are often a range of challenges that the participants will face. Some of the activities undertaken offer "challenge by choice" where participants may set their own goals, such as jumping from different heights into the water. Torbay offers a perfect rocky coastline for an activity which is full of exhilaration, at times apprehension but always a sense of achievement.

 

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Bushcraft

We all have that “Bush Tucker Man” and, for the younger of you, the Ray Mears survival instinct in us. Following in their footsteps, we offer a fun immersive and educational experience utilising the wealth of natural resources around us.

Bushcraft is all about getting back to nature and there is plenty of fun to be had whilst doing so. It’s all about going wild in the woods!

Do you know what is needed to survive in the wilderness and do you know how to cope?

Learn new skills, with the priority being building a shelter or bivi to protect yourself from the elements using only the natural resources around you.

Then learn about the “fire triangle” before collecting the best tinder, kindling and wood to build, fuel and ignite your own fire using a flint and steel or, on those sunnier days, a convex lens (magnifying glass). Once the flames have subsided, it’s time to eat by “sizzling your sausages and melting your marshmallows” over the glowing embers. (The sausages and marshmallows we just happened to have with us!)

The fun can continue all day long with wide games, team games and wilderness navigation skills.

Bushcraft is about surviving and thriving in the natural environment, and having the acquisition of ancient skills and knowledge to do so.

We firmly believe that we have the right combination of skills and experience to provide the ultimate fun-focused bushcraft experience.

Predominantly our bushcraft sessions and days take place on Haldon but, given permission and a preliminary visit, sessions can be offered at a venue of choice.

 

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Mountain Biking

We have a fleet of adult specialist Cannondale all-terrain mountain bikes, which are better suited to the challenging conditions of off-road cycling. We also hire in bikes for smaller adults and junior groups or, given an inspection, we are happy for you to bring your own.

With transport and a specialist bike trailer, cycling takes place at a variety of venues across Devon.

For those building confidence or wanting a leisurely ride, the Centre is perfectly located with the National Cycle Network running right past its back door. Routes offer picturesque rides along the Exe Cycle Trail, either heading south west as far as Dawlish or south east as far as Exmouth. We also venture out to the Granite Way a truly spectacular and mostly traffic free cycle route between Lydford and Okehampton, passing through rural Devon with fantastic views of Dartmoor and the surrounding countryside.

For those looking to venture off-road, we utilise equally picturesque venues such as Haldon, which is described by British Cycling as Devon’s most complete and well packaged mountain biking experience in a forest setting. Here there is a trail for every ability level whether a young family or a seasoned downhiller. Other venues include: Dartmoor, Exmoor & Woodbury Common, as well as other outstanding areas of the South West.

Taster or one off sessions and progressive programmes can be tailored to suit all ages and abilities with the option to include leadership, tuition, skills and challenges, guaranteed to fully engage any group.

If you are looking for accreditation we can offer this via MIAS (Mountain-Bike Instructors Award Scheme). Skills qualifications and accreditation for young people include MIAS Gears Awards, a structured practical programme of 6 skill levels and for those wishing to progress to leadership qualifications we also offer MIAS Mountain Bike Leader Awards at Level 1 and Level 2.

The off-road terrain offers an exhilarating experience for all ages whether in a small or larger group.

 

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man rock climbing

Rock-climbing and Abseiling

The intrinsic rewards that come from combining trust, concentration, agility, balance, strength and judgement are unequalled in any other sport. Nothing heightens the senses more than the combination of delight and relief that comes from reaching the top of an achievable, though demanding rock climbing route.

The Centre runs both taster sessions and courses for Adults and Young people in both climbing and abseiling. Taster sessions offer the opportunity for groups to experience rock-climbing, perhaps for the first time, on real rock.

Content of courses include equipment selection and maintenance, climbing techniques, rope work, bouldering techniques (climbing without ropes), Introduction to simple rope work, Belaying (controlling the rope for the climber), Single pitch ascents and abseiling , use of technical equipment and Crag "etiquette". Young people can take part as an organised group or by joining one of our many school holiday activity programs.

As well as rock-climbing, the Centre also offers abseiling, either as part of a rock-climbing session or course or as a session in itself. We have also delivered abseiling for for charities for a number of fundraising events. Dingles, Exeter College, Exeter University and churches are just a few venues we have used for this purpose!

 

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group of people paddle boarding

Stand Up Paddle Boarding – SUP

Stand up paddle boarding continues to prove popular with birthday parties, groups, individuals, adults, children and our school holiday activity clubs and those simply wishing to hire stand up paddleboards to take to the water with their family and friends.

With easy access to Exeter Canal and the River Exe, both stretches of water are ideal for the new craze which is "Supping".

Whether a beginner looking for a new hobby or a seasoned supper, we offer stand up paddle board hire, tuition and courses for beginners and intermediates.

Did you know, we are also featured on the learn 2 paddle board website - Visit learn2paddleboard.com

If you are simply looking to hire a stand up paddle board or seeking stand up paddle board lessons, instruction, tuitions or a guided tours, look no further than Haven Banks in Exeter.

Stand up paddle boarding is just one of the many watersports and land based activities we offer groups and individuals.

 

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girl windsurfing

Windsurfing

This course will take you from complete beginner, teaching you the basics of windsurfing using the right equipment; enabling you to sail to where you want to go to and back to where you started from.

Having mastered the basics, the intermediate windsurfer can move onto an "Intermediate Windsurfing Course" and learn new techniques such as the beach start, the foot straps and using a harness.

Courses run during weekends, evenings and throughout schools holidays. If you fancy it, some of the best windsurfing can be found during those Autumn and winter months, as well as during the spring and summer.

RYA courses and Intermediate windsurfing groups use the Exe Estuary from Starcross Yacht Club, where the Centre has both a Sailing, Windsurf & Power-Boat base, with introductory sessions taking place on the River Exe.

Get Afloat at Haven Banks

Is it for me?

If you fancy trying a sport which gives you a whole body workout whilst at one with the wind and the water, then windsurfing's for you. From wave riding to freestyle or blasting as fast as possible, all you have to do is strap your kit to your car and meet up at the beach.

How can I try it?

RYA Training is the quickest and easiest way to learn and improve. The RYA's National Windsurfing Scheme and Youth Windsurfing Scheme will take you through the basics and beyond so you’ll soon be blasting across the water like a pro.

 

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children on team building exercise

Team Building

Using a range of puzzles, tasks and challenges, we aim to develop knowledge, learn new skills, raise levels of morale, improve adaptability in challenging circumstances, encourage effective planning and team work and improve communication within groups.

All of our courses and sessions are designed to provide a mixture of creative, manual and cerebral problem solving skills and provide the opportunity for your group to take part in challenging activities in a safe environment while developing new skills, abilities and confidence.

 

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