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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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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sailing

Sailing

Potter about exploring the River Exe or Exe Estuary or join one of our many adults weekend and evening courses. Younger people can join one of our courses or sessions running throughout Half-Terms, school holidays or our Saturday Sailing Club. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, we will literally "show you the ropes" so that you are sailing comfortably and confidently under the power of the wind alone.

As a recognised RYA Teaching Establishment, the Centre delivers a variety of nationally recognised introductory and intermediate courses. These include RYA Levels 1 & 2, Seamanship Skills and Dinghy Day sailing. For young people, the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stages 1 to 4.

Sessions and courses can be tailored to suit your needs and there is nothing better or more relaxing than helming your own dinghy, either with or without a crew!

Whether it's sailing from the Centre or on the Estuary, our venues not only lend themselves to outdoor activities, but also to historical, geological, botanical and ornithological educational input.

Get Afloat at Haven Banks

Is it for me?

Love an adventure in the fresh air, then small boat sailing could be for you. You can take your family, go with friends or escape by yourself, leaving the stress of daily life behind on the shore.

How can I try it?

People of all ages take up dinghy sailing and there are plenty of ways to get involved. You’ll quickly find sailing becomes more than just a sport because it’s so sociable.

Taking a course at Haven Banks is the quickest and easiest way to learn and improve. The Youth Sailing Scheme and National Sailing Scheme, will give you all the basics and beyond.

 

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canoe on a river

Canoeing

The Centre uses the Historic Exeter Ship Canal and River Exe for its introductory Canoeing activities. This offers sheltered inland water with no dangerous rapids or weirs and can safely be used all the year round. More advanced groups can progress to paddle the local weirs or go further afield to the Upper Exe or the River Dart for Inland white-water canoeing or to one of the local reservoirs, lakes or estuaries for some open water canoeing.

 Canoeing options include:

  • Placid water and canoe touring and camping.
  • Canoe Expeditioning including Duke of Edinburgh Award.
  • White-Water Canoeing
  • Open Water Canoeing
  • Canoe, poling and sailing!

It could be a quiet, relaxed canal or placid river paddle, taking in the picturesque local environment & wildlife in a canoe or following some initial training you can try a thrilling introduction or more advanced course on moving water or on open water consolidating and progressing the skills you have learnt.

Canoeing offers a relax approach to paddlesport and many find it more relaxing and comfortable than paddling a kayaking.  Canoes are a very versatile craft and can be paddled tandem or solo, loaded with equipment for a days tour or a prelonged expedition. They can be paddled, as well as rafted, sailed and poled. Canoeing is a very sociable and great team-building activity for all ages and ability levels.

What is available?

  • Courses and sessions for groups, individuals, families and friends.
  • 1:1 personal tuition.
  • Solo paddling clinics
  • Canoe Rescue clinics
  • Courses and activity sessions for complete beginners wishing to try this fantastic activity for the very first time.
  • Courses working towards BCU Paddlepower Awards for young people.
  • Courses working towards BCU Performance Awards leading from BCU 1 Star to BCU 4 Star.
  • Courses and activity sessions for intermediate and advanced paddlers.

We will introduce you to canoeing, giving you the support, encouragement  and tuition you need at a pace which suits and takes you as far as you wish to go. Who knows, in a few years we may have our next Olympic Champion or top level coach!

For any questions you have about canoeing tuition, courses or sessions at Haven Banks please  contact us.

 

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Kayaking

The Centre uses the Historic Exeter Ship Canal and River Exe for its introductory kayaking activities. This offers sheltered inland water with no dangerous rapids or weirs and can safely be used all the year round. More advanced groups can progress to paddle the local weirs or go further afield to the Upper Exe or the River Dart for inland white-water kayaking or the north and south Devon and Cornish coastlines for Sea Kayaking and Surf Kayaking.

We provide a variety of paddle sport disciplines at varying levels, either as lessons or as guided tours.

Kayaking options include:

  • Placid water and Kayak touring
  • White-Water Kayaking
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Surf Kayaking
  • Sit-on-top Kayaking

 

It could be a quiet, relaxed canal or placid river paddle, taking in the picturesque local environment & wildlife in a kayak or following some initial training you can try a thrilling introduction or more advanced course on moving water, on the sea or in the surf consolidating and progressing the skills you have learnt.

Try a relaxed Sea Kayak tour, exploring the beauty, tranquillity and often remoteness of Devon's Jurassic or Torbay coastlines. Alternatively, and in contrast, Surf Kayak one of North or South Devon’s beaches and perfect those "top and bottom turns"; the choice is yours.

What is available?

  • Courses and sessions for groups, individuals, families and friends.
  • 1:1 personal tuition.
  • Kayak Eskimo Rolling tuition.
  • Courses and activity sessions for complete beginners wishing to try this fantastic activity for the very first time.
  • Courses working towards British Canoeing Paddle Awards.
  • Courses working towards British Canoeing Personal Performance Awards on White-water, Canoe, Sea, Surf or Touring.
  • Courses and activity sessions for intermediate and advanced paddlers.

We will introduce you to  paddlesports giving you the support, encouragement and tuition you need at a pace which suits and takes you as far as you wish to go. Who knows, in a few years we may have our next Olympic Champion or top level coach!

For any questions you have about paddlesport tuition, courses or sessions at Haven Banks please contact us.

 

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