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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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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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.

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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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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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People on a bell-boat on the river

Bell-Boating

This team-work also plays an important role in the corporate world for management and team development groups. The Bell Boat leads the way in paddle sport safety and stability. Its twin hull design with central non-slip deck area seats up to eight adults or up to twelve children with a helm.

You can even walk on the central deck while the boat is moving to have a go on the helm. Sessions include tuition in paddling and efficient team paddling, helming, races with other teams, team challenges & other endless fun and games.

 

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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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children on a raft

Raft-Building

Raft Building is an ideal activity for groups of adult and young people; it requires creativity, initiative and teamwork. The activity focuses on group dynamics, communication skills and leadership. We present the group with the challenge of building the raft out of limited resources. The rafts must be big enough and strong enough to carry the team to a set destination.  Each Team must work together on all stages from carrying their materials, to the designing, building and finally paddling of their rafts.

Barrels, poles, ropes, paddles and water and a few "red herrings" are a recipe for great fun and all being well a seaworthy vessel, though commonly a thorough soaking!

 

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