Sea kayak day-trips/course based in Kefalonia! A 6 paddling days combination of day-trips along the stunning, diverse scenery of Kefalonia, and a series of memorable and rewarding sea kayak learning experiences. Our weeks offer rich, as well as in-depth and multifaceted opportunities for paddlers on their way towards PaddleUk (British Canoeing Awarding Body) personal performance, leadership, or coaching awards and qualifications.
Our skills development weeks offer multifaceted learning opportunities; therefore, participants at any level of experience and personal performance, leadership, or coaching in sea kayaking benefit from them.
The context of each week predominantly shapes upon inquiry, based on each time a unique blend of our individual participants’ background, experience, needs and aspirations. Get in touch to find out which week shapes in ways that can work best for you!
In case you have no previous experience in kayaking, an introductory course and/or some bespoke coaching days would be advised before attending.
During the week, we are based in beautiful, double-occupancy apartments (single room option is also available) in the southern part of the island, near Vlachata village. The rooms offer a kitchenette, private bathroom, air-conditioning, and single or double bed options for couples. The area offers quiet and comfortable accommodations with great family-run restaurants, mini-markets, spa, massage, and other facilities within short walking distances.
- Day_1 – Meeting day:
We meet at the south of Kefalonia (Trapezaki area) where our accommodation is arranged for the week. We set our meeting for early evening for all appropriate introductions as well as an open discussion to help us prepare and plan accordingly for the following days!
Note that the success of this week links with our ability to get the most out of what the weather conditions offer and to meet individual participants’ needs. Therefore, our exact schedule is dynamically shaped by intentions to explore the best of the islands’ coastline, combined with intentions to focus on what works best for participants’ needs. With these in mind, the schedule is revised on day 1 and remains reasonably flexible thereafter. An example of the week’s outline would be as follows:
- Day_2: Journeying, South stretch
On our first day out at sea, we head out exploring the south of Kefalonia’s coast. We opt for a 0900 start, paddling between Lourdas and Katelios. This part of the island is a remote, yet welcoming stretch with sheltered seas, many beautiful beaches with limited/no access and great opportunities for warming up, exploring and refreshing techniques. A couple of breaks or three offer us the opportunity to choose a great spot for our lunch. After a good day of exploration and learning, we wrap up around 1600 with a light debrief as we head back to our base. In the evening, we may meet at the local restaurant for a drink! - Day_3: West Coast
Today we head to the west coast of Kefalonia, aiming to make and enjoy the most of an impressive coast, full of inviting features and some really cool caves! Reaching the fascinating and inaccessible white rocks beach, the day can also be offered for rescues and “wet drills” practice in the warm and clear water! - Day_4: Wet sessions!
This is a half day, yet a day full of opportunities -usually one of the week’s highlights! Opportunities for both fun and productive playtime with the boats, or even a day off for some. Choosing the playtime on the water can have you thoroughly practising bracing, rolling and rescues, while opting for a rest day can allow free time for the exploration of other, non-coastal beauties of Kefalonia. - Day_5: North-west coast
Paddling near Myrtos bay will reveal the reasons that made Kefalonia famous worldwide as a top holiday destination. We are highly privileged to be able to steer away from the busy spots and discover the truly unique hidden gems of Kefalonia’s coastal environment, with the serenity and the pace of our sea kayaks. Playfulness, challenges and tons of learning are always on the menu! - Day_6: North-West coast (again!)
The west coast of Kefalonia is long and rather interesting for us paddlers! Enjoying another day here allows for further exploration of other stretches of the coast that keep delivering picturesque bays and features. A visit to the picturesque village and peninsula of Assos might as well be the case for the day -coaching along the journey, practising skills, and playing with whatever the sea offers, before our arrival. In the afternoon, we will be heading back to our rooms, debriefing and reflecting on the day. - Day_7: Anywhere interesting!
We are looking for an interesting venue for this day. Interesting in a way so that it provides opportunities to keep developing a set of awareness, seamanship, paddling skills and knowledge that gets us closer to any individual aspirations or simply enjoying another fun day of learning and exploring with our sea kayaks in the Mediterranean, Ionian sea, Greece! This day is also offered as an opportunity to “tick” any boxes for a PaddleUK personal performance award. - Day_8: Check out and departure
- 6 paddling days
- Top-quality paddling and all appropriate gear for the course
- All sessions delivered by George Gazetas
- 7 nights’ accommodation in double occupancy apartments (a single room supplement is at 280 €)
- 5 lunches
- Pick up / drop off
- Post-course and future development action plans (upon request)
For this sea kayaking experience, you would need to consider bringing with you:
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- Swimming suit(s)
- Hat
- Sun glasses
- UV protection cream
- Sea shoes / sandals
- Towel
- Dry clothes
