Course Content Information
This page has been added to give more detailed information on many of the courses offered at Calshot.
You may find the answers to your questions, without the need to email or phone the Centre.
Should you need further information, please ring: 023 8089 2077, or email: calshot.ac@hants.gov.uk
Canoeing courses
Track Cycling courses
Windsurfing
Skiing
Sailing (dinghy
and catamaran) *
Powerboating *
Rock
climbing *
Snowboarding*
*( not yet active)
Canoeing
Beginners Kayaking - BCU 1 Star Courses
Course Times: 9.00am to 5.30pm
This course is an ideal introduction to kayaking. You’ll be introduced to the fun, freedom and excitement of paddling your own boat. We’ll mainly use the sheltered waters around Calshot Spit with the option of using our dedicated canoe training pool.
We have a large fleet of stable and user-friendly kayaks as well as more specialist craft.
No previous kayaking experience is needed however you do need to be able to swim 50 metres.
You will need to bring with you personal canoeing clothing that you don’t mind getting wet! This should include: swimming costume (to wear under wet-suit), towel, a pair of old trainers or wet-suit boots/shoes, long sleeve top and trousers. Depending on the weather conditions you may also wish to bring a woolly hat or a sun hat and sun block.
Equipment
We provide:
wet-suit, canoe cag, buoyancy aid, spraydeck, kayak and paddles
If you wish to do some preparatory reading we recommend the BCU Handbook available direct from the BCU at www.bcu.org.uk or from most canoe shops.
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Track Cycling
Stage One - Tasters
Purpose
These 90 minute sessions are designed to give riders an experience involving ‘fixed-wheel’ track bikes, riding at various height levels on the track.
Description
Progression is paced according to the group’s ability as a whole, rather than at higher individual ability. The session is concerned with acquiring skills and knowledge to enable the rider to ride safely at Calshot Track. Though some riders may be a little challenged, do not expect a training session!
Contents
Typically the sessions may include:
• Allocation and sizing a bike to fit the rider
• Short discussion on the characteristics of a track bike
• Basic braking drill on a flat surface inside the track
• Intermediate & Advanced braking drills on the green inner track
• Cornering drills on the ‘Cote d’Azur (pale blue band)
• Riding on the track between the black & red lines at the bottom of the track,progressing • to riding at higher points on the track
• De-brief, including an outline of further track riding options
Equipment
We supply track bikes and helmets, though you may prefer to wear your own helmet. Riders are also permitted to bring their own cycling shoes and pedals, providing •they bring a spanner for fitting/removing the pedals and take care not to damage the cranks whilst fitting the pedals.
We suggest that long-sleeved tops and trousers/cycle tights are worn whilst track
cycling.
Back to track cycling webpage
Stage Two - Introduction to Group Riding
Purpose
These sessions are designed to teach riders to participate safely in more advanced drills on the track, whilst riding with others.
Description
Progression is paced according to the group’s ability as a whole, rather than at higher individual ability. The session is concerned with acquiring skills and knowledge and creating good riding habits. New techniques are taught and practised, with riders spending much of the session on the track (breaks are included for feedback etc). Drills may last as long as 15 minutes and a reasonable level of cycling fitness is desirable. The emphasis is on learning through tuition, discussion and practise and the course should not be regarded as a training session!
Contents
Typically the sessions may include:
• Allocation and sizing a bike to fit the rider
• Gentle low level warm-up
• Cornering drills
• ‘Follow the Leader’ and other drills requiring the riders to cycle at all parts of the track
• Basic, Intermediate & Advanced ‘Through and Off’ drills to develop the skill of following
• closely behind other riders
• Individual Sprinting drills
• Riding up to and stopping at the perimeter rail. Setting off from the rail
• Team Sprint
• Cool down
• De-brief, including an outline of further track riding options
Equipment
We supply track bikes and helmets, though you may prefer to wear your own helmet. Riders are also permitted to bring their own cycling shoes and pedals, providing they bring a spanner for fitting/removing the pedals and take care not to damage the cranks whilst fitting the pedals.
We suggest that long-sleeved tops and trousers/cycle tights are worn whilst track cycling.
Back to track cycling webpage
Windsurfing
Start Windsurfing
Purpose
These two-day RYA courses are designed to teach students the basic skills to enable them to windsurf safely and to give them an understanding of factors to consider when going out on the water.
Description
The course is predominantly water-based, but includes theory and practical sessions ashore, such as rigging and de-rigging a sail. You will receive on water coaching by your instructor, who will have a 'safety boat' at their disposal to help keep the group together in one area.
Participants are likely to feel 'pleasantly tired' by the end of each day, given that learning a new sport is likely to work muscles in different ways to normal. An assessment during part of the second day aims to certify students so that they may, if they wish, move on at a later time to the Intermediate Windsurfing course.
Contents
Typically the sessions may include:
• Introduction to the components of a windsurf board and rig
• On-land simulator sessions, learning how to mount, sail, steer and turn a board
• Theory sessions on The Points of Sailing, Rules of the Road, Wind Direction and strength, • Tides, Weather forecasts, Kit, Rigging and de-rigging
• Sailing a triangular course
• Assessment
• De-brief, including an outline of further windsurfing options
Equipment
We supply wet suits, buoyancy aids, cags, boards and rigs.
You will need to bring some footwear which you don't mind getting wet and which is
suitable for watersports, eg old trainers. A swimming costume should be worn underneath the wetsuit. If you have your own wetsuit, feel free to bring it.
We suggest some additional warm clothing is brought to wear during theory sessions
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Intermediate Windsurfing
Purpose
These two-day RYA courses follow on from Start Windsurfing and are designed to introduce students to the RYA FASTFWD formula, helping to fine tune skills and make windsurfing faster and more fluid. By the end of the course participants should be able to windsurf in stronger winds.
Description
The course includes plenty of windsurfing, along with theory and practical sessions ashore. Components of the FASTFWD formula include Vision, Trim, Balance, Power and Stance, all elements which the sailor will take with them as they progress to higher levels.
Contents
Typically the course may include:
• Sailing faster and more efficiently
• Techniques for faster tacks and gybes
• The beachstart
• The use of footstraps (depending on ability and weather)
• Harness work
• Assessment/certification
• De-brief, including an outline of further windsurfing options
Equipment
We supply wet suits, buoyancy aids, cags, boards and rigs. You will need to bring some footwear which you don't mind getting wet and which is suitable for watersports, eg old trainers. A swimming costume should be worn underneath the wetsuit. If you have your own wetsuit, feel free to bring it. We suggest some additional warm clothing is brought to wear during theory
sessions
There will be an opportunity to sail shorter boards with less volume to them
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Skiing
Ski Beginners
Purpose
This is an entry level course for those who have not skied before or who have very little experienceThese courses will give participants an understanding of the function and use of skis and ski boots. By the end, skiers should be able to side-step, be able to use the lifts, plough in a controlled descent and perform a basic turn.
Description
The course progresses in simple acheivable steps, so that the group quickly gains confidence and competence in using skis. The early part will involve 'getting used' to wearing skis and boots. Simple, fun exercises help the skiers to feel comfortable moving around on skis. Once this has been acheived, the instructor will introduce plough turns.
Contents
Typically the sessions may include:
Introduction to and setting up of skis, boots and safety bindings
• Warm-up and stretch, followed by single ski drills such as scooting and turning round
• Two-ski drills, followed by side stepping and straight running
• Lots of work on stance
• Use of the lifts
• Plough _ gliding and braking
• Single turn each direction
• Linked turns (dependent on the progress of the group as a whole)
Equipment
We supply skis, ski boots and gloves (although you may prefer to wear your own)
You will need to wear clothing which covers your arms and legs, and in which you can exercise freely. Please note that a layered approach will enable you to remove garments should you start to get hot. The hangar can be very hot in summer conditions and very cold during the winter - we do not have air conditioning or heating!
You will also need thick long socks, and gloves. Gloves with grippy palms are best, a
leather palmed gardening glove, or latex palmed builders gloves are as good as anything on the dry slope
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