Adrian Tregoning

So you’ve been sitting at home watching these crazy people on television and always wanted to throw yourself off some huge waterfalls, or perhaps just meandered down a calm section of river with your mates, but have never known how to get into the whole whitewater kayaking scene. Well, with the right guidance and training, you can easily launch into a world of thrills and sometimes, the odd spill.  

What do I offer?

My basic kayaking course is specially designed to give you a solid foundation into the basics of kayaking. On completion of this 1 day course you should be able to navigate in simple rapids and be able to read the water correctly and also take into consideration any possible dangers.

The basic course starts with a talk on all the equipment, their functions and safety features. This is followed by a show and tell of river features and hazards and then it’s time to get wet. Half of the day is spent on flat water learning the correct techniques for forward and backward paddling, forward and backward sweep strokes, gliding draws, paddling in a circle using strokes on the inside only, wet exit, t-rescue, high and low braces etc. The other half then covers how to get into the main current from an eddy and vice versa as well as ferries. What is taught is not set in stone and I vary how the course will run according to the progress and skill level of the group. 

"To any aspiring Kayaker ,
I attended a short course with Adrian when I was growing my Kayak Skills and needed to get to grips with the basic kayaks, their uses and the equipment that goes with them. This Adrian covered thoroughly and left me in no doubt as to the differences between "creek" boats and "play" boats and what lies in between.
I also wanted to learn the very basics of River running and the strokes that I would need to get to another level in my Paddling. Adrian was thorough professional and what’s more it was fun.
So if you are in doubt, don’t hesitate do the course with Adrian as soon as you can, you are in good hands."
-    Greg Walpole

Who is this basic course aimed at?

From total beginners to advanced intermediates will benefit.

Young and old. Anyone can enjoy kayaking!

Where is this held?

4 kilometres after leaving Betty’s Bay the road (R44) crosses the Palmiet River (Western Cape). Under this bridge is where the course is held. The course can also be held on the Breede River at a spot that usually works in the Cape summer, ie. when all other rivers are not suitable for kayaking -because of dam release.

Downstream of the R44 bridge.

Below the final rapid (under the R44) is the ideal place to get to grips with your new environment.  

What does all this cost?

Basic kayak course (1 day) –  only R350 per person.

Swimming is no problem! 

The river nestles in the beautiful Kogelberg Nature Reserve.

Depending on water levels and the tide, there is a fun hole to spin, cartwheel and loop in.

Promotional video – all kayaking by Adrian Tregoning.

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More information/more courses:

During the 1 day basic course I do not teach the Eskimo roll. If you can roll already but need some tips I can help you out during that course should you need it. I can teach you how to roll but this is a separate course as I find that students become tired after a few hours and then the rest of the course is wasted on them. Price of rolling courses will depend on student numbers and location.

I also do not teach rescue courses.

I am willing to do a 2 day course for those interested but I feel that 1 day is often enough. Camping is at the Palmiet Caravan park at the reasonable rate of R120 (out of season, no electricity, but for a little more sites with power can be taken) for a site that allows up to 6 people. Additional people are R25 and additional cars at R18. The river season for the Palmiet is winter so we’d always camp at the out of season rates.

Equipment can be rented for an additional fee.

Your safety is my top priority and you will not be scared to death by some crazy river bum. You are guaranteed a good time on the river and enough knowledge and experience to decide whether you wish to continue kayaking or not. You won’t know what it’s like by reading this article or by looking at the photographs or the video. Contact me today and let’s get you started!

adriantregoning(AT)hotmail.com     >>>  (AT) = @ to avoid spam

082 656 0252

“Thanks for the fab time we had at your Kayak school. The training was very professional and thorough.  It was an absolute treat to have someone with your skill give of your time so willingly and to share the secrets of the sports with us.  You were extremely patient and gentle with your teaching skills, which was an absolute Hi-5 for me as it is a little intimidating being the only girl and having a TOTAL of ZERO kayaking ability. I will definitely have to take more of your time so that I can fine tune my techniques of going down the river to look something like "I am in control" and not just operating in survival mode. Thanks again.”
-    Nicole Hadaway

Although our training is done in easy parts of the river, the Palmiet can get very exciting when the water gets high. 

So who is Adrian Tregoning?

I have been paddling since 2004 and absolutely love it. Paddling has positively influenced my life is more ways than I could have first imagined before I started. I do not work in the river industry and neither am I a guide – I’m actually an engineer. These courses are purely because I enjoy teaching people how to kayak and my mindset is that if people have more skills, then they can enjoy the sport more and it opens up new rivers to them. I’ve paddled all over South Africa, in Swaziland, Zambia, Sweden, Norway and in West Sumatra where I was part of an expedition that ran 6 first descents. I do a little play boating but prefer river running, creeking and overnight/expedition type trips. You’ll also find me surf kayaking whenever there are waves! I’m sponsored by Fluid Kayaks, Sawyer Paddles, The Down River Kayak Co. and PeakUK. I’m definitely not the best kayaker out there, but I believe I have enough skills to take your paddling up to the next level and beyond. When not kayaking you’ll find me either windsurfing, bodyboarding, reading, taking photos, playing chess or hiking somewhere, but more than likely somewhere near to the water.

There are several other rivers in the Western Cape to get the adrenalin pumping once you graduate from the easier ones!