Give your child the chance to learn real kayaking skills, explore the Nile and build confidence on the water with Kayak the Nile.

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Our kids coaching sessions are designed for children aged 5 and above, from complete beginners through to experienced young paddlers. Sessions are led by experienced KTN instructors and adapted to each child's age, ability, confidence and interests.

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Kayaking is the main focus, with stand-up paddleboarding also available. Sessions combine coaching with games, challenges and exploration, so children are learning throughout the session while still having a great time on the river.

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Whether your child is trying kayaking for the first time, wants to develop their skills, or is working towards their next Star Award, we can build the session around them.​​​​

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Coaching built around your child

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No two children learn in exactly the same way.

Some want to learn as much as possible and work systematically through their Star Awards. Others simply want to get out on the water, play games, explore and pick up new skills along the way.

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Our coaching is flexible enough to do both.

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A typical session might include:

• Learning about the kayak, paddle and safety equipment

• Basic paddling and boat control

• Turning, stopping and manoeuvring

• Balance and edging skills

• Games and challenges

• Developing water confidence

• Learning to recognise and understand river features

• Capsize and rescue skills when appropriate

• Exploring different sections of the river

• Progressing to more advanced skills as confidence develops

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We introduce new skills when each child is ready, rather than expecting every child to progress at the same speed.

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The KTN Star Award Programme

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A clear pathway for developing young paddlers

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Our 15-level KTN Star Award programme gives children a structured way to develop their kayaking skills over time.

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The programme has been developed by Kayak the Nile over more than 20 years, drawing inspiration from British Canoeing and our own experience of teaching young paddlers on the Nile.

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The awards progress from fundamental paddling and water confidence through increasingly advanced boat control, river awareness, rescue and whitewater skills.

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Children don't have to race through the awards. Some will want to work towards the next award every time they visit, while others may simply enjoy occasional sessions and gradually build their skills.

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Every child gets their own Star Award booklet

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When a child starts the programme, they receive a KTN Star Award booklet to keep and bring back to future sessions.

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Their instructor records the skills they have worked on and the awards they have achieved. This means their progress can continue from one visit to the next, even if they are coached by a different instructor.

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It also gives children something tangible to take home, share with their parents and look back on as their kayaking develops.

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If a booklet is forgotten or lost, we keep a record at the KTN office so their progress can be transferred to a replacement.

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Choose your coaching session

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Half Day Coaching

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Approximately 2 hours on the water

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Our half-day session is ideal for children who are new to kayaking, want to try something different, or simply want a shorter session on the river.

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There is plenty of time to learn new skills, practise them through games and challenges, and explore the flat water around our Bujagali base.

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$30 per child

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Full Day Coaching

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Two approximately 2-hour sessions

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A full day gives children more time to develop and practise their skills without having to rush.

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The day is split into two sessions with a break in between. The morning session can introduce and develop new skills, while the afternoon provides an opportunity to practise, progress and take on new challenges.

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Full-day coaching sessions take place on the same day.

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$50 per child

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Minimum 2 participants.

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Kayaking, SUP and more

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Kayaking is at the heart of our kids coaching programme, but children can also incorporate other paddlesports into their session.

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Depending on the child and the programme, activities can include:

• Sit-on-top kayaking

• Sit-inside kayaking

• Stand-up paddleboarding

• Paddling games and challenges

• Flat-water river exploration

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SUP can be used as an alternative activity or combined with kayaking during a session.

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Parents are also welcome to get involved. You can join your child's session, paddle alongside them, or simply relax and watch from the river.

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Families and friends can book together, making it easy for siblings or groups of children to learn and paddle together.

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From first paddle strokes to whitewater

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Children can start with us as complete beginners and continue developing their skills over many sessions.

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As their confidence and ability increase, they can progress from basic flat-water skills into moving water and eventually whitewater.

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Whitewater coaching is available as an additional option for children who are ready for the next challenge. These sessions take place away from our normal flat-water coaching area and have an additional charge to cover transport and the extra safety support required.

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Progression is always based on the child's ability and readiness. There is no expectation to move into whitewater simply because a child has reached a particular stage of the programme.

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Private coaching, or paddle with friends

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Kids coaching is normally booked as a private session, giving the instructor the flexibility to focus on the children in front of them and adapt the session as they progress.

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Families and friends are welcome to book together. Where parents are happy for their children to paddle with other participants, we can also group children of similar ages and abilities.

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This means a session can work equally well for:

• A child coming for their first kayaking experience

• Siblings learning together

• Friends visiting Jinja

• Children returning regularly to continue their progression

• More experienced young paddlers looking for their next challenge

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Who can join?

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Kids coaching is suitable for children aged 5 and above, from complete beginners through to experienced young paddlers.

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No previous kayaking experience is required.

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All equipment and instruction are provided. Children are matched to appropriate equipment and activities for their age, size, ability and confidence.

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When and where?

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Our normal kids coaching sessions take place at Kayak the Nile, inside Explorers River Camp at Bujagali, using the calm water around our base.

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Full day: Meet at 9:00am.

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Half day: Start time arranged when booking, depending on availability.

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Sessions are available throughout the week, subject to instructor and equipment availability.

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Ready to get your child on the water?

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Whether they're picking up a paddle for the first time or already working towards their next Star Award, we'll help them learn, progress and enjoy their time on the Nile.

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Book a Kids Coaching Session

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Contact Kayak the Nile to arrange a half-day or full-day session.

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