Boats & Skills
At MSCC we have over 65 kayaks across three different types, each suited to different skills and stages of development — from a first splash on Broadmeadows Estuary right through to competing at events around Ireland.
A NOTE FOR NEW PARENTS
All sessions at MSCC are run by Canoeing Ireland qualified coaches and safety is our number one priority. Every session is planned around tides, weather and each child’s ability level. Parents and guardians are always welcome to stay in the area during sessions — the MYC Cafe at St. James Terrace is a great spot to wait.
GP kayaks — General purpose
GP stands for General Purpose, and that is exactly what these boats are — wide, stable and welcoming to paddlers of all abilities. They are the first boat most new members will sit in.
Built from tough plastic, they are forgiving if a paddler wobbles or makes a mistake, which makes them the ideal place to build real confidence on the water. We use them for our Saturday estuary sessions and our winter pool sessions.
Don’t be surprised if your child gets wet — capsize drills are a planned and important part of learning, done safely with a coach in the water.
SKILLS YOUR CHILD WILL DEVELOP
- Reading tides and estuary conditions
- Forward paddling and basic steering
- Capsize drill and wet exit
- Self-rescue and assisted rescue
- Water confidence and calm in the water
Slalom kayaks
Shorter and more nimble than a GP, slalom kayaks are superb for developing precise boat handling. They take their name from an Olympic discipline where paddlers race through a sequence of hanging gates on a river.
At MSCC we use slalom boats on the estuary and at local events. Slalom competitions are run on calm or slow-moving water, making them safe and fun as a first taste of friendly competition. We carry multiple boat sizes so they suit a range of ages and abilities.
SKILLS YOUR CHILD WILL DEVELOP
- Edge control and turning strokes
- The kayak roll — righting a capsized boat
- Reading currents, eddies and moving water
- Gate navigation at slalom events
- Balance using the whole body
K boats — Sprint & racing kayaks
The “K” stands for Kayak, and the number tells you how many paddlers are in the boat — K1 is solo, K2 is pairs, and so on. These are the long, sleek racing kayaks you may have seen at the Olympics.
We have 41 K boats — by far our largest fleet — including junior-sized K1s and K2 boats that are excellent for developing paddlers. K2s are particularly good as a stepping stone, letting a child paddle alongside a more experienced partner. We use K boats for estuary sessions in winter and for sprint racing events on the canal.
SKILLS YOUR CHILD WILL DEVELOP
- Power paddling and straight-line speed
- Rudder steering via foot pedals
- Team timing and communication (K2 / K4)
- Race starts, pacing and tactics
- Core strength and fitness
How your child progresses
CANOEING IRELAND AWARDS
All skill development at MSCC follows the Canoeing Ireland national award framework. Children move through levels at their own pace — there is no rush, and every step is an achievement.
Intro
First sessions
GP kayak on the estuary. Basic paddling and getting comfortable on the water.
Level 1
Building confidence
Safe paddling on flat water. Capsize awareness. Group sessions with a coach.
Level 2
Growing independent
Moves to slalom and K boats. Capsize drill and assisted rescue. More self-sufficient on the water.
Level 3
Skilled paddler
Moving water, the kayak roll, advanced strokes. Gateway to coaching and instructor qualifications.