Voyageur provides expert-coaching programmes dedicated to meeting the individual needs of the open canoeist, ranging from novice to expert and including various BCU/UKCC awards for both coaching and personal performance. By using the latest and most up to date coaching techniques we can rapidly improve your paddling skills, offering quality instruction and enjoyment.

Our aim is to provide not only the skills needed to paddle your canoe but also the more traditional skills of tracking and lining, polling, sailing and portaging.

To make your experience more enjoyable and to enable you to undertake journeys and expeditions we are able to offer Bushcraft training, with specific courses just for the canoeist in mind.

We are also providers of safety and rescue training, both BCU courses and as an approved provider of the Rescue Training International’s Swift Water Rescue program to ensure you are always well prepared.

Inspired by the original Open Canoe Voyageurs of Canada’s Hudson Bay we have expanded our expertise to also include white water kayaking and sea kayaking to offer a greater variety, with each designed to give you specific skills and experiences.

Personal performance paddling classes or qualification courses can be tailored to suit YOU on a one-to-one or group situation.

Who

Voyageur is headed up by Jules who is a BCU aspirant Level 5 Canoe Coach, and has a wide breadth and depth of experience to draw on from the ventures he has undertaken and trips he has lead around the world. Despite Open Canoeing being his real passion, he is also qualified in both White Water and Sea Kayak.

He is an established BCU Safety and Rescue Provider and is the European Chief Instructor for Rescue Training International, providing rescue training around the globe, including having delivered the first Swiftwater Rescue course for the Singapore Canoe Federation in Thailand.

His interest in Bushcraft finds its origins in his childhood and later during his career whilst serving in the Marines. This has been furthered in his many solo expeditions where he relies upon these skills, and he is now very enthusiastic to share his experiences and pass his knowledge on to others.

Jules coaching and training takes him around the country and globe delivering various aspects of coaching including being involved with the new BCU/UKCC coaching and personal performance awards.

Dave Luke When it comes to paddling there is not much that Dave hasn't done. He is a BCU level 5 coach in inland and Canoe, as well as holding five 5 star awards. He is a national trainer for the BCU and is involved in the development of the new UKCC awards. Dave has paddled extensively throughout both  Europe and the United States. Amongst other things Dave will be directing a number of 5 star and AWWSR courses. As well as paddling, Dave holds the Mountaineering Instructor Award.His other interests include both road cycling and mountain biking. Alistair Othen Alistair has been mountaineering and kayaking in its various forms for the last 20 years in the UK and the rest of Europe. He is a member of Llangollen Canoe Club and is a BCU Level 3 inland and sea coach as well as a BCU 4 star Sea Leader. Although he would never admit to it, he also aspires to be open boater one day! He also holds the Mountain Instructor Award and the Winter Mountain Leader Award.  He has climbed extensively around the sea cliffs and mountainous areas of Britain in summer and winter conditions as well as being a keen white water kayaker and sea kayaker.  His passion for the outdoors has included travels to Switzerland, Austria, Spain, France and Germany mountaineering and climbing as well as leading groups to Austria and Switzerland including Oswestry School’s Alps 2007 Expedition. Alistair also enjoys mountain biking and holds the Trail Cycle Leader Award. Rannoch Rannoch is a four year old Springer Spaniel and is a keen open boater. He also an RTI FAST Level 1 Techincian. His name originates from one of his favourite trips, that of the Rannoch Moor crossing. He often to be found floating down the river or running around the bank wondering where his next stick will come from!

What’s in the name Voyageur?

Ask anyone who knows anything about canoeing and it’s deep routed history, and they will tell you about North Americas Fur Trade, The Hudson Bay Trading Company and the important role that the Voyageurs played in this historical event.

Voayageur is the French word for traveller. But in the Fur trade era, it referred to a group of men employed by the various companies including the Hudson Bay Company who acted as canoe paddlers, bundle carriers and general labourers. The voyageurs were often referred to as engages. Though it is true that the majority of the Voyageurs were French or French/Canadian, there were also those from other nationalities and included Native Tribes with which the company did business.

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