Sport England funding secured by West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield, has enabled 12 students to get confidence and skills in the water.

A six-week programme of kayaking at The Mill Adventure Base, Sutton, earned the students a Paddle Power certificate, validated by Nottinghamshire County Council’s outdoor environmental department.

During the sessions on King’s Mill Reservoir learners followed the British Canoeing Paddle Power scheme, which covered learning key skills such as safe launching, moving in the kayak in a variety of directions, manual handling, and stopping and learning capsize drills.

The group also learned about the theory around the sport and the environment through the scheme, which is the first step towards achieving personal competency and abilities and will enable them to join a kayaking club.

Public services student Patrick Cook, 19, said: “I really enjoyed the kayaking sessions. Although I’ve been in a kayak before, this gave me more skills and an insight into the different ways of moving. I was able to help some of the students who were experiencing their first time on the water.”

College sport maker Robert Pearce said: “The students have made great progress and have shown real enthusiasm for learning a new skill and have displayed growth in ability and confidence in a water environment.

“I would strongly recommend they look to move to the next level or join a local club to become recreational paddlers in their own time.”