Symposium Weekend

Date: 15 – 17 September 2023

Location: Cannich. Scotland

After the success of 2022 we are doing it again! a whole weekend dedicated to SUP paddling in the wild! With women and for women! This time we are extending it from the Friday to the Sunday. Whether you want to gain confidence on the water, learn how to paddle on white water or learn how to plan your first SUP expedition, then this is the event for you!

There are 2 prices for this event, the 2 day or 3 day price, we also over a single day price of £80 please contact us for this price!


Where is Cannich?

Ticket Pricing

Friday White Water SUP now Full. Long Distance Paddle is still available!

We have 3 different ticket prices available and all are subject to an early bird prices. Registration is still at 6pm, but the 3 day paddlers start on the friday morning and can come along after for the registration!

There are only 12 3-day tickets available due to instructor availability and ! Click on the button to book the appropriate ticket price! Be aware the 3 day event is limited!

2 Day
£140
  • Saturday – Sunday
  • Friday 6pm Registration
3 Day
£185
  • Friday – Sunday
  • Friday 9.30am Start
  • Includes either White Water Paddling or Long distance Paddle on the Friday
2 Day + SUP Expedition
£210 
  • Saturday – Tuesday
  • Friday 6 pm Registration
  • More Information at bottom of page

How to get here!

Flying: Fly to Inverness on the Friday and depart Monday

If you are stuck for transport from Inverness airport we will “try” to organise lift sharing after booking!

Ready to book but not sure what is on offer? Then Click through the menu below! The River SUP option is open from Friday and Saturday. 

Once you have paid your entry, you will then be emailed asking for your choices. Please read carefully each choice.

Some events are full day and half day! 

Beginners SUP Session

The coaching sessions will safety, planning, effective paddle techniques, standing confidently, posture and position on the board. The session will adapt to suit each individial on the day

Group Size Max: 6 

Days offered:

Saturday | Morning and Afternoon

Sunday | Afternoon

Session Length: Half Day

Instructor: Claire Scott

Location:  L och Beinn a Mdheadhoin 

Material needed: SUP 

River SUP Beginner

River SUP for beginners. Discover River SUP for the first time with Coach Emy Mcloed

Group Size Max: 6 

Days offered: Friday

Session Length: FULL day

Instructor: Emy Mcloed

Material Needed: SUP inflatble. River Finds. Quick Release Leash and Harness. Use this extra day to prepare yourself for the saturday session!



River SUP for beginners. Discover River SUP for the first time with Coach Jess Philip

Group Size Max: 6 

Days offered: Sunday

Session Length: FULL day

Instructor: Jess Philip

Material Needed: SUP inflatble. River Finds. Quick Release Leash and Harness. This is an introduction to River SUP grade 1/2. Push your limits on the SUP with this session!



River SUP Intermediate

Push your limits with this intermediate River SUP sessions. Jess Philip and Emy Mcloed will combine to give you this session.  Paddling into Grade 2/3 rivers. 

Group Size Max: 6×2 (6 per instructor)

Days offered: Saturday

Session Length: FULL day

Instructor: Jess Philip and Emy Mcloed

Material Needed: SUP inflatble. River Finds. Quick Release Leash and Harness


SUP Yoga

Get stretching for paddle mobility. This is a session to get flexible in a way that will help you paddle better. This sessions is aimed at beginners and intermediates!

Group Size Max: 8

Days offered:

Sunday | Morning

Sunday | Afternoon

Session Length: Half day

Instructor: Leanne Bird

Location:  L och Beinn a Mdheadhoin 

Material Needed: SUP inflatble.


SUP Fitness

Get fit for paddling. This is a session to get strong in a way that will help you paddle better. This sessions is aimed at beginners and intermediates! Take the ideas home with you and do them before a SUP session!

Group Size Max: 8

Days offered:

Saturday | Morning

Session Length: Half day

Instructor: Leanne Bird

Location:  L och Beinn a Mdheadhoin 

Material Needed: SUP inflatble.



SUP Expedition Skills

Learn how to plan your first expedition with this land based SUP expedition talk. Subjects covered, Ocenaographical themes, Expedition planning, Map skills, and Q and As

Group Size Max: 15

Days offered:

Sunday | Afternoon

Session Length: Half day

Instructor: Helen Trehoret

Location: Village Hall



SUP Distance Paddle Friday

Stretch yourself in this paddle session aimed at getting some miles under the belts! You will paddle in a group to a local Loch . Learning how to paddle in a group and paddle at a distance with a side wind / head wind / tail wind! This is a session aimed at intermediates.

Group Size Max: 6

Days offered:

Friday 

Session Length: Full day 

Instructor: Helen Trehoret

Location: TBC



SUP Distance Paddle

Stretch yourself in this paddle session aimed at getting some miles under the belts! You will paddle in a group to the head Loch Beinn a Mdheadhoin. Learning how to paddle in a group and paddle at a distance with a side wind / head wind / tail wind! This is a session aimed at intermediates.

Group Size Max: 6

Days offered:

Saturday | Afternoon

Sunday | Morning

Session Length: Half day

Instructor: Helen Trehoret

Location: L och Beinn a Mdheadhoin 



In the News!

Sponsors

Accommodation

Accommodation is not provided in the cost. Due to the nature of our pandemic, it is difficult to organise.

Camping

The main site for symposium. Book directly with the site!

Lodges?

What something abit more comfortable? Get a group of you together and stay at the Glen Affric Holiday Park!

Our Team



Emy Mcleod



Caire Scott



Helen Trehoret

Qualified in a canoe, kayak and SUP. Emy works across the Scottish highlands providing courses, experiences, trips and qualifications.

Emy McLeod is a qualified open water and in white water. Her business Strathspey SUP, a business dedicated to coaching paddleboarding in the Scottish highlands. Emy is also one of the 2022 British Canoe She Paddles ambassadors for Scotland, and sits on the Scottish Canoe Association SUP commitee.

Scottish instructor Claire Scott, and #shepaddles ambassador will be on hand teach beginners and newbies to the sport.

A SUP die hard and responsible for the a facebook community of 1500 that covers all things SUP this is the women to talk about SUP in the North East Scotland!

Event Organiser Helen Trehoret. Helen has a passion for the outdoors. Based in France, but no stranger to paddling in Scotland. Her passion lies in exploration, and wild paddling!

French qualifed paddler instructor she has been SUP paddling for over 10 years!

Wing, Foiling, surfsking she does it all!

Helen’s passion is to promote sports, and paddling for women. Allowing them to achieve their goals!



Jess Philip



Leanne Bird

Jess Philip

A paddler with a passion for White water and expedition sup. She is based in the west coast of Scotland where she works as an outdoor instructor and runs her own business Dipper Paddle boarding coaching and guiding on rivers. 

“I really love helping people explore new places to paddle and continue to develop their skills in different environments”.


Leanne Bird

As Founder of Leanne Bird Wellbeing and Adventure, Leanne’s mission is to support and inspire people

to live happier and healthier lives, for the long term. Through her wellbeing services and adventure

experiences, she is passionate about empowering people to discover themselves and ultimately, discover their freedom.

A qualified SUP instructor, surf coach, personal trainer and yoga instructor, Leanne brings together a

broad breadth of knowledge and skills to provide well structured, tailored programmes for groups



F.A.Q.

Where is Cannich?

Cannich is situated half way between Inverness, and Fort Wiiliam.  Just beside Loch Ness.

How do we get there?

You can drive to Cannich. You catch a train to Fort William or Inverness. Or fly with Easy jet to inverness. If there are many people arriving to these two hubs we can arrange pick up, at a small surcharge.

Most the activities are based on L och Beinn a Mdheadhoin (Car Park Coille Ruigh na Cuileige, after Dog Falls) except for the River SUP.

Do I need to bring my own SUP?

If you want to bring your own iSUP then no problem. But if it will be a struggle due to catching a flight, then we have iSUPs and paddles available! You do need to bring your own personnal paddle equipment. A wetsuit, or long john. 

For the River SUP you need a quick release harniss and River fin. If you don not have this please contact the instructors directly. It will be your responsbility to arrange this!

I am a beginner paddle. Is this ok?

Totally! This symposium is totally for beginner paddlers! There are plenty of sessions aimed at beginners.

Can I bring my male partner?

He can come. However, the time in the workshop is only for ladies!

Is food included?

Yes! We will have a food on the saturday, and we will make it affordable for your partner to join in! Packed lunches aren’t provided we suggest that you equip yourself with food for this before you come to Cannich!

Saturday Night Entertainment

Yes! We will have a food on the saturday, and we will make it affordable for your partner to join in!

Is food included?

Yes! We will have a food on the saturday, and we will make it affordable for your partner to join in!

Mini SUP Expedition

Information

Add on 2 days to your symposium with this mini expedition. 

Practice your expedition planning, and navigation skills that you learnt at the weekend!

The plan is to paddle to end of Loch Affric and set up camp! and spend the night wild camping! Before heading back the next day. The total distance would be about 6 KM there and 6KM back!

Bundle this ticket into the weekend!

  • Start Monday 19th September
    12pm River Affric Car Park
  • Finish Tuesday 20th September
    2pm River Affric Car Park
  • Early Bird Price is 210 pounds

Includes

  • Water Proof Bags
  • Evening Meal / Beakfast / Day 2 Lunch
  • Tents available at request
  • Sleeping Bags at Request
  • SUP board available at request
  • Compass and navigation equipment
  • Cooking equipment

Doesn’t Include

  • Personal Paddle Equipment
  • Torches
  • Camping Clothes
  • Insurance
  • Water / Alcohol / Snacks
  • Drinks Bottle
  • Email me if you have any questions about this list!

Knoydart SUP Circuit

Ready for something more ruggered? and adventurous? Then we are offering a guided trip to Knoydart! To find out more information on this trip click on the button below!

Call Now ButtonCall Barrachou Paddle!