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Community of Practice Day – Saturday 14th March 2026

Pinkston Watersports is delighted to announce our very first Community of Practice Day, delivered in partnership with Paddle Scotland.

This special event will bring together Scotland’s paddling community for a full day of shared learning, inspiration, and time on the water. Designed for recreational paddlers who are current Paddle Scotland members, the day celebrates learning through practice, connection, and community.

We would really appreciate if you would be able to share this information or attached poster with your club/other paddlers that may be interested in coming along.

This is a great opportunity to :

  • Try a range of different paddling disciplines
  • Gain 15 CPD points
  • Enjoy a low-cost day of quality paddling in a supportive, inclusive environment
  • Connect with paddlers, coaches, and leaders from across Scotland

Date : 14th March

Time : 9am – 6pm

Location : Pinkston Watersports, 75 North Canal Bank Street, G4 9XP

Cost : £15 per person

Book Here!

 

Programme for the Day

9:00 – 10:30am
Welcome & Introduction to the Day – Paddle Scotland

10:30am – 12:00pm
Session 1 (first of your three selected sessions)

12:00 – 1:00pm
Lunch break (please bring a packed lunch)

1:00 – 2:30pm
Session 2 (second of your three selected sessions)

3:00 – 4:30pm
Session 3 (third of your three selected sessions)

5:00 – 6:00pm
Key Speaker Session

 

The day includes your choice of 3 different disciplines – you make this choice during the booking process, and it first come, first served. There are some restrictions regarding skill level for the white water options, and this is so that those taking part will hopefully be at similar levels of ability and get the most out of the session.

Activities

  1. “Move Your Feet” Stand-Up Paddleboarding – Suitable for any paddler wanting to gain confidence on a SUP. Led by Paddle Scotland’s own Adam Burns, this dynamic paddleboarding session will focus on developing movement, balance, and agility on the board. Learn how to stay light on your feet, improve board control, and build confidence in a supportive and engaging environment.
  2. Intro to Wild Water Racing– Suitable for any paddler. Delivered by Fraser Gormal, this session is perfect for paddlers who enjoy speed, endurance, and testing themselves against the clock — and their peers. Can you keep up on the day? Expect a focus on pacing, efficiency, and race tactics as you challenge yourself in a supportive but energised environment. A fantastic opportunity to experience the thrill of competitive paddling.
  3. Intro to Slalom– Suitable for beginner white water paddlers (must pass competency test). Ever watched the fast-paced Olympic sport of Canoe Slalom and wondered if you could give it a go? Pinkston is proud to be home to thriving slalom clubs including the Pinkston Panthers and CR Cats. In this introductory session, you’ll experience flat-water skills in canoe and kayak slalom boats, practicing gate techniques and developing core movement skills. There may also be the opportunity for short runs on the Artificial White-Water Course (AWWC), operating on one or two pumps.
  4. Intermediate Slalom– Suitable for experienced white water paddlers (must pass competency test). Ready to take it up a level? This session offers the chance to develop your slalom skills further with professional coaching from respected members of our paddling community. Participants will work in canoe and kayak slalom boats, navigating gates on the AWWC in two- to three-pump sessions. Expect focused coaching, technical feedback, and plenty of time on the water.
  5. SUP racing– Suitable for people that are competent paddleboarders. Led by Jennifer Armstrong, this session brings together power and balance in a dynamic race-focused environment. Do you have what it takes to combine strength, technique, and control to unlock your inner athlete? Work on speed, efficiency, and race skills while pushing your performance on the board.
  6. Intro to Canoe Polo– Suitable for any paddler. Led by Monklands canoe clubs own Ian Waller and Liam Fleet. These sessions will be Fast, tactical, and great fun! These sessions will include skills drills, gameplay scenarios, and friendly matches, led by experienced and enthusiastic coaches.
  7. Intro to Freestyle– Suitable for beginner white water paddlers (must pass competency test). Curious about freestyle kayaking and keen to give it a try? Join our very own Niamh Shannon for an exciting introduction to this dynamic and creative discipline. These sessions will focus on developing core freestyle skills in a supportive environment, helping you build confidence, control, and flow on the water. Whether you’re completely new to freestyle or looking to refine the basics, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn from an experienced coach and explore a different side of paddlesports.
  8. Intermediate Freestyle– Suitable for experience white water paddler (reliable role and pass competency test). Ready to push your freestyle skills to the next level? Delivered by Bruce Jolliffe – scientist, kayaker, and coach — this session is designed for paddlers looking to refine technique, develop consistency, and progress their freestyle performance. Expect to be challenged and put through your paces as you work on improving execution of tricks you already know, while potentially learning new moves to add to your repertoire. With focused coaching and technical insight, this session will help you build greater precision, power, and control on the water. A fantastic opportunity to progress your freestyle in a supportive yet high-performance environment.
  9. Flat Water Canoeing– Suitable for any paddler. Delivered by Dougie Shannon, this session will focus on refining paddling technique while keeping the learning engaging and enjoyable. Expect to be both educated and entertained as you develop greater efficiency, control, and confidence in your canoeing skills under expert guidance.

Not sure if you are ready to take part in the white water activities? If you can pass our Park and Play competency test then you will be suited for our Intro WW sessions. If you are a confident grade 3 WW paddler then the intermediate WW sessions will be a better fit.

Park & Play Competency Test Example Video

 

What to Bring

  • Paddling kit including discipline specific boats if you have them (ie. slalom, freestyle etc.)
  • Warm clothes – we can support people with wetsuits, centre spec cags & helmets
  • Lunch

 

We really look forward to welcoming you all on the 14th March and sharing a great day of paddling together!

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to [email protected] or 0141 332 5636 if you have any questions 😊

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