Activities for adults at Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre (WOEC)

Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre (WOEC) is situated on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It benefits from easy access to a variety of high-quality watersports and climbing venues. Within 8 miles you'll find:

sheltered harbours and bays
the fleet tidal lagoon
tidal races
Portland crags
sea caves.

Our experienced coaches and tutors are on hand to provide a safe, enjoyable and exhilarating experience, be it your first time at the sport or desire to enhance a specific skill.

We offer a range of taster sessions, guided paddles, and courses to meet your desired outcomes, including bespoke tuition for individuals or small groups.

To book, please email woec@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Paddle Explore Award

Discover the exciting and diverse world of kayaking with this day-long introduction course. The experienced coaches will guide you in equipment selection and venue choices and provide you with the toolkit necessary to control your chosen craft using different paddle strokes.

ages 16 and over (no upper age)
10am to 4pm
on Monday 23rd September, Saturday 28th September or Saturday 5th October
£110.25 per person, per day

Previous paddling skills are not required. The instructor will start from the basics and work the group towards gaining their Explore Award. Should you not quite achieve this, then there is always the option of gaining the Discover Award. For more information on the course syllabus visit the Paddle UK website.

Kayaks, wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided, or you can bring your own kayak if you have insurance. Minibus transfer included. Lunch is not provided, please bring a packed lunch, drink or flask.

Paddlesport Instructor

Two-day combined training and assessment course

24 and 25 June, 9am to 5pm

£231

Paddlesport Instructor is the first step on the ladder for anyone who would like to introduce beginners to paddling in a very sheltered water environment. Learn how to take a group through their first session including teaching basic skills and keeping the group safe.

Our experienced tutor will help you develop a personal action plan, develop your own skills and start you on your coaching journey.

Before attending the Paddlesport Instructor Award the following pre-requisites need to be met:

valid Paddle UK membership
register for the course through Paddle UK, this will cost an additional £46.80 and is paid to Paddle UK
personal paddling and rescue competence
be over 14 years of age at the time of the course

Indoor Climbing Assistant

One day course combined training and assessment.

26 June, 9am to 5pm

£110

This is the first hold on the Mountain Training ladder for aspirant climbing instructors. The course is aimed to support the aspirant instructor in assisting with the delivery of climbing sessions on an artificial wall, under the supervision of a qualified instructor. The course will cover basic skills such as fitting harnesses, tying knows and safe use of belay devices as well as exploring some climbing related games to use as a warm up or during a session.

Before attending the Indoor Climbing Assistant Award the following pre-requisites need to be met:

mountain trailing account registration (you can do this for free, or join the membership scheme)
register for the Indoor Climbing Assistant (ICA) course through the Mountain Training website, this will cost £25
have an interest in climbing
be over 16 years of age at the time of the course

SUP Instructor Award

Two day combined training and assessment

27 and 28 June, 9am to 5pm

£231

This is the first step on the British Canoeing coach ladder and is aimed to help support the aspirant instructor in introducing people into the world of stand up paddle boarding through fun games in a very sheltered water environment.

Before attending the SUP Instructor Award the following pre-requisites need to be met:

valid Paddle UK membership
register for the course through Paddle UK, this will cost £46.80
personal paddling and rescue competence
be over 14 years of age at the time of the course

Archery instructor

2 day combined training and assessment course

22 and 23 June 2024, 9am to 4pm

£234

The Archery GB Instructor Award is an entry level training course for people working in leisure, recreation, and educational environments. The course focuses on training learners to deliver fun and save introductory archery sessions.

Bookable directly though the Archery GB provider, aim4sport. To book, email courses@aim4sport.com or call 07501 506347.

Introduction to real rock

Join the team for a three hour session on the crags of Portland for either your first ever climbing experience or a transition from indoor walls to real rock.

The course is:

for ages 16 and over (no upper age)
9am to 12:30pm
on Friday 7 June, Saturday 6 July, or Saturday 3 August
£55 per person, per session
available to book one or multiple sessions

Enjoy being fully immersed in nature as you climb the sea cliffs of Portland and listen to the waves below. Some of the crags (cliffs) are an adventure just to get to them, with the climb approaches requiring steady footing and being confident on uneven or exposed terrain. Once at the crag and climbing, you might even be watched by a nosy seal or capture a sighting of a dolphin in the bay from a very different perspective.

Transport and equipment are all provided; however, we will suggest you bring your own climbing shoes if you have them.

Small group size with a maximum of three participants per instructor.

SUP club

Thursday evenings

6pm to 9pm (includes minibus transport and changing room use, or you might decide to meet us at location beach ready for 6:30 pm and leave form there at 8:30 pm).

June 6 to July 11

£90 for a block of six evening sessions

Begin you stand up paddleboarding (SUP) journey or improve your skills with our SUP Coaches over a series of six summer evenings at the beach. We will work towards a mini journey, and explore paddle strokes, turns and possibly even a little racing along the way.

Paddleboards and buoyancy aids provided, or you can bring your own board if you have insurance.

Sea Kayaking award

Two-day course running on selected Tuesdays and Wednesdays

April 30 and May 1

July 9 and 10

August 6 and 7

October 1 and 2

9:30am to 4:30pm both days

£231 per person for two days, includes certification fee

Expand your sea kayaking experience and improve your personal paddling. Learn how to plan a successful journey on the sea from equipment choice through to venue and conditions. Upon completion of the course, your coach will either provide you with certification or advise you on further training opportunities to develop your skills appropriately.

Coastal navigation and tidal planning

One day course 9am to 5pm

March 9, June 1, November 16

Three Monday evenings 6pm to 9pm

March 4, 11 and 18

November 4, 11 and 18

£110.25 per person, includes certification fee.

This classroom-based theory course will cover the basics of how to plan a journey at sea. You will look at navigation charts and explore the charted features as well as working out how to fix your position and create a simple passage plan. The theory of tides and the interpretation of tide tables and tidal flow diagrams will also be explored. The aim of the course is to improve your confidence to plan a sea kayaking journey.

Upon completion of the course, your coach will either provide you with certification or advise you on further training opportunities to develop your skills appropriately.