On 2 Feb 2005 08:57:38 -0800, "ChipsCheeseandMayo"
wrote:

Its not sea kayaking, but flat water kayaking in beginner boats so
things like hand pumps etc not practiable. As its a taster session
paddling in scotland getting them wet at the very start is not a good
idea either as it is bl**dy freezing up here and quite frequently once
they;ve got wet they have to go and get changed and miss the rest of
the session. As it is a taster session they also are not wearing
spraydecks.

Then I absolutely would not do a single instructor setting.
A student/instructor ratio of 1x8 is too large when you have a
hypothermia risk.

You may want to look at a split session - one in a pool for doing the
safety session, and then an on-water session.

Ted