Having been a kayak and open canoe coach in the past, I disagree completely with your assertion that a kayaker can become a proficient paddler
"Completely" suggests there's nothing there at all, which I think is taking things perhaps a little too far? Basic proficiency is easier in a typical case in a kayak becuase the control of the craft is symmetrical, so once you know how to turn one way you know how to turn the other, and going in a straight line forwards or backwards is relatievly straightforward. That's simply not true in a canoe where there is a much greater range of strokes coupled with assymmetric control to make the thing go where you want it. And that's without the overhead of communicating between bow and stern about what's needed if you're two up. So that's why I think that for the typical case.
Different learning rates don't obviously affect which one is easier to grasp, just the speed at which it is grasped. Being unreceptive to tuition tends to make more difficult things increasingly more difficult, so that again favours basic control in a kayak. Being terrified of moving water doesn't really affect how one learns canoe and kayak strokes on still water. I prefer the poosition and single balde in a canoe, but I still find kayaking technically easier...
I am not saying kayaks are better or preferable (I prefer canoes myself), but they really aren't as easy to manoeuvre, which is why I think basic proficiency is harder. My underlying point is if you've got a limited time at it (seems to be entirely likely here) and have a particular non-trivial goal ("I want to shoot an easy rapid on my own!", say, rather than "I just want to do some paddling stuff, anything will do") chances are you've got a better chance of getting where you want in a kayak. Personally I prefer a canoe, as I find the control more satisfying in part because it requires more skill. Almost anyone can put a kayak in a staright(ish) line for 20m on a flat lake, the same is not true of a canoe.
I think we have come to the conclusion that we're going to do our BCU 1's HERE when they start doing them again, and then go on to do something else from that
Best of luck and all that with the course you go on then Tweek! Hope you enjoy your paddling, as it sure is one of the more fun things of life I truely do feel.
I went past Weir Wood Reservoir today and must say I do not think I have ever, for quite some long period of time now, seen the water level there quite so very high! It does not seem so long ago that I was walking around it last year with the water level right down at the very lowest ever it had been for forty years or more! It certainly looks like fine water levels for good paddling all this summertime!
Sonja's been chatting (him up I think by the way she was giggling on the phone) to the guy there and it looks like we're going to book for the weekend of the 12th/13th April (gives me 2 weeks to recover before Snowdon lol)
If we can get 8 people on the course it goes down to £59 (instead of £79 I think) so I was wondering if any of you guys fancied joining us? (we've got 6 so far so we're looking for another 2), all equipment is provided etc... should be a right giggle (and Sonja was assured by him that the pike are well trained and unlikely to try eating her as this was her worst fear I think lol)
Come on you know you wanna... got to be someone out there that's always thought that they'd like to give it a go
It looks like I've joined the discussion to late. I was going to recommend trying Escape kayaks In Gothenberg Sweden, or a place outside of Gothenberg called Orust kayaks. Both of these run courses in kayaking. O'well maybe you can give them a try in the future.
I forgot to mention that around the Gothenberg area are thousands of islands on which camping is allowed at no cost. The waters are clean and clear( free from rat P!##) and many areas for paddling are sheltered, giving the novice paddler a chance to develop at there own pace. April is still very early for the boating season so not many viking long boats on the water to disturb the tranquility.
.jpg)
you know you wanna... got to be someone out there that's always thought that they'd like to give it a go 
