Flatwater is a great place to refine basic paddling skills.  Also, these skills can be practiced year round as many areas have indoor heated pool sessions in the Winter months.  Pay very close attention to your form when practicing.  During a typical pool session, I concentrate on:

• Forward strokes
• Sweeps
• Draw Strokes
• Back Paddling
• Side Slips
• J Leans
• And the always fun Flipper Drill for stetching out the core muscles

There are many games you can play buit the favorite seems to be kayak football.  I also like a good game of tag with begionner kayakers.