Canoeing / Kayaking

Canoeing / Kayaking

What is it? 

Canoeing and Kayaking are sports that evolved from the boats people would use to travel on waterways. The progression into a recreational activity came in the mid 1800s as people began to race each other and created courses to navigate, and evolved into two separate types of boat; the canoe (often open topped, and being propelled by the use of a single-bladed paddle) and the kayak (more typically having a closed deck, and the paddler using a double-bladed paddle). 

What does it involve?

At beginner level, canoeing and kayaking would involve getting to grips with operating the paddle correctly and propelling yourself forwards, but once you have gotten to grips with the technique you can perform tricks, paddle down whitewater rivers at a higher speed and even use small sails to power your movement.

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Canoeing and Kayaking are good for exercising gently - the manner of movement required gradually builds strength in both the upper body and the legs, and there's little risk of any impact injuries in this sport. Being out on the water can be a thrill and a novel experience, especially for younger students who may not have been in such close quarters to the open water before. 

What equipment do we need?

It's unlikely you will need to provide any equipment for going canoeing or kayaking as the establishment you visit should supply everything for you as part of the price, but always double check with your chosen providers beforehand to make sure. 

Who is it suitable for?

There's no real minimum age for having a go at canoeing or kayaking, but you should feel confident that any youngsters will pay attention to the instructor/be okay on the water before taking them on a trip! 

Costs?

Prices will vary between establishments, but about £30-40 per person for a half day is reasonable - be sure to shop around in your local area before deciding on where to go.

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Canoeing and Kayaking are reasonably safe sports that are suitable for a wide variety of ages, so the main thing to keep in mind is to pay attention to the instructor and obey all the safety procedures - especially when it comes to wearing bouyancy aids!

How do we include?

There is a great disabled canoeing/kayaking culture in the UK, so most people should be able to be included - consult your chosen provider to find out what they are set up for.

Doing it abroad?

There should be many places abroad who host canoeing and kayaking, but countries with expanses of open water will obviously have more options - if it's something you want to include in your trip, consider your destination carefully!

Main website: 

You can visit here for some good general information, but you must check out the websites of the individual venues to find out the specifications of what they provide. 

Venues with this Activity

Woodlands is located in the village of Glasbury on Wye, in the Welsh County of Powys. The listed, Regency building is set in ten acres of grounds overlooking the River Wye and the Black Mountains, within easy reach of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the limestone area to the south. Our courses make full use of this outstanding and spectacular area of natural beauty.

Tregoyd House is small and friendly, but with loads of space for activities. It’s a beautiful old mansion house (where Lord Hereford once lived) and the unique and private gardens and grounds once attracted wealthy Victorian visitors to sit and picnic by the stream.

Darley Barn Outdoor Centre is a purpose built outdoor activity centre, located at Darley Park, in the heart of the Derwent Mills World Heritage Site in Derby. It offers a wide range of outdoor activities including canoeing, orienteering, environmental and heritage pursuits.

We are providers of outdoor activities, skills coaching, personal development and are the original river Severn paddlesport specialists. Based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, the river Severn and surrounding area is our daily Playground. We operate throughout the UK & Abroad.

Burrs Activity Centre is situated in the award winning Burrs Country Park close to the centre of Bury, with the river Irwell, the East Lancashire railway, a newly developed Caravan Club site with 80 pitches, the Brown Cow Public House, a Heritage Trail and the activity centre, all on site, it really is worth a visit.

If you’re interested in exciting adventurous activities both on and off the water look no further, located in the Crosby Coastal Park with access to a 70 acre lake, Crosby Lakeside is ideal for taking you first trip on the water or practicing your skills.

As well as a comprehensive annual activity programme, majoring upon all aspects of the development of canoe sport, the aim is to provide a varied range of sporting activities both on and off site. This will include the provision of curricular and extra curricular adventurous activities for schools and colleges focussing upon: Safety, Fun and Learning.

Providing adventurous outdoor activity experiences designed to stimulate, educate and motivate young people and others at affordable prices in a challenging and safe environment.

At Rye Watersports we have been teaching children and school groups since 1986. We are committed to encouraging children into all our watersports and provide Royal Yachting Association courses from age 8 upwards and our ‘Kids Camps’ for 7 to 12 yr olds.  BKSAKitesurfing lessons are for children from age 12 years.

TrekCo have been running courses for schools and colleges since 1989, and are the largest provider of outdoor education in the region with over 40 instructors. We specialise in outdoor educational days and residentials – offering year group camps, induction courses, activity days and skills courses.

The Spray Water Sports Centre offers RYA courses in sailing, windsurfing, first aid training and power boating for juniors and adults, we also offer kayaking and body-boarding for juniors. We offer activities for adults and children and young people.

Water sports are fun! Whether you’re young, old, beginner or experienced, you’ll be welcome. Over the past 27 years, we have introduced thousands to the thrill and challenge of sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. Our experienced staff are patient and enthusiastic. The centre uses up-to-date and well maintained equipment.

At Mote Park Watersports Centre we provide the opportunity to take part in Sailing, Kayaking and Canoeing, Rowing and Power Boating, for anyone aged 8 years and over. Along with this, we offer Windsurfing and Stand Up Paddle boarding, all year round scuba diving lessons with a highly qualified scuba diving instructors, and first rate first aid courses for businesses and individuals.

Seapoint Canoe & Kayak Centre is situated in ‘The Garden of England’ and has access to 37 miles of sea coast line and 27 miles of flat water. Enjoy canoeing and kayaking sessions in the south east of Kent surrounded by natural beauty.

Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbridge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.

We work primarily with young people between the ages of 13-25 from Medway and the surrounding areas, however, our services are available to all young people from across the county of Kent.

Grangewaters is a year-round outdoor education centre set in a semi-rural location within Thurrock. The site of over 70 acres includes areas of managed and natural woodland, 2 lakes and open grassland as well as activity areas, accommodation and administrative facilities.

Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre is an ideal place for people to take part in a range of outdoor and adventurous activities. Our lake has 40 acres of water with two islands situated in Fairlop Waters Country Park delivering beautiful natural surroundings. An open aspect across Fairlop Plain ensures a clean breeze for sailors.

We are an outdoor adventure company that is based in Essex but operates throughout the UK. If you are looking to experience the best the outdoors has to offer then look no further.

We deliver adventurous outdoor education programmes to Schools and Colleges, residential group trips, adult adventure trips throughout the UK and first aid training to HSE standards

Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre is located on the outskirts of Norwich within Whitlingham Country Park in Trowse.

The centre offers outdoor and adventurous activities for anyone 8 years+ with an emphasis on educational provision to schools and colleges.

Outdoor pursuits is one of the fastest growth areas in the leisure industry. Thousands of people take to the great outdoors in England, which has countryside ideal for every type of outdoor pursuit, from climbing to caving, and kayaking to mountain biking.

Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbridge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.

Originally Fairbridge in Greater Manchester, we became part of The Prince's Trust in 2011.

Our large school and college based programme includes teaching kayaking and sailing as two of the “outdoor and adventurous activity” elements of the GCSE in Physical Education for many local schools.

The Canalside Centre provides experiential learning experiences through the medium of sport, developing mental and physical abilities and promoting the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. We also offer the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

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