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

Peak Outdoor Training are a leading provider of outdoor adventurous activities and national governing body awards. Peak Outdoor Training offer a full range of activity and course provision throughout the year. The team of staff at Peak outdoor training are all appropriately qualified and experienced leaders to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment is key at all times.

An outdoor activity centre set on the River Thames in Marlow. We offer both land and water activities for all the family. As a charity we try to provide a real community hub that everyone can experience outdoor activities for low cost.

Longridge Activity Centre offers a range of both land and water activities including:

Rich Adventure is a family- based company based in South Derbyshire, delivering outdoor activities across the country to individuals, schools, clubs and corporate groups. From one day events to our nine-week mountain skills course, all our products are moldable to your specific needs. All our staff are Fully Qualified, First aid trained and have a CRB/DBS.

Close to Torquay and within easy reach of the M5, Barton Hall offers accommodation in the main house and in en suite chalets. The impressive facilities include an indoor activity zone, heated outdoor swimming pool, lake, classrooms and ICT suites.

The Delaware Outdoor Education Centre near Gunnislake in the Tamar Valley provides a centrally heated, residential base, with a large sports field and a sunny garden with picnic benches.

  • Outdoor Learning Activities including Outdoor Pursuits and Environmental Field Studies
  • Courses for primary schools, secondary schools and corporate groups
  • CPD and Inset Courses for Teachers
  • Residential courses for up to 72 people
  • Day visits for up to 108 students at a time

Paul Lethebee and Jim Davis both enjoy the pleasures that travelling and playing on water brings. They have many years of experience of living and working in the countryside and live in the Yorkshire Dales.

Adventure Plus (A+) has worked with over 50,000 young people and adults through outdoor adventures since 1990, including some of the most vulnerable in our society. An interdenominational Christian Charity (Reg no 1081059) A+ is s

The future of this special place is so important to us that we have partnered with the National Trust (and give them a percentage of your money) and we have a detailed eco policy, in order to give something back to the environment that we are privileged to share with you.

Learning at our outdoor education centre makes Mill on the Brue a perfect environment to inspire people. With over 40 activities to choose on our 25 acre estate, we can tailor-make your programme to suit the needs and requirements of your group.

You can come to our Centre for day activities, holidays, the Greenhouse, Team Q and Gold day services, Friday evening club or Saturday morning club. You can come with a group of friends, your family or carer, your school or club.

Class Adventure has the knowledge, experience, ability and resources to make outdoor adventure education both exciting and developmental. We can provide programme options at price levels that will meet your budgetary requirements, and itineraries designed to achieve your target outcomes. 

4th Dimension was established in 1987 by Chris Taylor, a graduate teacher of Physical and Outdoor Education after 12 years in teaching, the last 3 of which were as Head of Department at a large 11-18 split site, comprehensive school.

Developing desire for adventure! That’s what I do - I am available for made to measure coaching, guiding and expeditions.

We are situated amongst the rolling farm land of the beautiful Isle of  Man. Nestling close to the base of North Barrule and only five minutes from the secluded beach at Porte Vullen the centre is perfectly situated to provide an ideal venue for groups of all ages.

Experience the thrill and challenge of Quad Biking, negotiating a 250cc or 90cc Honda all-terrain vehicle, with a trek through our cross-country nature trail whilst enjoying some of the best views of the Taff and Rhymney Valley's in South Wales.

Rock and River are Outdoor Pursuits specialists. We have been running adventurous outdoor activities since 1996.

Our main site is at Cliff's Farm Activity Centre on a 180 acre farm in Mawdesley, near Ormskirk. We also have a second, smaller site at Ashworth Valley, Rochdale. We run outdoor activities for schools, colleges, youth and corporate groups and scouts and guides.

Our lake is an ideal size for teaching – not so big as to intimidate children, but still large enough to provide enjoyment on windy days for the more experienced sailor or windsurfer. There is easy launching and recovery from all sides and the wind is good from most directions.

Beautiful lakeside park offering, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding, cycle hire, fishing, miniature railway, mini golf and playground! Wow!

There are beginner and improver tuition sessions available for every kind of activity, plus taster days and other options so you can try your hand at several new skills before deciding which to pursue with full gusto!

A Land Apart...

A precious landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty is so outstanding that it is protected for future generations...

A remote island in the Norfolk Broads

You may not have heard of Heigham Holmes, but this 500 acre nature reserve is an oasis of calm and a haven for wildlife – and heaven for wildlife lovers.

It’s a unique and internationally important site, with reed-fringed flood banks, open water, grazing marsh, scrub and wet woodland. They're linked by a maze of dykes and pools characteristic of the Norfolk broadland landscape.

Lakeshore park with stunning mountain views

Situated at the very southern tip of Lake Windermere, Fell Foot is a great, family friendly location to play, explore and relax. Sweeping lawns offer plenty of space for games, picnics and gentle walks, while easy lake access makes the park perfect for paddling, swimming and boating.

A dazzling jewel of a place with sparkling seas, sandy beaches and vast skies

We proudly care for some of the Llŷn Peninsula's best beaches and most stunning headland - from the sweeping beach and colourful beach huts of Llanbedrog to the whistling sands at Porthor.

Dramatic gorges and ancient woodland rising above the Somerset Levels

The Mendip Hills run east-west across Somerset from Frome to Brean Down. Inside they are hiding fascinating secrets such as underground caves and rivers, making the hills a popular centre for caving.

From the outside they reveal centuries of history from the pre-historic at Cheddar to the Iron-Age at Brent Knoll and a Victorian fort at Brean Down.

Well kept parkland with play centre, light railway, splash pool, pitch and putt golf, stunning horticultural displays, a fishing lake and football pitches.

This scenic park has over 207 acres of parkland and is one of Derby's largest parks attracting over one million visitors a year making it one of the most popular parks in the East Midlands.

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