Canoeing

Using Canadian Canoes, which can be used all year round, we will coach you in the skills needed to enjoy a pleasant days canoeing on some of the most beautiful lakes in England

Itinerary

We normally meet groups at Ambleside YHA, but also at other lakes in the lake District.

As we start a session, we cover basic safety requirements & actions that needs to be taken in the case of a capsize. (This does not include a capsize!) Moving onto the water, we then cover basic paddle strokes, whilst practicing near to the shore. Once competent, & weather permitting, we then travel around the lake, exploring the countryside that is only accessible via the water. We may explore a river & see if we can spot some king fishers, before heading back to the shore from where we departed.

Day trips can start at one end of the lake & finish at the other. On these trips we try to go with the prevailing wind that day, & sometimes this enables us to rig a sail onto a set of rafted canoes & sail up the lake.

Experience

If you're not sure you want to do a full day of canoeing, why not make it a day with a couple of fun activities. Choose from: abseiling, climbing, caving, raft making, ghyll (or george) scrambling!

Pickup / Dropoff

We normally meet clients at a mutually known venue near to the location of the activity - this to be arranged prior to the event

Essential Information

Personal Kit Required:

Wet suit boots or Old Trainers (which you don't mind getting wet), Woolly Socks?, Waterproof & Windproof Jacket, Waterproof Trousers, Walking Trousers or Tracksuit Trousers (guards against grazed knees & keeps you warm)?, Fleece Jacket?, Thermal T-shirt?, Small Day Rucksack?, Bottle of Water/Hot Flask?, Packed Lunch?, Midge Repellent, Sun Protection, Waterproof bag to put car keys, cameras & mobiles in.

It's also worth bringing a load of £1.00 coins - for the rip off car parks!

If you have any medical conditions, please could you let us know. We can accommodate most situations & abilities. Either call us or we can email you a medical form.

Restrictions

Age Range: 10 plus, but we will take younger children, with their parents in rafted canoes - please inform us if your children are younger than 10, as we will need to bring smaller buoyancy aids. Thank you.