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.
Based in the Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney Outdoor creates outdoor experiences that inspire stories of challenge, growth and adventure for individuals, couples, families and groups.
If website is unavailable see: https://www.facebook.com/southcerneyoutdoor?sk=info
It’s a fantastic forested site overlooking the River Tay, at the heart of Perthshire’s ‘Big Tree Country’. As well as all the usual exciting PGL multi activities, this is our only centre with the Sequoia Scramble (a vertical challenge suspended between 2 Sequoia trees) and the catwalk, which tests your balance high above the ground!
Active Spirit, based near Aviemore in the centre of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, provides a friendly and relaxed opportunity for you to explore a wide range of Outdoor Activities in spectacular surroundings.
The sportscotland National Centre Cumbrae is surrounded by safe water with easy access to the open sea. The centre’s island position offers exceptional facilities for watersports enthusiasts of all levels and offers an impressive range of modern equipment, a team of highly qualified instructors, excellent shorebased accommodation and catering facilities.
Venturing Out is a mobile adventurous activities provider offering high quality, affordable outdoor activity experiences to a broad client base. We are based in East Lothian, close to the magnificent city of Edinburgh.
Rockhopper offers half, full or multi-day sea kayak trips through some of the most spectacular coastal, mountain and island scenery in Scotland!
We are Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre located in the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Learn, develop or qualify in an adventure sport of your choice. Our goal is to inspire adventure by teaching beginners, coaching intermediate/advanced and delivering training and assessment courses for leaders and instructors.
We have been providing exhilarating outdoor activities, residential activity holidays and activity courses for nearly 30 years. We have an exciting range of outdoor activities: Kayaking, Coasteering, Sailing, Gorge Walking, Canadian Canoeing, Climbing, Abseiling and more.
Compass has been offering warm hospitality for over 40 years to schools, families and groups of all ages. We are confident that your stay with us will be an unforgettable one. Set in the Cairngorm National Park in the midst of rolling hills, clear lochs and rugged mountains,
James Hamilton Heritage Park is a 4 Star Visit Scotland accredited activity centre. The park features a 16 acre loch which provides beautiful and tranquil surroundings for our exciting range of water sports, from canoeing to windsurfing. The distance around the loch perimeter path is 1.2 kilometres (3/4 of a mile).
Wilderness experiences has been registered with Ofsted as a provider of education for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) since 2001 as a mobile children's Home, based in Carlisle, Cumbria on the edge of the Lake District National Park and just south of the border with Scotland.
Wild things! is a Scottish environmental education charity working in Moray, Grampian and the Highlands. Since 2003, Wild things! has enabled over 7,000 children, young people and adults to learn from and be inspired by their local natural environment and the remote wilderness regions of Scotland.
A leading Outdoor Learning Centre in Scotland, we strive to inspire maximum personal growth in thousands of visitors every year. Our experienced and qualified instructors are passionate about developing self-awareness and confidence through challenging individual and team experience in an exciting, enjoyable, yet safe alternative environment.
Enjoy the wonderful settings of our sites based in Moray in the Scottish Highlands, school groups are welcomed to experience the stunning rivers, lochs and coastline of our corner of Scotland.
Experience inflatable kayaking or canoeing on the River Spey which flows through the heart of Moray and Speyside for your introduction to quiet and moving water with fun rapids.
Our outdoor activities and schools programmes offer powerful and meaningful outdoor learning experiences for school children. We understand the importance for children to be exposed to, and enjoy, outdoor environments and no one can underestimate the effect it can have on our young people.
Venture Scotland UK runs an outdoor-based personal development programme for young people aged 16-30, who face complex and difficult problems.
We build the confidence and skills of young people and aim to empower each individual we work with to make positive and lasting changes in their lives.
Wilderness Scotland is Europe’s No.1 Adventure Travel Company specialising in offering an inspiring range of holidays, journeys and wilderness experiences in the most remote and beautiful regions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Thousands of visitors every year come to enjoy the huge range of activities available from sailing to sunbathing, birdwatching to bicycling, water ski-ing to watching the world go by.
Have a go at the ancient sport of archery. Go afloat in a kayak or an open canoe. Join one of our coastal scrambles along the Chain Walk, or sample abseiling from our purpose-built tower. Head off to explore the East Neuk on our mountain bikes, or have a peaceful game of putting, while the kids enjoy our bouncy castle.
The Raymond Priestley Centre is beautifully located on the western shore of Coniston Water. Operated by the University of Birmingham it provides bespoke residential courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Since it opened in 1966, many thousands of pupils from Coventry schools have had the opportunity to experience living and learning in this magical place. These experiences leave people with unforgettable memories of their times reinforcing and building upon what they learn within their schools, families and communities.
Blackwell Adventure is a unique, fully equipped outdoor activity centre available to a wide range of customers. We boast 50 acres of beautiful parkland and are superbly located within five minutes of the M42 and M5. Our residential, camping and adventure facilities are amongst the best in the midlands and are used by over 25,000 people per year.
Live the Adventure Ltd was originally established in 1984 as the Old Vicarage Adventure Centre. It is still operated by the same family with a track record that speaks for itself and a business that has established itself as one of the leading adventure companies operating in the UK and abroad.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.