Paddlesports offer something for everyone, from calm steady paced touring on canal and placid waters to competitive sprint racing and facing the challenge of racing down raging torrents. From exploring fantastic coastal scenery by sea kayak to performing the ultimate playboat moves while ‘playing’ and ‘shredding’ the river. Paddleports offers something for everyone young or old.
Paddling can offer a relaxing, once or twice a year tour on a local canal, an adventurous trip, or expedition on the thousands of miles of waterways in the United Kingdom and the Continent. An interest in Paddlesports can be an all consuming hobby, exciting, challenging and testing on white water, on the sea or through the numerous competitive disciplines. Choose the level of challenge to suit. Paddle for enjoyment, to keep fit or, if you have kids, paddle as a family and enjoy the experience together.
The coastline of Britain provides superb canoeing water, some of which is remote with spectacular scenery. Coastal canoeing in all but enclosed, sheltered sites demands knowledge and skill.
Experienced canoeists are always keen to help beginners develop themselves, but you are strongly advised not to embark upon any coastal cruise or whitewater river trip without adequate personal ability, training and knowledge.
Visit an affiliated club or approved centre. Canoeing offers a wide range of activities, some based on competition and others, less formalised, based on journeying and adventuring. Visiting a club or approved centre is fun, safe and will help you to master the basic skills more quickly. Clubs and centres welcome new faces and many run special sessions for newcomers.
Activity holidays often include canoeing and this can be a pleasant introduction, or perhaps you'd prefer to attend one of the many BCU regional events and chat to some of the paddlers themselves.