Canoeing

Canoeing – Coniston, Windermere and Wastwater:

See the Lake District from a whole new perspective!

Explore Coniston Water, Windermere or Wastwater and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. We'll tailor the day to suit your group - whether it’s a fun day of games, exploring the lake and splashing with the whole family or a relaxing scenic journey, stopping along the way to visit its hidden coves and Islands.

Each Lake has its own character with history and stories to tell and our instructors will let you into the Lakes secrets.

On Coniston you’ll visit Wild Cat Island from the book and feature film 'Swallows and Amazons'. On Windermere you see the beautiful views looking up to Fairfield Horseshoe and Red Screes and view some the luxurious Lake Shore Mansions. Visits Wastwater’s famous Screes and learn about the Divers secret gnome garden all under the magnificent backdrop of Scafell Pike.

Our canoes are designed to fit two adults and a child or even a dog! If you have a number of small children, or you’re not too confident on water - not to worry - we can join two canoes together to make a super stable and easy to paddle canoe raft. Fun for all the family.

We guide full, half day trips on Coniston Water, Lake Windermere and Wastwater. Want something extra special? Choose a sunset paddle which includes a meal cooked over an open fire.

You'll be coached by an experienced instructor who will equip you with everything you need to have a safe and amazing adventure.

Suitable for all ages.
School holidays – book online available (ages 8yrs+). Groups with younger children (5yrs+), bespoke sessions can be arranged subject to availability.
Duration - 3 hours or full day 5 hours.

Sunset Canoeing – Coniston Water:

Want something extra special? Choose a sunset paddle which includes a meal cooked over an open fire.

Enjoy an evening paddle on Coniston water exploring the bays and Islands. Park your canoes, enjoy a steak dinner cooked over an open fire and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the lake as everyone else has gone home! Paddle back to shore as the sun sets over the mountains.

Duration - 4 hours

Canoe and Bushcraft:

For something a little different, combine your canoe journey with Bushcraft and learn some skills along the way? Park your canoes on the lake shore and let our expert instructors teach you the fundamentals of bushcraft.

For a half day we will cover the exciting and essential skill of how to make a fire using fire strikers. You’ll be able to boil water to make a brew and toast some marshmallows over the fire.

On full day sessions you’ll get more time to perfect different methods of fire lighting including fire bows, learning how to fillet a whole Rainbow Trout and cook it indigenous style over your fire along with potatoes and homemade garlic bread. We’ll teach you how to use a knife and axe safely and you’ll have a chance to make firesticks or whistles.

Suitable for all ages.
School holidays – book online available (ages 8yrs+). Groups with younger children (5yrs+), bespoke sessions can be arranged subject to availability.
Full days suitable for adults or families with older children
Duration - 3 hours or full day 5-6 hours.

Intro to White Water Canoeing (2 days):

Join us for an exhilarating few day of canoeing on some of the finest lakes and rivers this country has to offer. Learn new skills and experience the adrenaline of paddling on white water rivers.

This package is designed to lay the foundations, giving you the essential skills, confidence and boat control needed for this exciting moving water environment.

The first day is spent on beautiful Windermere or Coniston. Here you will learn the fundamentals of paddling an open canoe. You will develop your forwards paddling techniques and learn the importance of trim and edging. We will also focus on controlling and turning your boat so that you have all the skills needed for a river.

As well as skills coaching, there will be plenty of time to explore the stunning bays and islands. We will brew up using a traditional Ghillie Kettle and if conditions allow, make an improvised canoe raft to sail downwind.

You will then progress on the second day to paddling a grade 1-2 white water river. Here you will be safely led down the river by your guide, negotiating white water rapids, weirs and waves. You will be able to apply and build on all of the skills acquired the previous day, whilst learning new skills such as ferry gliding, breaking out and the ability to read a river.

This day could be held on a variety of rivers around Cumbria depending on the group’s confidence, ability and of course water levels. Whichever river we end up on will leave you feeling more confident and wanting more.

We will provide you with all the technical equipment needed for the weekend.

Suitable for age 14 upwards
Available October – March
Duration - 2 Days