WaterSports

Watersports in Yorkshire can offer you so much enjoyment and pleasure, especially if you like getting wet! Try your hand at sailing, canoeing or even surfing. Whether you’re a beginner looking to try activities for the first time or an expert, Yorkshire is the ideal watersports destination for you. Be inspired and get out your wet suits, climb aboard your chosen vessel and make a splash today!

For those wanting to stay a bit drier there is the canal network to explore, or river or sea fishing to try.  Yorkshire has more than 100 miles of coastline, dozens of rivers and reservoirs and an ancient canal network.

British Waterways Yorkshire looks after around 270 miles of inland waterways, covering an area which stretches from South Yorkshire to the River Tees in the North East.

The canals and rivers provide countless opportunities for walking, cycling, wildlife spotting, angling and boating. They weave through famous attractions such as Clarence Dock in Leeds, a brand new urban destination with bars, shops, restaurants and a casino; watersport activities including canoeing, as well as being home to the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in the country at Standedge Tunnel, near Huddersfield. This assortment offers a unique blend of bustling city centre lifestyle and dramatic countryside landscapes – an ideal contrast for a short break.

Yorkshire's waterways play host to a whole range of events throughout the year - from small, charity walks and Towpath Tidy days, to annual festivals such as the Waterways Festival in the pretty market town of Skipton in May and the Rushbearing Festival in Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax. Why don’t you explore Yorkshire’s canals and unleash the possibilities just waiting to be discovered.

Click here for more information on all of Britain’s waterways including:
• Hiring a canal boat or waterside holiday cottage
• Walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water
• Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants

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Yorkshire has some excellent rivers and can cater for flat water paddling to Grade 3+ water. Two of the most popular rivers are the Wharfe and the Washburn. Both of these are only open at certain times, so please look on British Canoe Union Yorkshire site for more information first

Additionally, each Club has is own regular trips on their stretches of local water.

The online river guide provides a good summary of most UK rivers, so you can find out what's it's like before you paddle - click here. 

This is the River Washburn is a site especially worth a visit – it is the only dam released white water trip in the country.  This means there is guaranteed white water on 20 days a year through the summer period – so you get to paddle in the warm.  More information on release dates is on the BCU Yorkshire site.

If you would like to take up canoeing the best way is to join a local club, there are no less than 25 in Yorkshire, and details are available here.

For those looking for a gentler adventure on water that doesn’t move as much, there are some suggested venues below:

Ruswarp near Whitby
Canoes and rowing boats for hire.
Own canoes - use of slipway £4 per trailor. Tel: 01947 604658 or 601610

Leeds – Liverpool canal
There are many sections of the canal network that are ideal for canoeing. 

Sea kayaking
The Yorkshire coastline with its wide variety of coastal scenery should be able to offer you an exciting trip whatever your skills and canoeing interests.  These vary from committing open water crossings to magnificent coastal excursions with sweeping sandy beaches providing abundant surf at many locations.

This beautiful coastline has equally varied and rich wildlife, and you can find your trip shared with an abundance of birds, seals and even an occasional dolphin.

Worth a special mention is the canoeing around Flamborough Head which has some spectacular caves, some of which require a torch to be fully explored. The massive cliffs are quite an astonishing site and fully characterise Yorkshire’s coastline.

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Dinghy Sailing
The great thing about sailing in this area is that you often have fantastic countryside as your backdrop.  Many of the lakes used are also set high into the hills meaning that there are plenty of windy days, really adding to the atmosphere.  Add to this the friendly clubs which encourage beginners and make this a great place to take up the sport of sailing.

Below are some suggested venues to get you started.

The post-glacial lake of Semer Water, and reservoirs at Embsay and Grimwith offer opportunities for sailing.

Located high in the magnificent scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Grimwith Reservoir is the largest inland sailing venue in Yorkshire (371 acres). A primary spot to enjoy sailing or windsurfing in the area, many highlight it as one of the finest spots in the North. For more information click here.

The smaller reservoir above Embsay is the home of Craven Sailing Club.

Scaling Dam situated between Whitby and Guisborough offers courses or day permits.

Off-Shore Sailing
Facilities for off-shore sailing are available at several locations along the coast, enquiries should be made locally. Advice on weather conditions may be obtained from H.M. Coastguard.
Tel: Whitby 01947 602107 or the Humber Coastguard (24 hrs) 01262 672317.

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Surfing has never been as popular in the UK as it is now, and the North Yorkshire coastline is well blessed with great surf beaches.

Every weekend you will see people with their surfboards heading towards Scarborough and the East Coast.  That's an indication of how popular surfing has become, especially in the North.

Where to surf in Yorkshire?
If you are a beginner then consider choosing the right beach. There are many good stretches of coastline in Yorkshire with gentle waves, easy enough for the beginner to try.

But before you even attempt to get in the water - book a surf lesson. There are plenty of good ones in the Scarborough area and on the east coast.

Beach by beach surfing
Scarborough North Bay is a nice rolling beach break and can be a really fun wave to surf when it's working so it is gentle enough for beginners to try. Works well on all tides but is best on low to mid tide and waves can be had from 0-3ft.

There are usually a lot of mellow long boarders at both North and South bays in Scarborough who are relatively friendly. This beach can be quite crowded due to the fact that it is close to town. North Bay works best on a northerly wind and northerly swell. Scarborough’s South Bay offers a friendly and popular surf spot. This is a beach break with right and left-handed waves, boasting good long rides to be had under the right conditions. Surfing here works best on low to mid tide and starts working from 1-3ft but can hold up to 6ft surf.

Lifeguards on duty during the summer months.

Cayton Bay (point, pump house)
Beautiful Cayton Bay has a good range of breaks when it's working. The best time to surf is winter and spring time. Cayton works best on a mid to high tide and a north easterly swell, but do watch out for rocks and rip tides. This beach is suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers only. Cayton Bay Surf Shop offers free hot showers, changing room and hot drinks. A quiet and unspoiled beach, Cayton Bay is a beautiful destination worthy of a visit.

There are no lifeguards on duty at Cayton Bay.

The Point
The Point is for experienced surfers only.
This left handed wave can hold big swell but won't work under a five foot.

Pump House
The Pump House breaks at mid to low tide, and will break at high tide over 4ft.
The wave is fast due to the shelving nature of the shore you need to be able to do a quick take off.

At High water, if this can be a good wave for long boarding as it is nice and mellow.
Watch out for the current at low water and look out for Rocks in front of the Pump house.

Surf schools
Book a surf lesson with the Scarborough Surf School and learn to surf the North and South Bays of Scarborough!

For winter and spring time surfing Cayton Bay is ideal but suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers only.

Scarborough surf school has a team of experienced instructors operating throughout the year.

Tide times and conditions
To find out what conditions are like, click here or here.

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Fosse Hill Jet Ski Centre
Take to the waters of Fosse Hill Lake in the East Riding of Yorkshire. You can also enjoy lakeside walks, an adventure playground, a quad bike track, a bar and hot tub / sauna at the Fosse Hill Centre.

Barton Broads
Former clay pits extending for 8km either side of the Humber Bridge, a paradise for lovers of outdoor pursuits. Each has its own character for bird watching, jet skiing, sailing and more. Hull is a historic waterfront city boasting a haven for shopping, culture and eating out. Compliment your activity with a relaxed stay in one of the near by guesthouses or family run B&Bs.

Pugneys Country Park
Pugneys Country Park is a 250 acre site with two splendid lakes. The largest of which is a 100 acre water sports lake. This caters for non-powered watersports such as canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. Equipment is available to hire or, alternatively, the public can bring their own craft to use on the lake. Coaching courses are arranged in all the disciplines for both adults and juniors. Nearby Wakefield offers fascinating attractions likeYorkshire Sculpture Park and the National Mining Museum.

Rother Valley Country Park
This 750-acre country park offers woods and parkland, a visitor centre, craft centre, cafe and shop. Watersports activities include public hire of sailing dinghies, sailboards, canoes and family rowing boats, cable water-skiing centre, jet-skiing. A full range of watersports courses are available at Rother Valley Country Park. For a family treat why not then pop along to Magna and explore the world of science and mystery.

Hornsea Mere
Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake has more than 250 acres of navigable water and is an ideal location for trying gentler water sports including sailing, rowing and fishing. Set in beautiful surroundings perfect for a ramble, this site brings you closer to nature and is right on the coast for some gentle exploration.

Seven Lakes Leisure Park
Seven Lakes Leisure Park at Crowle is based on a series of disused clay pits offering a wide range of watersports including jet skiing, water-skiing, canoeing and fishing.

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For even more of a waterborne adventure, how about joining a North Sea fishing boat for a day’s angling? You can set off from Bridlington Harbour, spend half a day or a whole day at sea… and try to bring something back to cook for dinner! Failing this, there’s a whole range of fine eateries and local pubs to sample.

With an abundance of rivers, canals, lake and reservoirs, Yorkshire is a destination offering all types of fishing. Take your pick at the locations, including delightfully landscaped former quarries now stocked with carp and pike, eel fishing in the River Hull and spring-fed trout lakes in North Yorkshire.

The River Esk is the principal salmon and sea trout fishery in Yorkshire, the water around Whitby supporting the third largest commercial salmon net fishery in the country. Inland waters are not public property and permission must be obtained from the owner before fishing. You need a rod licence to fish in any water and a permit to fish in a particular water is also required.

For more information on licences and permits contact a main post office. Details on fishing locations and clubs can be obtained from local fishing tackle shops or from the Environment Agency, Coverda le House, Aviator Court, Amy Johnson Way, Clifton Moor, York, YO3 4UZ. Tel: 01904 692296.

River Rye and Tributaries
Costa Beck, Kirby Misperton
Lendales Farm, Kirby Misperton. Tel: 01653 668220.

River Derwent and Tributaries
Dalby Beck, Dalby
Permits from Forest Enterprise Information Centre, Low Dalby. Tel: 01751 460295 during summer, 01751 472771 during winter.
Derwent, Yedingham (Coarse)
Providence Inn, Yedingham. Tel: 01944 728231
Derwent, Marishes
Tickets from Lendales Farm, Kirbymisperton, Tel: 01653 668220.

River Esk
River Esk, Danby (Trout fishing)
Permits and Licences from Post Office at Danby, Tel: 01287 660220, & Castleton; Tickets from F. Farrow, 11, Dale End, Danby, Tel: 01287 660385 and Duke of Wellington Inn, Tel 01287 660351.
Esk, Egton Bridge (Salmon & Sea Trout) 6 April - 31 October. Tickets from Egton Estate Company, Estate Office, Egton Bridge.
Tel: 01947 895466. Advance booking only. £25-£30 per ticket per day.
Esk, Ruswarp - Brown Trout and Salmon
Permit from Mr Simms, Tel: 01947 604658
Rye, Brawby (Game)
Day permits from Mr King, Manor Farm, Brawby. Tel:01653 668458
Lakes and Reservoirs
Castle Howard Lake
Day tickets available on site from bailiff. Tel: 01653 648316. Tench, pike, perch, bream.

Pickering Trout Lake
Newbridge, Pickering. Tel: 01751 474219. Rainbow Trout. (Open April to October)
Scaling Dam Reservoir
Permits available from fishing lodge. Tel: 01287 644032

Scarborough Mere - Day tickets available at the mere.
Low Osgoodby Trout Lake, near Sutton Bank (Rainbow Trout. Tickets from house. Tel: 01845 597601.

Hazel Head Lake, Newgate Foot Farm, Lockton
2 acre lake stocked with brown trout. Tel: Mrs Alison Johnson 01751 460215
Lockwood Beck Reservoir (Rainbow and brown trout)
Permit Office - Tel: 01287 660501 (enquiries and bookings).

Wykeham Lakes (Rainbow and brown trout)
Charm Park, Scarborough. Tel: 07946 534001. Day, Short Day and Evening tickets available.

Selby 3 Lakes

At Selby 3 Lakes lies twelve acres of beautiful tree lined specimen carp and pike water. The carp thrive within this mature clay pit, which was dug well over eighty years ago within a food rich environment which includes islands, bars, bays and lilies. The lakes have a unique and natural beauty with over 200 carp.

River Hull, Arram, near Beverley
A pleasant, quiet stretch of the tidal River Hull that fishes well in late summer and early autumn. Perch, Roach, Bream and good Pike can all be found in the River Hull. There are also lots of Eels early in the season.

Pebley Reservoir, South Yorkshire
This is a 27-acre reservoir, which is home to lots of easy Pike, Bream and Carp to catch. The Carp is, however, a little more difficult to catch than the Pike!

Wintersett Reservoir, Wakefield
Wintersett is a massive lake used for boating, windsailing and fishing. All species grow big especially the roach, perch, carp and bream also some monster pike.

Stonebridge Trout Lakes
Situated in North Yorkshire, Stonebridge ‘Big Trout’ Lakes have been designed specifically with the fly fisherman’s requirements in mind. Natural spring fed lakes are stocked with hard fighting Rainbow Trout, which are also reared in the Yorkshire Dales.

Shore Fishing
Although fishing isn’t allowed in Whitby harbour’s entrance, this fishing town is a great spot to cast your rod. The East and West Piers are great locations to sit and relax and wait for that bite. Scarborough’s quiet Pier and Marine Drive are often alined with fishermen. Marine Drive sits at the base of the castle-headed cliffs and with the sounds of the gulls, really brings you to the forefront of nature.

Scalby Ness is ideal if you fancy some night time fishing during the first hour of flood tide, or visit Sandsend which offers both sand and rocks to fish from. Beautifully scenic Staithes  exposes large areas of flat rock during low tide, and these are good platforms from which to fish – just ask the local fishermen in the harbour!

Boat Fishing
The harbour at Scarborough offers boats for hire if you fancy venturing out to sea after being inspired with what you see the fishing boats bringing in. Staithes also offers the opportunity to fish from a boat – just chat to the local fishermen at the harbour to see how.

Whitby is one of the most elite fishing ports on the North East Coast. There are two types of boat fishing - Coble and Wrecking. Enquiries regarding hire of boats for fishing should be made to the fishermen on the quays or the Secretary of the Whitby Licensed Boatmen’s Association: John Witton, Tel: 01287 660118.

Bridlington's historic harbour is still used by working fishermen who bring their catch in every day. If you fancy catching your own dinner, take your rod along and try your hand at North Sea Fishing on a day or half day trip with the experts. Lined with traditional B&Bs, Bridlington is also a great spot for a night or two. Explore the sites of the Old Town and nearby Burton Agnes Hall, before strolling along the fairground lined shore and grabbing an ice cream or coffee.

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