WaterSports
WaterSports
Canoeing and Kayaking
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.
One river worth a special mention is the River Washburn - 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 trailer. Tel: 01947 604658 or 601610
Leeds - Liverpool canal
There are many sections of the canal network that are ideal for canoeing
Semerwater and Grimwith reservoir in the Yorkshire Dales are properly better known for their sailing, but can also be used for canoeing when it is not so windy. (see the sailing section for more details)
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.
Learn to canoe
In addition to canoe clubs you can also hire an instructor, or go on a weekend's course. The activity centres and guides listed below are accredited through the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA). Accreditation through AALA is only required for centres and guides doing adventurous activities with young people in a commercial setting. This means that many well qualified and experienced guides are not part of this scheme especially if they concentrate on working with adults.
Above & Below
2 Greenstead, Newby, Via Clapham, Via Lancaster, North Yorkshire, England LA2 8HR
Tel: (015242) 51011
Low Mill Outdoor Centre
Low Mill,. Askrigg, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, England DL8 3HZ
Tel: (01969) 650432
Yorkshire Dales Guides
Barrel Sykes, Langcliffe, Settle, North Yorkshire, England BD24 9LP
Tel: (01729) 824455
North Yorkshire Outdoor Education Service
There are three centres run by North Yorkshire County Council in the region. These are at East Barnby near Whitby, Great Fryupdale on the North Yorkshire Moors, and Bewerley Park near Pateley Bridge.
