Learn the basics

Getting instruction can make a huge difference to your time on the water, even if it’s just someone to give you a helping hand in your first couple of hours paddling. While paddling’s fairly intuitive, there are a few tips and tricks that you can learn to make your time on the water more fun.

There are outdoor centres and instructors throughout Wales, whose details you can find in our coaching directory, or you can find a come-and-try-it session at a local canoe club or school club. 

There are also some things it really helps to know when you’re off the water...

Planning your trip

Before you take to the water, there are a few things you’ll want to think about:

How will you get there?

If you’ve got your own boat, can you put it on a roof rack or trailer? If so, do you know how to tie it down securely? Canoe shops sell specific tie-down straps to keep your boat secure.

Where are you going?

Do you have a suitable place to paddle? Strong currents, surf and open water can be great fun, but you’ll need to have the skills to cope with them first. As a rule, if you’re not happy to swim in the water, think twice before paddling it.

Can you sort yourself out?

If you do capsize, are you happy to sort the situation out? It’s a good reason to never paddle on your own, because that way there’s always someone who can help.

Have you told somebody where you’re going?

Just like hill walking or mountain biking, it’s a good idea to tell someone where you’re going, especially if you’re on a journey. Then when you arrive, just let them know you’re OK.

Do you need a shuttle?

For journeys where you start in one place and finish in another, you’ll need to give some thought to the logistics. This often means using two cars and shuttling back after the run, but you can sometimes use public transport or a bike instead. If you’ve got electronic car keys, you’ll want to pick up a waterproof key pack so you can keep them with you without drenching them.