Where to go
Different people want to paddle in different places. Rivers, lakes, beaches, surf or rapids, you’ve got plenty of choice here in Wales.
The best way to take to the water for the first time is with a bit of supervision. Plenty of activity providers run come-and-try-it sessions through the warmer seasons, where you can take to the water for supervised paddling.
Another way of finding out what paddling’s all about is through a canoe club. Most clubs are more than happy to help paddlers take to the water, and most of them run sessions to show new paddlers what’s what, and give out some pointers.
If you need to rent a boat, there are plenty of opportunities all round Wales, including Bala lake in Snowdonia, Llangorse lake in the Brecon beacons and Cardiff bay. You can hire equipment for a few hours and explore lakes, islands and inlets from the water.
If you want to push your paddling, you could always booking a coaching course to develop your on-the-water skills. Have a look at our coaching network to find the right coach or centre for you.
There are hundreds of places to paddle in Wales – it’s just a case of knowing what you’re looking for.
To discover placid and whitewater rivers, you can explore our
Canoe Wales online guide. The rivers are graded from one to six, with grade one being still and grade six being on the very limit of what’s possible to paddle.
Our 750 mile coastline is also yours to discover, whether you’re splashing around at the beach or you’re looking for some of Britain’s most challenging sea kayaking. To get a flavour of what’s out there, you can find out more about routes you can follow by picking up a
guidebook.
If you’re unsure about whether a particular stretch of water is safe to paddle, it’s best to look out expert advice. Strong currents and cold water aren’t always obvious, so it can be a good idea to get a second opinion.