...Go canoeing

Tried canoeing and fancy taking it further?

Days out

To get a few more skills you may want to attend another course.  These are a few ideas of those available:

Doe Park in Denholme run courses to improve your paddling both on flat and moving water.  Prices range from around £65 for a two day course.  Ring Louise on (01274) 833826 to find out more. Doe Park is on bus routes 624 and 634 from Keighley.

Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre (Tees Active Limited) in Stockton offer courses from £20 for an introductory half day session to £90 for two day's white-water training (2 star level required). Phone (01642) 528689 for more details. The Watersports centre is just 15 minutes walk from Tornaby rail station, which is near Stockton on Tees.

Tees Barrage at Stockton (Tees Active Limited), is a purpose built white-water course which will be the 2012 Olympic white water training ground. White-water rafting is also available at around £100 per raft (4-6 people). This is a great place to watch advanced kayakers perform. Phone (01642) 678000 to find out more.

Facilities

If you feel like you have a few basic skills now (you may have to demonstrate that you are of a certain standard for insurance reasons).and just want to pay to use equipment and have a further play try these…

Doe Park in Denholme, has ‘pay and play’ sessions throughout the summer months (May-October). Wed 6-9pm, Sat 10am-1pm. Prices from around £8 for equipment hire to £16 if you would like some coaching. Ring Louise on (01274) 833826 to find out more. Doe Park is on bus routes 624 and 634 from Keighley

Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre in Stockton has a Saturday club that runs from 10am-12noon or 1-3pm. Open to anyone once you have done an introductory course. Booking required. Ring (01642) 528689 for more details.

Canoe clubs

If you feel like you want to take up the activity and make new friends try one of the local clubs or societies below.  

Clubs allow you to share transport and sometimes equipment, which can make the activity cheaper. All of these clubs welcome beginners, and most of them have equipment you can borrow to get you started.

Have a look at their websites and get in touch with the club secretary to introduce yourself if you fancy looking around or attending a session.

ROCK (Richmond Open Canoe and Kayaking club)
Phone Richmond Leisure Trust on 01748 824581 for details.
Coaching is availbale at this club. Under 18s welcome with an adult (participation not necessary).

Pendle Paddlers at Foulridge Wharfe and Wavelengths pool, Nelson.
Phone George on 01282 862815.
The club meets at Foulridge Wharf  most Mon nights April-August
Tues eves either at Foulridge Wharf or Wavelengths. Club kit can be hired. Prices go up to £8 non-member for a pool session. Outdoor sessions are cheaper.

Swaledale Outdoor Club is a multi activity club based around Richmond, but with members from further afield.
The club prefers to be initially contacted via email but their website has a great deal of information on what they club do and may answer many of your initial questions.
They are keen to welcome new members and have a small amount of equipment to lend out.

White Rose Canoe Club at the Old Boathouse in Roundhay Park, or Fearnville Sports Centre in Leeds.
Phone Pam or Norman Taylor on 0113 2737393, or e mail them via the website.
Club nights are on Sundays 4-6pm through winter. Tuesday evenings in summer. Further details are on the website.

Halifax Canoe Club
Phone Mark Limmer on 01706 812265.
Summer sessions are on Tuesday evenings, meet them between 6.45 and 7.15pm at Greenup Mill, on the riverside at Sowerby Bridge. Winter sessions are bookable in blocks of 5 weeks, see the website or phone Mark for more details.