Guided Backwater Kayak Tours
Our signature outing is a three-hour guided paddle through cut-off bends and shaded side channels, covering a comfortable distance with plenty of drifting stops. A coach leads, a second paddler follows at the back, and the route is chosen on the day according to wind and water level. Kayaks are stable touring models with backrests and dry storage; buoyancy aids, paddles, dry bags and waterproof phone cases are included. Groups are capped at ten, no experience is required, and the session finishes with hot drinks on the bank plus a short talk about the wildlife and history of the stretch you have just crossed.
Paddleboard Sessions and Sunrise Paddles
Board sessions run on the widest, calmest stretches and are ideal for first-timers, since our inflatables are broad, thick and remarkably hard to tip. Standard sessions last ninety minutes and include a shore lesson, a guided loop and free time to practise. Sunrise paddles leave before the wind arrives, cross water that reflects the sky like a mirror, and return to a simple breakfast on the bank. We also offer board yoga on anchored platforms, evening sessions with waterproof lights, and quiet sessions for guests who prefer to paddle without music, commentary or crowds.
Courses for Beginners and Improvers
Structured courses run over four evenings or two weekend mornings and take participants from first contact with a paddle to confident independent travel on flat water. Content covers efficient forward stroke, sweep and draw turns, edging, launching and landing, self-rescue, deep-water re-entry, towing a tired partner, reading wind on open stretches and planning a simple route. Class sizes stay under eight, equipment is provided throughout, and participants who complete the course receive a written progress summary plus recommendations for the next stage. Private one-to-one coaching is available for anyone who prefers to learn without an audience.
Equipment Hire and Shuttle Support
Experienced paddlers can hire kayaks, canoes and boards by the hour, day or week, with roof bars, trolleys, spray decks, pumps and repair kits available alongside. Every hire includes a printed route card marked with access points, portages, shallow sections and safe exits, plus current information on water level and any temporary restrictions. Our van handles vehicle shuttles between launch and landing points so that groups can paddle one way without leaving a car behind, and equipment can be delivered to campsites or private landings within an agreed radius on request.
Private Groups, Families and Company Days
Whole sessions can be reserved for families, clubs, birthdays, stag and hen groups or company teams, with pacing and content adjusted to the group rather than a public timetable. Popular formats include a gentle two-hour family paddle with a picnic island stop, a skills morning followed by a barbecue on the bank, and a slow evening loop for colleagues who would rather talk than compete. We provide equipment for children from age six, spare warm clothing, secure storage for belongings, photography of the group on the water, and transport from a meeting point if guests arrive without cars.
Multi-Day Routes and Camp Paddles
For guests who want more than a morning, we plan two- to five-day journeys linking backwaters, lakes and quiet canal arms, with overnight stops at small campsites or simple guesthouses. Luggage travels by road so boats stay light, meals are arranged with local kitchens, and daily distances are set to leave long afternoons free for swimming, reading or exploring on foot. A leader paddles with the group throughout, and a support driver is reachable at every stage. Route notes, weather updates and a packing list are sent well before departure so nothing has to be improvised on the bank.
