Canoeing and Kayaking In Symonds Yat

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Wye Valley Canoe Expedition

Hay on wye

The Wye River valley is bursting with life and vitality, its beauty unspoiled and waters clean and clear. Three days meandering gently downstream gives you the opportunity to sink into the exquisite s... The Wye River valley is bursting with life and vitality, its beauty unspoiled and waters clean and cle...

About Symonds Yat

Symonds Yat is famous for its beautiful wooded landscape that is intersected by the River Wye which offers plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling and watersports. The Wye Valley offers a wide range of climbing and abseiling opportunities with cafes, pubs, car parks and a range of facilities nearby, it’s got something for everyone. It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, meaning it’s a stunning landscape with special conservation for its rich wildlife habitats. Including horseshoe, nightjar and peregrine falcons.

Canoeing and Kayaking in Symonds Yat

The RIver Wye has been voted for as the public's most favourite river in a campaign run by ‘Our Rivers’ Campaign with thousands of voters. It’s the fifth longest river in the UK at 246km long (153 miles) so it’s also one of the most popular kayaking and canoeing destinations. Often people launch from areas all up the river with frequent locations being Canoeing and Kayaking in Symonds Yat. Given the distance it covers, the landscapes can change quite drastically along the river too, from busy, bustling locations to the feeling of complete remoteness and tranquility.

Canoe Hire Symonds Yat

There’s lots of places to hire boats, canoes and kayaks in Symonds Yat for an hour or more. Be sure to take spare clothes in case you get wet. It’s often suitable for families and kids depending on river conditions. If you want a real adventure, there are many 2+ day tours which involve exploring much more of the river.
Kayaking River Wye Symonds Yat

Safety Advice for Canoeing and Kayaking

A license is just one small part of the puzzle when it comes to working out where and when to paddle. See our list below on things to consider before going canoeing or kayaking:

Weather, flow, tides and visibility: Attention should be paid to the flow of the river by checking the environment agency website and others. A significant flow on the river can be caused by excessive rain, often hundreds of miles away, that over a number of days, pour into the river can cause significant currents. Whilst its often hard to see ‘flow’ just by looking at the river the National River Flow Archive can provide specific information on the flow to enable you to decide if it’s worth the outing. Often, it’s much nicer to paddle in calmer waters, rather than battling a surging river and having greater risk around meanders, bridges and other boat vessels, so this is something to consider. Likewise, wind, tide, weather and visibility should be taken into consideration when planning your canoeing or kayaking trip.
Conditions within your level of capability Always err on the side of caution when going out in your canoe or kayak and make sure you’re comfortable with the conditions of the water
Tell your friends: Let people know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Ideally go with a group of people so if someone falls in, you’ll have others to help or raise the alarm
Get training: Book in a canoeing or kayaking instructor course or experience days on Beyonk
Practice falling in drills: In calmer waters and with the supervision of an instructor, practice how to fall in and what to do when you do fall in, so you’re prepared on what to do
Consider wearing safety equipment such as buoyancy aids, which can be life-savers in many scenarios even if you’re a strong swimmer. The water temperature, flow or taking a knock to the head can all present risks that will make your swimming skills useless and a buoyancy aid life-saving
Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions of your paddle. Don’t risk getting soaking wet and cold in the rain if you’re going out for prolonged periods
Be aware of waterway restrictions, from boating lanes, military operations and more, to avoid any dangers
Make sure to get stacked up on nutrition and water to maintain energy levels if you’re going for over an hour's paddle.
Take a communication device, mobile or radio in case of emergency and call 999 if needed.

Where can I go canoeing or kayaking in Symonds Yat?

Unfortunately there are all sorts of restrictions on where you can go canoeing or kayaking in Wales, as many bodies of water are owned by different organisations and there are more specific protections in place. It’s not quite as simple as just rocking up to your closest river and going for a paddle. There have been stories of authorities asking to see licenses and being able to fine those canoeing and kayaking without a license.
There are some places where licenses aren’t required, like paddling in the sea, estuaries or most tidal water (which can often travel quite far up many rivers). However, these are the areas that require skill and experience to go paddling. Nevertheless, estuary and sea kayaking can offer some of the most rewarding experiences with sightings of seals, a wealth of other animals and stunning coastal scenes.
Canals and inland rivers can be great places to kayak and canoe as waters can be easier to navigate and manage than tidal waters. However, for many inland rivers in the UK you’ll need to work out whether you are able to canoe or kayak there due to both private restrictions and licensing restrictions. In Wales, check out the Canoe Wales website for the rivers where you can canoe or kayak under their membership. If there are any questions, you’re best off sending them a message to see what license is required (if any) for your stretch of river. Restrictions also exist for where land is privately owned (e.g. beaches), where there are environmental protection schemes such as Nature reserves, where there are military bases or activity happening or where there are restrictions due to safety such as avoiding shipping lanes, waste disposal or dangerous wrecks.
Canoe and Kayaking Hire In Symonds Yat

Canoe and Kayak Clubs, Hire and Lessons in Symonds Yat near me

Search through our map of hundreds of canoe and kayak clubs, places to hire equipment or find lessons. If you’re looking for something specific, drop us a message and we’ll find it for you.

Canoeing and Kayaking for Families and Kids in Symonds Yat

Canoeing and Kayaking are great family friendly sports. Canoes are more of the stable and spacious choice that allow for gentle and calm paddling experiences. Kayaking also offers the option for two-seaters that are a great way to bond with a friend or family member. Sea Kayaks and Touring Kayaks are incredibly stable, like Canoes, so it's more difficult to fall in or get wet. When it comes to the types of water to look out for, calmer water makes for a more enjoyable experience with kids. Look out for local lakes or canals for safer and more tranquil paddling. The beauty of canoeing and kayaking are that they are 'sit down' sports. The level of fitness required for both - at entry level - is relatively low, so most people can get involved with the sport.