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A great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors is with a canoe. Canoes are versatile boats and are perfect for use on lakes, rivers and whitewater. They are very popular with those who enjoy canoe camping with the family and even the dog thanks to their solo or tandem design. The shape, design features and material of the canoe, all influence how they perform for their different uses.

The Design of a Canoe:

• Canoes vary in length depending upon their use. For whitewater, solo use, canoes are shorter for faster turning and manoeuvrability. Tandem canoes are longer and better for day expeditions with the average length ranging from 15-18ft. Family canoes are also available which are

Now that Spring is finally here, it’s a great time to get out and have fun and adventures out on the water. A great kayak to get you started and have fun with the whole family is the sit on top kayak.

So what’s the difference between sit on kayaks and other kayaks?

• Sit on’s have an open, wider design than other kayaks which make them more stable in the water. Because they are open, they make an excellent kayak for beginners as you don’t have to worry about the thought of getting stuck should you tip over and they are easier to get back on again. 

• They come in single sit on and tandem which make them ideal for getting the family and kids out on the water. 

• The sit on kayak

When choosing the right kayak for you, it is important to consider what kind of paddling you want to do and where you plan to go. If you decide that you really want a kayak that gives you the thrill of whitewater combined with the ability to paddle further and enjoy a day trip, then a cross-over kayak will give you the best of both worlds.

So what’s the difference between cross-over kayaks and other kayaks?

Cross-over kayaks have design features from both whitewater and touring boats. This enables you to glide through flat water with ease thanks to the combination of its waterline length and retractable skeg. This will help you to track down any waterway effortlessly which makes the boat perfect for backwaters, rive

With Spring fast approaching and the clocks soon changing, there's more of a chance to go out for evening paddles and for longer day excursions, such as sea kayaking, river and coastal trips.

Although the weather may appear warmer the water still won't be and so it is important that you are prepared for your trip to keep you as safe as possible out on the water.

How to be prepared:

Make sure you are wearing the correct clothing - In spring, you still need to prepare for different conditions and although you may feel warmer, the water will still be very cold. It is therefore important to make sure you are wearing layers of clothing including thermals and base layers, as these are comfortable under your p

Here at South Coast Canoes, we run a number of British Canoeing courses and bespoke kayak and canoe trips, tailored to all kayakers from beginners to intermediates to coaches. These run throughout the year and we can run them in locations to best suit you.

Why is it important to go on a course?

With kayaking, the most important thing is that you are as safe as possible when you are out paddling on the water. To do this, you need to have knowledge of the sport and have developed the skills to know how to paddle correctly as well as knowing what to do should you tip out of your boat.

The courses that we run are all tailored to provide you with all this knowledge whilst building your confidence, allowing you to practice and learn new t

Touring kayaks are aimed at both beginner and intermediate paddlers and are designed to be easier to paddle and more versatile. If you are thinking about getting a touring kayak, then here are some key points for you to consider to help you find the right boat for you.

So what’s the difference between touring kayaks and other kayaks?

• Touring kayaks are really versatile kayaks as they are at home in both calm open sea waters as well as rivers and lakes.

• They are shorter and wider as well which makes them much more stable on the water and easier for beginners to control.

• Touring kayaks also come with skegs to aid tracking.

Last weekend we ran the latest White Water Safety and Rescue course in Devon on the River Waltham into the River Tavy. This course is for all paddlers operating in a moderate to advanced white water environment, in either a kayak or canoe. 

The aim of the course is to teach simple yet practical safety and rescue skills that can be applied in the appropriate situation with the knowledge of how to use all the correct safety equipment such as throwlines, contact tow,

If you think that a Sea Kayak is the right boat for you, then it is important you take the time to research the wide selection of kayaks that are available and make sure you get the right boat for you.

Following on from our previous blog post on what you need to know before you go kayaking, here is a further in-depth look at the different styles of kayaks that are available to help you decide which one is right for you and your lifestyle. 

Kayaking and Canoeing are great sports to get you out, enjoying the fresh air and are relatively quick for beginners to pick up.

As easy as it may first appear, it is important to learn how to be as safe as possible on the water, to ensure that you have all the correct equipment with you, that you are using the correct technique and that you are fully prepared for the day.

Here is our quick breakdown of everything you need to know to get started:



The right boat