View Full Version : Best place to learn to Canoe
hobbitboy
01-11-2006, 10:46
Ok I finish my degree this summer and well the wanderlust is taking over I'm going travelling. Nothing really set yet but where have you guys learned to canoe (not Kayak). Never paddled an open canoe but would love to.
Something worthwhile to note, my bro lives in Vancouver so if anyone knows of a place close by.....
Cheers guys
matt
Hi Matt,
there are a couple of options open to you.
First join a Canoe club, check they do use canoes as Kayak clubs also call themselves canoe clubs and train on the BCU start courses
BCU.org.uk will ahve local clubs listed
Attend a BCU organised course - see web site above
Book a canoeing holiday that includes basic training
Lastly find someone on BCUK - pm MagiKelly for advice - near you who can show you the ropes
david
pierre girard
01-11-2006, 10:57
Ok I finish my degree this summer and well the wanderlust is taking over I'm going travelling. Nothing really set yet but where have you guys learned to canoe (not Kayak). Never paddled an open canoe but would love to.
Something worthwhile to note, my bro lives in Vancouver so if anyone knows of a place close by.....
Cheers guys
matt
I would say (seriously), a good week or longer canoe trip will teach you to paddle in a hurry - because you have no other option. I would suggest BWCA, Quetico Provincial Park, Wabakimi Provincial Park, or Woodland Caribou Provincial Park.
John Fenna
01-11-2006, 18:12
As a level 4 open canoe coach I could help you out if you can make it to West Wales - I might even think about discount/trade on the payment!
John
As a level 4 open canoe coach I could help you out if you can make it to West Wales - I might even think about discount/trade on the payment!
JohnSeems a decent offer to me!
MagiKelly
01-11-2006, 20:19
It depends on where you are. If you join SotP (www.SongofthePaddle.co.uk (http://www.SongofthePaddle.co.uk)) and post saying you would like to learn and where you are you will get offers for sure. There are members all over and usually an extra paddler is a welcome addition.
If you are in in Scotland at all drop me a line and I could probably meet you for a paddle and give you a few pointers.
Yeah, where are you hobbitboy? I was going to suggest asking over at SofTP it's a great site.
I've seen loads of cars and vans driving about here (west wales) with canoes on top over the last couple of weeks, I figure that we've had some rain so the rivers are up.
Good luck with your search.. :D
John Fenna
02-11-2006, 08:04
All those canoes and Kayaks were up for the anual Tivy Tour, a two day event on the glorious river Tivy that is a supurb river for novice and expert alike - some sections I teach on , some even I portage around!
In West Wales we have supurb sections of flat water, moderate moving water, "interesting" white water and the sea.
Open Canoes are THE way to travel and get all bushie and I know of some supurb wild camping sites (not always exactly known about by the authorities) that make for great weekends on the water.
I am more than willing to pass on my skills, I am a qualified level 4 coach, able to train and assess NGB "Star"awards to 3 star, have all the insurances etc and can loan a couple of canoes bouyancy aids paddles etc but if you want to come down with your own gear it would help as last year I sold up my canoe coaching business and disposed of most of my gear!
I can kit out a couple of folk of average size at a time and would definately look at discount for BCUK folk or accept sevices/gear in trade if agreement could be reached.
Drop me a PM if anyone is interested.
John
Have you thought of doing a course with woodsmoke they do a couple of
canoe courses.
hobbitboy
02-11-2006, 16:36
Hehe, cheers guys, I'd forgotten how helpful this forum is compared to other which I've been frequenting....
Hunter_zero
02-11-2006, 20:42
In some water ? :lmao:
Sorry
John
I have been having 1:1 coaching with Ed Bassett a canoe coach based in Kent.
A very good instructor he has improved my paddling no end.
Ah, but Wayne, what we really need is a Forest Knights course combining canoe and bushcraft.
When's that happening? ;)
Hi Useless.
Now theres an idea. Watch this space.:)
Have a look at this trip.
Bicton/Forestknights (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2025&highlight=serre+poncon)