Get wet and wild
More than two million people already go canoeing – isn’t it time you gave it a go too?
Getting involved is easy. Go along to your local club or centre and you’ll be able to develop your skills with the help of qualified coaches and experienced paddlers. It’s also a great way to make new friends. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be able to borrow equipment, so getting started needn’t be expensive. Canoeing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of any age, as shown by these Be inspired stories.
There are hundreds of affiliated canoe clubs and approved centres across the British Isles, so you’ll have no problem finding one near you. Find your nearest club or centre by visiting your relevant national governing body’s website, the details for which are in the box on the right.
If you’d rather give it a go with a quick and easy taster session, why not go along to one of the many trial days which are held throughout the year, they are a great opportunity to try canoeing, regardless of your age, experience or ability.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, there are lots of places you can go canoeing. Canals, rivers and lakes all provide great locations for a fun day out and longer expeditions too. Why not try canoeing as part of a holiday? Or head to the coast for a sea kayak or surf adventure.
Details of places where you can canoe and of taster sessions can be found on your national governing body’s website (see right hand box).
If you specifically want to try out slalom canoeing, why not visit the new
Lee Valley White Water Centre and go down the course that will be used for the Olympic Games. Experienced paddlers can go down the rapids in a kayak or canoe whilst novices are able to go down in a group on a white water raft.
Sign up for the Gold Challenge
If the Olympic Games are inspiring you to play more sport, then why not raise money for charity at the same time with the Gold Challenge? Canoeing and kayaking are two of the 30 Olympic and Paralympic sports in which you can take part – and there are special sessions to help you get involved.
Sport Makers
Another option is to help make sport happen in your local community by encouraging your friends to take up canoeing or kayaking, or by helping out at one of the sport's many events. Sport Makers is a new programme that will give you the skills, knowledge and opportunities you need to get more people playing sport. By signing up, you’ll become part of the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sports legacy.
Find out more about the scheme on the Sport Makers website.
Parasport
When you enjoy sport you want to choose an activity that suits your skills and abilities, enthusiasm and commitment. Above all you want to find sports that will be fun for you to take part in. If you have a disability, the Parasport Self-Assessment wizard will help you discover sports that fit with your particular abilities.
