Paddle & Pick - Brentford Lock

• Stop along the route to collect plastic and litter
• Paddle the Grand Union Canal and River Brent with coaching
• Start with land-based training at Brentford Lock
• Learn paddling tips from qualified, experienced coaches

Join us for a paddle and Canal clean up heading out around the local canal and River Brent starting in Brentford Lock.

We will be stopping along the way to pick plastic/litter from the canal. You will be under the guidance of qualified and experienced coach/es throughout who will be able to teach you the basics and give you some paddling tips along the way.

The cost of this session is only £5pp - this will refunded as a credit voucher to be used at a later date.

This session is only suitable for adults & children age 11+

You do not need to be a proficient swimmer, but should be comfortable about falling into water while wearing a buoyancy aid.

This session is only suitable for adults and children age 11+

A certain level of flexibility and ability to get up to standing from kneeling is required for learning to paddleboard.

You will need to shower / wash thoroughly after the session if you have fallen in or been splashed and need to ensure any open cuts are covered.

We have taken people with physical and mental disabilities out on the water however please contact us before booking as we may need to take you out privately to ensure you receive the coach's full attention.

We will also need to know of any recent injuries prior to the session.

No preparation is needed but dress appropriately for the weather, bring a change of clothes and footwear to wear on water (read below detailed guidance).

We advise checking the weather forecast before your session and dressing appropriately based on the weather conditions on the day - taking wind and rain factor into account.

What should I bring:

1. Shoes you will wear on a SUP (depending on the time of year - read below)
2. Spare clothes and a towel (in case you fall in and need to shower)
3. Sun protection (sunscreen and sun hat)
4. Retainer for your glasses
5. Refillable water bottle (you can top up at the arches)
6. Dry bag if you are planning to take things with you on water including waterproof phone case for your phone. We have some dry bags and phone cases for sale on site.

Warmer weather

Quick drying sportswear/gymwear - short or long sleeve tops, leggings, shorts, quick drying trousers (avoid denim and heavy cotton - it can get heavy when wet and holds moisture making you chill down quickly).

Footwear - neoprene water shoes are best. Inexpensive neoprene shoes are now widely available to buy. However, if you don't have these, don't worry. On your first few sessions you will be fine wearing a pair of flat sole trainers/converse/ hiking sandals with a heel strap - anything that will stay on your feet, footwear with a sturdy flat sole that you don't mind getting wet.

We avoid barefoot paddling because of the risks of injury and infection (falling over, cutting your feet on sharp stones, getting infected etc).

Light windproof/waterproof jacket or a spare top if you think you will get chilly.

Spare jumper/throw on top you may wish to put on after exercising to warm up and stay cosy.

Colder weather

1. Windproof/waterpoof light jacket.
2. Thermal top.

In colder weather we strongly advise wearing light thermals and wetsuits and a wooly hat (we lose lots of heat through the head!) We have a selection of wetsuits that can be borrowed on our sessions. You may wish to wear a bigger wetsuit with tight fitting layer under - a baselayer and a pair of leggings.

Footwear in colder weather is very important - your feet will get cold! We recommend neoprene shoes and boots and in very cold weather neoprene socks as well.

1. Spare clothes, warm jumper/throw on cosy top are essential in winter to keep you warm after exercise.

The session will start with some land-based training at our base in Brentford Lock (Paddlers avenue), before getting onto water and heading up the Grand Union Canal and River Brent.