Family Paddling

Family paddling sessions for families and friends

Enjoy a relaxed Family Paddling session designed for friends and family groups who would like to explore the River Stort in easy-to-paddle canoes and kayaks. Your session can be tailored to your groups requirements, with support available from our club coaches and volunteers to help you feel comfortable and confident on the water.

If you would like a little extra guidance before or during your paddle, our coaches will be on hand to help you get started, improve your paddling technique, and develop your skills throughout the session.

We provide buoyancy aids, paddles, and boats suitable for adults and children. Younger paddlers may be best introduced to paddling in canoes with a family member and kayaks are suitable for paddlers aged 8 and over. When booking, please include the ages of all young paddlers and your requirements for buoyancy aid sizes so we can prepare the right equipment for your group.

The session takes place in a peaceful rural setting, with a footpath and towpath running alongside the water. This makes it ideal for friends or family members who are not paddling but would still like to enjoy a walk and be part of the experience.

All participants should be water confident, and young paddlers must also be comfortable around water. Parents or a designated guardian are responsible for their children at all times throughout the activity.

If you are a novice adult paddler and plan to paddle with very young children, we recommend booking a one-to-one lesson with us before your first family session. This will help you feel more confident controlling your boat and supporting young paddlers on the water.

Parents or Guardians are responsible at all times for children under the age of 16 participating in this activity children can paddle with a nominated older person who is able to be responsible for their welfare. We recommend that all participants are confident in water

Please bring a change of clothing as well as suitable footwear for paddling in. There are no changing or toilet facilities available at the start point.

Bring hand wipes for children, insect repellent and hats suitable for the weather , waterproof layers are also advisable in cool weather.

We start the paddle at Kecksys Marina to going towards Sawbridgeworth lock where we are able to then paddle back upstream to get used to the skills of paddling in kayaks or canoes. Qualified coaches can oversee the initial paddling and check that you are getting on okay.

Should you require any coaching we can help you develop technique at the base.

Our boats have been designed with beginners in mind so have a special built in skeg to help you paddle.

The route we take is a figure of 8 so its easy for younger paddlers or those who want just a short paddle to just undertake the first section of the paddle and then rest, enjoy a riverside or head off whilst keener paddlers head on a longer paddle.

On this longer paddling section paddlers should aim to be confident to undertake the paddle independently.

There is an opportunity for paddlers willing to portage and carry boats round Tednamebury lock to paddle up to Spellbrook lock where there is a Horsebox cafe ( lock and Latte)

It is important if portaging that Boats must be capable of being carried must not be dragged by your family if intending to paddle above the lock to prevent serious boat damage.