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A group of 6 people are smiling and enjoying canoeing on the calm water. The two canoes are rafted together and there is a guest in a beanbag in the middle of each one.

Canoeing

Embark on an unforgettable floating adventure. Glide through serene waters and create lasting memories in the breathtaking scenery of Exmoor National Park...

Canoeing

 

What is canoeing?

Canoeing, often confused with kayaking due to the similarities in activity type, involves using a paddle to propel a canoe boat through water. A canoe is a hollow long shape and the sport uses paddles that have a handle at one end and the ‘blade’ at the other (whilst Kayaks have double-bladed paddles and a different shaped boat!). Whether you’re cruising on calm lakes, meandering down rivers or tackling rapids, you can go solo or share your boat with a friend in this floating adventure!

Canoeing at Calvert Exmoor

With use of Wistlandpound Reservoir between spring and autumn and with our specialist equipment, everyone can access this activity and relish the joys of this blue space (weather dependent). Customisable modifications to the boats as well as use of a hoist from the jetty means those of all abilities can enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of these sessions.

Canoeing in action

Your canoeing session

Click on each step for more information on what you can expect from a canoeing session with us…
A guest in a wheelchair is being pushed down the hill on a paved path by another guest in a long green coat. Behind them is an instructor walking down the path with greenery either side of them all.

1: Get ready

A guest in a wheelchair is being pushed down the hill on a paved path by another guest in a long green coat. Behind them is an instructor walking down the path with greenery either side of them all.

1: Get ready

  • You will meet your instructor at your allocated meeting point
  • Your meeting point will be given to you on arrival at the centre in advance of your activity sessions
  • Your instructor will take you down to the boathouse. This is accessed via our zigzag path, which is wheelchair accessible.
  • (Subject to availability, there is also a wheelchair accessible buggy that can transport guests to the boathouse)
A Calvert Exmoor instructor wearing a hat and a red coat is holding a paddle up in the air and facing a group of guests sitting in canoes, ready to begin their canoeing session on Wistlandpound Reservoir behind them.

2: Learn how

A Calvert Exmoor instructor wearing a hat and a red coat is holding a paddle up in the air and facing a group of guests sitting in canoes, ready to begin their canoeing session on Wistlandpound Reservoir behind them.

2: Learn how

  • Your instructor will show you the boathouse facilities, including the toilets and the storage room, where you’ll be given a buoyancy aid or life jacket (depending on needs)
  • Depending on the preference of the instructor and the weather, your safety briefing will either take place here or down by the water
  • Once you’re kitted up, your instructor will take you to the jetty, where they’ll help you into your canoes and begin showing you the techniques you’ll need for the session. They’ll also describe where you’ll be heading first
The foreground shows trees out of focus, with the focus on four canoes in the water with guests sitting with their paddles on the boats listening to their instructor on the calm reservoir water.

3: Have a go

The foreground shows trees out of focus, with the focus on four canoes in the water with guests sitting with their paddles on the boats listening to their instructor on the calm reservoir water.

3: Have a go

  • Depending on your group’s abilities, you’ll either be paddling from checkpoint to checkpoint, or you may take part in some games too
  • About halfway through the session, your instructor will give everyone a break, and provide you with hot or cold drinks to enjoy over some wholesome conversation
A large selection of red buoyancy aids lined up on pegged shelving in between two wooden doors inside a brightly lit room.

4: Finish up

A large selection of red buoyancy aids lined up on pegged shelving in between two wooden doors inside a brightly lit room.

4: Finish up

  • At the end of your canoeing activity you’ll put away your buoyancy aids, return your paddles and head back up to the centre

Canoeing equipment

Whether you want to get an idea of what our kit looks like, or see some of our specialised gear that helps make our sessions more accessible, have a look below…
A blue and yellow padded seat with back support and shoulder straps on a wooden seat in a canoe with the reservoir in the background.

Aquabac Support Seat

A blue and yellow padded seat with back support and shoulder straps on a wooden seat in a canoe with the reservoir in the background.

Aquabac Support Seat

  • Aquabac is a postural support system for seated balance assistance
  • It’s ideal for our sessions as it provides security, support, and padding
  • It features a bilateral quick release system for extra safety of those using it
  • It is customisable to meet specific individual needs
  • This piece of kit was designed by Equal Adventure and has been successfully used in diverse adventure activities for over 15 years
A wooden slatted seat inside a canoe on a jetty with the reservoir behind.

Low bench seat

A wooden slatted seat inside a canoe on a jetty with the reservoir behind.

Low bench seat

  • This wooden slatted bench-type seat sits low in the canoe and offers back support for the user
  • In this picture, you can also see some dark metal beams that jut out to the left of the canoe. These bars are used to attach two canoes together, also known as ‘rafting’, which keeps them more stable
A grey beanbag inside a green and yellow canoe in front of the flat water on a floating jetty.

Beanbag

A grey beanbag inside a green and yellow canoe in front of the flat water on a floating jetty.

Beanbag

  • It’s as simple as it sounds: this is the ideal option for guests who would benefit from a moulded seat
  • We simply put a beanbag inside the canoe and help the user into it, which could involve using one of our jetty hoists
  • An added benefit is that we can also change the angle at which the user is sitting, whether they want to be more reclined or upright
A white mechanic machine standing upright from a jetty surrounded by water.

Dipper Hoist

A white mechanic machine standing upright from a jetty surrounded by water.

Dipper Hoist

  • This hoist can be used by our qualified instructors or by qualified guests to help those who are wheelchair users get from their wheelchair into a canoe
  • This hoist has a weight limit of 14 stone

FAQs

Yes! We leave no one out and no matter what, we do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the experience of canoeing in a way that suits you and keeps you safe.

Your safety is our priority. If the winds are too strong or if a storm is forecast for the day you are supposed to be canoeing, we will make the final decision on whether the session runs. If the session is cancelled, you will be given an alternative activity and we will do our best to fit canoeing into your schedule elsewhere (weather permitting).

At Calvert Exmoor, it’s what you CAN do that counts. Our instructors use the term ‘challenge by choice’, which ensures that while you’re taking part and given challenges along the way, you ultimately always have the agency and control over your own limitations. Our staff are there to keep you safe but also build your confidence, even if this means accomplishing a simpler version of the activity.

This can sometimes involve changing the equipment we use or the games within this session to be simpler or more challenging, depending on your needs.

  • We hold the British Canoeing Quality Mark and our instructors are both highly trained, experienced and qualified through British Canoeing in delivering canoeing sessions for a wide variety of people.
  • The qualifications include Foundation Safety Rescue Training (FSRT) and Paddlesport Instructor/UK Core Coach qualifications.
  • We raft together the canoes to ensure stability, as we want to avoid anyone capsizing. Please follow your safety briefing, as swimming is not permitted in the reservoir.
  • You are also required to wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket and our instructors do equipment checks frequently to ensure your safety.

Our canoeing activity takes place at Wistlandpound Reservoir, which is a 5-10 minute walk/wheel away from the centre, down our zigzag path.

Our accreditations