Any question that you have that is not answered below, please feel free to email me.
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Yes. Ullswater is a beautiful location to enjoy a few hours kayaking. There are miles of great scenery and plenty of bays & beaches to explore. Like paddling anywhere, it’s a very good idea to check what the weather is forecast to do before you set out.
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By far the best way is email.
I’d also recommend taking a look at this page for many queries to be answered.
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Most guests have either never done it before or have done it once or twice, either as a kid, or on holiday somewhere.
You do, however, have to have a moderate fitness level.
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Guest experiences on previous trips have demonstrated that if any of the following applies, these trips are not suitable.
1. A BMI of 26 or over.
2. Weigh 102 KG (16 Stone) or over.
3. Take a size 47 (UK 13) shoe or over.
4. Regards young kids, the boats are a lot larger than children’s outdoor centre boats. Many parents have struggled on a windy day when sharing with a young child. This is unfair on everyone ( other guests, the child, the parent ).
Maybe check out ‘ Sit-on-Top ‘ boats for a ‘ Splash & Dash ‘ experience instead.
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A moderate fitness level is required, especially upper body.
If you are regularly active in any sport and / or a regular gym goer , then you’ll be fine.
Please don’t think that one partner can cover completely for the other. They can’t, they’ll tire very quickly.
If you are unfit this activity is not for you.
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The only difference between the trips is the ease of parking at the centre as it is only a small place.
Morning trips, 9.30 am, are, by far the easiest. Please leave the car park after your trip.
Please check below for when there is no parking available at the centre for the 1.30pm & 5pm trips :
May, June & September : Weekends ( Sa, Su ) or Bank Holidays ( Fr, Sa, Su or Mo )
July & August : All days.
On these occasions please park in the village and walk down the little track.
Leave more time to find a parking spot on sunny days as the village can get very busy.
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There is no set route as it will very much depend on the conditions and the groups ability.
Wherever we go, it will be scenic.
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It depends on how you, yourself, experience temperature. On the same day, one person will be fine in a T-shirt while another might like a few layers.
An idea of what to wear on any given day is:
Old trainers, socks, jogging bottoms, leggings or shorts. T-shirt, light fleece or mid-layer.
Waterproof trousers are good as a barrier against drips from the paddle.
Bring a waterproof jacket then decide on the day whether to 1. Leave it in the car. 2. Put it in a dry bag in the boat. 3. Wear it.
Beanie hat & gloves ( not wool ) if it’s a cold day.
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A bottle of water each, any medication required. Floating strap for glasses.
Spare clothes in the unlikely, but possible, event of a capsize ( these can be left in the car as spare fleeces & waterproofs are in each boat ).
Regards bringing a phone, I take a waterproof camera out with us and I’ll email the photos to you. If you still wish to take your phone, we have waterproof, floating cases you can borrow, but there are no guarantees. It’s a lake !
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Yes.
When I’m not in Italy mangling the language or in Oz visiting family, I run one trip a day instead of two or three.
The Lake District is beautiful at all times of year and a lot quieter in the winter months.
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Both are great.
Generally a kayak has a deck and is propelled by a double bladed paddle.
A canoe ( also called an Open boat or Canadian canoe ) usually has no deck and is propelled by a single bladed paddle.
The boats we use are Sea Kayaks. They are long and stable, especially the doubles.
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No.
As the person in the back can more easily see the person in the front, they decide what happens and when.
Usually, if
1. The more experienced, or
2. The more confident, or
3. The more decisive person goes in the back, you’ve chosen the right way to do things.
If the dynamics isn’t working, or you just fancy swapping around, there’s always a beach handy to do so.
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Not very likely but it’s always a possibility. I’ll cover prevention & what to do if it happens, in the brief.
There have been 12 capsizes in the 10 years I’ve been running these trips in The Lakes.
There have been hundreds of trips.
7 were big men in singles.
3 were big men in doubles.
2 were female / male partnerships.
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6 foot 7 inches. 203 cm.
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Waterproof trousers are very useful as mostly your legs will get wet from the drips off the paddle. I’ll show you how to minimise this in the brief.
A waterproof jacket & a beanie hat are great if it’s raining.
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Yes, there are toilets at the centre from the middle of February until the middle of December.
From mid-December until mid-February please use facilities in the village.
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Inflatables are good if storage at home is tight. Their disadvantage is they tend to be a struggle in a decent wind.
Sit-on-Tops are maybe a good bet if you are nervous about sitting in a kayak or if you are on the large side. Some are excellent, some not so much.