Frequently Asked Questions

Most guests have either never done it before or have done it once or twice, either as a kid, or on holiday somewhere.

On every one of our trips the idea is to have a nice time. Enjoying the scenery and a bit of a chat are of more interest and importance than how fast or far we travel. We use ‘ chatting distance ‘ as a measurement in our group management. The routes and the boats have both been chosen with beginners in mind.

You do, however, have to have a moderate fitness level ( see next question )

Exceptions :

If any of the following applies to you, this experience is not for you.

1. A BMI of 26 or over.

2. You weigh 102 KG (16 Stones) or over.

3. Take a size 47 (UK 13) shoe or over.

4. Have very little upper body strength ( your partner won’t be able to cover for you ).

This experience is not for you.

You will be uncomfortable in the boat, you are more likely to capsize yourself and your partner, and you are more likely to struggle while getting back into the boat once capsized.

All this is unfair on other guests.

Maybe check out ‘ Sit-on-Top ‘ boats instead.

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.

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.

Old trainers, socks, jogging bottoms or leggings, T-Shirt, ‘ Mid-layer ‘ top, light fleece.
Waterproof jacket & trousers ( Waterproof trousers are very useful as a barrier against drips from your paddle ).
If it’s a cold day, a beanie hat is great, as are gloves, especially ski gloves or waterproof gardening / kitchen gloves with some ‘ liner ‘ gloves underneath. Woollen gloves are not great when wet.

A bottle of water each, any medication required. Regards bringing a phone, we take a waterproof camera out with us and will 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 !

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.

Yes, I sometimes have to rearrange days because of the weather, exactly the same as in the summer.

The Lake District is beautiful at all times of year and a lot quieter in the winter months.

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.

Yes.

These are reserved for people with quite a bit of experience.

If you are a solo participant, we can have a chat about whether you share a double with myself or you go in a single.

The doubles are more stable and you have more power working together.

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.

Not very likely but it’s always a possibility.

There have been 11 capsizes in the 9 years I’ve been running these trips in The Lakes.

There have been hundreds of trips.

It takes around 3 minutes to empty the boat and get you back in. The longer time is then going to the nearest beach and you towelling off and changing into the dry clothes we always carry in the boats. This can take 20 minutes.

By far the most common type of capsize is a big man in a single boat. 7 of the 11.

2 of the 11 were big men in doubles.

2 of the 11 were joint events ( female & male partnerships ) caused by leaning over too far for a game or a chat.

Yes, I’m a tall man in a single boat and, physically, I know I’m the most likely to capsize on each trip. It hasn’t happened yet, but eventually it will, and yes, I do practise for when it does happen !

6 feet 7 inches. 203 cm.

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.
Of course, in the unlikely, but possible event of a capsize, you will be entirely in the lake. There are towels, fleeces and waterproof tops in every boat to change into on a beach, but bringing your own towel & spare clothes to get changed into for the drive home is a very good idea.

Inflatables are good if storage at home is tight. They are also great for ‘ splash & dash ‘, if you are staying close to shore. What you have to be aware of is they catch the wind very easily, so especially if you’ve got kids out in them, be aware of what the wind is doing. If you are on the sea around the UK you must know what the tide is doing.
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.