Sit-On-Top Kayaks

We are very fortunate to live within a short drive of four very different rivers - the Wye, the Severn, the Avon and the Thames. All four rivers offer opportunities for fun on the water so, with that in mind, a few years ago we decided to treat ourselves to three kayaks. We currently have a double sit-on-top and two singles. We have recently added an inflatable kayak to our collection too.

We did a considerable amount of research before we made our purchases, going to open days at different retailers in order to try out a selection of canoes and kayaks before we chose.

So, what is the difference between canoes, kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks? The most obvious difference is the sitting position. In a canoe (often referred to as Canadian canoes) the paddler either kneels on the bottom of the boat or sits on a raised seat. In a kayak the paddler sits on a low seat with their legs extended in front. You have to climb into a kayak and your legs are enclosed. With a sit-on-top kayak you literally sit on the top of it. The next obvious difference is in the type of paddle you use and the number of blades it has. A canoe paddle has a blade on one end, while a kayak paddle is bladed at both ends.

Why did we choose a sit-on-top? At the time we started looking our children were around 10 and 7 years old. We tried Canadian canoes but found that they struggled to paddle them and we found them difficult to paddle alone. As we couldn't find a canoe that could comfortably accommodate two adults, two growing children and a fat spaniel it quickly became clear that Canadian canoes were not going to be an option for us - at least not for a few years until the children were older.

We have a relative who has a kayak so we were able to spend time messing about with hers on the river Thames one summer. It was a lovely kayak, very light and easy to steer and fast through the water but none of us were comfortable with the enclosed nature of a traditional kayak. We were worried that the children would panic in the event of a capsize and would not be able to get out quickly. Then, at an open day run by a local canoe and kayak retailer, we tried a sit-on-top for the first time and we loved it. My advice to anyone thinking of buying any sort of canoe or kayak would be to make sure that you try before you buy. You can either do this through a reputable retailer, who will be only to happy for you to have a play with a variety of different canoes and kayaks, or by paying for a days hire, loading up a picnic and giving it a go.

Sit-on-top kayaking is enormous fun, whether you are on a river, a lake or the sea, they can cope with everything. As a sport it is accessible to almost everyone and you do not need to be particularly fit to enjoy it. Sit-on-tops are made from moulded plastic and they come in all shapes and sizes. They are very stable and easy to paddle. We found our children took to them very quickly because they did not have a fear of capsizing - it you tip a sit-on-top over you simply fall off into the water.  They are slightly more cumbersome  through the water than a traditional kayak but, I think, less so than a Canadian canoe. We transport ours on roof bars on the car with no difficulty. The double kayak is big and heavy and takes two people to get it onto the roof where as the single ones can be loaded by one person.

So, where can you paddle in the UK? It would be wonderful if you could drop your kayak into any river, lake or canal that you fancied and paddle away but it is not quite that simple (but it isn't hugely complicated either). The restrictions in England and Wales are considerably more than in Scotland where they take a much more relaxed view of rights of way and of navigation.

RIVERS

Messing about on a river can be a fantastic way of seeing the countryside from a different perspective. You will see wildlife that you would not normally see and, if you are lucky, you may experience total solitude. It is a lovely way to unwind from a busy working week.

In England and Wales the situation regarding use of our rivers is not terribly enlightened, with  many landowners claiming ancient rights over the river that flows through their land. This is particularly so if they also sell fishing rights. Many of the larger rivers, such as the Severn, the Thames and the Trent require a British waterways licence (this is included in the cost of membership of the British Canoe Union). The larger rivers are often busy with floating gin palaces passing up and downstream. Be aware of the rules of the road and always paddle on the right. You can find a lot of useful information on the do's and don'ts on the British Canoe Union website.

To the best of my knowledge, the river Wye is the only river in England and Wales that has a right of navigation for virtually all of it's length. This explains why it is so popular and why there are so many canoe hire companies and campsites based along it's banks. The beauty of the Wye is that it has something for everyone. There are sections that you should not attempt unless you are experienced but there are many sections that are suitable for the complete novice. If you are interested in trying some canoeing or kayaking on the Wye the best place to start is with a marvellous little book called 'Wye Canoe? Canoeists Guide to the River Wye' produced by the Environment Agency for Wales. This will tell you everything you could possibly want to know about canoeing on the Wye (see below for a link to a downloadable PDF of this book)

CANALS

As the 'roads' of the industrial revolution in the 18th & 19th century, canals run through the heart of many historic towns and cities. They also pass through some beautiful countryside. The licence included in the membership pack of the British Canoe Union covers the entire canal network. The drawback of using canals is the locks. Canoeists must get out and carry (portage) their canoe around the locks. My advice, if you plan to use canals, is to do some research and try to find stretches with few locks. Canals are often busy with large boats so, if you are not very confident, you may wish to avoid them.

LAKES

The same access considerations apply to lakes as to rivers. Many will be privately owned and you will have no right to use them. On others, such as many in the Lake District, you will find all types of craft including canoes and kayaks. Paddling on lakes can be incredibly hard work, particularly if the lake is large and it is windy. You have been warned!

THE SEA

Sit-on-tops are incredibly popular at the coast because you can have a huge amount of fun riding the surf once you have the knack. However, it is essential that you make sure that you take advice from lifeguards and other surfers familiar with the beach you plan to use. Local conditions may make kayaking unsafe in certain coastal locations. Make sure you understand the tides, currents and the effect the wind can have before you venture out.

So, you have your kayak or canoe, what other equipment will you need to get started? The list below shows what we bought initially:-

• buoyancy aid - a no-brainer!
• paddles - basic ones often come as part of a package
• removable clip in seats with adjustable back support
• straps to secure the kayak to your car

That's it! There are other bits and pieces and items of specialist clothing you can buy but that is all you need to get out there and have some fun. In terms of clothing, we go for layers that you can easily put on and take off. We tend to wear aqua shoes or neoprene wetsuit boots (you will get wet feet!) and a windproof jacket, such as a soft-shell is a useful addition.

If you know you will be out all day take enough drink and food to keep you going (unless you plan to paddle past a lovely riverside pub, in which case, take your wallet!) and a mobile phone in a waterproof case in case you have a problem.

I also bought three books that I have found very useful:-

• 'Wye Canoe? Canoeists guide to the River Wye' - Environment Agency Wales
• 'Sit-on-top Kayak' - Derek Hairon
• 'Pub Paddles - the best short canoe trips in the South of England' - Peter Knowles

Happy paddling!

Tresseck Campsite & the village of Hoarwithy - a beautiful spot on the banks of the river Wye

I thought I would write a little piece about a beautiful campsite we stayed in on a gloriously hot weekend in 2014. Before I ramble on I should say that this is a very basic site with limited facilities so, if this is your thing, read on. If you prefer more order, marked pitches, underfloor heating in pristine toilet blocks and so on, this site will not be for you.

Tresseck Campsite is located in the heart of the tiny village of Hoarwithy in Herefordshire, just a few miles north of the lovely market town of Ross on Wye. The site itself is located on an old river meadow and has plenty of flat, open space to spread out in.

 The facilities include cold running water and portaloos - that's it! There are no showers, washing up facilities or site shop, but the joy of this site lies in it's location right on the banks of one of the most beautiful rivers in England with direct access to launch canoes.

The river Wye is the only river in England, to the best of my knowledge anyway, that anyone can paddle on without needing any form of permit - that's got to be a good enough reason to give it a go and exercise a centuries old right of navigation.

Tresseck campsite is only licensed to accept tents. Dogs are allowed and, more importantly, so are campfires! The owners even come round in the early evening with bags of logs for sale (not unreasonably, they don't want you chopping down the native hedgerows). The other thing that appeals to us about this site is the proximity of a very nice pub, The New Harp Inn that is found at the site entrance. Booking is advisable, the food is good and it is only a short stagger back to your tent afterwards!

When we stayed we arrived late Friday afternoon and spent a wonderful evening sitting on the banks of the Wye, cooking our dinner over an open fire (marinated butterflied leg of lamb for anyone who is interested). We drank copious amounts of wine and slept soundly with the noise of the river lulling us off to sleep. The following day, after a hearty fat-belly breakfast, we loaded our canoes with a picnic lunch before heading off at a leisurely pace for Ross on Wye.

We had an unexpectedly exciting journey that involved rescuing a young girl who had gone swimming with friends and had been swept away by the strong current and was, when we came across her, clinging to reeds on the opposite bank with no obvious way of getting back! Having successfully paddled her back to her friends we continued towards Ross on Wye.

Shortly after a very lazy lunch at a lovely little spot with an area of beach for skimming stones, we encountered our second drama - a very large lamb that had fallen in to the river and was trying valiantly to get back to a very agitated mother. The bank was too steep at this point and the lamb was clearly tiring fast. After a futile attempt to describe our location to the West Mercia police control room, we decided we had no choice but to get the lamb out on our own. An hour later and we were still trying! Eventually we did manage to get our dog lead around it's neck and haul it up the bank - it doesn't sound too difficult but it weighed a bloody ton and struggled violently throughout! I am pleased to say that mother and baby were reunited and we were rather chuffed with ourselves. That night, we treated ourselves to dinner in the village pub!

On the Sunday, we visited the rather unusual church in the village. Hoarwithy church was originally a chapel built in 1840. It was, by all accounts, a rather ugly building. When William Poole was appointed vicar of the parish in 1854 he decided that he wanted to “beautify the chapel”. Before his appointment he had travelled extensively in Italy and had got rather carried away with all things Italian. He was obviously a man of considerable charm and influence because he managed to persuade his parishioners to pay for the church to be titivated. The result was the impressive Italianate Romanesque and Byzantine building that you can see today. A gem in rural Herefordshire with fine views from the top churchyard of the church and countryside. Inside there are wooden carved choir stall figures, marble columns and altar with lapis lazuli with the central cross made of tiger-eye, and a fine window at the apex of the cluster of windows on the west wall. Over the altar there is a wonderful mosaic of Christ in Glory. It really is a bizarre thing to find in a tiny village in rural Herefordshire!

I plan to ramble on some more about the river Wye in future posts because I love it but, for now, I hope that this post might have influenced you to visit this beautiful area of the country sometime soon.