The Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park one of Britains breathing spaces

Backwaters

Canoe, Kayaks and Camping Equipment for Hire

Canoe and Kayak hire from Backwaters Adventure Equipment Ltd.

Travelling by canoe or kayak is a wonderful way to explore the countryside. Moving peacefully along river or canal, you can watch wildlife or just enjoy the scenery, often in locations that cannot be reached on foot. If you really want to get away from it all, a canoe-camping trip can be an inexpensive and unforgettable holiday.

Backwaters offers canoe and kayak hire in Wales and the Border regions. If you like the idea of canoe or kayak touring but do not want to ‘go it alone’; a wide range of guided tours and holidays are available.

Half day and full day tours may be taken from our base on the River Wye, or on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. Extended hire is available on all the waterways we cover. We can supply your canoe with tent, stove/fuel, sleeping mat and bag, and containers to pack it all in.

Types of craft :

Open Cockpit Kayak. These are suitable for those who want to cover distances without going onto rough water. No capsize drill is needed, as in the event of a capsize you will fall safely out of the kayak. These are ideal for those who want to be ON the water, not in it.

Open Canoe. The open canoe is also ideal for those who want to stay dry, but it is a more versatile craft. With its large carrying capacity this is the craft for exploring well off the beaten track, or for family picnics.

Closed-Cockpit Kayak. These kayaks have relatively tight-fitting cockpits sealed with spraydecks to keep out the water, and are ideal for white-water or sea touring. To use one of these it is necessary to have practised the capsize drill, to exit the kayak safely underwater. They have limited capacity for carrying gear, so are more suitable for day trips.

The waterways we use: River Wye

The River Wye offers 100 miles of canoe touring, mostly on grade I water, with some short sections of grade II. Places of interest en route include Hay on Wye ‘booktown’, Hereford Cathedral and the Symonds Yat Gorge.

The waterways we use: Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal offers 50 km of placid water canoe touring, mostly without locks, combining spectacular scenery with historical interest, particularly for those with an interest in 19th Century Industrial Archaeology. As the flow is minimal, a return trip is possible on this waterway.

The waterways we use: River Severn

The River Severn is a free nagivation from Pool Quay to Stourport, and a BWB controlled navigation (licence needed) from Stourport to Gloucester. The navigation offers 130 miles of canoe touring, mostly on grade I water, with some short sections of grade II+. Touring on the Severn offers a combination of unspoilt 'wilderness' canoeing for much of its length, combined with places of interest such including Shrewsbury Abbey, Ironbridge Gorge and the Severn Valley Railway.

Half-day and Day Trips, Camping Tours, Training...

69 click throughs, 1334 views since 15-Feb-2008

Water sports in ABERGAVENNY,River Wye, River Severn, Monmouthsire & Brecon Canal

The Brecon Beacons National Park

The Brecon Beacons National Park