Questions & Answers

What clothes do I need to bring on a Tour?

Comfortable clothes (avoid jeans if possible) that allow you to move about easily and that you don't mind getting dirty. A lightweight rain jacket and a fleece jacket in case of bad weather. A change of clothes in case you get wet. It’s best to wear old trainers or sandals whilst in the canoe (avoid flip-flops if possible, they're liable to come off too easily and aren't great when we land on uneven ground).

What else do I need to bring on a Tour?

Sun hat & sun cream. A camera if you wish. If your Tour is multi-day, then also bring a small towel, basic toiletries and a sleeping bag.

Do we have to wear wet suits?

No, a wetsuit is not required. Your guide won't be wearing one, but if you prefer to wear one that's fine.

Are we going to get wet?

It’s unlikely. If you’re on the estuary you may get a little spray from waves but that’s all. The canoes we use are very stable and only likely to capsize if you ignore the guides advice and move around very quickly, thus upsetting the weight distribution in the canoe.

Do you provide ‘life jackets’?

Buoyancy aids (life jackets) are provided, and it is obligatory that they are worn at all times throughout your Tour.

How close are we going to get to seals?

It's important to remember that there's no guarantee that you will see seals. If you do see them, it's likely that they will be about 20 or 30 metres away at first. First contact will look something like in the photo below.

Then sometimes if they are interested and we act carefully not to scare them, they come closer, or allow us to approach. The photos here were taken with a 300mm hand held lens. 

What happens to my spare clothes and valuables whilst out on the water?

Valuables, sleeping bags and spare clothes are stored in the canoe in secure water proof bags.

Do you offer training courses?

No. During each tour your guide will teach you how to canoe, but we don't issue certifcates at the end of it, sorry.

What's the food going to be like?

Vegetarian, with the ingredients being organic, fair trade and locally sourced whenever possible. Typical servings are shown below. The left-hand photo shows hot pitta bread with spicy kofte, cous cous, humous, salad and yoghurt with harissa, the middle photo is cheesy bean Bhalek bread, and the photo on the right shows prawn, pea and cream sauce spagetti.

Basically, it's simple, tasty campfire fare. We'll also make dishes with wild plants that we gather as we paddle if you wish.

Can I bring my Ipod?

Sure, but we ask that you don't play it or have headphones in for any reason whilst you are paddling. You need to be alert and able to react to your guides requests when you are paddling, both to stay safe and to enjoy your surroundings.

How fit do I need to be?

Your guide will sit in the back of the canoe and paddle and steer, and you will sit in the front and paddle (if there are 2 of you, the other person will sit in the middle and relax), so you must be able to endure moderate exercise for the duration of your Tour (you may have to paddle for up to 6 hours a day, although if there are 2 of you, you can take turns). On the upper Medway and the Hythe Canal there are some points where the canoe will have to be lifed out of the river, and you'll have to help the guide with this. We also advise that you should be able to swim 20 metres and have a reasonable level of balance.

What happens if I get halfway through the Tour and am too tired to paddle any more?

If you’re on an island, or in the middle of the estuary (it’s over 5 miles wide at one place), or miles upriver of the launch point, the only way back to the launch and finish point is to paddle back. If you really can't paddle any more, don't worry, it's possible that the canoe can be paddled by the guide alone.

What happens if I injure myself?

All our guides are qualified First Aiders and carry First Aid equipment. In case of very serious illness we’ll call for coastguard or helicopter help.

Is canoeing dangerous?

No, as long as you always follow the guidance given by the guides, who have expert knowledge of the waterways. Safety induction prior to commencing your Tour is always provided.

Are Canoe Kent insured?

Our canoes are insured, yes, but otherwise, no. There are reasons for this. Firstly, if we had public liability insurance we'd have to charge you at least twice the price we do in order to cover the policy costs. Secondly, one of the ideas of having an adventure is to take away many of life's most obvious safety nets and take on some responsibility for your own safety and survival. Thirdly, all the areas we operate in are already well covered by the British emergency services such as the Police, Coastguard and Ambulance, who will attend any incidents promptly and without charge. We understand that our refusal to take out public liability insurance may put a few potential clients off - they'll be the types who'll want to sue us every time they stub their own toe or catch their clothes on a hawthorn. That's fair enough, we'll live with that as long as it means we can retain our good value prices, our British character, our remit of offering true adventure, and not sucumb to becoming involved with the trend for litigation that is ruining our society.

If you wish you can take out your own travel insurance for your own peace of mind, if you are that way inclined. Make sure it's good for water sports in this country. It shouldn't cost more than £10 from the Post Office, or if you've already got annual worldwide cover, as many do nowadays, you're probably already covered.

So what happens if my camera gets wet, or drops overboard?

We provide you with a waterproof bag, it's your responsibililty to use it. Likewise, it's your responsibility to ensure you don't drop your own camera in the water. In saying this, we haven't had a single incidence of a client loosing valuables at all, nor have our staff ever lost cameras, and they have theirs out whilst in the canoe all the time.

What are the washing and toilet facilities like whilst on Tour?

All of our Tours operate in relatively remote areas; therefore there is no facility for showering at all (although a little water will be made available for face/hand washing). There are toilet facilities in the Pubs and Country Parks at our launch points at Fordwich, Grove Ferry, Riveside, Queenborough and Yalding but otherwise we’ll provide paper, antiseptic handwipes and directions to a quiet spot.

Can I come on a Tour even if I have a medical condition?

That’s up to you, you're an adult and we expect you to decide your suitability for a Tour yourself based on what you read on this website and the answers we give to the questions you ask. We would say that if you have a disability or medical condition it's your responsibility to inform us about it at the time of booking, and also to bring any medication that you might need when you come on the Tour.

What is the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

A kayak is small and enclosed, where the paddler often using a spray deck to stay dry, and a canoe is open style and not enclosed at all, enabling one or two people to paddle in tandem. We use canoes.

Do we start and finish at the same point on the Tours?

Mostly, except on the River Medway and Hythe Canal 'Grand Traverse's' which are one way only.

Do I need to know how to do an Eskimo roll or other technical stuff?

No, absolutely not. Our guide will teach you how to paddle, and we don’t do Eskimo Rolls in canoes. The canoes we use are the most stable on the market and it's highly unlikely that you'll capsize as long as you listen to the instructions of your guide.

Will my hands get sore from paddling?

It is possible that you may get slight friction blisters, and if you are worried about this it's recommended that you bring gloves such as cycling/gym gloves.

Can I still come canoeing if I cannot swim?

Yes, that's fine by us, but do tell us about it so we can bear it in mind and plan our journey to avoid the deepest waters accordingly.

Can I smoke or drink alcohol whilst on tour?

Yes, but only at certain times. Smoking or drinking alcohol is not permitted whilst in the canoe, and alcohol is only to be drunk in camp at night, after the day’s canoeing is completed.