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Canoeing

Canoeing adventures with How Stean Gorge!

Have you ever fancied seeing the Yorkshire Dales from the water? Ready to swap solid ground for a paddle and a steady rhythm? Join How Stean Gorge’s friendly, experienced instructors for a relaxed open water canoeing session.

Canoeing in the Yorkshire Dales

Take to the water on a 3-hour open water canoeing experience in Yorkshire, running along the historic Ripon Canal. Led by the friendly How Stean Gorge team, this canoeing session is a great way to enjoy the countryside from a different angle while spending time together outdoors near the historic city of Ripon.

You’ll be shown the basics as you go, learning how to paddle, steer and keep balanced in the canoe, with plenty of time to find your rhythm on the water. Our experienced instructors are there throughout the session to guide, encourage and keep things relaxed, making this a popular choice for beginners, families and groups. It’s a laid-back way to enjoy the scenery and spot local wildlife along the canal. Getting wet isn’t part of the plan, but it does sometimes happen, and that’s all part of the fun!

Canoeing options with Team How Stean

Canoeing with Team How Stean offers a fun and accessible way to enjoy time on the water in the Yorkshire Dales. Our sessions run as half-day or full-day experiences, with the chance to paddle along the historic Ripon Canal and River Ure or combine canoeing with other activities as part of a full day out. Led by friendly, experienced instructors, canoeing is a relaxed but rewarding activity that suits a wide range of ages and abilities.

You can book canoeing individually or as part of a group, and it’s a popular choice for families, friends, hen and stag weekends, and organised groups, as well as school day trips and residential visits, with educational packages available through our Outdoor Adventure Team.

Canoeing vs Kayaking

People often ask about the difference between canoeing and kayaking, especially when planning a water-based activity in the Yorkshire Dales. While both take place on the water, canoeing is the option available at How Stean Gorge and is particularly well suited to groups, families and shared experiences. Canoes are open boats with bench seating, giving plenty of space for people to paddle together, chat and enjoy the surroundings.

Kayaks, which are enclosed boats paddled individually or in pairs, tend to focus more on speed and technical control. Canoeing, by contrast, offers a more relaxed and social way to enjoy time on the water, making it a popular choice for beginners and group sessions. Our canoeing activities are led by experienced instructors and are designed to be accessible, enjoyable and confidence-building. You can find out more about canoeing and how our sessions work in our instructor blog.

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Why Choose How Stean for your Canoeing experience?

Choosing How Stean for your canoeing experience ensures a fun aquatic adventure led by our dedicated team. Our super-friendly and highly qualified instructors bring expertise and enthusiasm to every excursion, guaranteeing a safe and enjoyable outing. Equipped with 10mm wetsuits, our high-quality gear ensures your comfort in any weather, earning us a stellar 5-star rating based on the positive reviews from hundreds of happy customers.

With a commitment to personalised attention, we maintain a low instructor-to-participant ratio of 1 to 12, ensuring that everyone receives expert guidance and as a AALA Licensed Centre, we adhere to the highest safety standards, providing you with peace of mind during your canoeing experience.

Plus, our flexible booking options allow you to integrate this thrilling adventure into a day or weekend filled with exploration and excitement. Choose Team How Stean for an unforgettable canoeing journey, where friendliness, expertise, and a passion for adventure meet for a day out!

  • Super friendly and highly qualified instructors
  • 5 star rated (see our reviews)
  • Hundreds of happy customers
  • AALA Licensed Centre
  • You can book this experience as part of a day or weekend of adventure.

What’s included in your canoeing experience

Your open water canoeing session lasts around three hours and includes a full introduction and on-the-water guidance from our experienced, friendly instructors. Sessions are run in small groups, with a maximum of 12 participants per instructor, giving everyone plenty of support and time on the water.

All essential safety equipment is provided, including canoes, paddles and buoyancy aids, so you can focus on enjoying the experience. As part of your booking, you’ll also receive free entry to How Stean Gorge on the day of your activity, worth £8.

  • 3-hour open water canoeing experience

  • Instruction from qualified, friendly instructors

  • All safety equipment provided (canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids)

  • Small group sizes (max 12 participants per instructor)

  • Free entry to How Stean Gorge on the day of your activity

comfortable outdoor clothes

You may get a little bit wet so spares

Sturdy Footwear

Wellies are ideal!

Medication

Any medication you need for the day

This activity is suitable for a wide range of ages and works well for families and mixed-age groups. We recommend a minimum age of 7 years and above, as participants need to be comfortable taking part in outdoor activity and following instructor guidance. If you’re unsure whether it’s right for your group, our team is always happy to advise.

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Book your Spot Today

Ready to get out on the water? Canoeing at How Stean Gorge is a brilliant way to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales, whether you’re planning a school trip, group activity, team building day, or a fun outdoor experience with friends or family.

Our canoeing sessions are led by experienced instructors and designed to suit a wide range of ages and abilities, making them ideal for beginners and confident paddlers alike.

Click the Book Now button to book your canoeing experience in North Yorkshire and start planning your next outdoor adventure.

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