Kayaking and Canoeing

The Lake District provides fantastic opportunities to take to the water in a canoe or kayak. Beginners can have a go, guided by experts. Once you are more confident, create your own adventure exploring the many islands, beautiful rivers and stunning coastline. Be wild and try something new, soar through the sky on a treetop adventure, or splash out on the water.

Kayaking uses boats originally designed by Eskimos for travelling on the sea. This in mind the boat is covered except for a hole around the waist. The Lake District offers a huge variety of watersports, from canoeing and sailing to windsurfing and diving, your choice of water based activities is limitless.

Come and take part in outdoor swimming events, including the Great North Swim - the UK's biggest open water swimming event, which takes place every year on Lake Windermere. Maybe you fancy learning to water-ski or sail. Or if you want a fun based team activity why not try dragon boat racing or raft building.

Cumbria is also home to over 80 lakes, meres, waters, and tarns making it a natural home for open water swimming and watersports; all set within the beautiful and scenic Lake District landscape. Coniston Water, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere are all navigable lakes. There are numerous other lakes, tarns, rivers and becks in Cumbria, which, with the permission of the landover, can be excellent places for a dip in the water.