Learn to paddle along England’s oldest ship canal

About

Built in 1566, Exeter is home to England’s oldest ship canal which is still navigable by boat. A popular spot for a variety of water users, there's always someone out on the water, particularly during the summer months when the beautiful river life lends itself to a slower pace of life. 

With all the lovely hot weather we've experienced so far this year it's been wonderful to see people enjoying themselves on the water. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards, paddlers of all abilities are being encouraged to explore the flora and fauna of the river valley park along with some rather fantastic waterside pub spots that you won't want to miss.

But what are your options and how can you ensure you're doing it safely?The friendly and experienced team at Saddles & Paddles are are here to help with their top tips on enjoying a safe adventures on the water this summer.

What can I hire?

Saddles & Paddles offers a range of paddlesports to hire from their shop on Exeter Quay. This includes canoes for 2 or 3 people (with some canoes suitable for 2 adults and 2 small children sharing the centre seat), sit-on-top kayaks (singles and doubles) and Stand Up Paddleboards. All of these are suitable for complete beginners, providing you can swim.

What equipment do I need?
Saddles & Paddles provides everything you need; buoyancy aids for adults and lifejackets for young children, paddles and basic instruction, to make sure you know how to get in and out of the water, how to paddle and where to visit. It's useful to have a dry bag to store your valuables in, but if you don't own one then they can be purchased from as little as £5

How to stay safe

We follow the recommended safety guidance for paddlesports, so everyone (including any children) must be able to swim to hire with us. Your safety is the most important thing! But the best thing is that when you hire from us, you are paddling the easiest 'grade' of water, because from our pontoon you paddle away on sheltered, non-tidal waters in the river basin and then the picturesque Exeter Ship Canal. This means our paddle route is perfect for families and beginners, and we provide all the guidance you need before paddling off.

Further safety advice can be found at Go Paddle and the RNLI.

Where can I paddle?

You can hire for up to an hour and have a gentle paddle around Exeter Quayside, or you can hire for longer and continue along the canal, which extends 6 miles out of Exeter, finishing at the Turf Locks pub. Most of our customers enjoy paddling the shorter distance to the first lock gates on the canal, where you can take a well earned refreshment stop at the scenic Double Locks pub, which has their very own large, canalside beer garden. You can easily make the return journey in two hours but many people stop for a leisurely lunch. You can explore the paddle route here.

Are dogs welcome?

The whole family can enjoy a day out as your four legged friend is welcome along on the canoes. There's even a dog bicycle trailer for hire if you prefer staying on dry land.

Saddles & Paddles is one of the longest running leisure businesses in Devon. Established in 1992, it has been open as an independent bike shop hire centre on Exeter Quay for over 30 years, helping locals and visitors to get more active and explore the beautiful surrounding area.