Frequently Asked Questions

Our Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to our most frequently asked questions, however please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions – we are only too happy to help.

General

We offer a variety of paddle sports hire including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, pedalos and rowing boats.  Additionally, we provide group activities in paddle sports, sailing and ghyll scrambling and tuition for sailing and paddle sports. 

Our operating hours are from 9:00 – 17:30 with a close for lunch between 13:30 – 14:00.

The shop is open from 9:00 – 17:00 and Hire sessions start at 10:00 with the last session starting at 15:00.

Hire can be booked via our online hire booking page.

Activities and tuition can be booked through our online activity finder.

You don’t need to be able to swim as buoyancy aids are provided.

Free car parking is available on site for the duration of your hire.

I’m afraid we don’t hire out motor boats but if you contact the Keswick Launch Company they should be able to help you.

You need a Rod Licence and a Local Permit (available at Youdales in Keswick) to fish on the lake.

We don’t have a safety boat out on the water but we will come and assist in an emergency.

We don’t have a café on site but their are a couple of cafes only a few minutes’ walk away. Including The Chalet and Lingholm Kitchen.

We have a shop selling a wide range of watersports clothing, equipment & chandlery.

Hire – Bookings may be cancelled or amended up to 7 days prior to your booking date after that no money will be refunded.  Pre-booked hire cannot be moved to another date. If we cancel the session all monies will be refunded.

Group Activities and Tuition – Bookings are non-refundable once made.  If the minimum number of participates is not met, we reserve the right to cancel, offer an alternative date or run as a private session (addition cost of this).  If we cancel the session all monies will be refunded.

We do not offer a day launching service. But there may be a way we can accomodate you.

What we Provide

We don’t provide footwear but we would recommend wearing it as the shores of Derwent Water are quite stony. We do sell some very good value wetsuit shoes in our shop.

If you would like to wear a wetsuit, they are provided for all tuition sessions, group activities and paddle board hire.

Yes Buoyancy Aids are provided or Life Jackets for young children.

We don’t have dry bags or barrels for hire but we do sell them in our shop at a very reasonable price.

Boat Hire

Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult on the water at all times, but you can be in separate craft.

We don’t ask for a lot of experience for paddling just that you are confident that you can manage the boat on the water with the conditions on the day.
We are happy for you to take a dog on the water as long as you are happy the dog won’t capsize the boat.
The best kit to wear on the water is usually sports clothing as it is warmer when wet and usually dries quickly. Cotton clothing can be uncomfortable when wet & isn’t great at keeping you warm!

Tuition

We provide all equipment for the session except footwear.

There are no tuition sessions with an age limit. The only activity we have an age limit on is Ghyll scrambling which is 8 years or older but if you have a child under 8 it is worth giving us a call to discuss if the session is suitable for them. We have no upper age limit.

We have a maximum of 6 – 10 per Instructor depending on the activity.

Swimming costume / shorts to wear under wetsuit

A pair of old trainers, old trousers/shorts, T shirt & fleece

Towel and a set of warm clothes to put on after activities

A wooly hat in spring and autumn

Peaked hat and sun cream in spring and summer

Food and drink for all day activities

£1 coin for a hot shower

Normally our Morning sessions are between 9.30 – 12.30 and afternoon sessions are 13.30 – 16.30. However times may vary.

We hold an AALA licence and we and Royal Yachting Association & British Canoeing training centre.
All our staff are trained in the activity they are leading – in many cases this has led to them holding the National Governing body award in the sport. Where this isn’t applicable they have an in-house approval.
We can usually offer an alternative activity or date.
If you are unsure which is the best course for you give us a call and we will happily discuss the options with you and help you decide what would be best for you.
Whilst most courses will have some theory, we will try to cover as much of the course as possible out on the water.
We will do our best to ensure that you get a qualification at the end of the course but as everyone learns at different speeds it may occasionally be necessary to do a few extra hours in order to complete it.
The best kit to wear on the water is usually sports clothing as it is warmer when wet and usually dries quickly. Cotton clothing can be uncomfortable when wet & isn’t great at keeping you warm!

Group Activities

  • Swimming costume / shorts to wear under wetsuit
  • A pair of old trainers, old trousers/shorts, T shirt & fleece
  • Towel and a set of warm clothes to put on after activities
  • A wooly hat in spring and autumn
  • Peaked hat and sun cream in spring and summer
  • Food and drink for all day activities
  • £1 coin for a hot shower

Normally our Morning sessions are between 9.30 – 12.30 and afternoon sessions are 13.30 – 16.30. However times may vary.

We hold an AALA licence and we and Royal Yachting Association & British Canoeing training centre.
All our staff are trained in the activity they are leading – in many cases this has led to them holding the National Governing body award in the sport. Where this isn’t applicable they have an in-house approval.
We can usually offer an alternative activity or date.

The only activity we have an age limit on is Ghyll scrambling which is 8 years or older but if you have a child under 8 it is worth giving us a call to discuss if the session is suitable for them. We have no upper age limit.

Yes we can cater for all group types.
The best kit to wear on the water is usually sports clothing as it is warmer when wet and usually dries quickly. Cotton clothing can be uncomfortable when wet & isn’t great at keeping you warm!