5 reasons why canals are perfect for paddleboarding & kayaking in the autumn & winter

With over 2000 miles of canal networks spread across Britain passing their way through cities, villages and the countryside most of us aren't too far from a canal yet lots of paddlers have never set foot (whilst on their paddleboard!) on one. For those paddleboarders and kayakers who like to paddle throughout the year and whose favourite go to coastal paddle sports are too rough and unpredictable through the winter then finding a canal may be a great idea.  Autumn & winter are the perfect time of year to plan a paddling trip on one of the many canals across Britain; here's out top five reasons why:

1 - Sheltered conditions:

• We are lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the best coastal paddling routes in the UK (in our opinion!) but it is often too windy to take advantage of these coastal locations through the autumn and winter months which is when we head to paddle on canals near and far. Ordinarily canals are lined with trees on either side and are often low in valleys meaning that the benefit from being a lot less exposed and more sheltered than coastal and river locations so you won't be paddling against the wind and you will have a far more relaxed paddle.

2 - Calm water:

• If you are looking for an easy paddle on calm water then a canal could be your new favourite location to take your SUP or kayak. Canals are not tidal and are free of waves, with  the occasional motorised boats passing slowly, paddling is easy going and the chance of falling in cold water is very low meaning you will stay warm and dry for your day out. These conditions also make canal perfect for beginner paddlers wanting to build their confidence and more experienced paddlers looking to develop new paddling techniques and skills.
  
  
  

3 - Easy launch points:

• Launching is normally pretty easy along canals and because the water is flat and normally at a similar level it is possible to use designated launch points or find an area of the canal where you can put your board on the water and then climb on all while keeping your feet nice and dry. This is particularly beneficial during the winter months so that you can avoid wading through the water and getting your feet and legs cold at the beginning of your activity. Researching your route beforehand and looking for a section of the canal which has a car park close by will normally mean good access from a tow path or designated area to launch. We find that the Go Paddling 'Paddle Points' map is great for planning new paddling routes. 

4 - Wildlife & History: 

• Every canal has it's own story! The majority of Britain's canals were constructed during the industrial revolution to transport goods and materials between towns and cities often making their way through valleys, over rivers and later underneath bridges build for faster transport options. Canals offer us an alternative way to explore historic areas of cities and often have many impressive features along their path including bridges, tunnels and aqueducts. Whether you are paddling along a canal in a city or one passing through the countryside canals are also great locations for seeing a variety of wildlife. 

5 - Autumn Colours:

• If you time your trip right then you can be rewarded with some beautiful autumn colours as the the trees that line the canal start to turn orange and the leaves begin falling on the canal. This can create some incredible reflection on the water as you pass through bridges, historic villages and scenic countryside.

What is the best paddleboard for paddling on a canal?

Once you realise the joys of paddling on a canal you may find yourself paddling some longer distances and you will want an efficient board so covering these miles is nice and easy. As canals are made up of miles and miles of calm waters a touring style paddleboard is the the perfect kind of board to use on these waterways. Touring boards are longer than an all rounder SUPs which provides a couple of key benefits. The longer length and more streamlined shape of the board will increase the glide speed which means that for each paddle stroke you will travel further. Longer boards also track in a straight line better so when you paddle on a touring board you will find that you don't have to swap your paddle to either side of the board to keep it in a straight line. Overall upgrading to a touring paddleboard for paddling on a canal will mean you will be able to travel further and faster for less effort allowing you to explore more of these inland waterways.

Which Touring paddleboard package should I choose? 

At Sandbanks Style we have a couple of touring paddleboard packages which are both perfect for paddleboarding on flat water such as canals, lakes and calm seas. 

Sports Touring Classic Paddleboard Package (12' x 30'' x 6'')

At 12 foot in length and 30 inches wide our Sports Touring Classic is the perfect touring board for beginners and people wanting to upgrade from an all-rounder boards. As soon as you get on the paddleboard and start paddling you will immediately notice how the streamlined shape of the paddleboard glides through the water a lot easier than a shorter, wider board. Although a little less stable than Sandbanks Style all-rounder paddleboards such as the Ultimate & Elite paddleboard ranges the Sports Touring Classic is still 30 inches wide which will still feel very stable as you are paddling along flat waters such as canals. Our Sports Touring Classic also has front and rear bungy straps perfect for loading lots of kit onto your SUP for a full day of adventure. If you want a board that will do it all than this board is still stable enough for paddling on the sea as well. 

Sports Touring Pro Paddleboard Package (12'6'' x 29'' x 29'')

Even longer and even more streamlined our Sports Touring Pro  our Sports Touring Pro will go even faster per paddle stroke so is the perfect board for intermediate paddlers or confident novices who want the most efficient board to cover long distances with ease. Like the Sports Touring  Classic the Pro model comes with front and rear luggage straps and has a weight carrying capacity of 140 KG so is perfect for loading up with kit for a long day out or even an overnight paddling trip.

What is the best kayak for paddling on a canal? 

 Again, if you are wanting to travel long distances on a canal then a longer, streamlined kayak which is designed to effortlessly glide over flat water will be the best choice. Our Sandbanks Style Explorer canal is the perfect kayak for days out paddling on canals. Its flat based hull is designed specifically to efficiently glide on flat water and the longer length of this kayak means it will track well in a straight line so you don't have to worry about steering so much. The kayak comes in a single and double model and the open style cockpit means you have plenty of space for storing luggage and taking your dog along with you for a day out on the canal.

Our full dropdtitch inflatable kayaks are also perfect for exploring new canals and waterways as they pack away into a carry bag which will fit easily into the boot of your car so you do not have the hassle of getting roof bars, loading a heavy kayak on to the roof and worrying if you have strapped it onto your vehicle correctly yet they still perform like a rigid kayak so you get the best of both worlds.

Do you need a license to paddle on canals?

The majority of canals in England and Wales are managed by the Canal and River Trust and you will require a license to use the waterway on both a paddleboard and kayak. This license fee contributes towards the maintenance and upkeep of the canal and facilities. A day pass normally costs between £5-£10 or if you are planning on using the waterways numerous times over the year you may wish to get a Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) annual membership which includes additional benefits such as public liability insurance and member discounts. 

Best practice for paddling on canals:

• Whether on a motor craft or paddling all canal users must stick to the right hand side of the canal to prevent any collisions. Keep in mind that canal boats are long and can be trickier to maneuver than your SUP so moving to the edge of the canal when you see them approaching can help them.Some areas of canals can become shallow and larger boats may need to go to the centre of some sections of the canal so by keeping to the right hand bank when larger boats are approaching ensures you won't get in their way
• It may seem obvious but whilst paddling on canals make it a habit not to cut corners as you never know what might be a round the corner. Larger vessels may take longer to slow down or move out of the way for you. 
• As with anytime you are out on the water make sure that you are prepared and are following safety guidance. Wear a suitable personal flotation device, the correct leash and dress for the weather conditions which are forecasted. For more information see our previous guide to what to pack for winter paddling.
• Most canals will contain some locks. When planning your journey it is a good idea to be aware of how many longs you will come across on your route. We would never advise using a lock on a paddleboard or kayak so you will need to portage around the locks. Ensure that you can carry your board or boat and luggage for these distances. If you struggle to carry your board then you might wish to look at getting some SUP/kayak wheels to help you. 
• Make sure you check if you need a license to paddle on the canal
• Respect the wildlife 

Now you are all set for your next day out on your local canal! Make sure you tag us @sandbanksstyle so that we can see all of your adventures over the winter. 

Written by Kristy Hobart