Placid Kayak

Kayaks were introduced by Eskimos for hunting. Commonly a single seated craft, though two & four seated kayaks are also used for both recreation & racing. Kayakers use a double bladed paddle & sit, whereas canoists kneel & use a single bladed paddle.

Kayaking is a great experiencial activity, which obviously gets everybody involved. Haven Banks has a fleet of over 60 modern general purpose & river running kayaks, with all the necessary specialst equipment. Centre kayaks are particularly suited to the beginner, being spaceous & stable, ideal for your first experiences.

We quite understand those of you who may be a little apprehensive of taking to the water for the first time, we've all been there! Modern kayaks are much more stable than they look. Although a guarantee cannot be given, the likelihood of tipping over is absolutely minimal, obviously unless you want to!

There are various way in which Adults & Young People can join us. As well as our provision to organised groups, we also run sessions & courses for Adults in the Evenings & Weekends. Young people have a choice of courses during the Spring, Summer or Autumn Half-Terms, with an array of options throughout the School Easter & Summer Holidays. Many families & groups book a private session or course, perhaps a group of friends or birthday treat or special occassion.

All sessions are run by fully qualified & experienced BCU Coaches. Courses can work towards a BCU National Governing Body Award. For kayaking & canoeing these are the Star awards. Alternatively many just prefer to kayak for the enjoyment & social side of the sport. Either way sessions are designed to be great fun, educational & informative & obviously run to the highest standards of safety. A session at the Centre last approximately 2 hours & courses are generally for 4 to 6 weeks. There is flexibility in everything Haven Banks offers, so why not contact us to dicuss things further. With prices starting from under £9 for a 2 hour session there really is no safer or better way of getting afloat!

Placid water kayaking is where everybody begins or began. Haven Banks has waterside premises which back right onto Exeter Canal. The Canal offers a safe & enjoyable environment to start out in the sport. Stretching for some 6 miles, passing Double Locks & continuing on where it reaches the Exe Estuary at The Turf. There is also easy access to the River Exe from the Canal, which is also used for beginner & progressing groups. Here the local weirs can used as the climax to a beginner course or for those more adventurous beginners! There are extensive possibilities for these endless stretches of water.