New hobby - Kayaking/Canoeing - Any advice from anyone familiar?

[Gimpymoo]

What kit is needed (Beyond the obvious to a new starter)

Tips welcomed.

I have a 10 minute walk to the canal from the house so need something I can carry

I will not be starting till September so have some time to get stuff together, complete training etc.

Many thanks.

 

[shroomz]

Is it just flat water on the canal or will you be going to the white water course too?

I ask because the kit varies between the two. You'll definitely need a buoyancy aid no matter what kind of paddling you do but the importance of other things changes

 

[Richand]

I kayak at HPP in Nottingham pretty much twice every week, you should get yourself down to the club there on Saturday mornings at 10am.

First 2 sessions are £3 without the need to sign up until after the taster sessions, Loads of new people down every weekend and also different boats from long tourers to short whitewater.

The club have a pond to teach you the basics and always a group going up the trent to trent bridge and back so not all big scary white water the course actually has a back channel to teach moving water without it being big and continuous like the course.

The trips up the trent will show you how the choice of boat really makes a difference which is important for you in kayaking on canals, which I'm sure you will get bored of quickly, there is a loop up Nottingham canal and down the trent from Beeston and back up the canal.

edit: details of the club here: http://www.hppcc.co.uk/