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Paddle & Bushcraft Adventure Weekend

11th - 12th may 2019 | bedford

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Join us for a weekend adventure in the wilds of beautiful Bedford with experts from Canoe Trail as we go for a paddle (no experience necessary) and build our own camp spot in the gorgeously remote Matchstick Forest. This will be a gentle introduction to paddling and bushcraft skills as we learn to build shelters to sleep in, cook over the fire (which you build and light yourself), practise knot tying, rope work and adventure skills. You don’t need to be Indiana Jones, this adventure is open to everyone over 4 years old.

Choose from a fleet of 90 canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards and learn to paddle down the Great Ouse River. We will meet in Bedford at Longholme Café and Boating Lake, get you kit out in paddling equipment before giving you full tuition on the river bank and then you are ready to set off.

Adults: £125 per person

Small human 4 - 16 years: £80

itinerary:

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day 1

6 miles, approx. 4 hrs in canoes and 2 portage

Meet Bedford 10.30-11am (we can collect some people and kit from the station but often people like to walk along the river bank to the meeting spot)

Introduction to paddling on the river bank

Depart and paddle to private woodland in Matchstick Forest

Lunch on the riverbank (bring a packed lunch with you)

Arrive & make camp in remote woodland, completely cut off from the world!

Dinner around the campfire and of course, we’ll break out the marshmallows and chat adventure!

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day 2

2 miles, Approx 1.5 hrs in canoes and 1 portage

Breakfast in camp

Learn bushcraft activities in camp and practice your paddling skills on the water

Leave camp and paddle off into the distance - learn to shoot a weir (falling in is totally optional!)

Finish at Great Barford - high fives all around!

Finish about 2-3pm then we provide a return shuttle back to Bedford station

what’s included?

  • Dinner on Saturday, then breakfast and lunch on the Sunday

  • Shuttle to/from Bedford train station to the start/finish points

  • Fully qualified guides and instructors for paddling and bushcraft activities

  • Your choice of SUP, kayak or canoe with all the safety equipment you need :)

  • Dry bags

  • Camping gear available on request

what’s not included?

about canoe trail

Canoe Trail is a family run water sports and adventurous activities company run by husband and wife team Richard and Ashley. They have spent their whole lives enjoying the water and the great outdoors and Canoe Trail provides the opportunity to share their passion for water sports and adventure with others. Richard and Ashley are passionate about canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, basically messing about on the water. They have a riverside woodland campsite and provide low ropes, archery and bushcraft - and they can’t wait to meet you!

paddles up!

Fill in the form below if you’re keen to find out more. If you’re ready to book your place straight away, you’re awesome - click here!