Review – Kinver Canal Kayak Hire with River Severn Canoes

When was the last time you tried something new? Mine was today when we went kayaking as a family on the canal in Kinver.

It’s great to push yourself out of your comfort zone from time to time whether you are 5 or 50 as overcoming a fear or setting yourself a new challenge helps build confidence.

Being active, spending time in green spaces and being with people you love also releases the body’s feel good chemicals.

So paddling a kayak along the canals at Kinver with River Severn Canoes ticks lots of wellbeing boxes!

We picked up our two person kayaks from River Severn Canoes’ base at The Vine Inn, Kinver – one for us and one for our two teenage boys.

Prices are £12 per child and £15 per adult for a 90 minute session, which we felt was really good value.

The kayaks are suitable for children 5+ and you can even bring your dog should you wish!

Our instructor provided us with buoyancy aids plus a dry bag to put our valuables in and then ran through how to paddle.

We carried our paddles down to the canal side and he helped us get into our kayaks.

I was surprised at how safe and stable the kayak felt as we pushed off from the side and made our way down the canal.

You turn back when you get to the lock so it really is a stretch of easy paddling along a very picturesque part of the canal – a 2.8km round-trip.

We soon got into the rhythm of paddling and before we knew it we were passing quaint cottages and ducks and ducklings.

Having a two person kayak gives you the opportunity to take it in turns to paddle or for one of you to take the strain if you are with a younger child.

We have always appreciated the canals at Kinver and often walk or cycle along the towpaths but to be able to paddle along them gave us a new perspective and allowed us to enjoy the tranquility of being on the water.

We did get a bit wet and our clothes were splashed from the movement of the paddles so we definitely advise bringing a towel and a change of clothes.

Once we were back on dry land we founds seats at The Vine’s outside seating area over-looking the canal where we tucked into a well-deserved wood fired pizza and a drink each.

We all enjoyed our kayaking session and would definitely hire them again.

Now that we have built our confidence we will also look at hiring a canoe from River Severn Canoes and taking part in one of their longer, self-guided river trips in future.

Kinver Kayak Hire with River Severn Canoes is available weekends and every day in the school holidays.

Bookings can be made in advance and on the day subject to availability.

To book visit www.riverserverncanoes.co.uk

By Jo Messinger, Editor Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire Raring2go!