Maes y lade Outdoor Education Centre

Kayaking

Many people get kayaking mixed up with open canoeing . Lets get it straight!

Kayaks are often but not always boats for one person. These are moved with a double bladed (ended) paddle.
Open canoes are generally capable of carrying more than one person. These are moved with a single bladed paddle.
Kayaks are associated with the Inuit or Eskimo peoples of the Arctic. They would paddle their kayaks out to sea and hunt for seals and fish. Their kayaks were made of whale bones and seal skin! - very different to the kayaks used at Maes y Lade which are made from plastic.
Canoes are associated with Native Americans and the lakes and rivers of North America. These were often made of birch bark or even hollowed out trees!

At Maes y Lade, kayaking usually takes the form of a journey. Most of the time we use the River Wye, but we also use the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal or the River Usk. The skills needed to move a kayak take time to learn. You will need to practice and usually a good deal of patience is needed, but that is part of the challenge. Once you have learned to control your boat, if the conditions are right, we may spend some time on white water!

This students second time kayaking!

Questions?

Q. I can't swim very well. Can I still do it?
A. YES. All canoeists wear bouyancy aids which are similar to life jackets. This means even if you do fall in, you will float.

Q. I don't want to capsize. Will I be made to?
A. No! nobody is made to do this, but there is always a slight chace it may happen accidentaly. But don't worry, you will be told everything you need to know.

	Contact us at: Tregoyd, Brecon, Powys LD3 0SS. Tel/Fax: 01497 847287 e-mail: enquiries@maesylade.co.uk