Canoe Sailing 

Fast to learn - zero to fun in a short time

Disabled sailor sails solo next to a couple sailing.

An unexpected discovery on the search for accessible adventure

Canoe sailing is a little bit punk. The sailing clubs might scoff, but the sailing canoe doesn't care as it blasts straight past in a whisper of wind. 

We developed canoe sailing out of necessesity - we needed a sailing boat that people could get into easily whilst offering folk independence combined with adrenaline. Canoe sailing is a well kept secret, it exists as a sport but few have discovered it.

Once in the canoe all the controls are right in front of you, the steering is to one side and there is one sitting position, and once you are comfortable there is no need to move to balance the boat or duck for the boom passing over head. 

It turns out that canoe sailing is awesome 

We love canoe sailing,  it makes us smile - they accelerate like nothing else and give a rush as they kick up their heels and shoot off.

I can’t help but smile when out in our wee boats and neither can our customers. 

There is probably no more exhilarating way to explore Englands largest lake.

Canoe Sailing is great for 

Visiual imparement with helper

Visual impairment and your own guide

Visual Imparement with guide dog

Visual impairment and a guide dog

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Have a visual impairment and want to come alone 

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Autism

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Down's Syndrome

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Space and calm needs

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Amputees

Elderly

Older people

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Walking sticks or aids

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Manual Chair users

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Speech Impairments

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Tourettes syndrome 

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Hearing impairment

Speak to us if you:

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Have a visual impairment and want to come alone 

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Normally have full time support

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Need head support 

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Primarily communicate using sign language

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Use an electric wheelchair 

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Use a hoist to transfer

Canoe Sailing Overnight Camp 

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Take a mini Canoe Sailing adventure and come back with great stories.

A fantastic experience people looking for a very different weekend. 

Same abilty requirements to  camp as sailing 

More Info

 Canoe Sailing Days

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A day spent having a go and getting a feel for what it means to sail.

Perfect for beginners, rusty old hands, and those feeling less confident.

An exciting day of your holiday or day out. 

More Info

Learn to Canoe Sail
Weekends

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Sailfast weekends are all about getting a real feel and understanding for Sailing. Careful it's easy to get addicted.

Expect whoops of joy, heart in the mouth moments and a great laugh with Chris and the team.

More info

 Canoe Sail & Wild Camp 
Scotland trips

Yacht sails with sun shining through near Aaron

Canoe Sailing on tour. 

Have you spent a day with us Canoe Sailing on Windermere?
and ready for the next challenge?

Canoe Sail on Loch Lomond with an island overnight campout.

Canoe sailing is how we propel ourselves from the Atlantic to the North Sea across the whole of Scotland 

More Info
Stern of the boat showing access gate in back
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel
Cockpit of boat showing u shaped seating and large central wheel

Supportive Seating 

Because canoe sailing is forward facing you can sit in a suportive seat to sail, these vary from a bit of back support to a high backed lateral support seat 

Lead back controlls 

Rather than have people move to the sail controlls the ropes are lead back to a control board (in two of the canoes) so that everything is in reach for general sailing 

Making Canoe Sailing Inclusive 

How we adapt canoe sailing to your needs 

We can't list everything here but below is a summary of our top enablement tools.

Loos during the day 

We sail from our base with fully accessible facilities, level access showering and changing tables so you can go before. Whilst out and about we can carry portable loo and privacy shelter that can be set up in all manner of places including inside the support boat itself and wherever we have lunch in less than 10 minutes. Often though we transfer back into the powerboat, anchor the canoes and blast black to the base or to our partner organisations accessible facilities. 

Freedom the drop front powerboat

Our drop-front powerboat makes canoe sailing possible for people in so many ways. Self-transferring sailors can transfer in and out of the boat by pulling the canoe inside the boat. This means we can launch from anywhere the boat can get to and we can get off the canoes no matter what the environment.  

We can wizz to good sailing areas and guarantee that we can make it back to the launch points.

We can rescue you from the water with minimal impact on your body by essentially floating aboard and then raising the floor. 

We can come over to help with an awkward sail or stuck rope. 

Radio Guidance 

The radios in each boat make it easy to communicate, to be able to hear what's going on and avoids unnecessary shouting. 

Canoe sailing days

A full day on the water having a great go of sailing. 

The day starts with building your own boat so you slowly get to learn what each bit does and how to use it in a chilled out environment. 

We spend some time making sure everyone is comfortable and has suitable seating and support before setting off for our first experience. We tow you to a nice quiet and low stress area on the lake before setting you off. 

People mostly go solo but there is space for a friend, carer or helper in the boat for those that would benefit from extra help. You're never fully on your own though as our nippy powerboat does sheepdog duties while the instructor gives guidance via easy to hear onboard walkie talkies. 

After a hearty lunch and reflection on the morning’s introductory sail it is time to get back out there, with more knowlegde and technique to see if you can sail a triangular course  - your first sailing milestone. 

Ask a question

Learn to canoe sail weekends

If you want to learn to sail or think sailing might be your thing a weekend is ideal.  It is enough time to really start to understand the basics, enjoy plenty of time on the water and increase your confidence as you explore the lake by sail.

We do both days from the same place and leave the boats set up so that day 2 is much more focused on sailing time.  

We have a range of great suggestions for accomodation, and if you need transport we can arrange a package to suit which is important if your arriving by train. 

Find out more 
Join us on the 21st and 22nd May 2024 
Join us on the 24th and 25th of September 2024
or request some different dates
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Canoe Sailing overnight camp

Sailing is about going somewhere and one fantastic option is to go for a wild night out.  

We have a fantastic spot with good access for a range of needs, cunning toileting solutions and all the overnight equipment you need. 

The first day starts much like the other canoe sailing courses apart from we never turn round. Lunch is somewhere new and so is dinner. The next day we keep going. 

We will also teach you how to build and light a campfire which will be used for cooking over, as well as sitting around and relaxing in the evening. This is not a campsite experience but it is comfortable with privacy, great food and comfort. It is a wilderness experience, and we take everything we need for a memorable camp and carry everything out again in the morning. This does include the toilet!

This has the same ability criteria as the other canoe sailing activities - yes you can.

Email to set up some dates

Canoe Sail - Loch Lomond

Sailing is about exploring so this year for the first time we are off exploring in our Sailing Canoes across the border into Scotland and you are invited. This years destination - Loch Lomond; huge, wild and oddly populated by wombats! 

This is a proper adventure that many can access, in true Anyone Can Style. 

We book this weekend on demand - ideal for 2-4 person so please do email to set up some dates

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Canoe Sail Part of the cross Scotland canoe trip 

Canoe sailing comes into its own when you have 60 miles to cover. Low impact on the body less power transfer through your bum. The ability to sail our canoes truly makes it possible to paddle from the Atlantic to the North Sea via Loch Ness - the longest inland lake in the UK.

Find out more about the Great Glen paddle trip here 

Paddle the Great Glen Page
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Canoe sailing accessibility statement 

Ability Icon Vision

Vision

  • AR_V%20 %20Perceve%20Object%20at%20100m

    Suitable for all those who can perceive and identify objects 100m away 

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    or bring a friend 

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    or ask about a volunteer guide

  • Controls are laid out on a fixed rack to make them easy to identify

  • We coach by radio to help guide and interpret the conditions

  • Great sailing is as much about the other senses than sight - you can feel, hear and sense the boat's reactions to make adjustments to sail well

    Our boats can accommodate a dedicated helper

Ability Icon Cognition

Cognition

  • We also offer dedicated cognitive needs editions

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  • Suitable for those able to self manage without dedicated support 

    Participants should be capable of understanding and be able to follow instructions consistently - most sailing safety comes from some core rules. If not, please bring a dedicated helper

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    or bring a friend

  • Our boats can accommodate a dedicated helper

Ability icon mobility

Mobility  

  • AR_M%20 %20Can%20Sit%20Unsupported%20on%20a%20Bench%203

    You need to be able to sit upright without being strapped in but with back and side support

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    or speak to us about an in-boat volunteer (to allow strap support) 

  • AR_M%20 %20Can%20Bum%20Shuffle%201
  • To drive the powerboat (currently), you must be able to bum shuffle 

    To sail you must have good motion in at least one arm

  • You do not need to be able to manoeuvre quickly or dash around

    Seating in the Canoe trimaran and Powerboat can be in a supportive watersports seat

    On-site wheelchair accessible toilets, showers, changing place and level access cafe

Ability Icon Auditory

Auditory 

  • AR_A%20 %20Can%20Hear%20Instructions%20or%20Lip%20Read

    Suitable for people with most auditory impairments that do not require signing to communicate or bring an interpreter

    Bring%20a%20Friend

    or bring a friend 

  • A BSL assistant instructor is occasionally available

  • We have radios and T-loop transmission units to aid hearing when separated or the wind hinders hearing 

  • The site has t-loop systems in the office, shop and cafe

Sounds great - let's do it

Open booking form

I’ve got more questions

Ask a question or call us

We love questions, please pop anything you would like to know here and we will get back to you asap

or give us a call on 01539 310041

or drop us an email on info@anyoncan.uk

Not quite right, need different dates, want control of the itinerary or want to save money by filling your own trip?

We love commissions, requests for alternate dates and requests to make specific adaptions - in fact, we would not exist without them.

So please, if you like what you read but it's not quite there or you want something different, do get in touch and we look forward to hearing from you. 

Send us a message

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Excellent accessibility icons designed by Emma Briggs Design

Emma Briggs Design

European Start up Funded 

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European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development  

Europe investing in rural areas

Anyone Can: Connecting Transport Hubs to Lake Shores - Accessible Canoeing

Purchase of an accessible powered support and rescue vessel, and a mobile fleet of canoes with trailer

It is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 

Supported by the Cumbria Fells and Dales Local Action Group 

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