Canoe Sailing
Fast to learn - zero to fun in a short time
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
Visual impairment and your own guide
Visual impairment and a guide dog
Have a visual impairment and want to come alone
Autism
Down's Syndrome
Space and calm needs
Amputees
Older people
Walking sticks or aids
Manual Chair users
Speech Impairments
Tourettes syndrome
Hearing impairment
Speak to us if you:
Have a visual impairment and want to come alone
Normally have full time support
Need head support
Primarily communicate using sign language
Use an electric wheelchair
Use a hoist to transfer
Canoe Sailing Overnight Camp
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
Canoe Sailing Days
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.
Learn to Canoe Sail
Weekends
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.
Canoe Sail & Wild Camp
Scotland trips
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
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.
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
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.
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
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 PageCanoe sailing accessibility statement
Vision
Suitable for all those who can perceive and identify objects 100m away
or bring a friend
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
Cognition
We also offer dedicated cognitive needs editions
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
or bring a friend
Our boats can accommodate a dedicated helper
Mobility
You need to be able to sit upright without being strapped in but with back and side support
or speak to us about an in-boat volunteer (to allow strap support)
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
Auditory
Suitable for people with most auditory impairments that do not require signing to communicate or bring an interpreter
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 formI’ve got more questions
Ask a question or call usWe 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.
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