What do I need to get started in the sport?

To get started you must be patient, determined to learn, realistic (it’s best to learn on calm, flat water!) and have a good sense of humour (you will get wet)!

Where can I learn?

Try your local club or enrol on a course at a water sports centre. There are good centres all over the country, check the web for one near you. The British Canoe Union have information on most clubs. www.bcu.org.uk

What equipment do I need to start me off?

Firstly try before you buy! Clubs and centres will usually have equipment you can loan while you’re learning. Take your time deciding what is best for you. If you decide kayaking is for you, you’ll need a well-built plastic kayak with fitted buoyancy aid. A free-ride design is best for all round use; it should last you for years and it’ll be able to take you from learning on a lake to your first class IV rapid. You will also need a strong composite paddle that you can use comfortably, a good quality neoprene spraydeck to stop the water flooding in and a buoyancy aid that’s in a good condition to keep you afloat if it all goes wrong. You should never kayak without one.

Where can I get the kit from?

There is a variety of equipment available at dealerships nationwide and most will have demo kayaks to try. Again have a look on the web for more info.

Is there a basic fitness level required at entry level?

The great thing about kayaking is that you can make it as easy or hard as you like. On white-water you need to be a strong swimmer and fit enough to carry yourself and all your kit up and down steep banks and over boulders when necessary.

Any big events we should know about?

In the south, check out the Hurley classic event in Berkshire, (25-26th March) for all the latest freestyle shenanigans. For exciting racing the Liquid life event in Scotland 27-28th May. The next World Championships will be held in Canada in 2007.

Good places in the UK to try out the sport

To begin with any local lake or waterway with access. To try white water in the south some of Thames weirs have good flows and waves to surf in the winter, check out www.thamesweirproject.co.uk for information on the weirs. The National water sports centre in Nottingham has year round white water on their slalom course. Canolfan Tryweryn in North Wales is reliable dam-released white water experience.

Do you know any good websites?

www.playak.com
www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk
Fat Face Team Rider Matt Tidy’s own site www.tidytrix.co.uk