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Thursday, 14 August 2008 17:31 |
A vision of paddling your own canoe into a Broads sunset and camping overnight in the great outdoors has finally become reality.
Two
members of the Broads Canoe Hire Network Association have launched
camping canoe trails this season and the seven other centres are set to
go live next year.
Tony
Urwin, of Bank Dayboats at Wayford Bridge, chairman of the network,
said there had been a huge demand for canoe camping. Since they tested
the water this year 16 parties had taken canoes for two or three day
expeditions. One party towed two canoes behind filled with rations
while others headed for accommodation near riverside pubs, and another
had embarked on a 50km charity paddle from Wayford Bridge to Hickling.
A vision of paddling your own canoe into a Broads sunset and camping overnight in the great outdoors has finally become reality.
Two
members of the Broads Canoe Hire Network Association have launched
camping canoe trails this season and the seven other centres are set to
go live next year.
Tony
Urwin, of Bank Dayboats at Wayford Bridge, chairman of the network,
said there had been a huge demand for canoe camping. Since they tested
the water this year 16 parties had taken canoes for two or three day
expeditions. One party towed two canoes behind filled with rations
while others headed for accommodation near riverside pubs, and another
had embarked on a 50km charity paddle from Wayford Bridge to Hickling.
Canoeists
can head for existing camp sites such as at Oby and Clippesby Hall, or
camp rough at beautiful Salhouse Broad or on river banks where the
permission of the landowners has already been sought. For a one way
expedition the hirer will collect the canoe for a small extra fee.
Canoeing
on the Broads has proved "a massive success" with 250,000 people
paddling the quiet waters of the Broads since the network began six
years ago in canoes part funded by the Broads Authority's Sustainable
Development Fund, LEADER + and Community Chest.
"Canoeing
is such a wonderful way to enjoy the tranquility and wildness of the
Broads and get close to the wildlife," said Tony. "The canoe trails
offer a real chance to get back to nature. It's a great way to reach
the quiet, hidden parts other boats can't reach."
"In
a canoe you will hear an otter before you even see it. Then you can sit
quietly and wait to see it. In a big boat you wouldn't hear it and
you'd miss it. People come back much happier in a canoe than in a day
boat because they are all active and they can get closer to the wildlife. They just love it."
Bank
Dayboats also offers evening guided trips -a great way to unwind after
a day in the office- every evening except Sunday. The trips have proved
popular not just with individuals but professional clubs and
organisations such as Rotary and Round Table.
"Canoeing is a quick way to unwind after work," says Tony. "It's magic. Within five minutes you are in a different world."
The
2-3 hour expeditions either head up to the clear waters of the North
Walsham and Dilham canal where bigger boats can't go or down to Barton
Broad. They are accompanied by a qualified instructor who will point
out the wildlife. Canoeists may see otters, kingfishers, marsh
harriers, owls and may hear, and even see, a bittern.
"My
customers have seen bitterns, but I only ever hear them," said Tony
ruefully, a converted power boat racing driver. "Canoeing is my
favourite pastime now. I take the camera and just go as often as I can."
The
canoe hire network, the brainchild of the Broads Authority, started
with six centres throughout the northern and southern rivers and has
grown to nine this year. Two new outlets, Whispering Reeds at Hickling
and Martham Boats has extended the opportunity to canoe on the
beautiful and wild Upper Thurne.
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