A variety of touring trips are organised throughout the year for beginner as well as more advanced paddlers. The trips are generally for recreational paddlers looking for a gentle paddle along a quiet waterway in either a canoe or kayak.  Many are suitable for SUPs - please contact us at info@chichestercanoeclub.co.uk to check suitability if its not specifically mentioned.

Please contact us if you'd like specific trip information that hasn't been published.

If you're new to touring and are wondering what to take out on the water, here's an informal introductory guide to help you get started.

Packing ideas for newbies (who don’t want to buy much stuff when starting out)

You’ll have some of this at home already, and can find watersports gear in the middle of Aldi/Lidl, on 2^nd hand sites, at Decathlon and budget stores, as well as pricier shops. It’s fine to make do as you get started; look for quick dry clothing, for obvious reasons… There are lots of future shopping opportunities when you get the bug and want to be more comfortable in specific water-y gear!

Neoprene (bottoms/ top /farmer johns) keeps you warm if wet. If using a wetsuit/jacket, check that the cut under the arms allows you to paddle easily.

Have to hand while paddling   NB Anything which might float/sink is best tied on, or put in a zipped pocket or hatch. Specs, sunglasses, phone, hat (if you love it) are the obvious ones needing string so they don’t float away/sink.

1. Specs +string, if you wear them
2. Phone/camera +string+waterproof case (or pack it in your drybag)
3. Sweets, snacks eg nuts, dates, dried fruit
4. Waterbottle, keep within reach while paddling

Things to Wear Think about the weather - it can be windier on the water than on land, especially offshore:

1. Cag/waterproof top (it’s windproof, keeps off splashes and is a useful extra layer if getting cold including when stopping for lunch, even if it’s not raining)
2. Fleece and quick-dry shirt. (A rash vest is simply a quick-dry top with a high neck, designed to stop a wetsuit rubbing).
3. Quick-dry trousers/leggings/shorts/board shorts.  Over-the-knee ones stop knees scraping in the boat.
4. Shoes that can get wet and will stay on your feet if you fall in e.g. wet shoes, snug-fitting crocs with a heel strap, or old trainers/pumps. Not flip flops or wellies which will float away or fill with water at key moments. Accept it: feet will get wet..
5. Neoprene socks/swim socks help keep your feet warm
6. Sunhat (and/or warm hat) +string
7. Sunglasses +string
8. Thin man-made fibre gloves if there’s a cold wind (also useful to fend off blisters)
9. Swimming togs as a base layer? Quick-dry and makes it easy to go for a swim if that appeals to you.

On the water  (this gear + change of clothes just fits in a 10 litre drybag. Nylon drybags will let in water if left in a puddle for long enough (eg in a leaky boat hatch) but are much cheaper than the tougher rubbery ones.

1. Spare specs (if you wear them)
2. Mini-drybag/freezer bag to double-wrap phone (& battery-operated car keys, if taking them on the water)
3. Cash/card for shuttle costs, car parking, impromptu ice-cream stops etc
4. Sandwiches, snacks. Water will find its way into plastic wrapper/sandwich box, so consider double-wrapping sarnies if not putting them in your drybag. A leaky box => salty sandwiches! Keep all lunchtime gear (incl. food, drink, suncream, wipes) in one boat hatch so it’s easy to fish out at the lunch spot, without lots of hunting around the boat.

First aid bits (or rely on trip leader’s kit). These are just suggestions; you’ll know what you like to take out on a hike etc:

On the water (other stuff)

May be useful to have these at journey’s end    (+ take them in the kayak in a drybag, just in case you capsize)

1. Spare clothes due to risk of a wet bum from paddling, or wet everything if you capsize 
2. Towel – for general drying off
3. Changing robe can be useful if you own one, it’ll need its own dry bag, or stuff it loose in a hatch/in a carrier bag and accept it may get damp.

For car journey back, when you’re off the water

1. Bag to carry wet gear home (you’ll have a wet BA, spraydeck, shoes, plus damp clothes…). An ikea bag / bag for life or similar works well, the more waterproof the better, to keep car dry. Some use a rubber gardening tub.
2. Old towel to sit on if car seat might get wet
3. Dry shoes for driving home