#30DaysWild 9. Explore the Exe Estuary by boat

Today’s Random Act of Wildness was to take time off to kayak the Exe Estuary. And since it’s a fun thing to do if you’re staying at Wheatland Farm this summer, here’s a bit more information.

[This post has been updated to make it more useful, post-COVID.]

Maggie paddles with the Exeter Canoe Club, based at the canal basin in Exeter. But there are several hire shops locally too.

Even if you’re an absolute newbie to kayaking, canoeing or stand up paddle boarding you can still have a go. Running alongside the river Exe is the Exeter Ship Canal – a very sheltered strip of water widely used for recreation at all levels. You can hire at the canal basin and just paddle down to the Double Locks pub. It’s a huge ‘beer garden lunch time’ sort of pub venue with lots of outdoor seating. It does good food, and produces the plates quickly. If yours is a family outing, maybe rent out a open canoe, and take the kids for a gentle float, then reward yourself with lunch.

If you’re after something more energetic or individual-based, AS Watersports hires out canoes, kayaks and SUPs. AS Watersports shop is in the Exeter canal basin – you can’t miss it.

Kayakhub, based at slipway in the canal basin, hires out canoes, kayaks and SUPs. You book a slot and turn up for the briefing and your boat. See their contact page to get in touch. Or maybe reach them through facebook.

Saddles and paddles, on Exeter Quay hire out boats. Find them on facebook. And of course they hire bikes too – cycling the Exe Trail makes another fab day out.

Here are a couple of links to paddling information for the Exe:

Kayaking loops on the Exe, a pdf from Haven Banks Outdoor centre: https://www.haven-banks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kayak-Code-A4-print-outs.pdf

https://gopaddling.info/rivers/river-exe/

https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/uploads/documents/River-Exe-and-Exeter-Ship-Canal-Loop-2-_-Salmonpool-to-Countess-Weir.pdf