Visitors to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal are being given the chance to get out on the water as the Canal & River Trust launches a programme of paddlesport sessions at Standedge.
The guided activities include canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, allowing participants to explore one of the region’s most distinctive waterways under the supervision of qualified instructors.
Sessions last around 90 minutes and include safety guidance, basic paddling tuition and time on the water, with all equipment provided. Running throughout school holiday periods, the activities are suitable for beginners, while private lessons can also be arranged.
Prices range from £12 to £36 depending on age and type of craft, making the sessions accessible to families and individuals alike.
For more experienced paddlers, the trust is also developing guided canoe trips through the famous Standedge Tunnel. The one-way journeys between Marsden and Diggle take around two hours and offer a unique perspective on the country’s longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel.
Each canoe costs £110, with participants responsible for arranging transport at the end of the trip. Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, while children must be aged six or over to take part, although exceptions may be considered. Dogs are not permitted in the craft.
Participants are advised to bring spare clothing as capsizing is always a possibility. Facilities at the site are limited and parking is located off-site, approximately a 15-minute walk from the visitor centre near Marsden Railway Station.
