You are booking from

The YHA
Ambleside

LA22 0EU
You are booking from

The YHA
Ambleside

LA22 0EU

Choose your hire craft

OPEN SELECTED WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS THROUGH 2024

Select a craft, then a date and time slot below, and add to cart.
If you require more than one type of craft then close the cart and add another craft before you checkout

Please scroll down for FAQs and further information

The price includes a £5 discount for booking in advance online

A PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN OF AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE MUST BE PRESENT ON THE WATER AT ALL TIMES

Please read our Terms and Conditions before making your reservation
Style
Duration

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Please check out the FAQ's below.

We do require all under 18s to be accompanied on the water by an over 18 at all times when hiring craft.

We do not have a minimum age for children going out on the water with adults, but we do require them to be able to support themselves unaided in changeable conditions, and to wear well fitted safety equipment such as buoyancy aids. Please call the shop if you are unsure, before making your reservation.

Stand up Paddleboards have a minimum age of 10 years old to be in charge of their own board. Younger children may go out on a board with an experienced adult paddler.

A PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN OF AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE MUST BE PRESENT ON THE WATER AT ALL TIMES

  • Single sit-on-tops - max. 85kg
  • Double sit-on-tops - max. 220kg
  • Stand Up Paddleboards - max. 100kg

Additionally you must be able to wear a buoyancy aid comfortably and safely.

No experience required!

Sit-on-top Kayaks - Whether it is a single for one person, or a double for two persons, sit-on-tops are the safest and easiest craft to use. Great for complete novices to tour the stunning scenery of Windermere, and perfect for families who just want to get out on the water and have some fun. Modern design technology means that these are easy to paddle in a straight line, hard to capsize, and practically unsinkable!

Stand up Paddleboards - Give stand up paddleboarding a go! Perhaps the most popular way to get out on the waters of Windermere. If you are an experienced/proficient paddler, then you are more than welcome to have a passenger up to 9 years old on the front of the board (10yrs plus are on their own board). If you have no experience then no passengers can be on board with you.

  • The craft, paddle and buoyancy aid
  • Backrest if hiring a sit-on-top
  • A dry bag, if requested
  • Advice on where to go, tailored to the conditions on the day
  • A brief instruction before hire
  • Wetsuits are NOT included, but can be hired for £5 on the day

PROOF OF RESERVATION AND PERSONAL ID WILL BE REQUIRED ON THE DAY

  • We require everybody to be wearing a T-shirt under their buoyancy aid. Clothing also needs to allow for freedom of movement. Even with a buoyancy aid on, getting back onto a boat can be tricky with restrictive clothing.
  • We do NOT allow any DENIM or SUEDE to be worn out on the water, as it would not meet the criteria above.
  • Bring any clothing and footwear you do not mind getting wet. A full change of clothing is advisable (just in case you go for a dip!)
  • In warmer weather bring sunscreen, a hat and a bottle of water (no single use plastics please!)
  • In cooler weather extra fleeces and waterproofs are advisable

You can cancel your activity, but you need to do this AT LEAST 48 hours BEFORE THE BOOKED START TIME, by calling us on 015394 44451. You will be fully refunded.

Windermere Canoe Kayak might need to cancel your booking. If this happens we'll always do our best to offer alternative dates or times, and if this doesn't suit then we'll refund you in full. 

Can I re-arrange if I don't make it? We will retain reserved boats for 1hr after your chosen start time, we reserve the right to cancel your booking with no refund offered if you do not show within this period.

What if I'm running late? Please call or email to let us know, however be aware that your session on the water will still need to finish at the pre-booked time, as your craft will be needed back in on time, so your session will simply be shorter.

Weather limitations - Obviously, being surrounded by mountains and being situated in the UK we have our fair share of bad weather. Every now and again the wind picks up to an unpleasant level, and we have to cancel hire for the day. If you are unsure about the weather, please ring us before journeying to avoid disappointment. We are happy to allow experienced paddlers out in most conditions – just speak to our staff.

PLEASE READ OUR FULL Ts & Cs HERE

For all the info you need please CLICK HERE

Yes you can turn up without pre-booking, but during the summer holidays, and at other busy periods, we may have already reached capacity so cannot guarantee availability.

We highly recommend booking ahead during the summer holiday period to avoid disappointment.

PLEASE NOTE - the price displayed on the reservation page includes a £5 discount for booking online in advance, as this reduces the admin needed to make a reservation. In person or over-the-phone bookings, as well as on the day hire, will be charged at the full price, so please add £5 to the price shown above.

Yes! We can deliver hire craft to holiday homes accessible from the water on Windermere. First craft £50 + £10 for every craft thereafter - this does not include the cost of hiring the craft. 

Ideally this does need to be arranged at least 7 days in advance to ensure adequate staffing levels on the day.

Please phone or EMAIL US to book. NB - delivery can only be made to properties with a secure location to keep the boats on the water. The entire group will need to be present for sizing of buoyancy aids and a safety briefing.