Paddle and play (open to all)

The Paddle and Play sessions are open to individuals, families and groups of friends who wish to hire or launch sit on top kayaks, open canoes, and paddleboards. They are not Instructor led sessions.

Sessions are run:

  • Tuesday evenings, 6pm to 7.30pm
  • Saturday mornings, 10am to 11.30am
  • from June, Saturday afternoons, 12.30pm to 2pm

They must be pre booked, you cannot participate without a pre-booking

Please note the price is per boat not per participant.

You do not need to make separate bookings for each participant for boats that take more than one person.

Please refer to the 'suitable for' section in the table below

Activity Suitable for Full price Bradford Leisure Card price
Single Sit on Top One Confident over 8 £11 £8.80
Tandem Sit on top Two over 8’s or an adult with an under 8 £16 £12.80
Inflatable Tandem Sit on Top Two over 8’s or adult with an under 8 (more stable than a tandem sit on top) £16 £12.80
Open Canoe Two over 8’s or two adults with an under 8 £22 £17.60
Paddle board One very confident over 8 £11 £8.80
Launch per craft This cost is for those with their own craft £6.50 £5.20

Sit on tops

Both single and tandem sit on top kayaks are fairly stable and easy to get the hang of so very suitable for novices.

Inflatable tandem sit on top

More stable than our hard sit on tops and perfect for adults with younger children who want to build their confidence on the water.

Open canoe

Canoeing is one of our drier activities and great if you have younger children experiencing been on the water for the first time. If you are booking two canoes as a family and friends group, we can raft them together so you can paddle together or to make them more stable. Please make a note of this in the other information section on your booking form.

Paddleboard

Our wettest activity! You can paddle these knelt but be prepared you may fall in a few times when attempting to stand up for the first time. Recommended for the more water confident paddler who is up for a challenge!

Safety and risk

These sessions are not instructor-led.

Paddlesport activities carry inherent risks, which cannot be entirely eliminated; in particular, those associated with cold water. Participants must be aware of and accept the risks, whilst taking responsibility for actions which minimise the risks to acceptable levels.

General rules and safety information

The following information will help to keep activities safe and enjoyable for all:

  • All participants must always wear a buoyancy aid once they enter the waterfront area. These are provided and included in the cost.
  • Wetsuits are strongly recommended (particularly for all under 18’s and anyone hiring a paddleboard). These are issued free of charge.
  • Please come “beach ready” just to put these on. If you do not wish to wear a wetsuit, please wear light weight quick drying clothing suitable for the weather on the day.
  • All paddleboards must have the leash always attached to their waist or ankle when on the water.
  • Passengers are not allowed on paddleboards please book enough craft for the participant’s attending.
  • The wearing of footwear is recommended whilst participating, we cannot accept responsibility for any footwear left around the launching area.
  • Participants must ensure that their activities are within their own ability and confidence levels and appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
  • Rotating participants around one craft for either a hire or launch booking is not allowed please book enough craft for people attending.
  • Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult participating with them.
  • 1 adult can supervise up to two under 18s
  • Children under the age of 8 must be in the same craft as an adult. Minimum age is 5.
  • Adults must be confident that any children hiring single boats/boards are confident and able enough to paddle independently. If you are unsure book a tandem craft for their first session.
  • Participants who are launching their own craft must ensure they are well maintained. We do not allow launching of inflatable novelty pool floats, lilos or inflatable rowing boats. If you are unsure, please contact us.
  • There is no swimming allowed, if you fall out of your craft please get back on immediately or in an emergency signal to be rescued. Anyone found to be not adhering to this rule or continuously capsizing will be asked to leave immediately and may be unable to book on any further sessions.
  • You will have full use of the reservoir for the session but on occasion there may be a need to set boundaries (prevailing weather conditions, reservoir overflow) These boundaries must be adhered to for the duration of the session.
  • The banks around the reservoir are rocky and unstable. You must not disembark on any banks around the reservoir other than the designated launching area by the pontoons.
  • Please respect the equipment provided to you and do not drag boards/boats across the bank. You will be charged for any damage caused to equipment whilst on your hire.
  • Smoking, drugs and alcohol are prohibited.
  • Emergency safety boat cover will be available on site; however, this will be for emergency recovery only.
  • It is at the management's discretion to refuse hire or ask you to leave if the above rules or boundaries on the water are not adhered to. In this case refunds will not be given.

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Contact details

Doe Park Water Activities Centre
Foster Park View
Denholme
BD13 4LN

Phone : 01274 435497
Email : doe.park@bradford.gov.uk