Watersports around Maidstone

With the River Medway and Mote Park Watersports Centre located in Maidstone, a number of water based activities are available. Canoeing is particularly popular.

Canoeing and Rowing on the River Medway

Elveys-Canoe's provide training courses and canoe hire on the River Medway starting from Tonbridge or Yalding.  It is easiest to canoe down river rather than up. The River Medway Canoe Trail runs through beautiful countryside, past historic houses and landscapes, past traditional farm buildings such as oasts and barns, and under medieval bridges. A delightful constantly changing landscape. The canoe passes at the locks make it really easy and quite exciting to pass through as you don't have to get the boat out of the water and walk around. To get from Tonbridge to Allington takes about two days, so a short break or weekend is ideal. 

There are lots of excellent refreshment stops along the way, with pubs, cafe's and restaurants. The Old Boat Cafe in Maidstone is andinteresting one where you can draw alongside and get your refreshments without getting out of your canoe. This is without doubt a unique experience.

Mote Park Watersports Centre

The biggest watersports centre in Kent, this has a huge range of watersports to experience in a safe, helpful and well monitored environment. Try canoeing, sailing, paddleboarding, kayaks, windsurfing and rowing or take part in team events in their dragon boats (bell boats). They also offer raft building competitions. Mote Park lake is delightful to explore with all its wildlife, weeping willows, islands and bridges. 

Mote Park Watersports Centre also run days out canoeing/kayaking on the River Medway with a qualified instructor.  Trips out  are organised regularly and it’s possible to join the regular groups.