Matlock Whitewater: Canoe or Kayak

Join us for an exciting experience canoeing and kayaking along the Derwent River, with our friendly and experienced coaches. It is the perfect river for an introduction to moving water skills.

Level: Grade 1-2 (Grade 2 is the slalom course at the end of the trip) You can avoid this section if needs be

Specific published dates or book a private session for your family, club or group
Join our published dates or contact us for a private group booking
£99 for kayak and £120 for canoe

Next Trip Dates: 11th May, 9th August and 11th October 2025 09:00 - 15.30
Meet at 09.30 at Darley Dale
Duration: 6 hours

Our Intro to White Water course following the beautiful River Derwent down to Matlock Baths and beyond, is a great day spent with expert white water coaches learning and developing new skills whether in a kayak or canoe.

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Basic Map
Bank Based Briefing
Dry Bag
Paddles
Helmet
Professional Coaches
Activity Equipment

What else we can provide on request

Waterproofs
Hire of Wetsuits
Hire of Drysuits

We have highly qualified coaches who can help progress your skills.

If you are not able to book this trip then it is at full capacity. Please do contact us if you would like to be added to the waiting list or have group of friends, family or workmates that you wish to book on and we can look at booking a bespoke trip for your group. We run this ever popular trip several times a year.

We welcome all abilities, however, you need to have some experience of paddling a kayak or canoe. Feel free to contact us to discuss further as we can help bring your skills up to speed.

Trip Description

The perfect combo of a stunning river trip combined with professional coaching. Enjoy your lunch on the river bank mid way. Lock in white water skills by the end of the day. This is a great trip to develop skills before some of our bigger trips and expeditions.

Included

Expert tuition from professional experienced guides who have run expeditions and adventures all over the world
Hire of drysuits is available on a first-come-first-served basis
Craft, BA’s, Cags, Trousers, Helmets, Drybags, Paddles, and safety equipment

What you will need to bring

Personal Kit
A Sense of Humour!

Trip Itinerary

Schedule for the day

The day is the perfect blend of paddling time on the water. We start upstream at Darley Dale joining the water near the Square and Compass PH. The first few miles are a perfect intro to moving water skills with twists and turns as the river winds its way towards Matlock. The faster flowing sections allow you to learn the essential foundation skills of white water with breaking in, breaking out, ferry gliding and manouvering on moving water under the expert eye of our coaching team. The river arrives at Matlock where we paddling under the town bridge and battle the small rapid there.

Its then a non stop series of small bends, fast moving sections and small drops to hone your skills. The River Derwent now takes on a gorge paddle with towering cliffs on the left hand side. We finish the journey just above Matlock white water slalom course. This is the perfect opportunity to practice skills on the fastest section with several hundred metres of pools, waves and rapids. Its the perfect end to a great day spent learning on one of Britain's best intro rivers.

Note: Itinerary subject to change at any time if deemed necessary by Canoe Trail

MEET OUR GUIDES

Ashley Kenlock

Ash has led expeditions in Canada, Scotland, and some of the other coldest places the world can still offer moving water!

She is is a qualified Level 2 coach UKCC and is also a qualified SUP coach and has over 10 years of paddling experience. She has also completed her canoe leader training.

Experience includes leading trips on iconic rivers and Lochs including Loch Ness, River Wye, Norfolk Broads, and numerous Scottish Rivers.

Calum Steel

Calum is a White Water Kayak Leader, Canoe Leader, and Expedition Leader with 14 Years of Experience in the Outdoors.

He has paddled all over the world, running waterfalls, long distance big-wave sea kayaking, and some of the most dangerous white water in the northern hemisphere.

BASI Level 3 Ski & Snowboard. Scottish born and bred, he has led many canoe and kayak expeditions across Scotland, Greece, and Europe.

Richard Harpham

Richard has completed human-powered adventures all over the world including sea kayaking the channel, 1000 miles from Vancouver to Alaska, canoeing the Yukon River as well as many iconic trips and expeditions closer to home.

Richard has over 30 years experience of in paddling and is a UKCC Level 2 coach, 4-star canoe leader, and has completed his 4-star sea kayak training.

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.