insideKENT Magazine Issue 28 - July 2014 | Page 108

DAYSOUT

TOP TEN WATER SPORTS IN KENT
WITH 350 MILES OF BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE AND A VARIETY OF LAKES, RIVERS AND
RESERVOIRS, KENT IS A HAVEN FOR WATER SPORTS, WITH PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES
FOR FUN, LAUGHTER AND LOTS OF SPLASHING AROUND. WHETHER YOU’RE A SEASONED
PRO OR JUST FANCY TRYING SOMETHING NEW, HERE ARE OUR TOP TEN WATER SPORTS
LOCATIONS TO ENJOY ACROSS THE COUNTY THIS SUMMER.

SAILING
Herne Bay Sailing Club, Herne Bay
Start from scratch, improve on your skills,
gain qualifications or even start racing –
the choice is yours at Herne Bay Sailing
Club. Whether you're partaking in the
sport alone or with a group, sailing is a
fabulous experience that can be enjoyed
again and again. Family-run, and with a
cadet school for children ages 5-17 years,
Herne Bay’s Sailing Club also has an
extensive social side too – which means
plenty of support and encouragement
from your peers.

SURFING
Joss Bay, Broadstairs

STAND UP PADDLE
BOARDING (SUP)
Kent Surf School, Broadstairs
Stand Up Paddle Boarding is
quickly becoming the new water
sport craze in the UK, so now is
the perfect time to try it out for
yourself. At Viking Bay in
Broadstairs, there is a range of
disciplines you can get involved
in, such as recreational paddling
along Kent’s beautiful coastline,
SUP distance racing and SUP
surfing for the true adrenaline
junkies. At Kent Surf School, start
at the very beginning with a top
coach to guide you, before honing
your skills during a range of
lessons out at sea.

Joss Bay in Thanet has been the home
of surfing in Kent for the past 40 years,
and now it’s your chance to ride the
waves. At Joss Bay Surf School, you
can learn how to surf in the sea with
lessons from Dave (Outdoor Leisure
Employee of the Year 2013), and his
friendly team. The equipment is ready
and waiting for you to jump on and
have a go, safe in the knowledge that
it is with one of the best surfing schools
in Kent. The school also runs special
training courses including first aid and
lifesaving.

SCUBA DIVING
Kent Scuba, Margate

CANOEING
Canoe Wild, Fordwich
For those looking for a more gentle water activity,
Canoe Wild in Canterbury's medieval town of Fordwich
may well be the ideal starting point. Here you can
jump in a Canadian Old Town canoe and enjoy the
sights as you wind your way through the historic
town's rivers, either in a tour group or individually.
Better still, you can do it at a pace that suits you, as
Canoe Wild offer a variety of activities including early
morning bird watching, stag and hen do's, family
canoeing, half-day paddle trips and more.

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Why not see what Kent has to offer
under the water as well? Whether
you're with a group of friends or
booking up with your family, a scuba
diving practice session in a swimming
pool is a fun day out for all ages. Feeling
more confident? Why not take a trip
overseas with the Kent Scuba group
and gain a PADI qualification – the
most respected diving certificate in the
world. In Margate, Kent Scuba also
stocks professional diving equipment
so exploring Kent’s coastline isn't out
of the question either!