Solo Kayaking In The UK | River Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon | Dagger Katana 9.7 | Explore With Lucy

Here's my first extended trip in my new kayak, the Dagger Katana 9.7. A solo kayaking adventure on the River Avon in the UK, from Stratford-upon-Avon to Bidford-on-Avon - Explore With Lucy
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I've been looking for ways to enjoy the world around me. My kayak has been brilliant for exploring the world from a new perspective - on the water! I'm still getting to grips with getting in and out of my boat as well as navigating weirs, but it's super fun to learn along the way.
ABOUT ExploreWithLucy
ExploreWithLucy is a travel blog with a big focus on culture and history. Even knowing just a little on your destination’s customs, history or geography gives you an incredible insight into the place you are visiting. What makes somewhere genuinely memorable? An amazing story. Being able to access a site with exceptional knowledge and understanding unlocks a whole new experience and makes for some fantastic stories. Telling stories is my passion, and my goal is to help you get the most unforgettable stories out of wherever you travel.
Read more about ExploreWithLucy here: explorewithlucy.com/about/
FACEBOOK / explorewlucy. .
INSTAGRAM / explorewlucy
PINTEREST www.pinterest.co.uk/explorewi...

Пікірлер: 84

  • @davidaearthy
    @davidaearthy Жыл бұрын

    Great Vlog Lucy, really enjoyed it. Don’t worry about what others think of your struggles getting in and out, they don’t matter. 😎

  • @dp-gf6yk
    @dp-gf6yk3 ай бұрын

    Thanks for this, enjoyable watch and makes me want to get out on the water :) Roll on the summer.

  • @sarahfox9180
    @sarahfox918010 ай бұрын

    That was very enjoyable to watch. Thank you for inspiring me to finally get a kayak ❤

  • @MajorTom6
    @MajorTom63 жыл бұрын

    A trip down memory lane for me, as I used to live in Warwickshire. A beautiful county.

  • @JohnyByrne
    @JohnyByrne3 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoyed your video. Thinking about getting a kayak and found this video. Really inspiring and motivating. Keep making content, you have a great attitude and way.

  • @thenasavvidou
    @thenasavvidou2 жыл бұрын

    Hello Lucy, as a new kayaker, I enjoy watching your kayaking trips. Please continue sharing your kayak outings. Thank you from Australia.

  • @suzannemolloy1345
    @suzannemolloy1345 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Lucy, Great video. You really made me smile, love your enthusiasm and your problem solving when faced with challenges especially getting back in the water. You’re an inspiration and have made me want to take kayaking up as a pastime. Thank you. Keep doing what you’re doing you do it sooooo well. Stay safe.

  • @juvinosurnamegiven1370
    @juvinosurnamegiven13702 жыл бұрын

    This Stretch of the Avon is my local bit of river, there used to be a winter/spring race down the stretch.

  • @brianmarks9831
    @brianmarks98313 жыл бұрын

    I loved this video. Thanks so much for taking me along.

  • @mazdaram226
    @mazdaram226 Жыл бұрын

    Superb Lucy … getting mine soon

  • @joshphillips4656
    @joshphillips46563 жыл бұрын

    Great paddling! Beutiful "Scenery!"

  • @ilventoro
    @ilventoro3 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Excited to see more kayaking videos! :)

  • @juliebuckingham5335
    @juliebuckingham53353 жыл бұрын

    You are amazing, we are new to kayaking, you are right - getting in and out and finding somewhere to wee are the most important things. Well done for a great video, loved it xx

  • @stephenjones219
    @stephenjones2192 жыл бұрын

    OK Lucy! Great show. Love your dialogue. Good job getting in and out of your boat. Hope to see more videos.

  • @eSTRANGEdPLANET
    @eSTRANGEdPLANET3 жыл бұрын

    Great trip and enjoyable video!

  • @stephenrobbins9901
    @stephenrobbins9901 Жыл бұрын

    New subscriber😊 thought you did really well getting in an out of that kayak !,😊

  • @bigcreator
    @bigcreator3 жыл бұрын

    Look so amazing!

  • @tombowater2589
    @tombowater25893 жыл бұрын

    Really well made vid! Just starting my Kayaking journey in the U.K. Can't wait to get paddling.

  • @kimballhutchinson2351
    @kimballhutchinson2351 Жыл бұрын

    I've just bought my first kayak. It arrives in 2 days, the day after the Queen's funeral. Can't wait to try a trip like this up here on the Severn. You make it look so fun and relaxing. Lovely video.

  • @tommepham4513
    @tommepham45133 жыл бұрын

    Nice Video few things though try and get used to seal launching off the banks cause it makes life so much easier also not sure if u can but I'd suggest either going with someone or make sure you have a confident roll to make sure it's as safe as can be

  • @kgzohl
    @kgzohl3 жыл бұрын

    Nice little adventure.

  • @viridae
    @viridae3 жыл бұрын

    This looked like a lovely trip. Hi from Australia.

  • @julianjules6698
    @julianjules66983 жыл бұрын

    Very entertaining and a lot of good technique from you.

  • @adampearce7674
    @adampearce76743 жыл бұрын

    Love your vid! 🙂 Deffo making me want a kayak 🙌

  • @miller88ize
    @miller88ize3 жыл бұрын

    Great video!

  • @grahamrawley
    @grahamrawley3 жыл бұрын

    Just waiting for my first ever canoe to arrive , complete newbie , so enjoyed the bits on getting in and out .

  • @nukxp36
    @nukxp363 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoyed that video. Great narration and well shot with a humour angle 🙂

  • @mildredpierce558
    @mildredpierce5583 жыл бұрын

    Shoot the weirs! They're so small on the Avon. At Wyre Piddle one time I was reticent, but after much goading by a caravanner, I bit the bullet, it was fine. A small thrill even hehe!

  • @gamesthat6470
    @gamesthat64703 жыл бұрын

    great video Lucy im picking my Kayak up in mournin . cant wait to get out and make some videos myself .

  • @briwilldav
    @briwilldav3 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video really enjoyed this . I'm sure you will inspire a lot of people with videos like this . True inspiration . Keep up the great work 👍

  • @sodonoug
    @sodonoug3 жыл бұрын

    In Canada ,just bought my first kayak on Tuesday ( my new pandemic project ), your video inspired me .tx

  • @marleyboneproduction
    @marleyboneproduction2 жыл бұрын

    Great video 👍

  • @Deankozcarpfishing
    @Deankozcarpfishing2 жыл бұрын

    Great video Lucy. I’m also planning on some big kayak/camping/fishing trips this summer. 👍

  • @StevieWyatt
    @StevieWyatt3 жыл бұрын

    Great video, the Avon looks gorgeous. I've completed the Thames, the Wey and the Basingstoke canal. Now a friend has suggested I do the Avon. I think you've just convinced me to go for it :)

  • @SameerKhan-wz1pm
    @SameerKhan-wz1pm Жыл бұрын

    An amazing video by an amazing girl

  • @mytransitselfbuildcamper1496
    @mytransitselfbuildcamper14962 жыл бұрын

    impressive young lady. I am gonna buy a kayak right now . Thank for the inspiration

  • @PaddlingTramp
    @PaddlingTramp3 жыл бұрын

    Hi, nice paddling trip! PT

  • @robertjohnstone9570
    @robertjohnstone95703 жыл бұрын

    New subscriber , new kayaker. My son and I are just about set with boats and camping gear ready for the good weather on the west of Scotland. Great content👍

  • @gatorade133
    @gatorade1333 жыл бұрын

    Great vid :)

  • @vangrandad8295
    @vangrandad82952 жыл бұрын

    Great video you got my sub looking forward to seeing more from you ✌️👍

  • @mattf1986ut
    @mattf1986ut2 жыл бұрын

    cool video , done solo kayaking myself , its pretty relaxing and peaceful, There something funny when you have gone through the countryside going into the town where there are people ,, its a bit like a western when a stranger rides into town people just stop and take a glance as you paddle through its just one of those things i picked up on when i did it . well worth the adventure

  • @ExploringEngland
    @ExploringEngland3 жыл бұрын

    Another great video Lucy! I've walked this route a lot, never kayaked it though, might have to give it a go after this. Really enjoying your videos, glad I've subscribed, keep it up ☺️👍🏻

  • @explorewithlucy93

    @explorewithlucy93

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you 💙 Warwickshire is so lovely on the water

  • @IncogNito-gg6uh
    @IncogNito-gg6uh2 жыл бұрын

    Lucy, as another urban kayaker I'd like to complement your deft ability to enter and exit your kayak in some awkward situations. Especially a round-bottom boat like yours that is so easy to flip. Well done!

  • @russellp7867
    @russellp78673 жыл бұрын

    Nice video

  • @nickmorgan5679
    @nickmorgan56793 жыл бұрын

    Damm this is awesome just got a new sub here Lucy..looking at getting in to kayaking my self ans this makes me want to even more

  • @lesvoyagesdelouis6574
    @lesvoyagesdelouis65743 жыл бұрын

    Intéressant

  • @pauld6266
    @pauld62663 жыл бұрын

    Should try some seal launches. Once you’ve done one it’s good fun. Nice vid :)

  • @frankiepnightriderouternat2683
    @frankiepnightriderouternat2683 Жыл бұрын

    Only thing I think you could do to help yourself is get a kayak trolley saves all the lifting easy store on your yak x

  • @niall5181
    @niall5181 Жыл бұрын

    Great vlog well done. Can I ask what roof rack are you using. I have same vehicle and didn’t think it was possible to transport kayak on roof particularly as the rear windows don’t open. You advice is most welcome..Happy paddling..

  • @Patriotic327
    @Patriotic3273 жыл бұрын

    The Katana tracks well and looks stable. My 2nd Lucy video.

  • @UKDroneAdventures
    @UKDroneAdventures3 жыл бұрын

    Canoeing looks fun. I’m half thinking of getting a canoe and try having some drone adventures from a canoe. I imagine that I could get to some cool places by river... not whether it’ll be dry enough for the drone though.

  • @mark675

    @mark675

    Жыл бұрын

    Just get some dry bags to put the drone stuff in 👍

  • @mohamedmajer1954
    @mohamedmajer19543 жыл бұрын

    👍

  • @richardmorrall7531
    @richardmorrall75313 жыл бұрын

    Smashing video! Lovely... I am thinking of doing this route myself now. May I ask how long it took to do? ATB. 👍

  • @shaunavonblackmore4403
    @shaunavonblackmore44033 жыл бұрын

    Hi Lucy, I just came across your channel and throughly enjoyed your kayaking journey. Any tips on getting over your fears of deep waters and kayaking in general? How do I find an inner strength to push out into the water from the shore?

  • @tarasutton4317
    @tarasutton43172 жыл бұрын

    Hey Lucy, watched your videos and really enjoyed them, you seem to have quite the adventure! I live right next to river Thames and work minutes from the Avon, just brought a Perception Dancer. Looking forward to trying out some routes, although they may be a bit wiggly to begin with 😅 Drop me a message if you ever want a paddle 🚣‍♀️

  • @Spaldingcrow272
    @Spaldingcrow2722 жыл бұрын

    Hi Lucy. It's been interesting for me as I've brought a kayak and have a Citroen c1 which is basically the same car as yours underneath the bodywork. What time of year was this though? My only interactions with swans have been confrontational but I've been paddling in April and May so they've probably been on eggs or with chicks. Basically the buggers come straight at me all hissy and pecky but there you are with hundreds of em and they're all cool! Why?

  • @timothycole9232
    @timothycole92323 жыл бұрын

    Because you have a spray deck you could find a bank big or small and slide off it and it's way easier to get in compared to the kayak bring in the water. Also do you know how to get the spray deck off if you flip.

  • @Airsoft-shooting
    @Airsoft-shooting3 жыл бұрын

    Great video did a great job, I am buying a kayak sometime this week but I was told that I need a license to use my kayak in the UK water... ady

  • @ALoonwolf

    @ALoonwolf

    3 жыл бұрын

    Only with British Waterways rivers and canals. They also require insurance and completion of a safety course. So you're best off just avoiding them, sounds like a scam to me: Flowing rain water doesn't have a set geographical location; it comes from heaven and then returns there again. It may be your land but it's my water, and it's only possible to sail on water, not on land.

  • @tommepham4513

    @tommepham4513

    3 жыл бұрын

    I would suggest a basic British canoeing membership covers all waterways in England and also provides insurance all for about £30 to £40 a year

  • @leencand
    @leencandАй бұрын

    Hi Lucy. I'm in Stratford now. Where's the best place to get on the water?

  • @crm.carpentry
    @crm.carpentry Жыл бұрын

    Hi, i have a question....do you need a river license of some sort to kayak down the Avon? I'm looking to give it a go this week and wanted to start from Atherstone on Stour and head down the smaller river to meet the Avon then into Stratford-upon-Avon. How far can you go.dow the Avon in the Warwick direction?

  • @LucaWright
    @LucaWright Жыл бұрын

    What do you think of the katana for trips like that?

  • @MJMS88
    @MJMS883 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Could you recommend a store to purchase a kayak from?

  • @ThisOldPanda
    @ThisOldPanda2 жыл бұрын

    Ive been wanting to try this for ages, i live in birmingham and the canals are what i want to explore. Any ideas on where i can get lessons to start safely?

  • @jeannine7002
    @jeannine70023 жыл бұрын

    Well done and Praise the Lord ! 👍

  • @ALoonwolf
    @ALoonwolf3 жыл бұрын

    I'm just starting boating. My choice is a row boat with a kayak paddle (a tough inflatable boat so it's even lighter than your kayak). I don't like the idea of having the oars awkwardly stuck to the side of the boat (as well as the best way to row being backwards). Likewise being stuck in your kayak like that doesn't look very good. For me a boat is a space to live in, like a clean, dry tent in the midst of rain, dirt and debris - except your little house moves!

  • @ALoonwolf

    @ALoonwolf

    3 жыл бұрын

    I CHANGED MY MIND! Wide flat bottomed boat + kayak paddle = SPIN CITY. And if you do want to power forwards you need a good vertical stroke which throws water all over you from the other end of the paddle. Dammit I just know I'm going to be rowing backwards like a fool. Time to add those "see behind glasses" to my kit...

  • @gioiaquinta3294
    @gioiaquinta32942 жыл бұрын

    Looks really cool ,do you need a license???

  • @mazer4112
    @mazer41122 жыл бұрын

    You might want to invest in a set of small wheels for portages

  • @Blackcat-fw4tl
    @Blackcat-fw4tl3 жыл бұрын

    Is the katana a good first kayak for stability ? Unsure which kayak to purchase !

  • @missfawkes9214

    @missfawkes9214

    3 жыл бұрын

    Piranha fusion is a good first boat, good for touring and playing on moving water, our club has 30 of them 👍

  • @tommepham4513

    @tommepham4513

    3 жыл бұрын

    It really depends what you plan on actually using the kayak for

  • @alberttrouble272
    @alberttrouble2723 жыл бұрын

    It looks like you just go out and then find the places you can get out and back into the river....or can you plan it in advance?

  • @explorewithlucy93

    @explorewithlucy93

    3 жыл бұрын

    Go Paddling have some great routes with tips on where you can hop in and out. However, it's not always super detailed as you can probably tell from my mishaps. I try to take a look at Google Maps before I paddle anywhere, but most often you'll get the best idea in person

  • @alberttrouble272

    @alberttrouble272

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@explorewithlucy93 ....many thanks Lucy!

  • @DeanExplores
    @DeanExplores2 жыл бұрын

    Heyup Lucy! New to your channel and just found this! Do you ever paddle the trent and mersey canal? Got a good Video location if you ever wanted to do a colab!

  • @mogman81
    @mogman813 жыл бұрын

    Hog much did you pay for your kayak

  • @missfawkes9214
    @missfawkes92143 жыл бұрын

    Have you had any proper training ?

  • @johndashwood7671
    @johndashwood7671 Жыл бұрын

    I don't know anything about kayaking but shouldn't you have a rope to hold onto your kayak when you get in and out? And I feel waterway vlogs are better without music. Just have the sound of the water and the wildlife. Keep well.

  • @ttm-tx1lr
    @ttm-tx1lr Жыл бұрын

    U on Facebook I'm only just down the road