Paddleboarding in Yorkshire - The Pocklington Canal

With our new sister operation, Paddle Surf Yorkshire now up and running it has been incredible to spend time ‘researching’ and Paddling in my home turf of Yorkshire. It is a county full of incredible SUP opportunities, from the huge cliffs (and myriad of seabirds that call it home) of the coastline to the huge and historic canal system.

The Canal system gives you some fantastic access to explore an eclectic array of SUP destinations, each paddle giving you a unique paddling experience. From paddling under the skyscrapers of inner city Leeds and Sheffield, or past the dry stone walls of the magical Yorkshire Dales, canal paddling is a great opportunity to vary your views, while having calm, sheltered water under your board.

One secret gem is the Pocklington Canal System. Flowing through gentle farmland, and underneath the wide open East Yorkshire skyline, it is 9.5 miles long. Opened in 1815 by local farmers, it fell into disrepair until fairly recently, and 5 miles of it are now paddleable. With 9 locks on its length, all of which are easily portaged, that is plenty of wonderful paddling terrain. A towpath runs next to nearly all of the canal, which then pours out into the River Derwent, opening up plenty more SUP exploration opportunities.

The Canal system tends to get fairly full of plantlife in the height of summer, catching on board fins and making paddling a little tougher, but for most of the year it offers some wonderful, calm paddling from which to enjoy the huge skies.

The Canal around the village of Melbourne offers easy access from vehicle to the water, with Church Bridge and Hagg Bridge being good places to begin your journey.

Watch our video here: https://youtu.be/YcU4HH3otpA

To book a lesson with Paddle Surf Yorkshire, visit www.paddlesurfyorkshire.com