Kayaking & Canoeing @ Mobile Team Adventure
The MTA Kayaking & Canoeing School
Our Kayaking & Canoeing School is thoroughly UNIQUE!
We are the only place you can expect top level coaching as a beginner.
John Hubbucks is a Level 4 Coach for both Kayaking & Canoeing. He has been paddling since the age of seven - that's over 30 years! It is his life long passion and now is your chance to share that!
We provide all the equipment you will need; boat, buoyancy aid, spray deck, paddle & helmet.
We ask you not to purchase any special kit for our courses, all you need to do is turn up in comfortable clothing and bring an old pair of trainers and a light jacket like a peterstorm, with a change of clothes in case you get wet. Of course, if you have your own wetsuit, gear or equipment, you are welcome to bring those too.
Make new friends, get fit and learn new and exciting skills. Join us now!
Courses & Training - Day trips & Expeditions
We provide
- BCU 1-4 star training and assessment
- Canoe safety test
- One to one coaching sessions
- Day trips on rivers & lakes for groups & families
- Introduction to white-water
- Intermediate white-water
- Advanced white-water
- Over-night trips for groups & families
- Expeditions
- Bird watching and Animal watching trips
- Canadian canoeing
- Whitewater kayaking
- Sea kayaking
Please contact us if there's anything in particular you fancy doing – a relaxing day in an open boat, or the adrenalin rush of white water, or a longer trip lasting a few days.
Drop us an email to join our mailing list and get notified about up and coming courses.
We run kayaking and canoeing courses throughout the summer on the River Lagan at Shawsbridge Belfast, and elsewhere accoring to demand.
Photo Gallery
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Open Sessions @ Shawsbridge, Belfast
Every Saturday @ Shawsbridge From 29th March
| 9 - 11 AM | Splash! Kids session £7pp. |
| 2 - 4 PM | Open session - everyone welcome. £7pp (under 15's) £15pp (16+) |
| 4.30 - 6.30 PM | Open session - adults only £15pp |
No need to pre book, just turn up and paddle ... bring a friend !
( Please note, parental / medical consent is required )
Pool Courses
Now taking bookings for 6 week pool courses.
Canoeing FAQ’s
Q: How do I get started?
A: Join one of our many courses that run throughout the year, book a one-2-one session or simply turn up at one of our open sessions on a Saturday. Look at our events calendar to see what’s on.
Q: What do I need to wear?
A: Comfortable clothing, according to the weather. In winter, plenty of warm layers including a fleece jumper and waterproof jacket; in summer, shorts and t-shirt! A wetsuit can be worn if you have one, but they are not a necessary. An old pair of trainers / wetsuit boots are a must. It is best to avoid paddling in denim.
Q: Is canoeing for me?
A: Yes! We believe canoeing is a sport for all, regardless of age, ability or fitness level. You don't have to be a strong swimmer or in peak fitness, we take everyone who is willing to give it a go!
Q: What is the difference between canoeing and kayaking?
A: 'Canoeing' is a general term applied to both canoeing and kayaking. Generally speaking, a canoe is a larger, open boat which you paddle using a single blade. A kayak is a closed-cockpit boat you sit in with a spray deck and paddle using a double blade.
Q: Is it Safe?
A: With Mobile Team Adventure; yes! All adventure sports carry a risk, but with our unblemished safety record, top quality equipment and first class coaching, we believe the risk to be low. All our staff are qualified to national standards and hold a current first aid certificate.
Q: What qualifications can I earn?
A: Canoeing is ranked in 'Stars', which go up to five. With Mobile Team Adventure, we can train and assess you up to four star and for the Canoe Safety Test. If you would like to find out about getting into coaching, please contact us.
Sea Kayaking
Contemporary Sea kayaks trace their origin to the native boats of Alaska, northern Canada, and Southwest Greenland, where Inuit hunters developed a fast sea going craft for hunting. Evidence shows that kayaks are at least 4000 years old! A Sea kayak or touring kayak is a kayak developed for the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays, and the ocean. They trade off the extreme maneuverability of whitewater kayaks for cargo capacity, ease of straight-line paddling, and comfort for long journeys. Sea kayaks can accommodate paddlers together with room for camping gear, food, water, and other supplies.
Using two person sea kayaks suitable for all abilities, you can indulge in a relaxing tour watching wildlife and soaking up the scenery - Northern Ireland is a paddling paradise.
How about effortlessly gliding through the calm waters of Strangford Lough? This is one of our favourite locations for kayaking. Beginning at Portaferry or Whiterock, you could be rewarded with an abundance of marine creatures, astonishing scenery, uninhabited islands and beautiful wildlife before stopping overnight in Salt Island Bothy. You never know, you might even get a seal or porpoise popping up beside you!
With MTA you can decide on the type of Sea Kayaking adventure that suits you, whether you want to spend a day at the North Coast or a weekend combining it with other activities - it’s your choice!
Touring is a great way to relax and explore the waterways of Northern Ireland. There are many awe-inspiring places to go, from Strangford Lough to the North Coast – you choose. Whether you want to go for a day or a week, we will accommodate you. You can be completely self-sufficient, carrying all your food and equipment in you boat, and sleep in a different place every night. Fancy pulling up at an uninhabited island for a spot of lunch while soaking in the view? It’s a fantastic way to get back to nature!
Kayak and Canoe Hire
We have both kayaks and canoes available for hire, and can provide all you need for your trip – helmets, paddles, buoyancy aids, spray decks, and of course the boats!
If you’re a novice, don’t worry! We’ll only be too pleased to give you information on where you are planning to go, safety advice and tips. We want your trip to be as enjoyable as possible. If you’re not sure where to go, then we can advise you on the hotspots of the country!
We can hire:
Double Sea Kayaks – for 2 people
Kayaks – 1 person
Canadian Canoes – 3/4 people (2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults)
