Canoe Building Holiday At Birchcanoes

You will never forget the experience of building your own canoe. The sense of achievement is wonderful, and the joy of paddling the canoe you have built is uniquely special. I have been teaching people how to build canoes here at Birchcanoes since 1998, and am still in touch with many of those who have built boats with us over the years. What I offer is a chance to come and build your canoe with as much ( or as little) help as you feel you need. You can come as a group or family, with up to 5 of you involved in the process at no additional cost.

Also included is accommodation in one of our home made ( and rather quirky) wooden cabins. The cabins are situated near the River Wreake, where you will launch your canoe on completion before taking it home proudly on the roof of your car. It will take you about 24 actual hours of work ( all hand tools) to complete your canoe. This can be over 3 busy days, or spread out a little longer. This advert is for you to come and stay for a week ( arriving Sunday evening, leaving the following Saturday with your canoe).

The process is simple, and I will teach you every step in the process so you could build another boat when you get home. We generally build just one or two canoes at a time, so you will get lots of personal help and attention throughout the build. I supply everything including the materials ( finest boat building quality), tools, and personal protection equipment. The process is suited to anyone.. you don't need to be a DIY expert or an experienced carpenter. In some ways it helps not to be, because the process of building a boat is different from almost any other woodwork.

We have a Birchcanoes page on Facebook, so you can have a look at the process by brousing through hundreds of photos and the occasional video, so you can have a good look before you commit yourself. The canoe you will build will probably be our Lakota, which is a lovely canoe, big enough for a small family but small enough to carry on your own , or paddle solo. They are nice and stable, and look stunning. A great gift for families, groups of friends, a way to celebrate a significant birthday, retirement or anniversary. The accommodation is self catering.

People often come back and stay in the cabins as their summer holiday after they have discovered us. The price on this listing is for the week-long canoe building holiday during the summer holidays 2020. If you would like a shorter "canoe building course" or want to book in term time, the price can be a bit cheaper, in which case, discuss this with me first, and then send a "Best Offer" for the price we have agreed. Any questions feel free to text me on 07922 164061. We are based in Leicestershire near Melton Mowbray.