Guided & self-guided trips in any craft

Mersey Short Splash trip

5.5km (3.5miles) 1 to 1.5 hour paddling time from our centre (Heaton Mersey) to Northenden.

Our shortest and most popular trip, and with good reason: the first kilometre has a few shallow rapids and bends to be negotiated, before a chilled out, straighter middle and then a 4m waterslide to finish with a splash! Short enough to be manageable by children.

Different boat options - you can select a mix:

Guided or self-guided
Rafted canoes or SOT kayaks or guided canoes
Paddleboards on request

Price will depend on:

If you choose Guided or Self-guided trip

the type of craft you choose.

We provide you with the boats and safety equipment. We don't offer wetsuits but you can hire salopettes ( most people just come in strong and comfortable outdoor 'sporty' clothing)

You don't need to be able to swim but...

No experience is needed for any of these trips, the river is grade 1 with a few easy Grade 1-2 rapids. We regularly take adults and children who have never been in a boat and who may not be able to swim. Capsizing is rare and the river is slow flowing usually. Everyone wears a buoyancy aid, helmets when kayaking and when on a Guided trip our River Leaders who accompany you are very experienced.

All groups (guided and self-guided) are given a briefing on how to paddle before they launch and then we find that within the first 500m most have got the hang of it. For very large groups or nervous groups we raft the canoes together to make them very stable and easier to steer.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE AND OUR BACKGROUND IS WORKING WITH ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS.

HOWEVER BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE STAIRS DOWN TO THE GET IN AND CAN BE AWKWARD TO GET OUT OF BOATS AT THE END...PLEASE CONTACT US TO DISCUSS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS AND WE CAN DISCUSS SUITABILITY

The trips are always subject to the river levels. If too high we will postpone and reschedule or refund. If simply a wet day if contact we will try and offer reschedules but not refund. We will offer out salopettes to those who need and can offer additional waterproof tops.

We are based at Burnage Rugby Club, Battersea Road. Stockport SK4 3EA

The short splash finishes at Riverside Park, Mill Lane, Northenden M22 4HJ

PLEASE NOTE WE ONLY COLLECT BOATS AND DO NOT BRING PEOPLE BACK. YOU NEED TO SORT THIS YOURSELVES ( better to leave a car at the end then get a taxi back as opposed to drive to us and get a taxi back - when wet and tired)

Trips - Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & downloads

How to book....

This button will take you to our booking portal where you will see the dates and times we have in our calendar. You can select the number and type of craft you want.

Remember to be careful to select Guided or self-guided.

If you cannot see the date you want, then we may be able to set up a separate trip for you if you have enough people in your group. Get in touch.