Kayaking with Fluid Adventures
With the recent hot weather, more people are spending time outdoors on the water, leading to a rise in the popularity of kayaking and paddleboarding. Last weekend, our local Decathlon had a limited selection of kayaks and paddleboards by Sunday morning, and as paddling along the River Arun is the perfect pastime for us, we got out on the water with a couple of kayaks hired for the day from Fluid Adventures.
On the River Arun at Pulborough, you can paddle one of Sussex's most beautiful routes. Fluid Adventures offers single and double kayaks, open canoes, paddleboards, and the Mega SUP. You are free to explore the River Arun at your own pace - perfect for families, couples, and groups who want to set their own pace and freely explore. The peaceful, flat water is also ideal for beginners. There is no guide, no fixed route, and no schedule aside from the length of your hire.
Prices start at £20 per hour for a single kayak, and scale up to £100 for a full day in an Open Canoe. Popular hires are from two to four hours, but we always hire for the whole day. We pack a picnic, find a spot to stop, and make the most of it.
Start your day with coffee at The Riverside, Pulborough - where you will also be picking up your hires. It is a great venue for live music too and makes a good start point for your day. We also made it the last stop at the end of our hire, for a quick drink and something hot to eat before heading home.
If you head upstream, you will be exploring the river as it narrows into tree-lined channels. Kingfishers flash between the branches, and if you are quick, you will see their familiar blue and orange flight just above the water level. Damselflies, mayflies and dragonflies hover all around, just above the surface where waterboatmen dart out of your way.
It's very quiet once you have passed The Whyte Hart, a great pub stop about an hour upstream. There is something new to see around every bend in the river. We love stopping to rest, letting the ripples settle, so we can see all the fish swimming around our kayaks. Last weekend we didn't bank until we were on our way back downstream, and ate lunch on the river while enjoying all the nature around us.
Next time we plan to head downstream, as the river opens up and the views get bigger. This route means we can visit one of the most important wetland habitats in the south of England - Amberley Wild Brooks, home to an extraordinary range of birdlife.
Remember the sunscreen when you are out on the water, and read the list of things to do to prepare for your hire by visiting the Fluid Adventure website. The membership options are very cost-effective if you plan to return to Pulborough - or even hire from their Chichester location. We are signing up for a few months to see how it works out before considering a personal kayak purchase vs being members, which will save on storage and transport costs.
With a selection of self-guided hires, guided tours, courses and expeditions, start your own adventure today with Fluid Adventures