Following on from our great success in 2022 and 2023, we are inviting you to come and join our celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion.

This event is a celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion, allyship and all things paddling! Come and try kayaking or stand up paddleboarding and find out more about how you can get on the water near you. Flags, facepaint and t-shirts are heavily encouraged!

Suitable for almost everyone, this kayak tour is led by one of our qualified and experienced guides.

Any under 18’s must be accompanied on the water by an adult.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

In collaboration with Paddle UK this event is a celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion, allyship and all things paddling! Come and try a variety of paddling activities and find out more about how you can get on the water near you.

We’ll give you the perfect taster of what kayaking or Stand Up Paddleboarding is all about. Our experienced instructors will help you get on the water and paddling around in no time. And then once everyone is ready and feeling OK, we’ll head off on a short paddle on Birmingham’s canals. This is a perfect way to give kayaking or paddleboarding a go, all whilst celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship.

All kayaks, paddles and safety equipment are provided. You must wear a buoyancy aid, regardless of your swimming ability, so you’ll be safe if you fall in. Sessions are led by a professionally qualified British Canoeing Instructor who will give full tuition. Sit back, paddle and have fun!

Please note: This event is aimed at members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community

What’s included:

• Kayak and paddleboard taster experience with around 30 minutes on the water.
• Expert advice, full training and safety briefing from your fully qualified instructor.
• Free downloadable photos of your experience.
• All kayaks, paddleboards, paddles and safety equipment are provided.

What happens on the day:

• On arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed at the Visitor Centre and you’ll meet your expert tour guide.
• The team will give you full training and a safety briefing – you don’t need any experience or specialist equipment.
• You’ll enjoy learning how to paddle and try kayaking or paddleboarding in a safe environment.

What should I wear?: Gym-style clothing is best because these won’t hold any water when wet.  Everyone must wear footwear; old trainers, crocs, flip flops are all great.  

What about the weather?: The kayaking tours will go ahead in all but the worst of weather. If we need to cancel the tour due to high winds or thunderstorms, we will reschedule at the earliest opportunity.

Great for: Giving kayaking or paddleboarding a go, a bit of fresh air with people, something memorable to do with family and friends.

Following the booking of your ticket to the event, you must complete the registration and permission form here: https://roundhousebirmingham.org.uk/kayak-consent-form/

HOW TO GET THERE

The event will be held at The Roundhouse. Please be aware that we are on the corner of Sheepcote Street and St Vincent Street. Please check in for your taster session our Visitor Centre at least 15 minutes before you session begins. For detailed directions, please visit our ‘Getting here’ page, available here. Where possible, we recommend active travel and more environmentally conscious transport options, such as public transport.

Getting to the event by car

If you’re driving to the Roundhouse, you’ll have no problems finding us as Birmingham is at the heart of the UK’s motorway networks, close to the M6, M5 and M42. We’d always suggest you leave plenty of time for your journey. We’re in the heart of the city next to the canals and easy to get to. Live traffic updates can be found at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic-information.

Please note that Birmingham has introduced a Clean Air Zone, check whether your car can enter the zone without paying at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones

From Birmingham New Street with a car: https://goo.gl/maps/x68SrbatJS6uNsU17

PLEASE NOTE, there is no on-site parking at the Roundhouse. The nearest car park is Arena Birmingham on Sheepcote Street, or there is some on-street parking in the streets around the building. Remember to bring cash for the parking meters. There are also bus-only lanes around the Roundhouse.

Getting to the event by public transport

The easiest way to get to us is by public transport. The Roundhouse is a 30 minute walk from Digbeth coach station. Buses 9, 12, 13a, 23 and 24 all pass the Roundhouse. The Roundhouse is approximately a 21-minute walk from Five Ways station, a 22-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Station, a 27-minute walk from Birmingham Moor Street station and a 20-minute walk from Birmingham Snow Hill station. For detailed directions, please visit our ‘Getting here’ page, available here.

WHAT TO WEAR AND WHAT TO BRING

It is best to wear gym-style clothing because these won’t hold any water when wet; jeans, leather and wool are not ideal for kayaking.  Everyone must wear footwear; old trainers, crocs, flip flops are all great.

Clothing

Kayaking: You will get a wet lower half whilst kayaking, because our kayaks are sit on top kayaks, you are exposed to the drips from your paddles and splashes, and you may get a small puddle in your seat – we’d recommend wearing some waterproof trousers if you have them. We do have some waterproof trousers and jackets available. There’s a small chance you may fall in, we recommend bringing a towel and a change of clothes- just in case.

Paddleboarding: If you are paddleboarding the probability is higher that you may fall in; we highly recommend a change of clothes and a towel.

Everyone must wear suitable footwear; old trainers, crocs, flip flops are all great.

Craft

All craft and equipment will be provided on the day for you to have an enjoyable experience out on the water, so you just need to bring yourself! You will not be permitted to use any craft without the appropriate buoyancy aids, for your own safety. We also recommend leaving any personal items which are not water-resistant (such as phones or watches) on dry land in one of our onsite lockers, or place them in a waterproof pouch while you’re out on the water. We will not be responsible for any loss occurred on the water.

We would ask that you please do not bring craft to the event unless you have a requirement for equipment with specific adaptations. If you would like to discuss this with us, please contact the event organiser.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Roundhouse is accessible to wheelchair users, and there is step-free access to all parts of the building. Please be aware that the Roundhouse is built on a slope and is laid to cobbles. It is therefore uneven underfoot. There is a clear route designed to be accessible for wheelchair users, pushchairs and visitors with restricted mobility, to get to our visitor centre and down to the canal towpath. For detailed access information, please visit our ‘Access’ page, available here.

NO TOLERANCE EVENT

This event is being conducted in the spirit of inclusion, community and allyship, and discrimination, harassment or bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. If we receive reports of discriminatory behaviour or language you will be asked to leave the event, and British Canoeing will take necessary action.

PHOTOGRAPHY PERMISSION

Photography and filming will be taking place throughout the event. If you do not wish to be photographed during your time at the event, please contact the event organisers, and they will issue you with a wristband. When editing the photographs, all photos with people wearing wristbands will be deleted and not used across marketing (digital and print).

Refunds and exchanges

This event costs £4 to attend – and you can purchase tickets from our website here: https://roundhousebirmingham.org.uk/product/kayaking-special-paddling-with-pride/.

Please check your e-tickets or invoice as soon as you receive them. From the moment that the transaction is completed all tickets are non-refundable. We’re able to exchange them for an alternative date, dependent on availability. Exchanges can be made up to one week before the original booking date, after this point no exchanges are possible. We cannot refund money, except in the case of a cancelled tour, which will be refunded within 28 days.

Cancellations

If Roundhouse Birmingham need to cancel a tour, we will announce it as soon as possible. Please check our website, Facebook and Twitter pages regularly for updates. If you’ve bought tickets we will contact you, usually via email or telephone, and arrange a ticket refund or exchange.

Please note that kayaking tours will go ahead in all but the worse of weather. If we need to cancel any tours, due to high winds or thunderstorms, we will let you know and reschedule at the earliest opportunity.

The cancellation policy for this event is the responsibility of the organiser. Please use the contacts for this to request details.

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Please note that by entering this event you may find yourself being photographed or filmed. By booking onto this event you are consenting to this taking place. If you have any concerns we recommend you contact the relevant event organiser before you book using the contact details supplied.