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Cool down this summer with some water sports

25th July 2019

Categories: Visitor News

When the sun is shining there is no better way to cool down than taking a dip into the sea or swimming pool, so why not make this the summer you give water sports a try? Devon is a haven for surfers and sailors, so it is the perfect place to experience a new activity or to get in some practice.

Both the south and north Devon coasts are good for surfing and there are a range of surf schools up and down the coast where you can hire equipment or go out with an instructor for a session or two. In mid-Devon, there are canals and lakes where you can give canoeing ago and in north Devon there is a wake park where you can undertake a whole host of water based fun!

Image: Devon Canoe Hire.

You can even have the best of both worlds by getting out onto the water while being in the countryside. The Grand Canal in Tiverton has a boat hire business where families or groups can get together and see the canal and the sights of this beautiful area of Devon from the water. Choose from a canoe or a rowing boat and have fun together out in the sun, get in touch with the team at Devon Canoe and Rowing Boat Hire to find out more. You can of course spend time exploring the rest of the canal site or visit one of the other attractions in the area, like Fursdon House or Coldharbour Mill. Whatever your taste, there is plenty to choose from. This area of Devon is ideal if you want to go exploring, being in the middle of everything means all areas of the county are easily accessible. There are a number of great places to stay in the Tiverton area, including Best Western Tiverton Hotel or if you have a larger group or a family, book into somewhere like Broad Close Farm Holiday Apartments where you’ll have more space and flexibility.

Image: Roadford Lake

Another option for sailing and getting to challenge yourself on the water is Roadford Lake. This attraction has just about everything you could want including an activity centre and campsite. You don’t even have to stay on the water if you don’t want to, there are plenty of other activities to take part in too! You could really immerse yourself in an outdoor adventure by basing yourself at Wolf Wood Treehouses. This secluded accommodation is the ultimate combination of luxury and wilderness and honestly, who wouldn’t want to stay in a tree house?!

Image: Jet Set Go

If you want something more adventurous, head towards the south coast of Devon. Jet Set Go!’s Jet Set Safari are based in the MDL Marina in Torquay. Not only do you have a chance to see some incredible wildlife, but there are a number of brilliant water sport experiences too. Being in Torquay, there are loads of popular attractions in the town for you to enjoy too. Torquay’s Dinosaur World is a fun, interactive exhibition which is perfect for families while nature fans will love Living Coasts. Alternatively, Kents Cavern is an interesting place for an alternative visitor attraction. For a spot of refreshments, there is the Terrace Café Bar at Living Coasts and the Aqua Lounge at the Riviera International Conference Centre both offer varied menus with light lunches and snacks.
Sea Kayak Torbay is another organisation offering themed tours that take in sport, culture, wildlife and more. They’re a little further along the coast towards Babbacombe, which has a host of interesting places to stop by like the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, one of the oldest railways in the south west and the famous model village.
In the neighbouring Paignton, you’ll find Reach Outdoors who pride themselves on getting you confident with Devon’s beautiful natural landscape. Paignton is also the home to the famous Paignton Zoo and if you want to give your sea legs a chance to recover, take a trip through the countryside on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. If you don’t fancy getting back to land just yet, you’re in luck because they also have a river boat!

Because of how popular the English Riviera is there are an abundance of places to grab a bite to eat and to stay over for a few days. One luxury accommodation with a variety of different options is the Cary Arms and Spa, they have everything from family friendly rooms, dog friendly rooms and even onsite holiday cottages. Plus, their dining options are popular with residents and guests. For those that want are on an adult break and want somewhere child free for your stay, Heathcliff House B&B is exclusively for adults and offers comfortable rooms and an incredible breakfast, perfect for a day spent challenging yourself on the open sea. Alternatively, why not look at the Imperial Torquay? Its cliff top position gives you a good view of the very sea you’ll be exploring!
The Queens Hotel is in the centre of Paignton making it a great base for exploring the wider town or if you’d like to really get back to nature, try Beverley Holidays Paignton overlooking the water.

At the other end of the county, you’ll find North Devon Wake Park. The stunning lake is situated in the beautiful fields of North Devon and has just about everything you could want from a Wake Park.

Image: North Devon Wake Park.

For more thrills and adventure, be sure to spend some time at the Milky Way Adventure Park, one of the region’s largest theme parks. The charming village of Clovelly is also nearby and is well worth a visit. For those of you staying over, Bideford Bay Parkdean Resorts has spectacular views of the coast and plenty of family friendly facilities to keep you entertained. Westward Living in nearby Westward Ho! (which has one of the best beaches for water sports) is also just a stone’s throw away and will put you near a whole host of interesting attractions. To keep the water theme going, make sure to stop by the Pier House, a seafront bar and bistro in North Devon for a spot of refreshments!

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just want to try something new, let us know if you check out one of these water sport organisations during your stay in Devon, you can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.