With National Go Canoeing Week in full flow, we are urging people to take the opportunity of exploring the trail as a way of keeping fit and discovering the hidden gems along the county's waterways.
The ‘Soar Tour' canoe trail, which runs from Narborough to Trent Lock near Long Eaton, has been created by us and British Canoeing. The trail has special platforms making it easy for canoes to be lowered in the water. There's also downloadable information giving canoeists practical advice on specific river conditions to look out for as well as details of local shops, pubs and cafes and historical information.
More and more people are canoeing on the nation's waterways as a means of staying fit, getting closer to nature and taking a different perspective of where they live.
Working with British Canoeing and Leicester City Council we are keen to encourage more people to get out onto the water and discover all that their local waterways have to offer. Banners have gone up on lamp posts across the city to raise awareness of the trail and encourage people to give it a try.
Sean McGinley, our waterway manager said; "The River Soar and it's many backwaters are fantastic for canoeists. Running through towns and cities as well as the beautiful Leicestershire countryside they really do offer something for everyone regardless of their age or ability.
"We really want to see more people getting out onto the water as a way of getting a different perspective on where they live and leading a healthy lifestyle - and what better time to give it a go than Go Canoeing Week.
"Whether you're an experienced canoeist or just keen to give it a go we'd urge you to get online and download the trail or find organised activities near you."
National Go Canoeing Week is a week-long celebration of canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding aimed at encouraging people of all abilities to get out onto the water.
The first section of the River Soar Canoe Trail, in Barrow on Soar, can be downloaded from Go Canoeing
