Water Activities
Welcome to Splashu
Splashu is West Lancashire Scouts’ dedicated water activities team, offering thrilling experiences in canoeing, kayaking, sailing, powerboating, cruising, and bell boating. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to earn Scout permits, badges, and qualifications, Splashu provides excellent training and assessment to help you and your young people get on the water.
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What We Offer
Paddle Sports
Powerboating
Dinghy Sailing
Yachting
Land Support
Events for District’s, County and Large Groups
We can organise larger scale events. Please submit an enquiry so we can understand more about the request. One of the team will then contact you directly to discuss suitability.
Discover Water Activities Near You
We’ve developed an interactive map to help Scouts groups and individuals find local water-based activities. Each listing highlights whether it’s suitable for group bookings, individual skills development, or both. It is also colour coded by sport, making it easier to plan your next adventure.
This resource will continue to grow as we add more opportunities and refine the details. If you know of a great activity offer, let us know and we’ll include it!
Setanta is a 24-foot yacht based on Coniston Water, offering sail training and cruising experiences for youth groups. Operated by West Lancashire Scouts’ water activities team (SplAShU), Setanta provides an affordable introduction to yachting, allowing young people to develop sailing skills while exploring the Lake District.
Key Details:
– Location: Moored near Coniston Boating Centre
– Group Size: Up to 6 people per session (5 young people + 1 leader)
– Activities: Safety briefing, learning the ropes, steering, sail adjustments, and man-overboard drills
– Session Duration: 10 AM – 3 PM with structured sailing experiences
Popular for dinghy sailing, windsurfing, and canoeing. Access is primarily for members, Kentdale Scouts also have access and can offer group sessions on request.
Join as a member to access the water regularly on club days.
Welcome
Waddecar Scout Activity Centre offers paddlesports at Lost Wellie Creek, a small pond ideal for taster sessions. The pond, located in Bill’s Meadow, is 1.5m deep at its deepest point and features an access ramp for easy boat launching.
Paddlesports Available:
– Canoeing – Stable Canadian-style canoes, perfect for beginners
– Raft Building – Team-based activity combining paddling and problem-solving
While Waddecar does not provide paddlesports instructors, groups can hire equipment, including canoes, paddles, and buoyancy aids, for up to 24 participants
The Monday evening paddlesport sessions at Spade Mill Reservoir are designed for Scouts and Explorers, offering a fun and structured introduction to kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
These taster sessions run from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, providing young people with the chance to develop their skills on the water in a safe and supportive environment.
Participants can work towards Scout and Explorer Paddle Sports Activity Badges, the Nautical Skills Staged Activity Badge, and elements of the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. The sessions are led by experienced volunteers, ensuring high-quality instruction and safety throughout.
offers sailing and powerboating on the River Wyre, with access to open waters via the Wyre Way. The club provides training, social sailing, and competitive racing, along with excellent facilities for boat storage and maintenance.
Members can enjoy a welcoming atmosphere and a variety of events throughout the year.
Fairhaven Lake in Fylde offers a variety of paddlesports in a scenic coastal setting. The lake provides safe and accessible waters for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, with equipment available for hire.
Paddlesports Available:
– Kayaking – Single and tandem kayaks for all skill levels
– Canoeing – Open canoes for group paddling and skill development
– Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) – Balance-focused paddling on wide boards
– Bell Boating – Stable twin-hulled boats ideal for teamwork and group activities.
Fylde District Scouts have x2 bellboats on-site available for Scout use. You will need a bellboat permit, contact Splashu for more information.
Paddlesports Available:
– Kayaking – Single and tandemkayaks for beginners and advanced paddlers
– Canoeing – Open canoes for group paddling and skill development
– Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
– Balance-focused paddling on wide boards
– Bell Boating – Stable twin-hulled boats ideal for teamwork and group activities.
– Dragon Boating – Large boats powered by synchronized paddling, great for team challenges.
– Rafting – Fun, cooperative paddling on custom-built rafts
Scotman’s Flash in Wigan is a fantastic spot for paddlesports, offering a range of activities for all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing paddle or an exciting challenge, the centre provides expert instruction and safe access to the water.
Paddlesports Available:
– Kayaking – Single and tandem kayaks for beginners and advanced paddlers
– Canoeing – Open canoes for group paddling and skill development
– Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) – Balance-focused paddling on wide boards.
– Rafted Canoeing – Stable multi-person canoes, great for teamwork
Bibbys Farm Scout Camp Site has a small pond on-site, ideal for beginner paddlesport sessions and raft-building activities. While the pond is great for introductory experiences, the camp collaborates with the Anderton Centre to offer full-scale paddlesports on Rivington Lower Reservoir.
Through this partnership, groups staying at Bibbys Farm can access kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing at a special discounted rate. The Anderton Centre provides qualified instructors and British Canoeing-accredited courses, ensuring a high-quality experience for all participants.
The Anderton Centre in Chorley, Lancashire offers a range of paddlesports on Rivington Lower Reservoir, the largest body of water between the Midlands and the Lake District. The centre provides British Canoeing-accredited courses, beginner-friendly taster sessions, and advanced training led by qualified instructors.
Paddlesports Available:
– Kayaking – Single and tandem kayaks for all skill levels
– Canoeing – Open canoes for group paddling and skill development
– Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) – Balance-focused paddling on wide boards
– Raft Building – Team-based activity combining paddling and problem-solving
Located between Egerton and Belmont in Bolton, is a family-friendly sailing club offering competitive racing, social sailing, and RYA training.
The club welcomes sailors of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced racers, with twice-weekly racing from Easter to New Year’s Day and social sailing on Friday evenings.
One of the longest-established sailing clubs in the North West. The club has a strong tradition of dinghy racing at both club and national levels, offering training, recreational sailing, and competitive events.
Membership is open to all, with structured courses available for beginners and experienced sailors alike.
Get Involved!
SplAShU welcomes anyone aged 18 and over to join the team – whether you’re keen to be on the water or prefer a support role behind the scenes. No prior qualifications or certificates are needed, just a passion for water activities and helping others grow.
We’re committed to developing our team members, offering opportunities to build skills and gain relevant qualifications as you progress. Alongside our activity programme, we also run social activities and occasional expeditions that blend paddling, hiking, and camping for a truly adventurous experience.