Canoeing Travel Insurance

If you plan a Canoeing (up to Grade 3 Rivers) trip, you should ensure you have a Travel Insurance policy before your trip.

When getting Travel Insurance (Canoeing), you can also select one or more of the following: 

• Canoeing (up to Grade 4 Rivers)
• Canoeing (up to Grade 6 Rivers)

We can also provide cover for Sea Kayaking and White Water Canoeing.

To get a quote by telephone or email, contact us at 0800 043 0020 / 01273 092 757 support@jsinsurance.co.uk

• Summary of Cover
• Canoeing Grades
• Great Rivers for Canoeing in Europe
• Travel Advice for Canoeing
• Safety Tips When Canoeing
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
• Useful Websites

Note that rivers can have different Grades depending on where you are on that river. Also, note that the Grades may change due to lack of excess precipitation. 

Grade 1. It's the 'easiest' river you can paddle and great for practising on moving water if you've never paddled on it before. The water is moving, without rocks or other hazards to avoid, and without technical difficulties, which means paddling should be within most people's abilities.

Grade 2. Rivers are the next step up from Grade 1. They can include waves and small stoppers, which should be easy to navigate. They can also have eddies where you can catch your breath before moving on to the next set of rapids.

Grade 3. Getting a little more technical, grade 3 rivers are more technically challenging. They also include distinctive waves and stoppers and sometimes even drops. How would you tell the difference between grades 2 and 3? Grade 3 rivers usually require you to paddle a specific route to avoid obstacles, such as rocks along the river.

Grade 4. Getting into the trickier end of the scale, Grade 4 rivers include severe waves, drops, stoppers and other possible objects that can affect the flow of the water. If you paddle Grade 4, you will be used to reading the river and inspecting a route from the bank before running that river. Because of the breadth of what Grade 4 encompasses, sometimes rapids within the river will be classified as Grade 4- or Grade 4+, indicating their intensity level.

Grade 5. These rivers are challenging and require exceptional skill and experience to navigate. They are very demanding and include stoppers, currents and powerful waves.

Grade 6. Extreme on another level. Grade six rapids will look un-runnable, but they can sometimes be possible under the right circumstances and with the right amount of skill and experience. Please think of the most extreme rapids you've seen and make them even more ferocious.

The Dordogne and the River Tarn in France are beautiful rivers for Canoeing and Kayaking.

In Slovakia, there is the Dukla River, and in Germany, there is the Isla River.  

The Czech Republic, too, has excellent rivers to Canoe on, such as the Morava and the Vltava Rivers. 

• Choose your destination. Consider your experience level, the time of year you want to travel, and the scenery you are interested in.
• If you are new to Canoeing, it is a good idea to take a lesson or two before you head out on your own.
• Plan your route. Before calculating the distance, the currents, and the weather conditions,
• Let someone know you are going. This is especially important if you are going on a remote trip.
• Pack light and bring only what you need. Pack a variety of activities and fidget toys to keep yourself occupied during long journeys.

• Always wear a life jacket.
• Be aware of the weather conditions. Don't go out on the water if there is a chance of severe weather.
• Let someone know when you are planning to come back.
• Bring a first aid kit and some emergency supplies. 

If you have been Canoeing before and may have had an injury or accident while participating in Canoeing, you must declare this when purchasing a policy.

We have several providers who can offer travel insurance, including Canoeing and if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

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British Canoeing

Tips and Advice about Canoeing

Go Paddling 

Song of the Paddle