If you're after a way to get your kids into the great outdoors this summer, Astbury Watersports Centre is the perfect place.
Astbury Watersports Centre is located at Astbury Mere, a short drive from Congleton town centre. They offer various watersports from canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and stand-up-paddle boarding, and if getting in the water isn't what you fancy they also have many different land based activities to choose from.
On a sunny day in the summer holidays we decided to head down to the lake and take advantage of the water being that little bit warmer and hire a vessel on the water.
Top Info
🖥 Pre Book Online
⏰ Open 9 - 5pm
⏰ Fill in waiver before coming to save time
💧 Large lake with marked safe area
🌊 No wetsuits provided
🎽 Changing rooms available
🩱 If warm, swimsuit with clothes over is suitable
🩴 Wear water shoes or shoes you don't mind getting wet
🚣 You pay per vessel and not per person.
👶 All participants in your party must be over 1m tall to ensure we have safety equipment to fit
✒ They only need a consent form from the adult responsible for the booking.
👩👧 There needs to be at least one member of the group over the age of 18 on the water throughout the session.
🚗 Free parking but not many spaces
🍦 Drinks, ice creams & chocolate available
🌎 Newcastle Road, Congleton, CW12 4HL
They have the following selection of vessels available:
Canoe - 2-3 people - £16.50.
Kayak - 1 person - £16.50.
Stand Up Paddle Board - 1 Person - £16.50
I booked online before heading down. As we just wanted to have a go on the water rather than a lesson i booked the "Hire a Boat" option. You hire a vessel for an hour which included life jackets. There is a member of staff to watch you from the shore incase anything happens or you feel unconfident at any time. I booked 2 Paddleboards between 3 of us. My 12 year old had her own board and my 9 year old and I went on together.
Arrival and Getting Ready.
We arrived in good time for our session, about 20mins early. This meant i had time to check in, fill in a weaver and we got changed. They don't hire out wetsuits so you can either bring your own or you can just wear lightweight clothes and bring a change for after. As it was a warm day my girls put their swimsuit on and then shorts and t-shirts and they had water shoes to wear. I wasn't planning on falling into the water so i just went for shorts and t-shirt and old trainers i didn't mind getting wet. (As you do tend to get feet wet at the shore getting on and off the board)
My girls were excited about jumping off the board into the water so they were fully prepared to get wet and we had towels and change of clothes which we left in the changing rooms.
Safety First
Before we headed onto the water we were fitted with our life vests by a member of staff and given a safety briefing down on the shore. We were told what area of the lake we had to keep in, which is clearly markets by buoys. And what to do if we needed help or assistance. Which was wave our arms or paddle in the air.
On the Water
Our hour on the water went by in a flash, we were having loads of fun paddling about on the boards. We started just kneeling down but soon felt confident enough to have a go standing up. My 12 year old has done paddleboarding a few times now and because she's older she's got great strength and balance so did really well. My 9 year old had a few short goes at paddling but was quite happy just sitting at the end of my board with her legs dangling over the edge into the water.
After plenty of paddling, they wanting to try jumping in. Once they got used to the chill of the water, they were on and off their boards jumping in with squeals of delight. They could have easily spent another hour on and in the water but sadly our hour had come to its end.
Our Final Verdict
As a family we really enjoyed this activity. It is especially nice on a warm, sunny day. We were outside, having fun, getting some exercise and I got to enjoy the beautiful scenery while kneeling on the board in the middle of the lake. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or have been paddleboarding plenty of times. The "Hire a Boat" session is perfect if you are after a nice little activity during the summer holidays.
On a previous visit we had had a go in a Canoe, you can fit 2-3 people inside one so this was perfect for me to go in with my two girls. There is less chance of getting wet and falling into the water in a canoe so a good option if you want to get on the water but want to stay dry.
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