Out and About on the River Dart

Out and About on the River Dart

Every day there is something different to see – scudding sails of tiny boats with fledgling sailors on board, classic wooden craft, huge passenger ships visiting for a day, sleek cruisers, warships, a friendly seal, a fishing cormorant, screaming oyster catchers, rowers and a calling cox, gaggles of kayaks, gaggles of geese!

It can be blue, green, grey, black depending on its mood. The tide can spray the pebbles of Bayards Cove or expose shining brown mudflats at Kingswear with their rows of traps for edible crabs.

The River Dart is our friend and companion, respected and loved. It has shaped the towns and villages along its banks and the countryside that surrounds them. And for anyone wondering what to do with themselves this summer – it is the ultimate playground!

For the more intrepid you’ll want to be on the river under your own steam – or sail, motor or paddle power. If you have your own boat, Dartmouth and the villages beyond will welcome you. The port and harbours are well used to visiting craft of all shapes and sizes. Further information on moorings and access from the Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority at www.dartharbour.org.uk

Canoeing is hugely popular, both on the tidal Dart below Totnes, and on the weirs and white water sections further up the river towards the moors. The Dartmouth Yacht Club has an active kayaking section with a superb range of club owned boats and equipment. The canoe section is open to beginners and provides tuition from British Canoe Union qualified instructors. The section also runs regular paddles upriver to pubs and restaurants, returning by torchlight. Canoe members include adults and families, and there are special inflatable kayaks for parents with small children.

CRS Adventures are based at the River Dart Country Park and are specialists in outings for individuals, families, schools and youth groups. They also work closely with business and industry, running team events for management and corporate groups. As well as canoe and kayak courses from flat water to moving water, they offer white water rafting and other outdoor pursuits – see www.crsadventures.co.uk

Canoe Adventures at Tuckenhay promise a unique river experience for all ages – steersman-guided 12-seat Voyager canoes. From family trips to moonlight adventures, the emphasis is on fun. Go to www.canoeadventures.co.uk

A new sight on the Dart and at nearby Blackpool Sands is Stand Up Paddle Surfing, gathering pace and followers as a popular sport, and which actually has ancient origins. Stand Up Paddle Surfing, or SUP, can be traced back to the very early

days of Polynesia! SUP is a tranquil way to see the river, while on the beach it gives a new dimension to surfing. For further information go to www.standuppaddlesurf.co.uk

There is a huge tradition of rowing on the Dart. Established in 1869, Dartmouth Amateur Rowing Club trains junior and adult crews, rowing whalers and skiffs. New members are always welcome. Contact the club via the website www.dartmoutharc.co.uk

The River Dart is a magnet for sailors and one of the premier sailing areas in the UK. Everyone should try this exhilarating sport at least once - help is at hand whatever your level of experience. Dittisham Sailing School, based at the delightful Anchorstone Café, offers a variety of motor and sailing boats to suit families or couples, along with sailing tuition with RYA qualified instructors which can range from an introductory taster lesson to a tailored cours. Details from 01803 722365. At Dittisham Sailing Club, Marshall’s Sailing School offers sailing lessons at all levels, from novice to expert. These range from children’s topper sessions to racing courses. For further information go to www.marshallsailing.co.uk 

The Royal Dart Yacht Club at Kingswear aims to enable members to pursue their interests across all aspects of sailing. Junior sailing has really taken off at the club this year and adult support goes from strength to strength. Details from www.royaldart.co.uk Dartmouth Yacht Club is an approved RYA training centre operating from the South Embankment. It provides a range of sail cruising practical and theory courses catering for beginners right through to I.C.C. and Yachtmaster qualifications. For details see www.dartmouthyc.org.uk

Based at Noss Marina, north of Kingswear, Dart Sailability works with disabled sailors. Their purpose-built boats are adaptable for the needs of individual sailors, and a hoist safely lifts wheelchair users into the boats. Dart Sailability is a Royal Yachting Association Centre of Excellence and runs courses on sailing and power boating for sailors and volunteers. Details from the website at www.dartsailability.org

Saltwind of Dart offer boat charters, available for private hire, groups or individuals, for fishing, sightseeing, wildlife cruises and pleasure trips. See www.saltwind.co.uk

If it’s fishing you fancy take the African Queen (www.theafricanqueen.co.uk) for a morning, a day, or stay on board for a week.

Self drive boats can be hired from the North Embankment at the Dartmouth Boat Hire Centre. Look out for their yellow, white and purple colour scheme, or visit www.dartmouth-boat-hire.co.uk

If it’s under the water that appeals, try diving from Falcon II with instructor Tony Hoile. You can find more information at www.dartboat.com

Getting about using the river is easy too. Little passenger ferries criss cross the waterway at Dittisham, Stoke Gabriel and to and from the Castle in Dartmouth. The Higher Ferry, Lower Ferry and Passenger Ferry link Dartmouth and Kingswear, and the distinctive red and yellow passenger ferries to and fro between Dartmouth and Dittisham.

Greenway Ferry and Pleasure Cruises has a fantastic array of boat trips, excursions and ferry services both on the Dart and out to sea in the English Riviera’s Geopark, the protected waters of the South Devon coast and a wildlife haven. Their boats’ network takes in Torquay, Brixham, Dartmouth and Greenway Quay - the largest variety of award winning green marine transportation links in the South West. Details from www.greenwayferry.co.uk

The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company has a fleet of big pleasure boats that course up and down the Dart as well as heading out on wildlife spotting coastal trips. Hugely popular is the traditional Round Robin trip linking Dartmouth, Totnes and Paignton by boat, open top bus and steam train. A new Round Robin has been launched for 2010 taking in Torquay, as well as a new voyage to Salcombe from Dartmouth. Details of all the trips are available at www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

There are water taxis aplenty and you can even eat on the river. The Picnic Boat offers the perfect English river picnic for you and your guests, or maybe a romantic trip for two. Details of the delicious food and friendly crew at www.thepicnicboat.co.uk

Of course you don’t have to be on the river to love it. Crabbing from the Embankment is tremendous fun for families and always has great results – just be careful on the edge. It’s a great spot for fishing too. Buckets, crab lines and fishing tackle are available all over town.

But if you can, get onto the water for a great day out. The possibilities are endless!

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