On-Water Canoe & Kayak Demos.
Done Properly.
Choosing a Canoe or Kayak takes time. Subtle differences only reveal themselves in real-world conditions.
Our Demo Day Series offers on-water Canoe & Kayak demos for new and experienced paddlers.
You will get the space needed to thoughtfully compare boats and receive any guidance you need.
Our Events Learn More
On-water Canoe & Kayak Demos.
Choosing a Canoe or Kayak takes time. Subtle differences only reveal themselves in real-world conditions.
Our Demo Day Series offers on-water Canoe & Kayak demos for new and experienced paddlers.
You will get the space needed to thoughtfully compare boats and receive any guidance you need.
Our Events Learn More
A Practical, On-Water Demo Program
Our Demo Day Series is an on-water demo programme run at events across the UK, alongside regular opportunities at our Norfolk base. Each day gives you meaningful time with canoes, kayaks and paddles in real conditions — not rushed test runs or car-park impressions.
Every event features a current selection chosen for the venue and water type. Where practical, boats we build, distribute, or stock are brought as part of our demo fleet. The goal is simple: try boats properly, at your pace — choosing what you paddle, when, and how.
A Meaningful Demo Fleet
You won’t find a handful of random or discontinued models on the bank. Our demo fleet reflects what we actually make, stock, and support — selected carefully for the water and the people attending each event.
Availability varies by location, but if a boat has earned a place in our shop or our range, it’s part of the demo fleet. Individual event pages explain what will be on the water and how to ask ahead if there’s something specific you’re keen to try.
Run By the People Who Make the Boats
The Demo Day Series is run by The Boathouse — the public home of the boats we design, build, distribute, and believe in. That means the people setting these days up understand the boats in detail, the water they’re used on, and the questions that matter once you’ve paddled more than a few minutes.
We don’t run demo days as a sales exercise. We run them because trying boats properly matters — and because it’s how we’d want to be treated ourselves.
Boat Brands Typically Found at Demo Days
What To Expect On The Day
What To Expect
On The Day
On The Water
Boats are prepared and ready to paddle in the conditions they are designed for.
At Your Own Pace
There's time to paddle, swap, and reflect, without a fixed route or timetable.
No Pressure
Advice is available when you want it, with no expectation to decide on the day.
At Your Pace
There's time to paddle, swap, and reflect, without a fixed route or timetable.
No Pressure
Advice is available when you want it, with no expectation to decide on the day.
Keeping Boats On The Water
At selected demo days, we also run free repair workshops alongside the on-water demos. These are practical sessions focused on keeping boats in use — from small fixes and advice through to assessing more involved repairs.
They’re open to anyone attending the event, regardless of where the boat was bought or who made it. The aim is simple: to help paddlers stay on the water for longer, and to share the kind of hands-on knowledge that only comes from building and repairing boats every day.
Repair workshops vary by event and location. Individual event pages explain what’s planned.
Upcoming Events
Browse upcoming demo days and choose a location that suits you! Each listing includes the venue, date and time, water type, who the day is best for, and what boats we plan to provide.
Upcoming Events
Hear what people think about our events!
"As a complete novice I enjoyed pairing up in a canoe with a coach on the morning session and being close up to observe experienced paddlers."
Hear What People Think About Our Events!
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