Canoeists turn out for festive Santa Splash paddle

Dressed in Father Christmas outfits, canoeists turned out to take part in the annual Santa Splash festival paddle along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Credit: Canal and River Trust

14 December 2016

Organisers of the Santa Splash festive paddle along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal have declared the event a resounding success.

The event is hosted by England’s first ever coast to coast canoe project, the Desmond Family Canoe Trail.

The Canal and River Trust’s canoe trail project manager,Greg Brookes, said they were “delighted to see so many people game for a paddle along the canal in December.”

“It was a great way to get into the festive spirit and everyone had a fun time,” he said.

“The sea of red suits raised a smile from everyone who watched us from the bank as well all with all the participants,” added Brookes.

Two events were held over the weekend of 10-11 December 2016,

The Liverpool Santa Splash started at the Eldonian Village, Vauxhall, and finished about two miles away at the SAFE Regeneration Centre in Bootle.

The Blackburn event the following day was based at Eanam Wharf, Blackburn and involved a two mile round trip.

The two events form part of a five year project to create The Desmond Family Coast to Coast Canoe Trail across the Pennines.

Funded by a £1.3 million grant from the Desmond Foundation, the 160 mile trail starts in Liverpool, follows Britain’s longest canal, the Leeds & Liverpool, links into the Aire & Calder Navigation in Yorkshire and finally reaches the east coast at Goole.

Canoe activity hubs are established in Bootle, Burscough, Wigan and Blackburn involving dozens of young people aged between 15 and 25.

In 2017, new hubs will be added in Burnley and Skipton.

30 November 2016

England’s first ever coast to coast canoe project, the Desmond Family Canoe Trail, is inviting canoeists to join in a Santa Splash festive paddle along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Everyone with access to a canoe is invited to join in the Christmas fun, which will be held in Liverpool on 10 December 2016 and in Blackburn on 11 December 2016.

Santa Splash on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Santa on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Credit: Canal and River Trust

There will also be an opportunity for families and individuals without canoes to take part by booking one of the limited places on a larger boat, provided by the Desmond Trail project team.

See a video of last year’s Santa Splash below!

The Liverpool Santa Splash starts at the Eldonian Village, Vauxhall, (L3 6LG), and finishes about two miles away at the SAFE Regeneration Centre in Bootle (L20 4AP).

The Blackburn event the following day is based at Eanam Wharf, Blackburn (BB1 5BY) and involves a two mile round trip back to Eanam Wharf.

Both festive paddles start at 10.30am.

There will be prizes for the best dressed person and best-dressed boat, and free lunchtime refreshments and hot chocolate served at the finish for all entrants.

The Desmond Family Canoe Trail project manager with the Canal and River Trust, Greg Brookes, said: “We are encouraging all the canoeists to decorate their boats as well as themselves. Everyone who books in advance will be able to reserve a free Santa outfit.”

“This is not a race. People can just come along and have fun or if they want to raise money for charity at the same time that is also fine by us. Children are very welcome but will need to be accompanied by an adult,” he continued.

“We would love to see a mass of red Santa suits afloat on the canal on both days – that would be a festive sight to brighten even the dullest December weekend!” added Brookes.