Canoes

Canoe Hire at Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach

Address: 79 Pontardawe Rd, Clydach, Swansea SA6 5NS

Canoes and kayaks are available for hire at the very scenic section of the Swansea Canal at Clydach where you can paddle up to a mile up stream to Trebanos lock. Total time to paddle up to Trebanos and back is around an hour – a bit longer if you cannot paddle in a straight line.

When Can I Hire a Canoe?

***** Sundays in 2026 : 5th April – 27th September *****

Canoe hire operates every Sunday starting on Easter Sunday and carries on until the last Sunday in September. Opening hours are from 10am. with the last boat out at 2pm so please arrive no later than 1.45pm as you will need to be booked in and kitted out before getting on a boat.

***** Fridays in 2026 : 24th July – 28th August *****

Canoe hire is also available on Fridays in the school summer holiday. First hire 10am and last hire 1pm.

“Free Fridays” – Summer 2026

Every Friday morning during the 6 weeks’ school summer break, young people living in the Swansea Council area, and their families, can canoe with us for free between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m..

The usual age, size and safety rules apply but other than that, canoeing and kayaking will be free for children and young people aged between 4 years and 19, and for adults accompanied by (with) children and young people.

Advance booking is not necessary but remember, at busy times you may have to wait a little while for boats to become available.
This scheme has been made possible thanks to support and funding received from Swansea Council’s COAST Activity Grant

Advance booking is NOT necessary but as the canoe hire is run by volunteers there may be rare occasions where we have to cancel at short notice for example, due to volunteer availability. So, if you are planning a special journey or coming a long way to canoe on the canal please check the Swansea Canal Society Facebook page for any cancellation information before travelling. Also, if you wish to come as a group of more than ten (adults + children) then you must arrange this in advance by email to Canoe Hire.

It may also be possible to arrange “group hire” sessions on week days for small groups. For further information please email Canoe Hire

What Can I Hire?

We have “Canadian” open canoes as well as single and double sit-on kayaks available, and we can even “raft up” two canoes to allow at least six people to paddle together. The cost of hire for the (approx.) 1 hour session is as below. We accept payment in cash or by card.

Canadian Canoe £12

Raft (two canoes) £20

Single Kayak £6

Double Kayak £12

[A separate tariff may apply for group hire enquire by email to Canoes]

Are There Restrictions?

Safety is always our priority so it is important to always follow instructions given by staff. The following rules and restrictions also apply when hiring a boat.

Age, Size and Other Restrictions:

  • Children under 4 years of age are not allowed on canoes or kayaks; we are sorry if this is a disappointment but their health and safety is most important.

  • Juniors – age 4 to 8 years – are allowed to use the canoe facility provided they meet the minimum height requirement of 90 cm, are big enough to safely wear a buoyancy aid AND are accompanied in the same boat by a responsible adult.

  • Young people between the age of 9 and 15 may use the canoe facility without an adult accompanying them on the water provided a responsible adult has completed the hire forms on their behalf.

  • Helmets are available for all customers but are recommended for all participants aged 15 or less

  • Well behaved dogs may be allowed on boats at staff’s discretion

[Volunteers have the final decision as to whether to decline an individual request to hire a boat as the activity may not be suitable for everyone]

Clothing & Footwear:

  • Suitable clothing should be worn – remember, you may well get wet!

  • Suitable footwear must also be worn. FLIP-FLOPS, and similar loose footwear, are NOT allowed. The canal is not deep, but the bottom can be very muddy and we cannot guarantee there are no sharp objects.

Other Things to Remember:

  • Paddlers using kayaks are likely to get wet due to water running off the paddle. Also it is possible for canoes to capsize if not paddled correctly. Valuables items can therefore be left at the Canoe Hire building – at the customers’ own risk.

  • Water resistant phone pouches are also available to borrow if you wish to keep your phone with you when paddling.

  • After paddling on the canal remember to always wash / sanitise, your hands especially before handling food.

Get In Touch:

Phone : 07876412014

Swansea Canal Centre : 42 Hebron Road, Clydach, Swansea SA6 5EJ

General email to Info