THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Take to the water at Herts Young Mariners Base with Adult Paddle sessions designed for those ready to paddle independently. Kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard on Cheshunt Lake in a relaxed, unstructured setting every Thursday and Saturday.
Take to the water at Herts Young Mariners Base with Adult Paddle sessions designed for those ready to paddle independently. Kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard on Cheshunt Lake in a relaxed, unstructured setting every Thursday and Saturday.
Book with Herts Young Mariners Base
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Herts Young Mariners Base · Cheshunt, England
Herts Young Mariners Base (HYMB) offers a standout opportunity for paddling enthusiasts ready to take to water independently. Situated at Cheshunt Lake in England’s Hertfordshire, this vibrant hub of outdoor water activity caters primarily to adults with some previous paddling experience. The clear freshwater lake provides a quiet yet invigorating stage for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in a natural, well-maintained setting.
HYMB’s Adult Paddle sessions run twice a week—Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings—and are structured as relaxed, non-instructor-led outings. This approach encourages more experienced paddlers to practice skills, stretch boundaries, or simply enjoy the rhythm of the water on their own terms. The lake itself is a modest but scenic body of water, bordered by mature trees and open skies, offering a chance to disconnect from urban sprawl nearby.
Designed to welcome those who have completed HYMB’s foundational courses or hold essential awards like Paddle Start or Ready to Ride, the sessions balance safety with freedom. Paddlers bring their own equipment or may choose from HYMB’s fleet. This blend of autonomy and access makes the base a unique fixture within the local outdoor recreation landscape, connecting urban residents with accessible watersport adventures without long-distance travel.
The surrounding area incorporates a mix of parkland and waterways, with ample opportunities to observe local birdlife and aquatic habitats. As an active yet accessible venue, HYMB supports sustainable outdoor engagement by promoting skills development and respect for the environment. Whether you aim to hone technical paddling or relish calm, waterborne solitude, HYMB’s Adult Paddle sessions provide a reliable and enjoyable pathway back to water on your own terms.
moderate.
2–3 hours.
Moderate fitness needed for paddling, including upper body strength and balance for SUP.
Yes, you must have completed HYMB’s introductory courses or hold at least a Paddle Start or Ready to Ride award.
Yes, participants are welcome to bring their own equipment if it meets safety standards.
No, sessions are non-instructor-led to encourage independent paddling by those with prior experience.
Sessions run Thursdays from 5 pm to 8:30 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm.
Capacity varies, so booking in advance is recommended to secure your spot.
Wear quick-drying, layered clothing suitable for paddling and weather conditions, plus a personal flotation device.
HYMB has supported community watersports since its founding as a youth development center, evolving to serve adults while maintaining its educational roots.
The base emphasizes low-impact usage of the lake, advocating for clean paddling and habitat respect to preserve this freshwater ecosystem.
Herts Young Mariners Base is an outdoor water activity centre located in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, in the Lea Valley. The base runs a range of supervised lake-based activities for young people and adults, including sailing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), raft building, fencing, archery and climbing. Herts Young Mariners Base offers structured courses and one-off sessions: RYA Stage 1 three-day beginner sailing courses for children; BSUPA Level 1 “Ready to Ride” two-hour SUP introductions; coached canoe and kayak sessions for adults; and regular adult paddle sessions for experienced participants. The venue hosts organised events such as the Mariners Mile Open Water Swim and monthly “Adults Come and Try Activities” evenings. The Mariners Mile is an open water swim event held at HYMB in Cheshunt, with distances for different abilities and a minimum age of 14 for participants; a portion of the event fees supports Cancer Research UK. Adult swim sessions and coached paddles run on set evenings and weekends, with changing rooms and refreshments available on site. Herts Young Mariners Base uses qualified instructors for coached sessions and accredited courses, and schedules beginner-focused and skill-development opportunities for different ages and abilities. The base operates a mix of instructor-led courses and non-instructor-led sessions, providing options for certification, coached progression, or relaxed recreational use. Its location in the Lea Valley provides accessible open water and flat-water environments suitable for learning, training, and organised events. Booking info, session times and entry requirements are on the base's event pages; check before attending for exact details.
Book with Herts Young Mariners Base