Canoeing

We have several departure points on and near our site. Due to breeding seasons, high and low water levels, we often decide on the day itself where it’s best to set off to ensure your canoe trip is as enjoyable as possible.

No, we do not provide lockers. Not because we don’t want to give you a safe place to store your belongings, but precisely because we want to prevent valuable items from getting lost along the way. We regularly see locker keys getting lost during a canoe trip, meaning visitors can no longer access their belongings afterwards.

Neither route is a loop; they are both out-and-back routes. Given the nature of this little river, there is no other option. On the other hand, it is actually a wonderful route to paddle out and back, as you’ll keep coming across new inhabitants of the nature reserve along the way.

This way, you don’t have to wait at the end point until you can be taken back to the starting point, where you’ve naturally left your car or bike.

Absolutely! This is actually one of the best activities for young people. It allows them to do their own thing whilst enjoying the company of a group. They often learn a lot about teamwork whilst canoeing, which makes it an ideal activity for young people as they develop.

You’ll be paddling on the Reusel. This is, of course, a natural waterway and is home to all sorts of wildlife. You’ll find everything from frogs, ducklings, coots, newts, dragonflies, sticklebacks, loaches, black-tailed godwits and much more!

The Reusel is (usually) shallow. If you cannot swim, you must wear a life jacket. A few life jackets are available free of charge.

You’ll receive a brief canoeing briefing beforehand, after which you’ll set off on your own. Of course, you may well come across other groups of canoeists along the way.

Yes, of course your dog can come along! Just like you, they’ll enjoy a sunny canoe trip. You don’t need to buy a separate ticket for your dog – dogs can come along for free. Just ask the canoe instructor for some tips on which canoe your dog will be most comfortable in and how to get them into it.

It depends on the weather.

• In sunny weather, sun cream, sunglasses and a cap are recommended. Of course, it’s also lovely to wear flip-flops so you can dip your feet in the cool water from time to time.
• If the weather is a bit chilly, it’s a good idea to dress in layers. It might feel a bit chilly at first, but you’ll naturally warm up as you canoe. You can then choose to take a layer off.
• If it rains a little during the canoe trip, it might be a good idea to bring a rain poncho. That way, if a few drops fall, you’ll stay (relatively) dry. When canoeing, you’ll always get a bit wet from the paddles.

You might also get a bit wet during the trip, so an extra change of clothes could come in handy. A glasses strap is recommended for those who wear glasses. Leave your valuables at home as far as possible, but we’ll provide you with a small container for your absolute essentials. That way, they’ll never end up at the bottom of the Reusel!

Canoeing is suitable for all ages. Young children can join adults in a 3- or 4-person Canadian canoe. Older children might prefer a 2-person canoe, and for those who’d rather go it alone, there are 1-person canoes.

At the Reuselhoeve we have 1-person, 2-person and 3-person canoes that you can choose at departure. The 3-person canoes are also suitable for a family of four if two young children come along.

It is possible that you get stuck somewhere during the trip. This is no problem, just push yourself backwards with the paddle out of the sandbank. Then you can continue immediately. The recommendation, therefore, is to always sail in the fairway. This is often the outer bend in our winding river. It is deeper here and there is less chance of running into a sandbank.

The Reusel is a rain river: its water level depends entirely on the amount of rain. After wet periods, the river rises, while in dry times it stays lower. These changing water levels create a dynamic landscape full of life in and around the Hilver. Should the water be too high or too low, we will contact you if you already have a reservation in place.