Learn all about canyoning with Ed Swindley, experienced canyoner and head of Canyoning UK.
Six years ago, Ed Swindely began ‘Canyoning’ with his friends. Bringing the sport to the UK from his time spent ‘Gill Scrambling’ in Europe.
“You’re often in really remote environments, but so I often find, when things like that are so full-on and you’ve got to really think about your next step, like you look after yourself but you can’t really have much time to think about anything else,” Ed Said.
“Checking emails feels a million miles away, yeah, so it’s really good for disconnecting from your phone.”
Three years on, he created Canyoning UK. Only an hour and a half from Manchester, his canyoning company is based in the lake district, in Cumbria. Hosting half and full day experiences as well as ‘stag and hen do’s, for Ed, Canyoning quickly became a passion and career.
What is Canyoning?
Canyoning, also known as Canyoneering in America, is an exhilarating outdoor adventure activity that involves navigating through canyons using a variety of techniques. This might include walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and swimming.
The sport often takes place in remote and rugged locations, providing participants with an immersive experience in nature. Generally, canyoning is either dry or wet, but the UK tends to be the latter.
Ed said: “In the UK we’ve got wet canyons, These are rivers that have sort of gouged a path into the rock and then a sort of treacherous canyon and then you go to the top and you’re descending down in remote, hard-to-reach places using a technique of ropes or big jumps or toboggans. These can be natural water slides, sliding down the waterfalls and sort of swimming and navigating through it.
“It’s a good crossover of a lot of climbing skills, mountaineering skills and whitewater kayaking and moving in whitewater. A hybrid.”
The combination of scenic beauty, varied terrain, and challenging routes makes the UK a popular destination for canyoning enthusiasts. From the dramatic landscapes of Scotland to the picturesque valleys of Wales and the stunning gorges in England, the UK offers a wide range of canyoning experiences suitable for all skill levels.
Ed added: “The UK is great. You’re accessing quite inaccessible places, seeing things a lot of people don’t get to see. I like that you’re pushing your limits and having a real adventurous time whilst you’re doing it.”
Top Canyoning Destinations in the UK
Canyoning UK operates at Coppermines Canyon in Coniston. Ed described how it involves a load of ‘abseils’, big jumps of different sizes and a ‘natural water slide’.
Beezley Falls, Ingleton is a more advanced trip they offer. It contains really big jumps, loads of loads of jumps, big wet toboggan slide, um, you know, a couple of abseils.
“We’ve also got ones in Scotland. For example, there’s some in Stirling which are really good and like the Grey Mare’s Tale as well, up near the Kinlock Leven in Scotland. That’s a really famous one in Scotland Nice, and then some in North Wales as well,” he added.
“But the main ones are in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.”
You can find a handy map with all the best canyoning spots in the UK here: https://canyonlog.org/map/
Essential Gear and Safety
Canyoning requires specific gear to ensure safety and comfort. Here’s a list of essential equipment:
- Wetsuit – To keep warm in cold water.
- Helmet – For head protection.
- Harness – For abseiling and climbing.
- Rope and Carabiner – Essential for descents and safety.
- Waterproof Bag – To keep personal items dry.
- Footwear – Sturdy, grippy shoes suitable for wet and slippery surfaces.
Safety is paramount in canyoning. It is recommended to go with a professional guide, like Ed, especially for beginners. Guides are familiar with the routes and can provide essential safety instructions and equipment.
Ed provides full canyon specialist canyon equipment. Including a canyon harness, canyoning wetsuit, helmet, and sometimes a buoyant as well, depending on the water levels.
Is it accessible?
During his time with Canyoning UK, Ed discovered that the sport has its target market but is accessible to all.
He said: “We get a lot of middle income, middle aged couples, plenty of 20, 25 to 35 sort of age range. Our big intakes come from the big cities near us like Manchester and people coming over from Leeds.”
“We have everyone really. We do family trips with younger people, little kids and families and then also this weekend I have a 68 year old guy coming to do a full trip!”
The experienced mountaineer gave his tips for beginner canyoneers…
‘I’d avoid going solo, because often you will need to ask someone to have your back. You’re often in like deep water and quite dangerous environments,” Ed told Nine to Alive.
“I’d recommend going on a course or something or do something like that, but also it’s something that could yeah, you can definitely ease into like the, the sort of easier ones you can get to, and then there’s like really advanced ones.”
Environmental Considerations
Canyoning in the UK’s pristine natural environments comes with a responsibility to protect these areas. CanyonLog gives a list to ensure that we continue to have access to these incredible routes.
These guidelines were created due to common ‘complaints’ made by locals about canyoners:
- When arriving at a location in a canyon, make sure your vehicle is parked out of traffic and does not pose a danger to other users of the road.
- When parking in or near a residential area, keep music down to reasonable levels and avoid shouting/swearing
- When changing, find a private area out of sight of houses and roads.
- Stay on the tracks leading to the start of the canyon and back to the car. If there is no track present, please avoid damaging the plants along the way.
- Take all the litter you carry with you.
- Try to only use public toilets and avoid going in the trees.
- Do not sleep in your vehicle near the canyon or in the canyon car par.
- Be responsible and assume that everyone who visits you acts like you.
Canyoning in the UK offers an exciting way to explore some of the country’s most beautiful and remote landscapes. Whether you are seeking a thrilling adventure or a serene nature experience, the UK’s canyons provide a perfect backdrop. With the right preparation, equipment, and respect for the environment, canyoning can be a safe and unforgettable outdoor activity.
Ready to dive in? Gear up and embark on your next canyoning adventure in the UK’s stunning natural playgrounds!
If you want to get involved find out more here: https://www.canyoninguk.com/about
