Look forward to a summer on the water with ACME Whistles

In the chilly depths of winter, the summer sun can feel like a distant memory. It’s at this time of year that many people find themselves thinking about what they plan to do once the weather starts to warm up again. There is nothing quite like spring and summertime in England and we are lucky to have access to some of the most beautiful countryside and coastlines in the world that give us thousands of reasons to head outdoors.

Walking, hiking and camping are all favourite summer pastimes, but there is another that we feel should be up there among the top family activities in summer: boating. There are so many reasons to give boating a try that it would be impossible to cover them all, so we will keep this one brief. If you have ever thought about giving boating a try, or are looking for new ways to spend time in nature in the spring and summer of 2023 this is your sign to book those family boating lessons or buy that kayak you’ve always wanted.

Something for the whole family

Nothing brings a family together like having a common goal, but making it fun at the same time. Boating lessons are the perfect way to get the kids off their phones for a few hours each weekend and have them learning a new skill. Learning the principles of boating involves navigation, boat operation, safety on the water, teamwork, and confidence-building.

Learning to operate a sailing dinghy is just one way you can get yourselves out on the water next summer. If you don’t fancy taking on the business end of a sail, you could try something more sedate like paddling a Canadian canoe. These are a great way to appreciate the natural beauty of our lakes, rivers, and calm coastal waters.

Despite the fun of being out on the water, safety always needs to come first and that means that everyone needs to be kitted out with a buoyancy aid and a marine safe whistle. A buoyancy aid gives peace of mind in case anyone ends up in the water unexpectedly, and a reliable marine safe whistle such as the ACME Survival Whistle is invaluable in grabbing the attention of people on the vessel and on shore. Sailing and boating coaches will often use our marine safe whistles to communicate with the class over the background noise so they are a common sight in the sport.

Beginner friendly boating

There are many different types of boating that you can choose from for your next summer adventure but if you are a first timer then you will need to choose a simpler style or will need lessons. If you are looking for something you can get onto the water and start right away then paddle boards and sit on top kayaks are extremely beginner friendly and don’t require much in the way of training or practise before you’ll be on your way.

Canadian canoes are similar to a sit on top kayak in that you are not fixed within the boat, but it can be slightly tricker to master the rhythm of the paddling. Sit on top kayaks are a little more of a challenge to use because the paddler’s legs are held in place inside the boat under a spraydeck. This means you won’t simply fall out like you would with a sit on top kayak or canoe, so you’ll need to learn how to right yourself from an upside down position before you can paddle confidently and safely.