Guided canoe and kayak day trips

Tourists, local families, friends' groups, stag and hen parties, and small corporate or school groups.

A price per person per trip, with extra for private group bookings. Add-ons such as picnics, wildlife themes or sunset paddles can raise the average booking.

• Confident paddler with sound water safety
• Leading and looking after groups
• Route planning and reading weather and water conditions
• Friendly, clear communication

• Public liability insurance that specifically covers paddlesport instruction and guiding
• Access and launch rights vary by waterway and by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with the landowner, navigation authority or local council
• Whether the Adventure Activities Licensing rules apply to your trips, check the current position with the relevant authority
• Tide, weather and water-level risks, so write a risk assessment and set clear cancellation rules
• Consider the rules around trips for under-18s and school groups, including safeguarding

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many boats, buoyancy aids and safety kit you buy, plus transport and insurance. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own equipment and cover.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £5,000, depending on your location, the season, group sizes and how often you run trips. This is revenue, not profit, and weather cancellations can affect it.

Check you have public liability insurance covering paddlesport guiding, and whether Adventure Activities Licensing rules apply to your trips. Also check access and launch rights with the landowner, navigation authority or council, and rules for under-18s.