Canoeing at YMCA Lakeside enriched by Penrith craftsman

Thanks to Penrith-based boatbuilder Mark Aplin, the experience of one of Europe's largest outdoor activity centres, YMCA Lakeside, Windermere, would be even better.

Mr Aplin has completed the first of two bespoke group canoes, each with a capacity for up to 13 people, offering a fun and accessible introduction to lake activities.

Mark Aplin working on one of the canoes (Image: YMCA Lakeside)

Martin Barry, YMCA Lakeside’s senior operations manager, said: "This type of canoe is very stable.

"We can use it in poorer weather conditions without additional safety support." 

He added that Mr Aplin also designed a small outrigger for enhanced stability.

He said: "Made from scratch, they take Mark and his assistant about four months to build.

Mr Barry stressed that it's an imposing task and testifies to Mr Aplin's remarkable craftsmanship and expertise.

Tom Bradshaw assisting with the canoe building (Image: YMCA Lakeside)

The canoes were originally designed by Mr Aplin's now-retired business partner, Dave Stubbs.

Currently, there are four of these vessels in Coniston Water and two in Derwentwater.

The handmade canoes are expected to serve lakeside enthusiasts well past the coming decade.

"These vessels will largely remain in water throughout the year, barring brief intervals during the colder months when they're taken out for maintenance.

Mr Aplin runs Solway Dory, an enterprise started by open canoe sailing group founding member, John Bull.

Mr Bull is widely acclaimed for making canoe sailing more popular back in the 90s.

Over the last 35 years, Solway Dory, operating from Penrith, has developed a range of sailing canoes and rigs, with orders received from across the UK and Europe.

Mr Aplin took over the business reins back in 2018, after joining two years prior.

With its private 100-acre woodland location, YMCA Lakeside offers over 50 water and land-based activities for primary, secondary and older apprentice groups.

Mr Barry said:  "We make the most of our natural location, offering more than 50 water and land-based activities. Once here, everything is on site."

YMCA Lakeside has functioned as a residential centre on the western shore of Windermere for over seven decades.

Approximately 12,000 children and young people visit annually for impactful residential and day experiences.

There, they are given the platform to overcome challenges, develop resilience, defeat fear, blossom positive relationships, and acquire skills valuable in character-building and life beyond the centre.

More information about YMCA Lakeside and its residential and holiday day camps can be found on their website.

YMCA Lakeside’s canoes have been made possible with the support of Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.