The Big Canoe

Stunning day for staff training

The beginning of a three day canoe camping expedition in Poole harbour for a group of 50 young people. Launching from Wareham and camping in two different locations before finishing at Cleavel point. Perfect weather for a couple of nights under tarps!

Big Canoes have transported over 200 campers coming on and off Brownsea Island today. With the canoes we are providing really achievable canoe camping adventures for young people on the south coast.

The Furzey Filly, Big Canoe number 9, has just been branded ready for the new season. Canoe number 10 is still seeking a Poole harbour related name. On sunny spring days like these paddling in Poole Harbour is hard to beat.

"How did I ever choose an office job over this!"

This winter's Complete Instructor Training Programme at Brenscombe Outdoor Centre has started with a
bang (and a splash) and our candidates are loving their new adventurous life.

'Higher up the mountain, further out to sea'

Its been a brilliant couple of weeks for the Big Canoes and we have been making the most of the sunshine. 96 people paddled from Wareham Quay to Studland Peninsular as a flotilla of 8 Canoes, 4 separate schools staying at Brenscombe Outdoor Centre have used the canoes to get to their overnight camps on Brownsea Island and a number of other groups have enjoyed tours of the harbour.

Our latest Big Canoe ready for launching. The fleet is now 8 strong enabling us to take up to 96 people out on the water; which is what we are doing in a couple of weeks time!

Maryland is the name of the old village at the western edge of Brownsea Island. Built by William Waugh in the later half of the 19 century to house pottery workers, it was destroyed by the Luftwaffe during the second world war; used as a decoy by the British to protect Poole and Bournemouth.

The Big Canoe is really proud to have supported the Dorset beach clean again this year in Lulworth Cove. The canoe proved its worth being used to transport the rubbish saving the volunteers a long carry and also for a fun paddle across the cove for those people who wanted it.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
From all of the team in the Forest and at Brenscombe

Thank you for choosing us for your outdoor experience this year. We look forward to working with you again in 2015. Please remember we now have two venues.