🌈Little Rainboat Arrives!🌈

When we sold our Little Green canoe at Etruria, Will got straight online to find a replacement. We ideally wanted something shorter and lighter so it would be easier for Will to handle by himself.

He found a company called Silverbirch Canoes that handmakes each canoe in their Norfolk workshop and delivers them countrywide. They are a small team with a focus on sustainability and the customer. Will called them up and spoke to Steve, one of the founders. They had an indepth discussion about what the canoe was to be used for and by who, which ended with Steve recommending the Broadland 15. We really liked the sound of this company and their canoes, but one of the most exciting things was that we got the chance to choose a bespoke colour scheme of up to 7 different colours! It had to be done. We went for a rainbow boat, but swapped the end colour to black as the pink looked a bit funny.

On Tuesday 20th Will got his paddle and we walked along to where Cheddleton Flint Mill met the road. Wayne the driver pulled in with 13 canoes and we immediately spotted ours on top. Silverbirch had given us free full length lacing and flotation blocks. Brimming with excitement Will took the off the plastic sleeve and we carried Little Rainboat up the bank to the canal, launching her at a handily placed canoe launch point. She is a foot shorter than Little Green and the position of the main seat is a lot better for single handed paddling. While her seats may not be as comfortable as Little Green's padded ones, you are able to sit forwards or backwards on them, making the setup more flexible. They are lower, making her more stable and the base is smooth, making it easier to kneel if you want to.

We are really, really happy with Little Rainboat and Will is using her every opportunity he gets.Read more