Like any extreme sport, there is always risk when canyoning, but with UCPA instructors to guide you down the rivers using the safety equipment required, you should have nothing to worry about! UCPA canyoning instructors are specialists at assessing risk, making dynamic risk assessments and adapting to varying situations and environments to give you the best experience whilst canyoning.

UCPA provides all the technical equipment that the instructors will be using to assist you descending the gorges and a specialist wetsuit and helmet. You will need to bring along shoes that you are happy to get wet that are secure and have good grip. We usually advise bringing along some old trainers as they dry quickly too.

Being able to swim is not essential, however there will be times where you will be fully submerged under water and will need to get yourself out of pools in the river. Please inform the instructor if you are not able to swim.

In terms of skills, yes anyone can go canyoning as the UCPA instructors will guide and instruct you the whole way down from showing you where is safe to jump into a pool to abseil techniques down waterfalls.

Physically, there is an element of fitness needed for canyoning as there is often a walk up the canyons to the start which can be quite steep and demanding. There is a lot of equipment that will be shared amongst the group to carry on the hike up such as ropes.