Bridge 8 Hub

Bridge 8 Hub is a collection of containers next to the canal just before the bypass. It’s quite easy to find if you know you are looking for the containers but there isn’t a big sign or something to tell you that it’s Bridge 8. They hire out and can arrange tuition for canoes, kayaks, Paddleboards and other exotic things like akwats.
I was part of a group who were spending the morning doing Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP). The arrival was a bit chaotic as a university group was hiring boats at the same time and currently there isn’t an office to check into and it’s not clear who’s staff. This should change in the next few weeks as the new office and changing room containers arrive. Currently you get changed in one of the containers which isn’t that great but it should be improved shortly.
Our instructor Ian fitted us out with wetsuits, jackets, and life jackets. We then carried the SUP to the waters edge and were shown how to get on, stand up and paddle. Once we were all on the water we headed off. It wasn’t the warmest day (it was the end of October) but once we got going we were warm enough. One of our group fell in twice (the second time trying to make me fall in) and Ian was straight over to her, check she was ok and helped her get back on.
We came back early as we were a bit cold and tired but even then we got to explore a good stretch of the canal, including paddling over the motorway.
The website isn’t the clearest for prices and booking so it’s best to send them an email. It was £15 for a half day session with instruction and equipment so very good value. We’ll certainly be back again to try it again but maybe not till it’s a bit warmer in Spring.
Also a huge thanks to Suzy G for posting her review to Unilocal that meant that I discovered Bridge 8 Hub existed, I expect to be spending quite a few weekends here next summer trying out all the other stuff.

Is it a Bike? Is it a Raft? Is it Boat? No, it’s Akwakat!
It’s early on a Friday morning; we wake up and anxiously check the weather. Our planned outing on the canal will be so much better if the weather holds out. But what are we up to? Akwakat! When I spotted a deal online for a chance to cycle a floating bike ON the canal — how could I refuse?
I found the website and facebook page a bit vague for booking and directions and had to rely on emails and texts for the full story on bookings, location etc. We didn’t have a full address but set the GPS for Calder Crescent and hoped for the best. The map did show that this was near the canal so we put our faith in Google Maps and headed out. As we approached our ‘Final Destination’, we saw a group of guys digging away near a few shipping containers. We drove around the bend to where we could see access to the canal. A friendly dog walker pointed us back to the shipping containers — yep — that’s Bridge 8! We pulled in alongside the containers where there was parking for a few cars.
One of the guys put down his spade and bounded over to great us. He looked surprised to see us, even though we had email confirmation from our date change (a weeks prior). No worry — they said it would only take a few minutes to set up our Akwakats.
Mark opened up a container — well it was more like a T.A.R.D.I.S., holding dozens of Akwakats, Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards sea kayaks, lifejackets and bikes. All these are available for the public to hire but the main goal of Bridge 8 hub, is to provide activities for schools and youth groups. Bridge 8 is actually a social enterprise. They use the hire business to fund the youth activities both at Bridge 8 (the bridges along the Union are numbered and the centre is located near Bridge 8 — clever!) and abroad. In fact, the Akwakat proceeds are reinvested into their youth sea kayaking expedition to British Columbia next year. So not only were we getting a fun day out at the canal, but we were also helping others — win, win!
Oh, but you still don’t know what an Akwakat is?
Akwakat is a bike. No, it’s a boat. Or is it a Raft? Actually it’s all 3. At the heart is a standard mountain bike, without wheels. This is mounted to a frame using Velcro (yep — good olé Velcro) onto 2 inflated pontoons. The pedals drive the underwater paddles/​propeller that make you move and the handlebars steer you in the right direction (most of time). Simple!
Once the Akwakats were assembled we were suited up with lifejackets and given instructions. I thought we would be on a led tour, but no, we had free use of the ‘bikes’ for 90 minutes! We could go in any direction as long as we stayed clear of long reeds and made way for other canal users (or let them make way for us).
Before setting off, Mark gave us his mobile number in case we got stuck and needing rescuing.
Getting on, with a little help, was tricky but I managed! (no soggy trousers today: D)
The Akwakats were pretty easy to manœuvre and felt like riding a normal mountain bike. Although, the drag from the water created resistance equivalent to climbing a small hill — so we were really getting a great workout. This also meant that we couldn’t go very fast (in fact, we were warned that pushing the gears too hard could strip them as they were plastic — to be waterproof). If we picked up some loose reeds in the paddles or rudder we could instantly feel the resistance increase and our speed decrease. Pedalling backwards for a few rotations easily cleared the debris and we would be back on our way.
We cruised along, enjoying the stares and surprised looks from passersby, feeling quite special cycling along above the water! The scenery was amazing! The Akwakats were really stable so my hubbyfelt safe bringing the good camera. In fact, we were told in most places the canal was only waist deep. We managed to get to bridge 13 before being stared down by a swan — a good point to turn around (Swan 1, Akwakat 0)
This was a great day out and we will definitely do it again! In fact, if I lived closer to the canal, I would buy one! It was such a cool way to travel, see great scenery and get a workout. Oh and I can’t forget — help out a social enterprise that does great work with the local community! You can even pack a picnic and chill out at the canal side tables after your ride.
If you want to give Akwakats a try (do it! do it!) contact Bridge 8 to book. Or find out more about their other activities; Bridge 8 have are large fleet of canoes, stand paddle boards and touring kayaking for rent from £7.50pp for a half day. I think Paddle Boarding is next on our list.
Although communication was a bit shaky — it’s definitely a 4+ organisation and actually well run when you consider is it a social enterprise manned mainly by volunteers — good work guys!