Frequently asked questions
I hope you will find your question answered below, if not, simply ask, I am happy to help.
Piotr, Outdoor Explore Founder.
Do I need prior experience?
No, you don’t! Your age or previous experience will not be a problem. Let us help you to find the way…
Our pre-planned half-day guided tours listed here are designed to be novice friendly. All of them are set up to be at a slow pace, in a small group (3-6ppl) suitable for anyone age 7+.
If you prefer, we can set up a fully bespoke trip, just for you and your friends/family at any destination.
How can I arrange a bespoke trip?
Look up our kayaking locations featuring some of the venues we often explore in our area. We do venture further afield as well, pretty much anywhere in Scotland!
Use the ‘create your own kayak trip’ form on the bottom of the page, click this link to take you there directly. We will get back to you asap, sometimes our reply might be in ‘spam inbox’.
How much does it cost?
It depends if you are planning to join us for a half-day or full-day tour on an already scheduled event or a tailored one for you.
We specialize in bespoke guided tours, expeditions, and coaching sessions.
Prices start from £55pp on a pre-scheduled half-day guided tour. You can see the full price list here.
What if the weather is bad?
We are always checking the forecast but we operate in Scotland, so things might change a very last minute. If we feel that the weather makes it unsafe or if it will spoil aims for the trip/tour/tuition we will be in touch.
We will try to see if a nearby venue can offer similar experience instead, or maybe another date would suit you. If none of these two will work for you, we will offer you a Gift Voucher, valid for the following 12 months or a full refund, your call.
We would rather to that than provide you with an unpleasant experience.
Can I just hire the kit out?
You are welcome to hire our kit if you have paddled with Outdoor Explore before or if you hold the relevant paddlesport qualifications for the venue you wish to visit. We would need to so some sort of proof of that.
Our kit; kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, can be collected from our base in Blairgowrie, or we can deliver it at a charge. Click here to see the full price list is here.
When are your opening hours?
We operate all year round offering our guided tours, tuition and kit hire every day of the week by prior appointment. Use the contact us form to get in touch as much in advance with your enquiry to avoid disappointment.
Our office hours are 9.00-16.00 Monday to Friday. We don’t use our premises as the business place, remote office cover. If we didn’t pick up the phone, we might be out paddling.
Do you provide wetsuits?
No, we don’t have wetsuit for hire. We will provide you with wind and waterproof jacket, buoyancy aid, spraydeck (if going kayaking) to keep you warm. Bring clothes you don’t mind to get wet and can dry quick.
Our team uses often thermal rash vests, leggings with some softshell type cover on top.
Can I just turn up or do I need to pre-book the trip?
You do need to pre-book the trip with Outdoor Explore. We don’t offer ‘walk-ins’. Often, if you give us less than 7 days notice we are very likely fully booked or allocated to other tasks, so please give us as much notice as possible to avoid the disappointment.
Our premises, the base in Blairgowrie is those days used only for storage and as a boat repair centre. Our team who covers the office hours (Mon-Fri 9-16.00) work remotely, so unlikely we are at our Kayak Station. To reach us, use the ‘contact us’ form.
Do you offer regular classes?
Yes we do. These are set up weekly for the Friday evenings between May and September, starting at 18.00 and finishing at 21.00. These coaching sessions are in small group (4ppl max) covering a range of crafts; touring kayaks, sea kayaks, white water kayaks, open canoes, stand-up paddle boards and even coracles!
Besides these times, throughout the year we have a mix of full-day and half-day tuition events you can join.
All of the above sessions are listed online, ready to book on our Tayside Paddle School page.
You can also request a bespoke coaching session. The cost of private 3 hours long 1-1 event like that would be £145 and £45 for every next person you wish to invite to join you. All paddling kit will be provided and we can choose the day/time/craft to suit your aims.
Can my dog take part?
Yes, you absolutely can! We are a dog friendly company.
Let us know what size is your dog, so we can advise best boat to choose from (single or double close cockpit kayak, open canoe, sit on top kayak or maybe a paddleboard).
This will have to be a bespoke guided tour though, not one of our scheduled ones, as it won’t be fair expecting others to like dogs as much as we do.
What do I need to wear?
Some quick drying, warm clothes are best. You don’t have to use wetsuit or specific water sport kit on our guided tours. Something you would wear for a gentle walk, bike ride, etc should be fine.
We will provide you with waterproof jackets, if you wish, kayaks will have nylon spray decks available to keep you dryer and we will bring boats which you will find comfortable so hopefully much less likely to fall in.
Bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet, as they will get a bit mucky when stepping in and out of the boats. Hat and gloves are always a not bad idea to take with you to enjoy Scottish weather for a little bit longer.
Our guides always have a few spare pieces of kit with them.
I didn't see any reply from you, can you help?
I am sorry you didn’t hear back from us yet. Sometimes our replies go to ‘spam box’, please check it there if you are awaiting our reply.
The recent years were busier than ever before so we work really hard, and constantly improving our IT to avoid missing any enquiries. We do not have however the control if our sent emails are highlighted as ‘junk’.
You can always WhatsApp us on 07904 324 102 or email directly to info@outdoorexplore.co.uk
What is your refund/cancelation policy?
If the Outdoor Explore team decides the weather is too unpleasant to meet the aims of the trip, we will offer an alternative location nearby, or discuss future dates we could postpone to, or you will be offered a 12 month valid Gift Voucher or a full refund. The same applies if you, or our team, has been affected by a well-known virus.
In any other cases, if you provide us with more than 14 days’ notice, wishing to cancel your trip, a full refund will be issued (or voucher if you prefer though). If you notify us 7-13 days before the date of the trip, we will refund 50% of the full value of the booking. If less than 7 days I am afraid we cannot provide you with any refund as by then we have multiple costs to cover, sorry.
Do you offer a Family Ticket?
We offer a discounted price for our bespoke guided tours in a form of a Family Ticket. This means four people will pay £170 in total, to go on a private guided tour at any destination of your choice, using any crafts you wish. The cost adding more people would be £35pp to such trip.
To claim this offer for a bespoke trip at least one of the group members must be 5-16 years old.
We do not charge for kids age 4 or younger. Do let us know in advance though, so we can advise the best venue for such young explorers.
Can I bring my own boat to your trip?
Yes you can! You will be offered a discounted price of our services if you wish to bring your own craft. You must let us know during the booking process the brand and model though so we can check it’s the right kit for the venue we are about to use. The discount will be £15 for half-day tours/tuitions or £30 for the full-day events. During the online booking/payment option please select ‘bringing own boat’ ticket option for the discounted price.