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Kayaking
Key Findings
Kayaking and canoeing take place all around Scotland, with the highest activity of sea kayaking and canoeing occuring around the Clyde and the West of Scotland (fig. 1). Lower levels of sea kayaking and canoeing take place all along the East Grampian Coast, with particular hotspots along the coast south of Aberdeen City (fig. 2).
According to the Watersports Participation Survey 2022 (Nursery Research & Planning Ltd, 2023), regular participation in manual watersports activities (which includes kayaking) grew between 2021 and 2022. Those aged 16-34 make up a higher proportion (53%) of manual watersports participants compared to those aged 35-54 (37%) and 55+ (10%). Socioeconomic status also plays a part, with those graded AB making up 40% of participants, C1C2 making up 37% and DE making up 23%.
Figure 1: NMPi - Density of coastal rowing around Scotland. Taken from Marine Recreation and Tourism Survey 2015.
Figure 2: NMPi - Density of coastal rowing along the East Grampian Coast. Taken from Marine Recreation and Tourism Survey 2015.
Notes
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Live - Next update 10/03/2026
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