Take part in the 2021 Coracle Fundraising Event

The Ironbridge Coracle Trust is seeking as many intrepid coracle paddlers as possible to take part in our fundraising event, our first ever Great Ironbridge Coracle Drift on Saturday 18th September 2021.

The Drift will form part of the World Heritage Ironbridge Festival which takes place during September.  We want to form a stunning spectacle of a shoal (not sure what the collective term is) of coracles as we come into Ironbridge to finish the drift.  Raising awareness of the historic craft whilst also raising money to support the work of the Ironbridge Coracle Trust.

The Drift

Don’t be fooled by the name. The Great Ironbridge Coracle Drift is not for the faint hearted.  Firstly, it’s not a drift – it’s a 7-mile paddle along the River Severn from Cressage Bridge to Ironbridge.   7 miles in a coracle is tough on the bum as well as on your arms. However, it is a beautiful, stretch of river taking you through the infamous meanders, with views of the Wrekin and finishing just after passing under the magnificent Iron Bridge.  We will finish with a celebratory B-B-Q at Vic Haddock’s Canoe Hire, with stunning views of the bridge. 

It is not a race. The plan is to paddle together as one large mass.  We envisage that we will be on the water for approximately 4 hours.  The Get In is at Cressage Bridge where the river bank, depending on river levels, is steep. The Get Out is at Vic Haddock canoe hire, Ironbridge via floating pontoons and steep concrete steps.  Please contact the event organiser to discuss any access issues on [email protected]

Full pre-event information and sponsorship form will be sent on booking. 

Participants are asked

• To each raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship
• Provide their own coracle, buoyancy aid and paddle
• Be confident that they can paddle the 7-mile route.    Sorry, it’s not suitable for beginners. 
• Bookings must be made by a person aged 18 years or over. Evidence of age may be requested. Participants under the age of 18 years will be allowed to participate in the event if they are 16 years old or over and have the consent of their parent or legal guardian who must be the person making their booking.