Eifel National Park · Since 1990
School Trip Eifel – Canoeing in the National Park
Experiential canoeing on the Rur and at the Heimbach Reservoir. The unforgettable activity for your class: safe, guided, close to nature.
Heimbach Reservoir · calm water
Experienced guides
DSA Bronze required
School invoice available
⭐ 4.8 (276 reviews)
From 20 children
Free planning
30+
years
of experience with school groups
4,8
★
Google rating
100+
students
Max. group size
2
tours
Rur & Reservoir
Experiential education
Why canoeing is the perfect activity for school classes
No classroom, no screen, no curriculum. Canoeing in the Eifel lets your students experience what school often leaves out: real teamwork under the open sky. Steering a canoe together means practising communication, coordination and mutual trust, with no pressure and no grades. As the only canoe provider right inside the Eifel National Park, we have been guiding school classes since 1990. Our experienced guides ensure safety and fun, with no prior experience needed.
Real teamwork
Paddling together strengthens communication and cohesion in a natural way.
Maximum safety
Life jackets for everyone, experienced guides and a child-friendly briefing before the start.
Nature education
The Eifel National Park as a learning space: experiencing nature instead of just reading about it.
Flexible booking
Half-day or full-day programme, combinable with any accommodation.
Two tours, one for every class
Recommended for school classes
Heimbach Reservoir: calm water
Ideal for school classes: no current, a wide stretch of water, perfect conditions for beginners and younger children. Minimum age 7 (accompanied by an adult who can swim in the same boat). Bookable all year round.
Adventure & dynamics
Canoe tour on the Rur: with current
For older children aged 9 and up (with an adult who can swim in the same boat): gentle rapids, more dynamics, a bigger challenge. Season only 15 July to 28 February (breeding and protection period on the Rur).
What your class gets
Safety equipment
A life jacket and paddle for every child. Everything included.
Experienced guides
Certified canoe guides, a briefing before the start and accompaniment on the water.
Logistics handled
Heimbach Reservoir: start and finish right at the jetty, no detour. On the Rur: an easy ride back to the starting point with the Rurtalbahn.
Educational briefing
Optional: nature studies briefing. The Eifel and the National Park explained vividly.
School billing
Invoice directly to the school, payment due within 14 days.
Individual planning
We advise you free of charge on the date, schedule and age suitability for your class.
What you should know as a teacher
Requirements
Minimum age reservoir 7 years, Rur 9 years. Each accompanied by an adult who can swim in the same boat. Paddling independently from the age of 14 with consent.
Ability to swim is mandatory: German Swimming Badge Bronze in line with the NRW school sports decree (staying above water for at least 20 minutes without aids). We provide life jackets, but they do not replace the ability to swim.
No prior canoeing experience needed.
At least 1 teacher per 15 children. One teacher with the DLRG Lifesaving Badge Silver paddles along on the water (our requirement). From 30 children, the accompanying person paddles along free of charge.
We decide 4 hours before the tour starts (DWD forecast and water level). In light rain we paddle; in a thunderstorm we find an alternative.
Make a school request
Minimum size
from 20 children
School invoice
✓ available
Response
within 24 hours
The essentials in 60 seconds for your class
What applies to you on a school trip with Kanu Petry: short and honest.
✓ We decide on the day. At the latest 4 hours before the tour we know whether it goes ahead. We check the DWD forecast and water level, not the 7-day app.
✓ If we cancel, you have the choice. If we cancel for safety reasons (thunderstorm, storm, flooding, official orders): the full tour price refunded as money back, a voucher valid for 36 months, or rebooking.
✓ You lose nothing, you only postpone. If you cancel 60 to 30 days before the tour, you get the full tour price as a voucher, valid for 36 months and transferable.
✓ Everyone must be able to swim safely, children included. Staying above water for at least 20 minutes without aids (DSA Bronze). We provide the life jacket, but it does not replace the ability to swim.
✓ Minimum age reservoir 7 years · Rur 9 years. Each accompanied by an adult who can swim in the same boat. Paddling independently from the age of 14 with consent.
✓ Alcohol & intoxicants: strictly prohibited. Before and during the tour. On reasonable suspicion, the guide can exclude individuals or cancel the tour, with no refund.
✓ Nature conservation on the Rur: we only paddle from 15 July to 28 February. The breeding and protection period belongs to nature. The Heimbach Reservoir is bookable all year round.
✓ Two professionals on the water. Our guides are trained in sport-specific canoe rescue skills (DLRG standard, compliant with the NRW school sports decree, refreshed every 4 years). So that you can go out, a teacher with the DLRG Lifesaving Badge Silver paddles along as well, we would rather play it safe.
Request a canoe activity for your class now
For school classes from 20 children. We create a free quote for you, with an invoice to the school. Up to 20 children the basic flat rate applies, from 21 each additional person is 28 €.
For companies & teams: Company outing → · More about us → · All answers to your questions →
Frequently asked questions from teachers
From what age is canoeing suitable?
Heimbach Reservoir from 7 years, the Rur from 9 years. Each accompanied by an adult who can swim in the same boat. Paddling independently is possible from the age of 14 with consent.
How many children have to come at a minimum?
At least 20 children. Up to 20 children the same basic flat rate applies. From 21, each additional person is 28 €. From 30 children, the accompanying person paddles along free of charge.
Do all children have to be able to swim?
Yes, mandatory. We follow the NRW school sports decree: canoeing requires the German Swimming Badge Bronze, meaning staying above water for at least 20 minutes without aids, children included. A life jacket on the water is additionally mandatory. Details →
Can we get an invoice as a school?
Sure, we issue the invoice directly to your school. Payment due within 14 days. Just let us know when you make your request.
How many accompanying persons do we need?
At least 1 teacher per 15 children is sensible. From 30 children, the accompanying person paddles along free of charge with us. Our guides are additionally on the water with you.
How long does a school class tour take?
Depending on the tour and programme, between 2 and 5 hours. Half-day programmes are also bookable.
What happens in bad weather?
We decide at the latest 4 hours before the tour starts, based on the DWD forecast and the Rur water level. Light rain is no reason to cancel. If we cancel for safety reasons (thunderstorm, storm, flooding, official orders) you have the choice: the full tour price refunded as money back, a voucher valid for 36 months, or rebooking. Details →
When can we book? (Season)
The Heimbach Reservoir is bookable all year round. On the Rur we only paddle from 15 July to 28 February (breeding and protection period). For school classes we recommend at least 4 to 6 weeks lead time, in peak season ideally earlier.
How does cancellation work?
Closed group school class: more than 60 days before the tour 100 % money back. 60 to 30 days 100 % as a voucher (valid for 36 months, transferable). 30 to 14 days 60 % voucher. 14 to 7 days 30 % voucher. Less than 7 days 10 % money back. Full details in our booking conditions.
What qualifications do your guides have and which do we need?
Our guides are trained in sport-specific canoe rescue skills: DLRG Lifesaving Badge Bronze plus canoe-specific rescue training, refreshed every 4 years (NRW school sports decree standard). So that your class can go out, we additionally require an accompanying teacher with the DLRG Lifesaving Badge Silver who paddles along on the water, stricter than the decree minimum, but with two qualified people per group.