Q1. Who are you?
We are a friendly club, with members of all ages and backgrounds, having a shared interest in paddling canoes and kayaks.
The club is managed by a committee who oversee the day-to-day running of club and its events, as well as planning the longer term development of the club and its members.
Q2. What do you do?
We meet regularly to paddle canoes and kayaks in a swimming pool, in the sea, on rivers and at some artificial whitewater venues. See our upcoming events for details.
Our enthusiastic coaches try to ensure that every member is given the opportunity to develop their skills so that they can get as much fun as possible out of their paddling, whilst ensuring that safety is considered at all times.
We also have a variety of social events and run paddling trips to different venues around the UK.
Q3. Where do you do it?
Our regular sessions involve paddling on the sea near our clubhouse in Hastings, and in the Battle Abbey swimming pool.
See the location map for details.
Some of our longer trips include Woolacombe and the River Dart in Devon, North Wales for the Dee and Tryweryn rivers, South Wales for the River Wye and the Rriver Usk, and artificial courses at Lee Valley (North London), Cardington (Bedford), Nene (Northampton) and Holme Pierrepoint (Nottingham). We have sea kayaking trips to various spots around the UK coast and have also run a number of trips abroad.
Q4. When do you do it?
Mainly Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but members may be out paddling, or coaching, any day of the week depending on circumstances.
Click to see the calendar for more details.
Q5. How do I have a go?
Contact us and arrange to come to either a sea session on a Tuesday evening, or a pool session on a Thursday evening.
You need to be able to swim 50m.
Q6. How much does it cost?
As a visitor, you can come to a sea session for £5 or a pool session for £10.
Membership of the club (see Q12) is £70 for adults and £35 for children and students, renewable annually at the start of February.
Members do not pay for sea sessions and pay £5 for pool sessions (+ £2 if boat hire is required).
Once you decide to join and paddle regularly, you will need to start buying some of your own equipment. Club members can help you decide what to buy, and may be able to offer you some second-hand bargains.
Q7. What equipment do I need?
When you first come, the club can provide most of your equipment, but you will need to have a swimming costume, a towel and some footwear suitable for use in water.
Depending on the time of year, you may also need a windproof jacket and some synthetic thermal wear (it will get wet!)
Once you get the paddling bug, you will need some or all of the following, depending on the sort of paddling that you want to do:
- Kayak/Canoe
- Paddle
- Spraydeck
- Buoyancy Aid
- Helmet
- Wetsuit/Drysuit/DryCag
- River Shoes
Q8. Is it dangerous?
Any sport involving water, especially the sea or moving water, carries an element of risk, however, the coaches and club officials are there to ensure that everything is done as safely as possible. It is important that all instructions from them are followed to reduce the risk of accidents.
The club has an excellent safety record and would like to keep it that way!
Q9. What is difference between a canoe and a kayak?
Kayaks are paddled with a two bladed paddle. They are usually enclosed and are paddled from a sitting position.
Canoes are paddled with a single bladed paddle. They are usually open and are paddled from a kneeling position.
Q10. What different sorts of paddling do you do?
Sea kayaking, Surfing, River running, Stand-up Paddleboard, Slalom and Marathon to name a few.
Q11. What sort of previous experience is needed?
We take complete beginners with no previous experience.
British Canoeing administers a range of individual performance and coaching qualifications. Within this framework, the club provides a structured training programme to meet the needs of each of its members, so you can do as much or as little as you like.
Q12. How do I join?
Complete the Membership Form and hand to a committee member with your membership fee, or email the form and use a bank transfer - Simples!