Maidenhead Canoe Club has been launched, with membership at just £40 per year. Once new members have joined, they must attend the Discover course to learn key canoe and river skills.
Join us for our course on Saturday 9th May 0930-1630 including lunch break. It costs £60. Note: For insurance reasons this is for over 18s only.
On completing the Discover course you will receive a Paddle UK certificate. You are then able to join Maidenhead Canoe Club paddles, trips and activities at no extra cost once you have paid the annual £40 membership.
We paddle on York Stream, Maidenhead, and also the Thames. We meet 7pm every Monday from April to September. Also some Saturday mornings (depending on availibility of coaches/leaders) and some midweek daytime paddles too.
There are no changing facilities so please arrive dressed ready for the water. Wear old trainers or river shoes and clothing appropriate for outdoor sport, including suitable raincoat such as a hiking cagoule . Bring a change of clothes and towel or have them in your car if driving. Also bring a packed lunch and drink or buy something in town during lunch break. Kayaks, canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids are all provided.
We will provide drybags to store your phone and any valuables in your boat, but we are not responsible for them.
This course will be focused on canoe and kayak skills. You can choose to paddle a double open canoe (as in the picture), a single sit in kayak or single sit on top kayak.
Maidenhead Canoe Club is affiliated to Paddle UK. All our activities are insured. The course will be led by a qualified coach who also has qualifications in first aid and river safety and rescue.
The Discover course includes:
- Getting ready for the water
· Canoe clothing – what to wear
· What equipment will I use?
- At the venue
· What water will I paddle, where can I go, are there any restrictions?
· Weather forecast and river conditions
· Accessing the water – getting in and out of my boat
- On the water
· Skill levels, how to control my boat
· Paddling forwards and backwards, turning
· River etiquette and respecting wildlife
· River rescue basics
- After the session
· Consider how it went, how I can improve, what have I learned
· Watching others and learning from fellow paddlers
· What equipment worked well and not so well for me
· Which type of craft do I prefer
- Future development
· Each day on the water is different, how can I improve?
· Do I want to specialise in one type of craft, such as canoe or kayak?
· What are the next steps on my paddle journey?
· What training or learning could help me develop?
Please pay £100 (£40 annual canoe club membership plus £60 course fee) in advance by bank transfer Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group (our legal name), Account 00015476, Sort Code 40-52-40, at CAF Bank, adding your SURNAME/DISCOVER for reference.
(Note: Do not pay any money or subscription to Meetup. It is free for you. We pay Meetup a fee to use their platform as event organisers. You don't need to. Pay us direct by bank transfer for this course.)
You must be aged 18 or over to take part.
Places are limited and booking is essential. If the course is fully booked please join the waiting list and we will contact you if a place becomes available. If you have any questions, please ask.
