Our members benefit from a range of activities throughout the year.
Sunday River Paddle from Chiswick Pier
Regular Sunday paddle supervised by our coaches and departing from Chiswick Pier. Usually running for 3-4 hours for a round trip, including a break for refreshments. Timings will vary according to the tide and we always check weather and river conditions before departing. We use our club Calendar to keep everyone updated.
Pool Sessions
Regular sessions held on Wednesday evenings at the Phoenix Fitness Centre and Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool. Practice skills and keep up-to-date with safety procedures and capsize and recovery within a pool environment.
Pool sessions are attended at an additional cost and all members are required to practice a capsize and attend at least one pool session.
Special Trips
Throughout the year we run special strips to explore other areas of interest. Running longer than our regular Sunday paddles, these trips include days trips to Westminster or Richmond.
Over the years we’ve explored Kingston, Windsor, Thames Forts and the Isle of Wight. We also facilitate trips in partnership with other clubs or companies to Lee Valley for white-water kayak or on rivers in Wales and Devon.
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayak training on the Thames and trips for suitably experienced sea kayakers on the open sea.
Night Paddles
Experience the Thames at night on one of our night paddles on weekday evenings, usually held over the summer months to take advantage of the long evenings and sunny weather.
Independent Paddles
Members who have the appropriate skills and training can become ‘Independent Paddlers’ which allows them to hire and use club equipment to go paddling without a coach, in groups of two or more.
To become an independent paddler you will need to
- Hold a Paddle UK Paddle Explore or Two Star qualification or equivalent
- Have completed a Foundation Rescue and Safety Training course (FRST) or the new Paddlesport Leader training
- Have completed a Thames Specific Knowledge (TSK) course with CPCC, or an approved alternative, and have demonstrated experience of putting this into practice.
- Be a member of Paddle UK for insurance purposes.
Final approval for independent paddlers status will be agreed by the club committee with referral to the coaches.
