River Paddle from Chiswick Pier: Sundays
We aim to run a session every Sunday but sometimes we have to cancel or adjust the start time due to river closures, bad weather or coach availability. For this reason, please check the Calendar page for the planned paddles and our Blog and/or social media feeds for any last minute changes. Some sessions also run on other days.
Our regular sessions are for members only. Members will receive information about booking sessions online. If you haven’t received this email, need a reminder, or want to change any booked session please contact enquiries.
Non-members who are interested in trying the sport of canoeing are welcome to join us for up to four Taster Sessions. These sessions run over one or two days on a weekend depending on numbers, abilities and coach availability.
Please email us to join our waiting list for taster sessions.
The sessions are instructor led and oriented towards enjoying the river and improving skills and fitness. The club has all necessary equipment, so all you need to bring are synthetic clothes in which to get wet (no cotton or jeans) and dry clothes to put on afterwards. In the Winter, you will need to bring warm clothes – fleece or other thermals – and spare clothes in case of capsize. In the Summer, light clothes, eg shorts and t-shirt should be fine. Shoes must be worn for both Winter and Summer Paddle sessions. If you wish to wear a spray deck, you will need to do capsize training with one of our instructors. Please discuss this with a coach.
There are toilets and hot showers available in Chiswick Pier House.
Pool Sessions:
We ask all our members to complete a pool session to ensure that you know what to do in the event of a capsize. Sessions are held on Wednesday evenings at the Phoenix Fitness Centre and Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool and are booked through the club calendar.
Special Trips:
The club occasionally runs special trips. Sometimes these will replace the regular Sunday paddle and at other times they will run on a different day or time. These trips may be on the Thames, with a day long paddle to Westminster or Richmond. Alternatively we may run an overnight camping trip or visit somewhere else such as Kingston or the Isle of Wight. We also organise, or work with clubs or companies that run whitewater trips to Lee Valley or on suitable rivers in Wales and Devon.
Sea Kayaking:
This year we are fortunate to be able to offer sea kayak training on the Thames and trips for suitably experienced sea kayakers on the open sea.
Night Paddles:
We run occasional night paddles on weekday evenings for suitably experienced members.
Independent Paddler:
Members who have the appropriate skills and training can become CPCC “Independent Paddlers” which allows them to hire and use club equipment to go paddling without a coach, in groups of two or more.
