Westminster Boating Base
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Kayaking - adult

Sessions and courses from beginner to advanced in canoeing and kayaking. Westminster Boating Base issues certificates for the Paddle UK Awards - Paddle Discover, Paddle Explore and personal performance awards.

Westminster Boating Base is a Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) Delivery Partner.

  

On this page

Courses & taster sessions for beginners & intermediates

Our weekly schedule for proficient (BC 1 Star / Discover +) paddlers

 

Go Paddling "taster" sessions

Taster sessions suitable for adults and children (age 10yrs+) who want to give kayaking/canoeing a try. Suitable for families. Emphasis on fun! These must be booked in advance.

Family Deal: get a FREE annual youth membership for every child that you book onto a Go Paddling session. Please contact us to enable the membership

2024 dates:

Easter Sunday 31st March - 1.45-5pm

(see activities schedule on this page)

  

Courses

Our courses are run to the standards of British Canoeing - the National Governing Body for paddlesport in the UK.

Paddle UK Discover (novice)

An exciting award from British Canoeing, the Paddle Discover Award teaches practical skills and knowledge, creating a foundation for a fun and safe time on the water.

Under the guidance of our instructors you will learn how to choose and use equipment effectively, develop practical skills including self-rescue and gain an understanding of the environment and other factors which will affect your paddling.

At the end of this course you will be competent at manoevering your craft having gained the confidence to take to the water during our recreational sessions or further your personal development with the Paddle Explore award.

Next course: 

Sunday 7th April 2024

(see activities schedule on this page)

 

Paddle UK Explore (improver)

 An exciting new award from British Canoeing, the Paddle Explore award builds upon the foundation skills and techniques learned in the Paddle Discover award.

The award is taught at a maximium ratio of 1:6, a small enough group to focus upon the individual and tailor the skills to personal development of the sport. At the end of this course you will be able to skillfully manoeuvre your craft and have a broad understanding of how to safely take your kayaking further whether that be with our recreational sessions.

You can develop these skills and complete this course by attending our Sunday sessions.

  

Adult Sessions (pay & play)

Experienced Paddlers: Sessions & river trips for intermediates

(selected Sundays 9.45am-1pm and 1.45-5pm, all year round, subject to winter clothing regulations from Nov-March)

These sessions are geared up for those that have already mastered the basic skills. Sundays are longer journeys (typically 2 to 4 miles) and you will need to be competent to paddle this distance.

To come along to these sessions you will need to have done one of the following:

Look for dates on the activities schedule of this page.

YOU MUST ARRIVE FOR THE START TIME OF THE SESSION. TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO ONE!

  

Price

£25 or included with season tickets
 

How to attend

  1. Create a log-in on this website which will provide us with your contact details. 
  2. Check the activities schedule and book yourself in.

 

You will need to bring: 

Nobody will be allowed on the water without these.

  

Currently in winter season

The season begins on 01st April 2024. Kayaking and sailing continues throughout the winter on Sundays. Winter clothing regulations apply.

Kayaking - adult activities schedule

March 2024

A Royal Yachting Association (RYA) & British Canoeing (BC) approved training centre, regulated by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA).

Trust marks