Kayak & Canoe - adult

Sessions and courses from beginner to advanced in canoeing and kayaking. WBB issues certificates for the BC One Star, BC Two Star awards (personal skills) and more.

Westminster Boating Base is a British Canoeing (BC) Approved Centre and is Sport England Top Centre & Clubmark accredited.

Where can kayaking and canoeing take you? See progression pathways

 

Age 10-23yrs?

See Youth Programme

 

Go Kayaking "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.

2018 Dates:

22 April, 2-5pm

 

Adult Courses

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

 

British Canoeing (BC) One Star (novice)

The entry-level award teaching the basic skills and manoeuvres in a kayak and including an element of journeying.

2018 course dates:

14 April

28 April

12 May

9 June

23 June

7 July

 

British Canoeing (BC) Two Star (improver)

Once you've mastered the basic skills and are proficient at paddling your craft over short distances, the 2 Star award is the next step. This adds to your skill base and develops your technique in both a canoe and a kayak.

2018 course dates:

29, 30 Sept, 7 Oct

 

Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FSRT)

This course aims to give the participant key safety and rescue skills to be able to operate safely and be able to deal with common emergencies.

2018 course dates:

14 July

 

Adult Sessions - starting 9/4/18

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

  

Beginners & intermediates: tuition

Mondays 6.15 - 9pm

Wednesdays 4.45-7.30pm (Wednesdays only during school term-times)

These sessions will provide you with an introduction to kayaking & canoeing and for those with limited experience will advance your skills and familiarise you with the river. You can then attend the "proficient paddler" sessions.

• Tuition of the British Canoeing (BC) Star award personal skills scheme by BC qualified instructors.
• turn-up and try it basis  - so there is no need to book although booking via this site will secure a place.
• Its an adhoc course: no need to come every week if this is difficult for you - the instructors will continue to teach you from where you left off.
• After attending approximately 4 of these sessions you will have progressed to a suitable level to join in on the proficient paddler sessions. You can then continue to work through the British Canoeing Star Award scheme at your own pace.

How to attend

 

Proficient Paddlers: Sessions & river trips

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 3 to 5 miles) and you will need to be competent to paddle this distance at a fair pace. Scenic trips through the heart of the city can be both exciting and challenging at times!

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

• have a British Canoeing (formerly British Canoe Union - BCU) 1 star certificate or higher
• or have attended at least 4 of our tuition sessions (see above).

 

Slalom kayak training sessions

Have a BC 1 Star and want to have a go at a competitive form of kayaking or just develop your skills and keep fit? These are for you.
READ MORE...

 

How to attend

1. Create a log-in on this website which will provide us with your contact details. 
2. Print and sign this consent form to bring with you on the day.
3. There is no booking required for the sessions although to ensure a space you can book the Wednesday sessions online. Just turn up at the advertised start time of the session (the sessions operate on a first-come-first-served basis. CASH ONLY on the door.
4. From within the MY ACCOUNT section, you can purchase adult season tickets or just 'pay-as-you-go'.
   

Please note that if you are late, you may be turned away. Time and tide wait for no one!

 

You will need to bring:

• A full change of clothes (appropriate for the weather) including soft-soled shoes and a towel. 
• Consent form
• A small padlock to secure your valuables in one of our lockers (optional).

NOTE: Nobody will be allowed on the water without the above.

 

  

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