Sessions and courses from beginner to advanced in canoeing and kayaking. Westminster Boating Base issues certificates for the British Canoeing Paddle Awards - Paddle Discover, Paddle Explore and personal performance awards.
Westminster Boating Base is a British Canoeing (BC) Quality Mark Approved Centre.
Where can kayaking and canoeing take you? See progression pathways
See Youth Programme
Over 18's are also welcome to join our regular adult sessions and courses at the advertised price.
Courses & taster sessions for beginners & intermediates
Our weekly schedule for proficient (BC 1 Star / Discover +) paddlers
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.
2019 Dates:
Our courses are run to the standards of British Canoeing - the National Governing Body for paddlesport in the UK.
An exciting new 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.
Please note, some course dates have the choice of either kayak and canoe. Not sure what the difference is? Click here!
13th April - kayak
27th April - kayak
27th April - Canoe
8th June - kayak
22nd June - kayak
22nd June - Canoe
13th July - kayak
7th September - kayak
7th September - Canoe
21st September - kayak
26th October - kayak
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.
Please note, some course dates have the choice of either kayak and canoe. Not sure what the difference is? Click here!
2019 course dates:
4th & 5th May - kayak
6th & 7th July - kayak
6th & 7th July - Canoe
5th & 6th October - kayak
5th & 6th October - Canoe
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. It is a prerequisite of the BC Paddlesport Instructor but is useful for any paddler providing a broader knowledge base, not to mention it is incredibly fun!
2019 course dates:
YOU MUST ARRIVE FOR THE START TIME OF THE SESSION. TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO ONE!
Mondays 4.45-7.30pm
Tuesdays 6.15-9pm
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.
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:
Please note that if you are late, you may be turned away. Time and tide wait for no one!
You will need to bring:
NOTE: Nobody will be allowed on the water without the above.
