Places to kayak and canoe
The River Roding – a canoe trip from Creekmouth to Ilford and back
Many of London’s old rivers have been lost, buried beneath centuries of urban expansion, but some still flow into the Thames. The River Roding, in eastern London, is one such river, joining the Thames at Barking Creek in the east of London. Canoe access can be made at Creekmouth, where free on-street parking is available [...]
Canoeing on the Thames
Kayaking and canoeing on the Thames is a great way to escape the London crowds and grab some fresh air and exercise. This canoe trip starts at Walton Bridge near Shepperton in west London and provides a circular trip that takes a couple of hours, with plenty of opportunities for picnics and playing. Park at the [...]
The Swift Ditch
If you are looking for an adventurous paddle near London, the Swift Ditch is worth checking out. This was once the route of the Thames itself, until the crafty monks at Abingdon diverted the river to power their mills. Since then the channel has been reduced to a narrow, tree choked channel – picturesque in [...]
Canoe training and kayak courses
Canoe slalom: learn the basics of teaching canoe slalom
The GB Canoeing Legacy Project Team are aiming to deliver part one of a BCU Discipline Specific Module for Canoe Slalom, under the guidance of Canoe England. In this one day module you will learn the basics of teaching Canoe Slalom to paddlers starting out on a Slalom pathway. The module is ideal for canoe [...]
Beginners kayak course with Meridian Canoe Club, May 2013
Here is a great opportunity to get three days of kayak training for beginners, including a river trip, for just £25! Meridian Canoe Club are offering three days of kayaking-related skills development on the 18th, 26th and 27th of May 2013. Please note, this course is targeted at adults, but under 16s are welcome on [...]
First Aid course at Phoenix Outdoor Centre 18th May
Phoenix Outdoor Centre are running a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) First Aid course (8 hours) on Saturday 18th May 2013 between 9.30am and 6.00pm. The course is being run by a RYA First Aid instructor and is limited to 8 students. Participants will be issued with a current edition of the St. Johns / St [...]
Canoe club news
Sea kayakers called on to help with RNLI research
A new research project by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the British Canoe Union (BCU) is exploring sea kayakers’ attitudes towards risk and safety, and the various ways in which they participate in their sport. The research will cover people’s reasons for participating in kayaking and canoeing, how often they go, types of [...]
Mind the faff – a classic Alps kayaking map
Every year a unique migration takes place across the UK. White water kayakers take flight for warmer climes, heading south in search of sunshine and crystal clear, snow melt water. For many, their destination will be the small French town of Briançon, nestled high in the Haute Alpes. Here, four Alpine valleys converge to produce [...]
Canoe Polo League proposed for SE England
The BCU Canoe Polo Committee is hoping to get a Local League up and running for the South East Area. Their target is to develop Canoe Polo and get more teams involved and participating. The initial idea is to run a Youth League as well as an Open League for players that are playing at [...]
Kayak and canoe events
Shepperton Canoe Slalom – 22/23 June 2013
Shepperton Canoe Club are hosting a canoe slalom competition over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd June, with some slalom coaching on the Saturday morning. This is a Division 4 (entry level) and Division 3 event. This is a great event for newcomers to come and try canoe slalom. There will be lots of opportunity [...]
Sailing and canoeing on a summer’s day
On Sunday 9th June the North London Sailing Association and Castle Canoe Club, in partnership with GLL, bring you free jazz, sailing and canoeing at the West Reservoir Centre, Green Lanes N4. Free sailing and canoeing sessions are available between 10-11am and 2-3pm, with jazz from the Ted Emmett Quartet from midday. Organic barbeque from [...]
Lee Valley Freestyle Kayaking Event 30th June 2013
GB Freestyle Kayak are providing a day of freestyle competition at the Lee Valley White Water Centre on 30th June, with exclusive use of the Legacy white water course. The competition is open to all, you don’t need previous experience to take part. The competition will use one white water feature for Novice to Youth [...]
Books
White Water South Alps guidebook – 65 classic kayaking runs in France, Italy and Switzerland
Every year thousands of British kayakers head for the South Alps, in search of white water and excitement. Whether you are an old hand or an ‘Alps virgin’ – there is one guidebook which all white water kayakers turn to – White Water, South Alps. Now in its third edition, the guidebook is packed with [...]
New guide to North West rivers
A new river guide focuses on the Lake District and North West of England, and it doesn’t disappoint. 368 detailed pages cover everything from mellow, grade two touring rivers to high octane, high risk gorge descents. With the new Canoe & Kayak Guide to North West England, author Stuart Miller has gone to great lengths [...]
Around London in a small boat
Circle Line, Around London in a Small Boat describes the adventures of Steffan Meyric Hughes as he sails and rows around central London in a small sailing dingy. Steffan is a Londoner who grew up on the water, learning to kayak at Westminster Boating Basin and surfing the outlet waves of the now silent Lots [...]
Canoe and kayak videos
Path of the Paddle
Path of the Paddle: Solo Whitewater is a classic canoe film from 1977 by the legendary Bill Mason. Bill Mason is regarded by many as ‘the patron saint of canoeing’. He developed and refined canoeing strokes and river-running techniques and produced a hugely influential series of instructional canoeing films. In Path of the Paddle: Solo [...]
Flow Hunters Special Edit
Preview of the Flow Hunters Special Edit showing at the London BANFF Mountain Film Festival. Find out more and enter our competition to win a pair of tickets at http://www.canoelondon.com/2013/01/09/banff2013/
Kids / rolling kayaks challenge
Great German game show clip. Ten kids are challenged to run along a line of rolling kayaks in an Olympic swimming pool. Some make it, some don’t! One to try at your next pool session? Check it out on http://youtu.be/Lx4AWkfoWLI - it will make you smile!
All Recent Posts
Sea kayakers called on to help with RNLI research
A new research project by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the British Canoe Union (BCU) is exploring sea kayakers’ attitudes towards risk and safety, and the various ways in which they participate in their sport. The research will cover people’s reasons for participating in kayaking and canoeing, how often they go, types of [...]
White Water South Alps guidebook – 65 classic kayaking runs in France, Italy and Switzerland
Every year thousands of British kayakers head for the South Alps, in search of white water and excitement. Whether you are an old hand or an ‘Alps virgin’ – there is one guidebook which all white water kayakers turn to – White Water, South Alps. Now in its third edition, the guidebook is packed with [...]
Shepperton Canoe Slalom – 22/23 June 2013
Shepperton Canoe Club are hosting a canoe slalom competition over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd June, with some slalom coaching on the Saturday morning. This is a Division 4 (entry level) and Division 3 event. This is a great event for newcomers to come and try canoe slalom. There will be lots of opportunity [...]
Mind the faff – a classic Alps kayaking map
Every year a unique migration takes place across the UK. White water kayakers take flight for warmer climes, heading south in search of sunshine and crystal clear, snow melt water. For many, their destination will be the small French town of Briançon, nestled high in the Haute Alpes. Here, four Alpine valleys converge to produce [...]
Canoe London newsletter 31st May 2013
A quick round up of news for canoeists and kayakers in the London region. Follow Canoe London on Facebook or Twitter for regular updates. You can view the original newsletter at http://eepurl.com/AeTo1 Sailing and canoeing on a summer’s day On Sunday 9th June the North London Sailing Association and Castle Canoe Club, in partnership with GLL, [...]
Sailing and canoeing on a summer’s day
On Sunday 9th June the North London Sailing Association and Castle Canoe Club, in partnership with GLL, bring you free jazz, sailing and canoeing at the West Reservoir Centre, Green Lanes N4. Free sailing and canoeing sessions are available between 10-11am and 2-3pm, with jazz from the Ted Emmett Quartet from midday. Organic barbeque from [...]
