Try something new today. We run both 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.
These taster sessions are suitable for adults and children (age 10yrs+) who want to give kayaking/canoeing a try.
Suitable for families - these sessions focus on having fun.
These sessions must be booked in advance.
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:
have attended one of our British Canoeing Discover courses.
or have attended 3 or more of our tuition / taster sessions (see above)
or have sufficient experience to consider yourself a reasonably competent paddler
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 per person per sessop or included with season tickets.
How to attend:
Create a log-in on this website which will provide us with your contact details.
Check the activities schedule and book yourself in.
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).
Nobody will be allowed on the water without these.
Our courses are run to the standards of Paddle UK - the National Governing Body for paddlesport in the UK.
An exciting award from Paddle UK, 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.
An exciting new award from Paddle UK, 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.