Welcome to the Westel Canoe Club - Top Touring Club in England 2008!
Introductory Sessions for Novices
We welcome novices, but like to invite them to attend sessions when we know there will be enough coaches to look after them.We will therefore welcome novices, by prior arrangement with the Club Chairman or Course Organiser, on these Saturdays at 9:30 for 10:00:
- April 25
- May 9
- June 6 June 20
If you would like to come along to one of these sessions please email Andrew Wallace, the club chairman - his email address is on the Contact page.
Pre-requisite: be able to swim 50 metres in the clothing you wear paddling.
All paddlers should always bring a change of clothes to each session, and a towel. Leave jewellery behind - particularly large rings, or items that are not waterproof. Spectacles should have retainers so they stay with you when you fall in. For your sake and ours, please explain any medical issues to a coach before you get on the water.
Paddle at your own risk: canoeing and kayaking are risk sports; involuntary capsizes are routine; other injuries and accidents are possible.
Warning: some people find paddling is a fantastic activity, offering enjoyment of the river in all seasons, pleasurable exercise and good companionship: developing a life-long paddling habit is a real possibility!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE EMAIL THE COURSE ORGANISER:
Andrew Wallace at
It's Spring! The Club meets every Saturday - Newcomers welcome!
meet at 9.30 a.m., on the water 10:00 am
We also meet on Tuesday evenings from 7th April, at the Club at 6pm
Other occasional courses for BCU one star and two star awards are also organised
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Senior: £56 p.a
Junior: £30 p.a.
Spouse/Partner: £30 p.a.
Deduct £2 from above if a member of BCU
Members also guarantee Westel Canoe Club Ltd for up £1 maximum.
Rack Fee: £35 p.a.
Newsletter only: £8 p.a.
Touring and racing Club Boats are available at £2.50 per session for club members and £5 per session for visitors, including use of Thames licence.
Paddle at your own risk: canoeing and kayaking are risk sports,
involuntary capsizes are routine, other injuries and accidents are possible.
How To Find Us
Click here… to see where we are!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAIRMAN OR SECRETARY
Latest News
Westel Wins Touring Trophy - Again!!
Westel Canoe Club is again the top touring club in England with a total of 7000 points for 2008. Jeff and Babs were presented with the Touring Trophy for the eleventh time in 20 years - this record is going to be hard to beat!
River Conditions on the Thames are variable at any time of the year and in winter they can be particularly tricky. For the latest updates on each section of the river the Environment Agency website has details.
2008-2009 Hare and Hounds Series
Eight Westel members took part in this year's Hare and Hounds series at the Wey Kayak Club. The five races took place in varying conditions, with sunshine,rain, ice, high winds and as much flow as you ever get on the Wey Navigation. All the Westel members who took part did well, with Paul Wainwright (to his great surprise!) winning the trophy for Best Visiting Senior. All the results and links to photos etc. can be found at The Wey Kayak Club website.
Its time to start thinking about this year's Great British Duck Race, to be held as usual from Molesey Lock. This is the third year
the race and the target is to beat the previous record of 175000 ducks!
Details at the Duck Race web site.
Westel Receives Support from Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity
Westel Canoe Club is delighted to have been awarded a grant of £6090 from the Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity.
The money will be used to support our work of introducing adults and young people to kayaking and canoeing and
providing coaching and tuition for newcomers and improvers.
We will use the money to buy new boats suitable for coaching and training to replace some of our older boats.
We will also support club members who wish to obtain coaching qualifications.
We are very grateful to the Charity for their generosity which will enable the club to continue to provide a service to the local community.
Boat Licences
You need a licence to paddle on the Thames (and on other UK waterways). The Club buys a number of licences each year for use with Club boats. Mike has bought the new licences for 2008 and has attached them to boats. If you are taking a club boat out do make sure it has a current licence. There is a hefty fine available if you fail to carry a lience!
Westel touring Dates
The touring Section get out most weekends - all welcome. For forthcoming dates contact Jeff…