The Club has a weekly pool session every Wednesday evening.
This is a session shared with Hammersmith Blades Canoe Club. It is also open to the general public and no prior booking is necessary.
Newcomers are welcome to come along and try kayaking, and be shown basic safety procedures. Club members are encouraged to practice and improve their paddling technique. Experienced guests are also welcome.
Those over 16 should be able to swim 50 metres clothed.
Children between 12 - 16 years old are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian and able to swim 25 metres
All equipment is provided. You just need to bring your fee, a swimming costume and towel and a 20p piece for the locker. If you are coming for the first time, please let John or Guy know (see contact details below)
Beginners: If you haven't kayaked before, or have only done the occasional paddle, this the perfect place to give it a try. This is a very relaxed session where you can try out the boats and experience paddling in a warm, controlled environment. After two or three sessions, many newcomers progress to paddling with us on the Thames. If you are new to paddling, we need to take you through safety drills, rescue procedures and basic skills before going out on the Thames. We won't let you paddle on the Thames with us until we are confident that you have completed the safety capsize drills in the pool. We check that you can safely get out of your kayak in case of a capsize. This is very easy, but it's essential that you have the confidence to do this in the event of a capsize on a river or in the sea. You may find this video helpful.
Training is in 3 stages
We will also teach you how to do an 'X rescue' and if you are adventurous, you can try an Eskimo roll. There are many videos on youtube showing how to do this. The coaches and experienced paddlers enjoy coaching and helping paddlers to master and develop the "Eskimo roll" and will give assistance and advice as time permits. The primary role of the session is to introduce first timers/beginners to basic strokes and complete the safety capsize drill in preparation for safe paddling with the Club on the Thames. There will be at least two experienced paddlers at the pool to offer advice and assistance. | Experienced Paddlers: Come along to the pool to improve your paddling skills and rolling. We also use the pool session to check newcomers with prior experience are OK to paddle with us on the Thames. The pool is not just a place to learn rolling but is also useful to practice safety and rescue moves and to practice strokes. If you have any particular skills that you wish to tackle please ask us at the beginning of the session. Session Costs: (cash only please) £6 if you are a PBCC or Blades member£3 junior members £10 if you are a guest £5 Junior Guest Cash payable please to George at the beginning of the session. Time:20:30 – 21:30 every Wednesday throughout the year. Please arrive at about 20:00
| At the session:Please arrive 15-30 minutes early so that you can check-in and pay George in good time, get changed and select a boat to be ready to make full use of our 60 minutes allocation. Cash is payable to George at the beginning of the session. He is normally found just to the right of the door when you enter the pool reception. Once changed, go into the pool area, and turn right to the end of the pool. The boats are stored in a secure area just outside the back door, but someone will help you choose a suitable boat, spray deck and paddle. If you are left handed, please make this clear as the paddles are different. If you are new, someone will help you adjust foot rests etc. and get onto the water. Contacts for further details John: jonrichazu@gmail.com Guy: douglasguy03@gmail.com 07548379228 |