And if you live in Runnymede or any of the surrounding
districts, Addlestone Canoe Club is the place to get started!!!

Check out the sections below for an overview of
who we are and what we can offer you...

GENERAL INFORMATION

Addlestone Canoe Club (Runnymede Water Activities Centre) was founded under the umbrella of Surrey Youth Service with the objective of providing quality instruction and education in the sport of Canoeing, mainly for young people of Runnymede and its adjacent districts. However, we welcome canoeists and newcomers of any age and standing and run extensive programmes to suit all levels, ages and interest groups.

All our instructors/coaches are recognised by the BCU (British Canoeing Union) for their relevant levels and disciplines and they all work on a voluntary basis, devoting their time and energy to bring their favourite sport to as many interested people as possible.

We run introductory sessions and basic training for beginners during the summer months at our premises at Burcott Gardens in New Haw/Addlestone, including courses to the official BCU 1*-3* Awards, and Paddlepower, a tailor-made educational programme for young people in canoeing. Indoors rolling tuition is available once a week.

Moreover, we offer regular taster sessions for many canoeing disciplines such as slalom, marathon racing, white water paddling, freestyle paddling, canoe polo and Canadian canoeing, and for most of those also run continuous training. Regular trips away for white water river running, canoe surfing and sea kayaking are a standard part of our activities, as are BCU 4*/5* courses and touring and paddling holidays in the UK and abroad.

Probably the most diversified Club in the region, ACC has been a BCU Top Community Club since 1999 because of its successful work throughout the range of canoeing activities with beginners and advanced paddlers of all ages and abilities; and in 2000 has achieved the runner-up Runnymede Disability Access Award for its work with chidren with learning difficulties. We are sure you will find something to catch your interest, too.

Come and meet our friendly instructors, try canoeing and make new friends to share some great adventures.

MAP and DIRECTIONS

Addlestone Canoe Club is located at the end of Burcott Gardens in Addlestone.

Coming from Addlestone Centre, Chertsey or Junction 11 off the M25, follow New Haw Road (direction Woking/Byfleet) until you have passed a pub called The Black Horse. Then, it is the 2nd turn-off on the left, easily identified by a red mailbox on the corner. Burcott Gardens is a cul-de-sac and ACC is at the very end on the right side. There is parking available on the premises – please do not park in Burcott Gardens. Thanks.

TRAINING and INSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

Please note that, although Addlestone Canoe Club is active all year round, there are distinct differences in our programme during the summer and winter seasons.

Basically, our summer season is from April to September beginning with an Open Day (see Events) - the best time to start up canoeing. It is also the time for family paddles, children’s sessions, introduction to the various canoeing disciplines and fun events.

During the winter season from October to March, emphasis is on white water training and touring, and on advanced training in the divisions under the more serious conditions of cold weather and high water.

Indoors tuition, mainly to learn rolling and rescues, is provided once a week, and trips away are a regular feature. For more details on trips check out the Events page.

New paddlers of all ages and abilities are welcome at any time, but there are only limited possibilities available for beginners during the winter months, and adequate clothing (which we cannot provide) is a must!!!

GENERAL KAYAKING

General Practise

Ongoing practise in general kayaking as well as White Water and freestyle paddling. All standards welcome.
These are supervised paddle sessions on the Canal, day touring within the area or white water paddling in the local weirs. Please note that these are not training sessions but qualified instructors are available to supervise, help and answer questions.

Basic Kayak Training and Courses

Open training for beginners and novices on an ongoing basis.
Courses aimed at 1*/2*/3* qualifications over a period of 6-8 weeks each are available for paddlers of age 12 and above on request. Such courses are aimed at beginners (1*), novices (2*) and advanced paddlers (3*).

Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. for open training (summer only)
Other dates by arrangement (all year round)

Basic Canadian Canoeing Courses

Courses aimed at 1*/2* qualifications can be arranged for a minimum of 4 participants.

Courses on request (all year round)

Indoor Sessions

Learning kayak rolls and rescues in a safe and pleasant environment.
Ongoing training in conjunction with Woking Adventure Group at Woking Pool in the Park. All standards welcome.

Wednesdays, 8:45 – 9:45 p.m. (all year round)

“Winter Training”

Due to the adverse weather and light situation, actual paddle training sessions in winter are reduced to a possible minimum. To make up for the shortfalls, we run Circuit Training at the ACC premises – which is “Keep Fit” as much as social gathering.
Coach : Andy Dodson

For further options check out Paddlepower (for junior paddlers of any standard, minimum age 7 years old) and our Divisions Section (for Marathon, Slalom and Polo).

DISCIPLINE DIVISIONS

Slalom Training

Ongoing special discipline training. Minimum pre-requisite 2* standard.
No prior slalom experience needed. Training can lead to competition standard if trainees are interested.

Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Shepperton Slalom Club (all year round, depending on water levels - in winter only suitable for paddlers with experience on flowing water – grade 2)

Coach: Sean Hudson

Marathon Training

Ongoing special discipline training. Minimum pre-requisite 2* standard.
No prior racing experience needed. Training can lead to competition standard if trainees are interested.

Saturdays, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at ACC (all year round)

Coach: Andy Dodson

Polo Training

Polo training for juniors is available within the Paddlepower 2 Programme (see Paddlepower section). We are currently running two teams: The Eagles (Under 18s) and the Hawks (Under 14s). More info on polo and our junior teams on the Divisions Pages.

Polo training for adults is still on our planning list with several interested paddlers waiting to find more companions to make training viable. We are planning on a male as well as female team. Interested parties please contact our Polo Coach Sean Hudson @ 01784-432245 or accpost.

For more details on discipline training and other special sessions, check out the “ACC Divisions" section.

PADDLEPOWER

“Paddlepower 1” Courses

Introduction into paddling for 7-11 year olds

The course is geared to fun learning for the youngest paddlers. The full PP1 programme is equal to the BCU 1* award, but broken down into 8 more achievable parts (4 levels plus 4 extra challenges). The initial 6-weeks course is aimed at completing the first 3 levels, which represent the basic paddling skills. It can then be followed up with a 6-weeks built-up course to complete the fourth level and the challenges.

“Paddlepower 2” Programme

This is a long-term programme for junior paddlers from age 12 onwards. It is a complicated but very attractive and challenging scheme worth taking part in. For more details see the following page.

Training Sessions include general kayaking, open canoeing, slalom, polo, time trials and marathon:
Other sessions as required.

Organisation and Supervision: Sean Hudson

Fore more details on Paddlepower 2 and application forms check out the "Paddlepower Info" in the Divisions Pages.

EQUIPMENT HIRE

Addlestone Canoe Club owns a range of kayaks and canoes for different purposes and the relevant paddles and spray decks to fit them. We also have an assortment of gear suitable for paddling in summer to enable beginners to get a taster or a start without heavy “investments”. Buoyancy aids and crash hats for white water paddling are also available.

All gear can be hired as per Rate Card, both in complete sets or single items.

Please note that for insurance and jurisdictional reasons we can supply equipment and training to non-members only up to three times. Afterwards, you will be ask to join the Club.

BOAT STORAGE

Boat storage is available at the Burcott Garden premises for members only and is charged on a yearly basis. We have storage facilities for various types of kayaks indoors and canoes indoors and outdoors, but unfortunately not unlimited. Please make contact to check on availability.

PRICES FOR TRAINING and EQUIPMENT

As a Club, we naturally most and for all cater to our members. We do offer a limited number of “taster sessions” to newcomers; however, our liability insurance restricts those to three sessions per person. After that, you will be asked to join the Club.

Please note that all prices below are Member’s Rates, for non-members an extra £1 per person and session applies.

TRAINING and PRACTISE SESSIONS

All regular training/supervised practise is provided free of charge to members by our qualified voluntary coaches. Participants are expected to bring their own equipment, or hire equipment from the Club as per rates provided below. Non-members are allowed up to three "taster sessions" for which a Day Membership Fee of £2 will be charged.

Equipment can be hired as a complete set or single pieces as needed. Participants in special discipline sessions (i.e. slalom, marathon, polo etc.) will be asked to hire specialised boats if their own are deemed inappropriate by the relevant coach.

For the Slalom Sessions at the Shepperton Slalom Canoe Club premises, a Changing Room Fee of £2 will be charged to all non-Shepperton Club members (any other equipment needed has to be hired from ACC). These charges go to Shepperton Slalom Canoe Club!

COURSES

All courses are charged lumpsum for the number of sessions included and full equipment as appropriate, i.e. a 6-weeks course per adult will be 6 x equipment hire, plus £2 course fee per session.

One-day Courses are charged as a triple session.

Please note that all course fees have to be paid in advance and there are no refunds for missed sessions!

EQUIPMENT HIRE

Price includes a full set of equipment = boat suitable for the session taken, paddles and buoyancy aid plus spray deck and crash hat if applicable.

£ 4.50 per session for adults
£ 3.00 per session for juniors
£ 1.00 each for other pieces of equipment
£ 6.00 per session for a Canadian canoe with up to 3 people

Complete equipment hire for a weekend away is £ 15.00 (i.e. £ 8 for day trips).
Special rates apply for long-term equipment hire (i.e. holidays).

MEMBERSHIP

The ACC Membership Year runs from the 1st of April to the 31st of March. Current rates are:

For more details on what your membership includes go to the Membership section below.

BOAT STORAGE

For members only!!! (Boat space is limited - please check before sending in any money!)

CONTACT DETAILS

Below you will find a host of people and their telephone numbers where you can call to get more information or make an appointment with one of us for your first paddle etc. The list includes some notes on what those people mainly deal with, so if you were interested in something in particular it would be helpful to call the appropriate person.

Apart from that you can reach us via mail and e-mail, and of course – in person. All the necessary addresses are stated below.

TO VISIT US PERSONALLY:

ACC Physical Address:
Burcott Gardens,
Addlestone, Surrey

(for map & directions)

USEFUL ADDRESSES:

Mail Address for general mail and newsletter entries:

ACC - Membership Secretary (Email: Secretary)

Vivienne Mugford
Hollydene, Stonehill Crescent, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0EP

Write to this address with your inquiries, complaints, newsletter entries (articles, photos, jokes, Agony Aunt questions…) and also if you found anything not working properly in this Website...; send your Membership Applications and/or Paddlepower Enrolment Forms here.

Mail Address for financial matters:

ACC – The Treasurer

Colin Leahy

You can pay your course or weekend hire rates by cheque to this address; if your Membership Application or Paddlepower Enrolment Form has the money attached (cheques only made out to “Runnymede Water Activities Centre” please !!!), send it to this address.

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

Thinking of becoming a member now?

Nothing easier than that… Go to the next page, fill in your Membership Application Form and return it to the Club via mail or e-mail. We will contact you and make an appointment for your first canoeing session. Your membership will become active with your respective payment.

And what are your benefits?

Your membership will run for one year from the 1st of April to the 31st of March. During this time you are entitled to:

• use of the premises and services of the Club against the charges (if applicable) as per rate card;
• a copy of the newsletter which is published approximately monthly, sent to you per mail;
• liability insurance under the Club’s BCU membership when paddling;
• a 10% discount on all purchases of canoeing gear at Whitewater The Canoe Centre in Shepperton.

For prices and the different memberships available, check out the Rate Card above.