Brentford Community Boating Arch

sessions coaching health & safety contact

Brentford Boating Arch Brentford Boating Arch (BBA) is a project managed by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust to develop access to the river through canoeing and eventually rowing to the Brentford, Ealing and Strand on the Green Areas. The project has received grants from Sport England, the London Marathon Trust, Access Sport Sports Relief and also funding from St George Ltd, Ealing Council and B&Q. This has enabled us to provide a range of boats and equipment suitable for all levels and convert the arch (which had been derelict for many years) into a boathouse. BBA welcomes participants of all abilities to the Arch. We offer programmes for people with special needs and through our partnership wih EDGE Progressive Paddling we can provide development pathways for participants looking to be coached to high performance levels in areasa such as canoe polo, surf and whitewater. BBA's aim for 2010 is to have more local coaches so that activities can be expanded. In 2008 we trained 14 people as BCU Level 1 coaches and we are looking for more. If you are interested in becoming a coach or to volunteer to help in other areas of the programme we would be very happy to discuss and to get you involved. You don’t need to be an expert canoeist to begin coaching with us. A good basic skill level in canoeing and the ability to communicate and work as part of a team are all that’s required. We can provide training and seek funding to cover the costs for anyone who would like to be a voluntary coach with us. To download our 2010 activities programme please click here. To contact the Brentford Boating Arch Manager please call 0844 247 1889 or email nthomas@brentfordfccst.com About EDGE Progressive Paddling EDGE PADDLING is a new canoe and kayak club for everyone. We support anyone in the West London area who is keen to get out on the river and are anxious a typical canoe club may not be for them. What we ensure is diversity of club members, coaches and canoeing experiences, so everyone has a place in our club. Which means you can progress with your own paddling ambitions feeling comfortable and confident.Based at Brentford Boating Arch our club has a wide range of boats for all sizes, ages and abilities.You might like to take a look at our current programme, or get in touch if you have any questions.		By late summer 2009 there will be activities running everyday at or from the Arch. The programme will include beginner sessions, canoe polo, whitewater trips and training and assessments in BCU proficiency awards. We also hope to take on a second arch at Kew Bridge with the help of St George Ltd.our main sponsor. Our current winter programme includes pool sessions at Isleworth Pool and Gurnell Pool in Greenford to teach rolling and basic skills, and whitewater trips for intermediate paddlers. Safety is very important to us and we have spent a lot of time assessing risks and training our coaches and helpers to minimize them. Of course it’s impossible to make any watersport risk free – but we aim to make it as safe as possible while having fun. If you are not sure whether canoeing is for you – come and try it. We will be running adult sessions, junior sessions, beginner and intermediate courses and a range of trips and special events this year. Club Coaches BBA has three experienced Level 3 lead coaches. All have been trained by Kayakojacko a leading professional coaching organization and have led and taken part in kayaking trips throughout Europe and the UK. They have between them 20 years kayak coaching experience and many more years of experience in coaching and taking part in other sports . They oversee the programme and ensure that the other coaches are properly trained and qualified. For more information please contact Neil Thomas, Manager of Brentford Boasting Arch at the Trust. bba@brentfordfccst.com or call 0844 247 1889