Brentford FCCST have started up canoeing sessions every Wednesday 7-9pm on the Grand Union Canal at Brentford lock, next to the Holiday Inn. This has been supported by British Waterways who have provided temporary canal side accommodation, use of showers and encouragement.

The sessions cost £2 for under 18s and £4 for adults. All ages are welcome from 7 upwards. At the Brentford sessions you can learn basic skills – leading to the BCU Star – (competence) awards. You can also learn to play canoe polo, learn how to compete in canoe slalom and progress to learn advanced whitewater skills. The canal at Brentford is a very safe environment to learn this exciting sport.  It also provides easy access to the Thames which is just a 15 minute paddle away.

Later in the summer a new canoe club will be established through BFCCST at Kew Bridge. St George Ltd have secured the lease on an arch under the bridge and are converting this as a base the new club with toilets, showers and storage for boats and equipment.

The club will specialise in whitewater kayaking but will also offer canoeing for people with disabilities and special needs. It will offer low cost membership in a great riverside setting. All coaches will all be BCU qualified and experienced in local conditions as well as on whitewater.

Already a Sport England Awards for All Grant has been secured for equipment and other grants have been applied for. This will be the first new canoe club to start up in West London for a decade. We plan to make it one of Londons best. The club is supported by Active Ealing, Hounslow CIP, Sport England and the British Canoe Union.

The Kew Bridge Arch will also be shared by Kayakojacko – a local company which has offered high class kayak coaching, courses and holidays around the world. Thames Explorer Trust – a local charity which provides opportunities to learn about the ecology and archaeology of the Thames will also be based in the Arch.

For more information, please contact paul.hyman@homecall.co.uk