FAQs
Yes! The club runs regular Go Paddling “come and try it” sessions throughout the summer. Find out more about getting to know us as a Club.
Please note it is essential to pre-book all Come and Try and Taster sessions with the session organiser before attending. See the Events Calendar for sessions and booking.
Joining is easy, simply select your membership level and complete the the online membership form.
Once you have joined just come along on a Sunday morning and there will be a Club Member on the desk at the Barn to welcome you and get you kitted out.
Most definitely NO!
The club caters for all abilities from those who’ve never seen a kayak before to the river-running gods of the alps!
The club normally meets on Sundays at 9am during the club season (April to October) with the aim of being on the water for 9.30am.
Various events and trips also run throughout the year at different times. The dates and times of such trips are published in the Events calendar.
Children aged 8+ can join. If the children are aged 8-12 then we ask that a parent/ guardian is either on the water with them or is at the Barn during the session. For children aged 13+, we ask for a parent/guardian to provide a number they can be contacted on during the session and that they remain within reasonable distance of the Barn.
We do have about 20 junior members and two very active Junior reps who plan activities and are a point of contact for all younger members.
In addition to our Club sessions, we do offer trips on some Saturdays.
If you are using your own equipment you can join a peer paddle. We have an active WhatsApp group where members can sort out peer paddles. To join the WhatsApp group, email us.
We usually get everyone into a boat and onto the water – whatever the weather. There may be the very unlikely occurrence of a limited number of coaches and club equipment that means we cannot get every member onto the water for the full session.
No, all the necessary equipment is provided by the club. Members just need to wear suitable clothing and some form of footwear – all of which might get wet!
The Club does have cagoule tops but not wet suits.
Members going on a Club trip can hire equipment free. Download and complete an Equipment Hire Form
You do not need to book for the season Sunday sessions. These are run on a first-come first-served basis.
You will need to book for trips as some have limited spaces. To book go to the Events page.
For insurance purposes and liability club equipment can only be used with the permission and supervision of a club coach.
But members can hire Club equipment free if going on an away trip led by a coach. To request equipment, complete and return a loan form.
Club membership does NOT ensure free parking in the centre car park. Use of the car park is limited to Sunday club sessions only and priority is given to coaches, leaders and those with kayaks on their cars. It is provided on a first come first served basis.
You can buy an annual Discovery Pass from the Forestry Commission that includes parking in the Seven Sisters Car Park.
You need to wear weather-appropriate clothing and some form of footwear – all of which might get wet! This can be shorts/ track suit trousers and a t-shirt. It can be colder on the water so a jumper/fleece can be a good idea. In warm weather bring sun cream and a bottle of water.
The Club does have cagoule tops but not wet suits.
We do lock the Barn when on the water but cannot guarantee the security of any valuables so you might want to bring a waterproof pouch for keys/ phone, such as an Aquapac.
During the Season, we meet on Sunday mornings at 9am and expect all paddlers to be fully kitted out and on the water by 9.30am. A typical session on the Meanders will include some warm up paddling, small instructional sessions and some fun and games in between. Our aim is to make the sessions fun whilst teaching some valuable paddling skills at the same time. Kids in particular love getting wet and often drag us adults into their horseplay so do not forget that towel and change of clothing!
Depending on the weather, tides and the coaches on duty, a group may paddle down to the sea to play in the surf, or paddle up the Cuckmere River, towards Alfriston.
Unless it is a special Fun Day or a planned day trip further up the river, we are usually off the water by 1pm at the latest.
We run the British Canoeing awards for anyone that is interested (but it is not compulsory). With the new awards, you create your own ‘Pathway’ of training. This might begin with Paddle Start which is open to anyone of any age (8+) who wants to show they know the basics of paddling in a straight line and getting in and out of the water.
You can then build up through the Discover Awards to develop your skills further and identify what area of paddling you want to focus on for the Explore Awards. Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club is proud of the quality of the training it offers. Our coaches will work with you on the area you want to focus on whether that is kayaking, canoeing or SUP-ing and they will take you through a full curriculum.
We always welcome experienced paddlers who want to continue their progress into coaching. If you coach for the Club, we will fund your training and assessment.
We don’t do racing/competition paddling but you can try most other things with us.
Sheltered Water – Recreational
The Meanders are very sheltered and perfect for learning and practising skills in any type of craft. There are no rules or requirements other than you getting out and enjoying being on (and in!) the water.
Open Boating/Canadian Canoe
Open Boating can be done on many kinds of waterways; from a still lake to rough whitewater. The boats are stable and high volume which allows them to be used for family outing, camping trips, and/or touring.
Sea Kayaking
Sea Kayaking, as the name suggests, takes place on the sea. There is a wide range of boats designed for this discipline to suit the ability and aims of the paddler whether it be fitness or touring, individual or in pairs. Our members who take part in this discipline often paddle over to Scotland for day-trips.
Stand Up Paddle-Boarding
One of the fastest growing disciplines in our sport with a wide range of possibilities for those involved. Stand Up Paddle-Boarding (SUP) uses large surfboards and a paddle, and sees paddlers surfing waves or paddling along calm rivers.
Surf Kayaking
Surf Kayaking and Waveski are an exhilarating dynamic display of canoeing that require a combination of freestyle, white water skills and the finesse and timing of a board surfer. Generating speed on a wave allows a certain amount of trickery, you can perform top turns, bottom turns, and cutbacks.
Whitewater/River Running
Whitewater paddling uses high-volume boats designed to be highly manoeuvrable and controllable through whitewater rapids – this discipline will definitely get you wet and get your adrenaline pumping! We do go on whitewater trips around the UK and into France.
Freestyle Kayaking/Playboating
Freestyle Kayaking is a dynamic canoeing discipline best described as gymnastics on water. Paddlers in tiny specialist boats, search out features on fast flowing rivers to perform a range of acrobatic tricks and manoeuvres usually on the face of a wave or using a retentive hydraulic.