1. Forward Stroke 2. J-Stroke (for solo or stern paddler) 3. Draw Stroke 4. Pry Stroke 5. Sweep Stroke 👥 Tandem Canoeing Tips 🧭 Tips for Better Control You can watch two videos from our coach Pip demonstrating these techniques below: https://youtube.com/shorts/jjm6soIBGYU?si=2YcT6CfH3RFOTniW https://youtube.com/shorts/p33uMC6f-yo?si=VY8Yu72ndF8hpiA9
This was a three day trip, with most people arriving on Thursday afternoon or evening. As in previous years, we stayed at Lucksall Caravan and Camping Park a few miles south of Hereford. It is a large campsite with excellent facilities and plenty of space and, of course, being right on the river it’s…
On a very warm and sunny morning we met early at the Millers Arms in Canterbury for a pre-paddle breakfast before launching off a shallow grass bank onto the Great Stour river shortly after 10am. The first part of our trip took in the loop around both arms of the river through Canterbury passing under…
We all arrived at the Boathouse Farm camp site on Friday afternoon and evening. Luckily the rain held off so we were all able to get our tents set up relatively easily. Biggles and Julian went part way up the river on a recce mission and reported back that everything looked fine for Saturday’s trip…
Thanks to individual members and their families, to our paddling clubs, delivery centres and charity organisations, you’ve all been part of something bigger than we could have ever imagined. We’ve helped to improve our blue spacestogether!It’s been another brilliant year of action on our waterways. We think you’re absolutely amazing! Many of you have logged…
A video of our first trip of the year to Hampton Court on the Thames. Watch it here.
Video of our recent trip from Seven Sisters to Afriston. Watch it here
Windsor paddle – Saturday 22nd July 2023 by Gerry A smallish group of us met up at the Windsor Leisure Centre at 8.30 on a rainy Saturday morning. After unloading our boats at the slipway we organised a shuttle to Runnymede, which was to be our end point for the trip. I was charged with…
Alfriston paddle – Sunday 15th October 2023 by Gerry On a cold but beautifully sunny morning over 20 of us set off on a round trip from Cuckmere to Alfriston in a mixture of kayaks, SUPs and canoes. The trip was a case of third time lucky as two previous attempts earlier in the year…
Wye Valley trip – 28th to 31st July 2023 by Gerry This was a three day trip, with most people arriving on Thursday afternoon or evening. We stayed at Lucksall Caravan and Camping Park in Fiddler’s Green a few miles south of Hereford. This is a large campsite with excellent facilities and plenty of space…
Hampton Court paddle – Saturday 23rd September 2023 by Gerry An early start for this one as a small group of us met up at the start point – YMCA Harker on the outskirts of Kingston Upon Thames – at 8.30 on a sunny Saturday morning. The drive up from Seaford was pretty smooth apart…
August so far has not delivered perfect paddling weather. Rarely have we seen the mirror-like water and perfect blue skies of last summer. And it’s been windy, from light breeze to a chilly Northerly blast. For beginner paddle boarders.to enjoy the experienc of being on the water, the recommendation is to go out if the…
On Sunday 4th June 2023, we at CVCC – members and volunteers – completed a paddle around the meanders of the SDNP (South Downs National Park) to complete a big rubbish clean up in the area. This was a very important day. Not only did we physically pick up litter from the bankside and in…
It has been a while since I wrote the last blogs on forward paddling skills. I will ask for it to be reposted so newer members can have a read and hopefully gain some tips to aid their paddling. This one will be looking at turning your kayak, an essential skill for controlling your direction. There are various reasons why you might…
Regular Club sessions continue through the Winter. In partnership with Hastings District Canoe Club, we offer weekly pool sessions at Bexhill. Join us on a Thursday or Saturday evening to practise your skills. This could be developing your confidence being upside down in the water in your boat, or launching yourself into rolls – sideways,…
At the first Committee Meeting of the year, we were delighted to welcome two new people to the committee. Grace takes on the role of Junior Officer, and she put the adults to shame with her list of ideas and initiatives. Over the season, you will see more junior-focused sessions and the opportunities for our…
On 18th September CVCC Coach Jeremy Adam took a small group of participants on a journey to achieve their BC Paddle Discover award on Stand Up Paddle Boards. Grace Waite, one of the participants and junior club member, recounts the session. It felt much colder today after the long hot summer. With two layers and…
In the first of these blogs on paddling skills we will look at the forward paddling stroke. Before taking your first stroke on the water it is important to set up the kayak as this can aid or hinder good forward paddling. This is achieved by adjusting the back and footrests or foot plate. Your…
Today, Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club joined forces with Buzz Active and the South Downs National Park to take part in British Canoeing’s #ClearAccessClearWaters campaign. Our members took to the water in kayaks, SUPs and canoes. While practising our skills, we also fished out rubbish from around the Meanders and along the Cuckmere River. The most…
In the past, paddling skills were taught as individual skills, practiced and perfected (hopefully) and then used by the paddler to achieve a particular task. This has changed in that instructors and coaches are now tasked with setting challenges to the trainee paddler and let them learn by experimentation, making mistakes and learning from them.…
With the dreaded Covid having stopped so much at CVCC in recent years, it was great to start running awards again this season. On Sunday 22nd May a Discover Award was taken by two club members Steffi and Mila. They both had good basic skills from the outset, so we were able to spend more…
Our Friends & Family Day provided a showcase for the skills our paddlers have in controlling their inflatables. A series of battles were undertaken, each of which demanded balance, speed, tactical planning and knowledge of the water. The coaches displayed a mastery of techniques that often astounded the members, leaving them flat on their backs…
Many of you will have seen the stunning photos from our sea kayak trips out to Birling Gap or beyond. As a Club, we are so lucky to have the meanders, the river and the sea to paddle on. But the sea can be a dangerous, unforgiving place. We have to be sure that if…
It is so lovely to see the Club getting back to what it does best: providing fun, chat, skills and challenge for every type of paddler. This Sunday, we had kayaks, paddleboards and canoes out on the water. The coaches were on fine form, leading sessions tailored to suit our different members from beginners to…
Here at CVCC we are pleased to announce the reintroduction of the above awards after the Covid break! Subject to coach cover, the following awards will run over the 2022 season. Start – for those having completed their first session on the water. A single-session award. Discover – for those either with some skills wanting…
If you hanker after a serene paddle in beautiful countryside on a non tidal stretch of water you don’t have to look far in East Sussex! Give the Barcombe Mills to Fish Ladder Falls (Isfield Weir) route a go! I was introduced to this paddle along the upper section of the River Ouse by a…
It was a cold day. We got there quite early so me and my brother played tag to warm ourselves up. While we played lots of people were getting their boats out ready to launch. Before I got on the water I geared up. The lesson was about to start! I got in my kayak…
It is with huge sadness to have to announce the passing of Tony Lamberth on Friday 16th October. Tony made a huge contribution to CVCC over many years – as chairperson for at least 7 years and a kayak coach for many more. He must have introduced hundreds to our sport through Come and Try…
Last Sunday’s Kayak Surfing session aimed to follow on from the Introduction to Kayak Surfing 20/09 coached by Iain P and Kevin G. It was aimed at paddlers who have well developed basic skills ie are at an intermediate level. Iain coached the session again, ably assisted by Kevin G, and warned prior to the…
Today’s intermediate session saw a group of paddlers heading down to the sea for a coached introduction to surf kayaking session with Iain P. After warming up with a paddle along the Meanders and onto the River Cuckmere, we stopped on the beach to talk theory, looking at all the various influences that need to…
With the meanders temporarily out of use this weekend we relocated to alternate water and hosted a club paddle on the River Rother for a paddle up to Bodiam Castle, Sunday 22nd August 2020. Our mixed fleet of CVCC paddlers set off from Bodiam Boating Station for a tranquil journey through the High Weald to…
As a child thunderstorms terrified me. At the first rumble of thunder I’d throw myself under the duvet and screw my eyes shut, terrified as loud bangs vibrated through my body. Then at some point as I got older I realised I really enjoyed a good thunderstorm – perhaps they are something you grow into…
The Early Bird Not Catching Waves … There is a meditative stillness to an early summer morning. The roads are quiet while the majority still slumber behind tightly closed curtains while the recently strong winds are barely perceptible; the cooler night equalising temperature over sea and land calming the ferocious gusts until the warmth of…
At the moment we can only offer limited Club sessions, so for the time being we are not accepting any new members. As soon as the Government guidance means that we can get more people on the water, we will be happy to welcome you. In the meantime, you can be added to our waiting…
One of the best things about our Club is the strength of our community, so the hope is that this website will be easier for everyone to use.
One of the best things about our Club is the strength of our community, so the hope is that this website will be easier for everyone to use.