New Members Welcome
We welcome adults of any age and will support you in paddling independently and safely on our stretch of the Thames.
Keeping you safe on the river
All watersports carry risks, and before you can join, we must ensure you can paddle independently in our craft.
You must show you are competent in our ‘K1’ racing-style boats before you can join
Keeping you safe on the river
Most people join by completing one of our 2-day Hampton Paddler courses.
We are running 3 courses this year, with a 4th under discussion. Each course takes 6 participants, so don’t miss the boat!
If the course you want to attend is full, add yourself to the waiting list. Courses will begin in May.
See the Courses page of this website and join our mailing list there.
Hampton Paddler courses are aimed at people with little or no paddling experience. The 2-day course gives you the skills you need and the fee includes membership until April of the following year.
Assessments for more experienced paddlers
If you have kayaked in open or closed cockpit kayaks (not sit on tops or inflatables) regularly and recently or have British Canoeing qualifications, we can offer you an assessment with one of our friendly club coaches.
Assessments are done in ‘K1’ racing boats. They cover boat handling, manoeuvring and rescue skills specific to this type of craft.
If you pass the assessment, then you can apply for membership. Otherwise, you will be encouraged to complete a Hampton Paddler course before joining.
Please get in touch with our assessment coordinator, letting him know what kind of paddling you have done so he can check suitability and arrange an assessment for you. csuvei@yahoo.com
Family members
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Come and meet us
If you’d like to get a feel for the club, do pop along one Saturday morning at about 9:00 a.m., as there’s likely to be some activity going on. Ask to chat with a coach, trip leader or committee member.
For any further questions, email our membership secretary, Lis Judge, at membership@hamptoncanoeclub.org.
Membership fees (2024)
Insurance and waterways license
All members of Hampton Canoe Clube are also members of British Canoeing. This provides you with a waterways license and insurance and means you can paddle independently using our boats. You also receive discounts on courses provided by British Canoeing, retailer discounts and more.
Boat Fees
You can either choose to pay £3.20 per session per boat or alternatively £100 per year (1st April to 31st March of the next year) on our pre-pay system; this allows you unlimited use of the boats throughout the year. Obviously, if you think you will go out more than 31 times during the course of the year, then this method is more economical.
Guest Fees
Experienced members can take a guest kayaking or canoeing (click here for further guidance on taking guests). The cost is £10 per adult and £5 for a child (under 18) for the boat.
Rack Fees (members only)
We have some rack space available to members. This operates on a waiting list, and all spaces are currently filled up. Rack space is subject to terms and conditions. Hampton Canoe Club will endeavour to contact private boat owners, but boats for which rack fees are outstanding for 12 months will become club property and may be used as club boats or sold.
Participation Statement
Canoeing, Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding are “Assumed risk water contact” sports that may carry attendant risks. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
If the club is ever wound up, you will be required to contribute up to one pound sterling to help meet its debts.
Sports Equity
The Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of the sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.
The Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from the threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.