Canoeing and Kayaking
Come join us for canoeing, white water kayaking, sea kayaking, river touring trips and stand-up paddle boarding
AOAC paddle sports covers canoeing, white water kayaking, sea kayaking, river touring trips and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). We cater for all skill levels from complete beginner through to dare-devil and we run a series of taster days and beginner courses through the summer months. Paddle sports have so much to offer in terms of fun, fitness, adventure and being in nature in a way that you can’t experience from the land.
Fancy weekend camping trips, lazy days paddling a canoe down the river with a bunch of friends, then spending the night chatting round a fire or in the pub?
How about hurling yourself into the rapids on the river Dart, bouncing along the waves with the thrill of picking your line through the rocks on one of our whitewater trips?
If expeditions and nature are more your thing, then why not try sea kayaking? With Bristol being so close to a huge number of amazing sea paddling locations, we run lots of trips exploring along the coast, sometimes seeing seals, dolphins and other marine life.
The sea’s not all about pootling and taking in the scenery though, you can do camping expeditions to remote places, play in tide races for the thrill of whitewater, or “rock hop” and explore caves.
Within the club we can coach you from beginner through to being an independent paddler, then if you want we can provide the Paddle UK White Water personal performance award, or we can coach you in the art of sea kayak handling.
All the club’s paddling activities are led by coaches leaders who’ve gained the relevant British Canoeing qualifications for the activity, meaning you’re in safe hands.
Why not come along to one of the taster days, give it a try and chat to other paddlers to see what makes this such a great club and sport?
Do I have to have experience?
We cater for the complete novice and equally welcome those with prior experience.
Our members might enjoy the exhilaration of white water, surf or tide race paddling, have fun playboating or perhaps take a more relaxed approach, having chance wildlife encounters on a picturesque river or coastal sea trip. These are both organised formal trips or with like-minded people just getting together to go boating.
Where can I take part?
Playboating and surfing tend to happen in specific places where the water conditions are just right. One of the best places for playboating near Bristol is the Cardiff White Water Centre where we often practise during the summer when the white water river levels are low.
What Next?
Whatever your tastes, AOAC can help you meet your paddlesport aspirations.
During the summer months we run ‘Taster’ sessions and a programme of Paddle UK qualification courses that can help you achieve the standard needed to take part in some of our more adventurous trips.
Resources
The paddling community is a resource in itself. Out trips organisation is shared between members with the on-water leaders and coaches playing a big part. If you want join in as an instructor or leader the club may also provide financial support towards the cost of your qualifications.
The club has a comprehensive fleet of kayaks and canoes, available for hire to suitably experienced members or for novices as part of their introductory course. We also have supplementary kit and leaders packs.
If you want to buy your own equipment we enjoy some good discounts with local suppliers and our more experienced members are always happy to provide advice and guidance to help you make the right choice.
Paddlesport Contacts
If you would like to know more please send our Paddlesports Co-ordinator a message using the Contact Form.
