BY MAGGIE WALSH
It is very fitting to be celebrating the Club’s 40th anniversary with a smart new home. The fact that the previous club house was dilapidated did not detract from the enjoyment of kayaking on the Wey Navigation; an area of outstanding beauty. Although the canoe club was formally set up in 1981 its history can be traced back to 1800 as a swimming club. There will be more on the history of the club in subsequent issues of this magazine.
The Addlestone Canoe Club offers water recreation activities all year round. It enables the introduction and participation in all different types of kayaking disciplines in the safe environment of the canal waters under the supervision of fully trained volunteer coaches and bank-side assistants.
During the Summer the club runs a number of Try-it Days and courses for beginners and improvers, youth groups, Scouts, Guides, schools and Duke of Edinburgh participants. Trips and kayaking/canoeing sessions for the more senior enthusiasts and comprehensive training programme for racers are also available. Parents are encouraged to participate, either in the sport or as bank-side or behind-the scene helpers.
From playing in kayaks and gaining confidence with manoeuvres as youngsters, some members have achieved selection for the England national squad and so history repeats itself as there are also some ex-champions among our volunteer coaches and members.
After years of much planning and saving and raising funds the club in Burcott Gardens, plans to open its new facility in August. The club house will include a gym, boat store, modern changing rooms and showers, disabled facilities and access, kitchen area and meeting room. All these features facilitating a more pleasant and fit for purpose environment to pursue healthy lifestyle activities.
A big thank you goes to all the funding partners, Sport England, the London Marathon Charitable Trust and Chertsey Combined Charity along with support from Runnymede Borough Council. It must not go without a mention, the contribution and efforts of members, families and friends who have been relentlessly fund-raising over the years and continue to do so.
Our latest fund raiser was in June, comprising distance challenges of 5, 10 and 20 mile stretches of the Wey Navigation and there is a wide range of ages and abilities who participated in this event in various different kayaks and canoes.
With a certain air of nostalgia, we say goodbye to our wooden hut which served us well for 40 years and now, a heartfelt welcome to our new facilities! Do come and join us.
For more information, visit our website at addlestonecc.org.uk or contact Carol Reeves on 07974 671918
email: addlestonecc@gmail.com