About the Club

               Here are some details about Maidstone Canoe Club,

                please use the links above for further information.

 
Club Organisation

Maidstone Canoe Club is a voluntary, non-profit making club affiliated to the British Canoe Union. The club has a written constitution that governs its running. A club committee is elected by club members at the annual general meeting, usually held in March. Annual subscriptions and boat storage fees are also set at the AGM together with presentation of the club finances and reports of the club's activities during the year..

 The club has a junior section that aims to cater for the special interests of our junior paddlers (under 18). An adult member of the club, (youthcordinator@maidstonecanoeclub.net ) has been nominated as the contact point for this section, details of which can be found on the notices boards.

Application for membership of the club is made using the application form submitted to the Membership Secretary. The current annual membership and boat storage fees are given on this form for the club year (1st April to 31st March). The club keeps a database of club members, which includes postal and e-mail addresses, this information is held in confidence and will not be released outside the club without prior permission.

Non-members are welcome to paddle with the club and are asked to pay a day membership fee towards the upkeep of the Club's boats and equipment. Please note that if you paddle with the club you are covered for third party indemnity but not personal accident insurance.

Club Objectives:

To provide the facilities, expertise and experience to enable those interested in canoeing to enjoy the sport in the company of like-minded people.

We aim to foster the growth and development of canoeing, particularly in the Maidstone area and on the river Medway, and with emphasis on meeting the needs and interests of young people.

We support the objectives of the British Canoe Union and require members of Maidstone Canoe Club to become individual members of the BCU.

We will encourage club members to improve and develop their canoeing skills in whatever area of paddlesport they are interested in, the main aim being the enjoyment of canoeing.

When asked to do so, and where possible, we will make our facilities and expertise available to the local community through organised training/fun events.

A Brief History of Maidstone Canoe Club

 

Club founded and based in Parkwood Youth Club, Maidstone.  Initially called Three Admirals Canoe   Club (name obscure)
 Moved to a dumb barge on the Medway at Mill Meadow, where our landing stage is now. Barge was used for transporting kaolin for the paper trade on the Medway.  Had   boat storage below, and a changing area/clubroom (basic) on the deck. It rusted and was replaced by another dumb barge.
Geoff Hunter – Round Britain in angmagssalik (Inuit style) kayak, solo.
Geoff again, Round Iceland.  Two firsts.
During the very high flooding, the barge was pulled over above the land.  When the floods receded it was left high and dry and used on land for a while before being sold to be cut up for scrap.
Money from scrap was used to buy a very large site hut used in the building of the Thames Barrier.  Our first land based clubhouse.
Official opening of the new clubhouse by Mayor of Maidstone, Geoff Good, BCU Director of Coaching and Bryn Hughes, Chair London and South East Region, BCU.  The Mayor went afloat in suit and chain of office with Alan Thompson in the red C2, still in the boat store.
 January.  following a very cold winter with some members putting in the steelwork, the concrete for the base of our present club was poured/raked/dug by 40 members.
Easter.  Club wins Team Trophy in Devizes to Westminster Race Individual win by R.Catchlove and R.Elliott, K2 Senior, who follow up with 3rd in the Arctic Canoe Race the same year.
Official Opening of our new clubhouse after extensive efforts by club members.
Club membership exceeds 150 for the first time.
Activities also undertaken by club members: North coast of Jamaica, Grand Canyon, Circumnavigation of Britain and Ireland, South West Ireland rivers and sea, Oregon, World Masters in Melbourne Aus . 2002, and numerous rivers and coastline in the British Isles. Members have included, French,Slovak,German,South African, New Zealand and Belgium paddlers.
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