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Join Clitheroe Canoe Club
Clitheroe Canoe Club Offers
Join Us Today!
Explore the world of kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding.
How to Get Started
Attend a taster session to experience our welcoming community and expert coaching firsthand.
Clitheroe Canoe Club is just off Sawley Road. As you leave Chatburn, the club is on the left. The entrance is almost exactly opposite the bus stop. If you reach the A59 you have gone too far.
If approaching on the A59 from Clitheroe, you go under the big road bridge and turn sharp left toward Chatburn.
Please Note: If the gate is closed, no access is allowed.
Post Code: BB7 4LD
What3Words: ///secrets.surpassed.steered
Get in Touch with Us
Feel free to chat with our friendly administrators via Facebook or our website. They’ll be happy to confirm if we’re open and answer any questions you may have.
Important Information for Participants
- Age and Water Confidence
While there’s no strict minimum age, all paddlers must be comfortable in the water and able to swim while wearing a buoyancy aid. Please note that paddling involves getting wet, and it’s likely you’ll fall in the water at some point, no matter which craft you are using! Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. - Equipment Provided
We’ll supply all the paddling and safety gear you need, including a boat, paddle, buoyancy aid, helmet, and splash-proof jacket. However, you’ll need to wear secure footwear that stays on in the water—old trainers or wet shoes are perfect, as the bank can be uneven. - Staying Warm and Comfortable
Getting wet is part of the fun, but staying warm ensures you enjoy your session to the fullest! For beginners, we recommend wearing a wetsuit, as it retains heat even when wet. Alternatively, consider wearing multiple layers and choose clothing that fit tightly to your body and won’t be excessively heavy when wet. - Medical Considerations
If you have any medical conditions or disabilities relevant to paddling, please inform the designated club contact before your session. This helps us ensure your safety and respond quickly if needed. - Accessibility and Special Arrangements
We’re committed to making paddlesports accessible to everyone. If you require specific arrangements to enhance your experience, let us know in advance—we’re happy to help. Our venue is wheelchair accessible, and we have a range of boats available to suit different needs, but the club is not equipped for all disabilities. Please enquire with a member of our team.
Parking and Arrival by Public Transport
If you’re arriving by public transport, there’s a bus stop conveniently located directly outside the club. We have parking available for approximately 15 cars. To ensure everyone’s safety and convenience, we kindly ask that you reverse park where possible and avoid blocking the gated entrance.
Your First Visit
When you visit for the first time, we’ll provide a general introduction to the club. This includes a tour of our main building, where you’ll find changing rooms, showers, toilets, and our meeting room.
We’ll also take time to discuss your paddlesport interests and share the options and opportunities we can offer to match your goals.
Our Volunteers
Each event will have a designated responsible person, who can be identified by their high-visibility jacket. This individual ensures that club guidelines are followed and acts as a spokesperson for the club.
Our coaches and instructors are on hand to ensure everyone’s safety, and to facilitate your learning, so please listen to and follow all coaching instructions. If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask—we’re here to help.
Getting Ready
We’ll work with you to select the best craft for your needs. This usually involves finding a boat with sufficient legroom or one that suits your paddling style. We’ll also provide guidance on paddle selection and make sure your helmet and buoyancy aid fit properly.
Most sessions start with a group briefing for all paddlers, after which you’ll join a skills group to focus on tailored learning. The first hour of a session consists of structured coaching and the second hour of each session are is reserved for personal practice or fun games, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned or simply enjoy the water.
Kayaking
As your skills and confidence grow, you’ll have the opportunity to join us on moving water and white-water trips, where you can experience the excitement and challenge of navigating dynamic waterways.
Our kayaking lessons are designed to teach you the fundamentals of paddling, starting with how the boat, paddle, and posture influence the way your kayak moves. You’ll also learn how to lift, carry, and safely enter your kayak, as well as how to use the double-bladed paddle effectively.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, we’ll focus on key skills like paddling in a straight line, making turns and curves, and even moving the kayak sideways. Over the following weeks, you’ll work on techniques to improve your balance, prevent capsizing, and develop efficient paddle strokes.
Canoeing
Canoeing typically involves open boats and single-bladed paddles. Our training sessions will teach you how to manoeuvre a canoe effectively, whether you’re paddling solo or in tandem with a partner.
Canoeing is versatile, perfect for leisurely tours of lakes where you can bring camping gear or for tackling moving and white-water on more adventurous journeys.
The paddling techniques you learn in canoeing can easily transfer to other craft, helping you develop a deeper understanding of efficient paddling.
Family canoeing is a fantastic way to explore the outdoors together. With plenty of room for “crew” members, you can turn your canoe into a floating picnic spot and enjoy sandwiches in truly unique locations.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a growing part of our club activities, offering quick and easy access to paddlesports. SUPs are inflatable boards, typically over 10 feet long, where paddlers stand and use an extended single-bladed paddle for propulsion.
SUPs are perfect for individual paddling adventures or fun family experiences. During our sessions, we’ll teach you how to use a SUP safely, practise self-rescues, and master efficient paddle strokes. We’re even considering starting SUP yoga classes!
The club provides two types of SUPs: general-purpose boards and touring-style boards. You’ll learn the distinct techniques for each and discover the benefits of both styles. If you already have your own SUP, feel free to bring it along to one of our sessions.
Sea Kayaking
Sea and coastal kayaking take the paddling skills you’ve learned and apply them to the exciting open sea. At Clitheroe Canoe Club, we have a growing fleet of sea kayaks available for members to use on organised trips.
Before heading to the coast, members typically practise on lakes and canals to build confidence and refine their techniques. Once ready, they can enjoy incredible adventures on the water.
Past sea kayaking trips include exploring the beautiful coastline around Anglesey and a five-day island-hopping and camping expedition in the far Northwest of Scotland. We also use our meeting room for coastal navigation training and trip planning, ensuring members are prepared for these exciting journeys.
Kayak Touring
Touring kayaks bridge the gap between general-purpose white-water kayaks and sea kayaks, offering a stable platform ideal for longer paddles on canals, lakes, and estuaries.
Clitheroe Canoe Club has a variety of touring kayaks available, including both single and double models. These boats are perfect for paddlers looking to enjoy relaxed, longer-distance journeys while experiencing the beauty of open water.
Once you’ve mastered the basics in our general-purpose kayaks, touring kayaks provide an excellent introduction to paddling across more expansive waterways. They combine comfort and stability, making them a popular choice for members interested in exploring scenic routes and enjoying the journey at their own pace.