If you’ve never been canoeing before and fancy having a go, then North Avon Canoe Club could be just the place for you. We actively encourage new paddlers of all ages to try the sport.

Once you’ve acquired some basic skills, why not join one of our regular training sessions on the river or in the pool? These are great for developing paddlers' confidenceand practising the techniques that will help you get the most out of your time on the water.

The club has a full selection of equipment available to hire so that you can try different types of canoes or kayaks, before choosing the one for you. Whilst most people will want to concentrate on one type of craft or another, the BCU courses we offer encourage beginners topaddle many different types of craft. The following section describes the main types of craft that we’ll encourage you to try.

So if you’re interested in having a go please contact Nigel Stephenson giving us your name, age (or at least a guide) and a telephone number on which we can contact you. We’ll call you back and discuss how we can get you out on the water soon.

Kayak

The most popular type of craft paddled in the UK, kayaks have been developed from the original seal-skin sea kayak of the Eskimos.

Paddlers sit down and use a double ended paddle to move the kayak. Modern kayaks are made from hard wearing plastics and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Kayaks are used in all forms of the sport from surfing, to river racing, freestyle, slalom, sprint marathon and sea kayaking. NACC will give you the chance to try a number of different types of kayak to help you decidewhich one will suit you best.

Canadians

These craft are widely used throughout North America and Europe.Originally based upon the birch-bark canoes of native North Americans. Canoes are most often paddled from a kneeling or sitting position with a single bladed paddle.

It’s worth noting that in the UK kayaks are often called "canoes" and the sport is most often referred to as canoeing, even though most people paddle kayaks! Don’t worry though whatever you choose to call the sport, other paddlers will quickly work out what you mean!

Canoesare made in a variety of materials (mostly plastic)and are used for a wide range of disciplines in the sport from lake paddling to whitewater, slalom, sprint, whitewater racing and canoe sailing.