The Stour Valley Canoe Club (SVCC) meets almost every Saturday in the grounds of the Blandford School adjacent the Panda Pre-School. We are a friendly inclusive family club that provides both introductory experiences for those new to Kayaking and Canoeing and opportunities for the more experienced paddler to further their particular ambitions.
Beginners have access to a variety of boats from our substantial fleet, paddles, buoyancy aids, cags and spraydecks. They also enjoy both formal instruction and coaching from a number of qualified coaches and informal support and encouragement from other experienced paddlers who can provide them with access to an extensive range of skills and techniques.
More experienced paddlers enjoy an annual SVCC calendar that includes paddling weekends in North and South Wales, the Wye Valley and Kayak Surfing in Cornwall together with regular day excursions to paddle rivers on Dartmoor and Exmoor, the International White-Water Centre in Cardiff and sea journeys around the Purbeck coast. Additionally, club members routinely organise unofficial trips to more challenging white-water rivers, Hurley Weir, the French Alps and beyond.
In order to support members to realise their ambitions the SVCC offers British Canoe Union (BCU) 1, 2 and 3* training and assessment in both Kayaking and Canoeing together with Foundation Safety and Rescue training. The SVCC also subsidises other BCU, First Aid and safeguarding courses thereby ensuring that members are fully supported to enjoy this exhilarating sport safely. Additionally every second Saturday of the month SVCC hosts a swimming pool session at Clayesmore School, Iwerne Minster where members can undertake in a warm calm environment Spraydeck tests and learn to ‘Eskimo Roll’ their Kayaks.
A first session with SVCC is free, so come and give us a try! If you enjoy this experience then fees are as follows:
Adult Annual Membership- £20
Under Eighteen Annual Membership- £10
Family Annual Membership- £30
Saturday Adult Session- £3
Saturday Under Eighteen Session- £2
Boat Hire- £2
Equipment Hire- £1
Maximum Saturday Charge for a Family- £10
Saturday Session start at 9.15am
The SVCC also host the annual Stour Descent race on the first Sunday of December a very popular and much enjoy staple of the Hasler Marathon Racing Calendar- a 13.5mile sojourn from Sturminster Newton Mill to Bryanston that serpentines through the beautiful North Dorset landscape.
The above may sound a little formal so let me say that above all else the Stour Valley Canoe Club is committed to delivering an experience of paddle sports that is FUN FUN FUN- if you are 10 years old or above regardless of fitness levels come and give us a try, a towel and a change of clothing is all that is required.
