Below is our interactive club calendar, which shows upcoming events for training courses and trips and expeditions, as well as upcoming social events. For more information on planned events, visit our Trips and Training pages.
We also run regular training sessions throughout the year:
Tuesday Mornings – Discover & Explore courses dependent on coach availability
Tuesday Mornings – coach supported recreational paddling
Tuesday Race training – 5:30 pm on the water – all year – Training Coordinator
Thursday evening (April – October) – 5:45 – Touring skills development
Thursday Race training – 5:30 pm on the water – all year – Training Coordinator
Saturday Race training – 9.00 am on the water except Hare and Hounds Days (usually the third Saturday of the month) – Training Coordinator
Paddlesport and Adult Courses
Tuesday evenings Adult courses Discover & Explore further information: – Training Coordinator
Hamble (Bugle Public House) to Upper reaches and return. Meeting at 11.00. On the water at 11.30. Get in touch with Rick if you want to find out more.
High water at 13.20.
Saturday 13 April, 7pm until 10pm – Quiz and Chips! At the Canal Centre, Mytchett. This will test your general knowledge, that of the Canal, and maybe some questions on the club. £5 per person, to cover your fish and chips and soft drinks. Book online at Eventbrite. Feel free to bring your own drinks.
Saturday 27th April, 10am onwards – Barn Spring Clean. All hands welcome, even if you can only spare half an hour. The Barn has suffered over the last year while we have concentrated on the new cabin. It’s desperately in need of a spruce up. We’d also like to clear as much space on the right hand side of the barn so that we can install some cushion matting and a bit of a gym. Strategically planned for after the usual hare and hounds. Contact: Bill Hansell
Saturday 27 April, 10am – B3C Elimination Race. We’ve all seen the cyclists do it, where the final racer at the end of each lap is eliminated! The B3C race will have a shorter course for GP/Tourer and a longer course for racers, but all on the water at the same time in the same event. This event is free, with tea and toast in the clubhouse after. More details to follow. Again book online at Eventbrite. Contact: Pina Napolitano
River paddle. Meeting at 10.00. On the water at 10.30. Get in touch with Rick if you want to find out more.
River paddle. Meeting at 10.30. Get in touch with Rick if you want to find out more.
Got an idea for a trip? Want to organise one? Our next trips meeting will be at Paul’s house. If you can’t make it please do contribute your ideas by email beforehand. Contact Paul Jeffs for more information. Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided.
This trip has proved very popular. Brian is working on finding another coach to cope with the demand. Do still let him know that you are interested if you already haven’t done so. Also, let Brian know if you are (or know of) a coach that may be willing to assist. In the event that a coach cannot be found, then sadly the trip will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
From Brian Biffin…
At last I have been able to put together a plan for a sea trip off the Gower Peninsula.
Details below:
The campsite, Skysea – Port Eynon. You will note that they do not accept groups. The rule will be waived in our case! Feel free to book yourself in but add the letters “KC” after your name (denotes kayak club).
Cost / night: Tent + 2 : £25 Really big tent : £30. EHU available at extra cost. Indoor accommodation available right next door at the Youth Hostel. There is more luxurious accommodation available, such as The Rickyard B&B. Hearty evening meals available at the Ship Inn.
So here is the plan:
Saturday 22 June: Have a good shakedown paddle in the afternoon: Paddle out to Port Eynon Point. Surfing / rock dodging, depending on conditions. Observe the strength of the tidal stream at Port Eynon point! Option to arrive Friday if you wish.
Sunday 23 June: launch 9am, arrive Oxwich Bay 11am, option to paddle on a bit before turning back and landing by hotel. Perhaps some folk would prefer to be self contained and not have lunch in the hotel. This would save having to hike all the boats off the beach and park them in the hotel garden for security. We would have all afternoon to enjoy the overfalls off Oxwich point and return to Port Eynon. (7Km each way).
If the weather conditions/sea state are poor on the day, it should be possible to just explore Port Eynon Bay itself. If weather is really bad, there is an excellent coastal path to Oxwich Bay. Paddling standard: Confident 2* and above, please.
Full size sea kayaks only.
Please contact me directly if interested.
Saturday 20 July, from 10:45am – B3C Summer Shindig! This 40th Anniversary Shindig will hopefully be the biggest yet! Taking place after the Hare and Hounds (do come down and give it a go), this will be a celebration of the club over its 40 years. BBQ and on/off water games as usual, and hopefully an opportunity to get all our club boats on the water at once! If you’d like to volunteer to help with this event, please let me know. We are very much hoping to have many of our founder members attending, so put this date in your diary now!
Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a trip on the famous St Patrick’s Stream on the Thames. This would be a great first real off-canal trip for those who recently gained their Explore awards. You’ll meet at the clubhouse in Frimley at 10h00 and get on the Thames at 11h00. Rick aims to have you back at Wargrave for 14h00. Contact Rick for more info.
Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a trip around the Guildford loop on the river Wey and Wey navigation. You’ll meet at the clubhouse in Mytchett at 10h00 and launch from Dapdune wharf, up the navigation to Riff Raff weir and back down the river to the launch point. Contact Rick for more info.
Take up your paddles…take up the challenge!
Put the date in your diary now! Back by popular demand – the same course this year.
Did you take the 9th Charles Hicks challenge? Whether you did or you didn’t, you need to take up the 10th challenge this time around! Bring your friends and family too. Lots of portaging. Great early practice for the 2020 Devizes to Westminster race. Start and finish at the same place. Really good paddlers food.
Please note that refunds will be available if the event is cancelled for any reason.
Course between 13 and 14 miles
Tons of portage practice
Open to canoes and kayaks, singles and doubles, juniors, seniors and veterans.
An experience very similar to the Kennet and Avon section of the Devises to Westminster race
See the draft route below.
Take up your paddles…take up the challenge!
Download all you need here:
Your chance to help us plan the river and sea trips that you want for Winter 2019, Spring 2020 and possibly beyond. Come along with ideas for trips you would like like to participate in and/or organise too and we’ll see what we can add to the calendar. We need volunteers to organise trips but you don’t always need to be a coach or leader to do the organising as we can try and help arrange appropriate leading or coaching!! If you can’t make it please email Paul in advance of the meeting with your ideas and offers!
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. For more information and location, contact Paul Jeffs.
Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a trip on St Patrick’s Stream on the Thames. This would be a great first real off-canal trip for those who recently gained their Discover awards. Meet up at the clubhouse in Mytchett at 10h00 and get on the Thames at 11h00. Rick aims to have you back at Wargrave for 14h00. Contact Rick for more info. (The original 1st October date was postponed due to bad weather.)
Weekend river trip, choosing the best of Dartmoor each day. Grades 2-3, Walkham, Teign, Dart. We will choose the river and section depending on paddler abilities and water levels. Contact Paul Jeffs for more details.
Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a paddle on the Basingstoke Canal from Mytchett (Canal Centre) to the Fox and Hounds in Fleet. Meet on the water at 09h30 and paddle to Fleet arriving in time for last orders at 13h00. Just over 9 miles. Rick will use the trailer to return kayaks to Mytchett. Contact Rick at Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more info.
Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a paddle on the Basingstoke Canal from Mytchett (Canal Centre) to the Fox and Hounds in Fleet. Meet on the water at 09h30 and paddle to Fleet arriving in time for last orders at 13h00. Just over 9 miles. Rick will use the trailer to return kayaks to Mytchett. Contact Rick at Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more info.
Join Anne and Brian Biffin for this river trip. Minimum Discover standard or equivalent. Contact Brian for more info and to reserve your place.
Join Anne and Brian Biffin for this river trip. Minimum Discover standard or equivalent. Contact Brian for more info and to reserve your place.
Join Anne and Brian Biffin for this inland kayak or open-boat trip. Minimum Explore standard or equivalent. Contact Brian for more info and to reserve your place.
St Patrick’s stream off the River Thames, launching from Wargrave. A good starter for getting away from the canal.
Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.
Wargrave to Henley return using the Hennerton Backwater. Another good starter for getting away from the canal.
Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.
Launching from Lower Swanwick a paddle up the picturesque River Hamble to Botley Mill and then to the Horse and Jockey at Curbridge. A good introduction to some gentle tidal water.
The trip distance is approx 8 miles you should be able to paddle at 3mph or better (Mytchett to Ash Lock and back is 6.5 miles to give a clue) You should be able to get back into your kayak with assistance and carry out an assisted rescue
Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.
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Cancelled due to River Conditions – Yellow boards
St Patrick’s stream off the River Thames, launching from Wargrave. A good starter for getting away from the canal.
Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.
Rick will be running this trip within BC and club covid guidelines but will still make it fun. We also have a short list of covid do’s and don’ts to help keep everyone safe.
St Patrick’s stream off the River Thames, launching from Wargrave. A good starter for getting away from the canal.
Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.
Rick will be running this trip within BC and club covid guidelines but will still make it fun. We also have a short list of covid do’s and don’ts to help keep everyone safe.
A touring trip on the River Wey launching from Guildford and going via St Catherines Lock. A good starter for getting away from the canal.
Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.
Rick will be running this trip within BC and club covid guidelines but will still make it fun. We also have a short list of covid do’s and don’ts to help keep everyone safe.
A touring trip on the River Wey launching from Bowers Lock. A good starter for getting away from the canal.
Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail.
Hopefully Rick will be able to run this trip without special covid precautions.
Launching from the Wokingham Water Centre ( or Marsport) heading up the River Thames to the Kennet and Avon. Paddling up the Kennet and Avon though Reading center to Fobney lock If conditions and people are in good form we may continue to the Cunning Man and return. Distance approx 10 miles, 3 portages. email Rick.covell@ntlworld.com if you want to go or for more info
Meander along the Thames from Wargrave through Henley to Hurley. approx 8.5 miles all with the flow. This will be a one way paddle and a shuttle so car sharing to get people and kit in the right place.
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Launching from Lower Swanwick paddling up to Botley and across to the Horse and Jockey at Currbridge and then let the tide bring us home.
Distance approx 8 miles. must be competent in using a spray deck and be able to do an assisted deep water re-entry.
Launching from Lower Swanwick paddling up to Botley and across to the Horse and Jockey at Currbridge and then let the tide bring us home.
Distance approx 8 miles. must be competent in using a spray deck and be able to do an assisted deep water re-entry.
Nice gentle cruise along the across Poole harbour and up the River Frome and return approx 10 mile round trip. let me know if you’re interested
Chris Williams would like to share how to plan trips involving tides and some basic weather fundamentals so as to better analyze what the weather forecasts are trying to tell us.
Chris has been a Yacht Master for many years and has planned many of our sea trips including Isle of Wight via the Forts, and via the Needles, Berry Head, Portsea Island to name but a few.
numbers are limited to 30.
Let Rick Covell know if you want to go. Rick.covell@ntlworld.com
A Thursday evening paddle of St Patrick’s stream launching from Wargrave at 18:00 (or before if we can manage it) distance approx 5 miles suitable for Discover standard paddlers
This will be a peer paddle to see the London sites from Putney Embankment to Tower Bridge and return. This is a busy tidal section of the River Thames therefore paddlers must be of Explore or 2* standard and be able to carry out deep water assisted rescues. The distance is approx 17 miles and there will be some tidal flow potentially up to a max of 6knt. The trip is timed to low water at Tower Bridge. Paddlers should be confident in messy water as the wake from fast/big boats bounces off the river walled embankments and can be confusing. got questions ask me, want to go tell me. group size will be limited to 8 on a first come first served basis. Rick rick.covell@ntlworld.com (and yes I know its Fathers Day but you’ll be back in time for tea – hopefully)
And evening touring trip of river River Wey launching at Dapdune Wharf Guildford along the navigation to Riff Raff weir and back along the River. Distance approx 5 miles and suitable for Discover standard. Launch time 18:00 or before if we can make it.
A Touring Trip of the River Wey launching at Bowers lock at 18:00 distance approx 5 miles and suitable for Discover standard paddlers.
We will be holding our annual summer event at the barn Saturday 6 August between 11.30am and 3pm.
Please bring your own picnic/BBQ food together with drinks and something comfortable to sit on. There will be free bacon rolls available from around 11.30 on a first come, first served basis, and then the BBQ will be available should you wish to use it. Fun and games are planned for after lunch!
This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make new ones in an informal setting. We look forward to seeing you.
Meeting at the Barn 9:30 to leave by 10, Launch from Wokingham Water Centre (or close by if we cant use their carpark) Paddling upstream on the Thames to the K&A taking in views of Reading and the Oracle from a different angle. to have picnic lunch at Fobney Lock and then return to Wokingham Water Centre. Should be back 4 pm ish. Suitable for all paddlers, distance is approx 5 miles, with 3 locks to portage. (2 plus getting out at Fobney)
Launching at Wargrave and paddling to Hurley and see the sights of Henley on the way. a one way trip of approx 9 miles and a shuttle of cars to get us back. Probably meet at the barn 09:30 and be back around 4pm. let me know it you want to go. Rick
We propose to hold this year’s Spooky Paddle on Saturday, 29 October. Meet at the barn at 6pm spookily dressed and chosen craft decorated. There will be a short paddle In the dark accompanied by suitably spooky music. Once everything has been returned to the barn there will be a themed supper in the Canal Centre function room.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Friday 18 November 2021 at The Frimley Green Club.
To register your attendance and to purchase a buffet ticket, please click here
The timings will be:
Normal AGM ceremony: 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Buffet: 8:30pm onwards
There will be a full pay bar available.
If you would like to have some food from the buffet, there will be a cost of £5 per person (drinks not included).
Enquiries or questions to B3CSecretary@gmail.com.
See the BCCC Website for all the details and documents associated with the AGM
Saturday 19th November, Jubilee River, probably launching near Maidenhead and coming out at Windsor. there are 3 weirs to be played with preferably in flat bottom boats such as play or white water boats, see picture coming next. You should have experienced some moving water (i.e. been away from the canal ) and be competent with a spray deck and capsize drills. the total distance is close to 9 miles but with some flow, so as a gauge if you can do ash lock and back in a play boat you’ll be ok. The weirs are portage-able but those wanting to give them a try will take priority. This will be a peer paddle as its outside my remit for sheltered water. we will be in the hands of Kevin White who has done this before. It will be different, so let me know if you want to go.
Rick
Depending on conditions we’re looking at Abbey River from Chertsey Mead on the River Thames or a River Wey loop from Bowers lock.
both paddles are in the region of 5-7 miles and will contain some upstream element and take most of the day.
Contact me Rick Covell rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail or if you want to go.
Touring trip on the upper Thames around Cricklade/Lechlade area