Richmond Canoe Club is a flat-water racing kayaking and canoeing club. We train 52 weeks of the year, in all weathers, and there are races of some description at least once every month through the year.

All paddlers are expected and encouraged to race regularly. Marathon races take place in 9 divisions, ranging from beginner-level to international standard, so every paddler can find an appropriate level of competition. Taking part in races is not only great fun, but essential for paddlers if they are to improve boat skills.

Regular paddling at Richmond takes the form of participation in training groups (all year round, for adult novices and improvers primarily on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings, and on other days too as you improve) and the regular Club time trials (10k on Wednesday evenings April to September.) Kayak racing not only requires skill and technique, but also good all-round fitness. In order to advance through the racing divisions we encourage paddlers to expand their training to include running, core-strengthening gym exercises and kayak ergo.

Previous experience and high levels of fitness are not required when novices join Richmond Canoe Club.  Enthusiasm and commitment to paddling, and to the club, conquers all. To progress in racing you should plan to commit to at least two sessions a week of paddling, plus land-based training.

We all know that life can be demanding, being stretched in different directions, but if you are willing to commit regular time to Richmond Canoe Club, we will help you improve your fitness and strength, teach you the art of kayaking, incorporate you into the wonderful social side of RCC and take you to some of the most rewarding and exhilarating events of you life – sprint and marathon kayak races!

To start paddling and racing at Richmond Canoe Club

We run Adult Introduction to Racing Courses between April and October. Each course comprises four on-the-water sessions and two indoor technique sessions on the paddle machines. The sessions are usually on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings but each course may vary slightly. The course provides an introduction to the sport of racing kayaking and to Richmond Canoe Club. It’s suitable for complete beginners and those who’ve had some paddling experience in other types of kayak (eg white water). The course costs £165 and more details can be found if you click on Introduction to Racing Kayaking Course.

See dates for our upcoming courses below:

Booking for all of our courses is on a first-come-first-served basis. To book on one of our courses click here Course booking
The dates for our next course are:
Sat 14th September (2-4.30pm),water-based session
Sun 15th September (3-5.30pm),water-based session
Tues 17th September (7-8.30pm),land-based session
Sun 22nd September (10.30am-12.30pm), water-based session
Tues 24th September (7-8.30pm),land-based session
Sat 28th September (1-4.30pm), land & water session, lunch at the club

The course opens for booking on Sunday 8th September. We expect this course to book up quickly as it is our last one of the year.

We will be setting up a mailing list over the winter, so we can notify you as soon as course dates for 2025 are confirmed. Or check back here, where new dates will be published.

You can also come down to the canoe club and chat to our coaches and current novices to get a better idea of whether the sport, and Richmond Canoe Club, is right for you. The best time to do this is usually a Saturday afternoon at about 4.30pm. You’re welcome to come down to the club at other times of the week, but we can’t guarantee that there’ll be a coach to talk to.

The course is an introduction to racing kayaking. If you are more interested in recreational paddling, or in specific disciplines such as white water or sea kayaking, we suggest you look on the Canoe England website www.canoe-england.org.uk/findaclub.aspx, where you can find details of other clubs in the area that focus on different aspects of the sport.