About
Bramston Canoe Club (BCC) is a small, friendly, members-only canoe and kayak club located in Witham, Essex. The club caters to individuals aged 18 and over and offers a range of activities throughout the year, including white water paddling, open boating, sea kayaking, and surf.
BCC provides a safe and warm environment for beginners to learn and practise their paddling skills before venturing into more challenging waters. The club organises regular pool sessions on Monday evenings at Witham Leisure Centre, where members can receive training and plan their paddling trips. The club's instructors are qualified and registered with British Canoeing, ensuring members receive expert guidance in all aspects of canoeing and kayaking.
Although the club is exclusively for adults, members are welcome to bring their children along to participate alongside them. Bramston Canoe Club actively seeks individuals interested in paddling to join their ranks. While pool sessions serve as a means for skill improvement and face-to-face interaction, the true heart of the club lies in its water activities.
The club's goals include exploring various water bodies, such as the Blackwater Estuary, the East Coast, the Stour, Chelmer, and Blackwater Rivers, as well as venturing further afield to whitewater rivers. Bramston Canoe Club aims to foster a tight-knit community where every member actively participates.
For beginners, the club offers a 5-session coached course designed to build confidence on the water and prepare participants for basic river trips. The course costs 75, payable in advance, with new intakes approximately every 7 weeks. Alternatively, those unsure about committing to a full course can opt for a 'taster' session. This one-off session, priced at 10, can be repeated up to a maximum of 5 times, at the club's discretion.
These taster sessions serve as a way for beginners to gain a feel for the club, while also allowing the coaches to assess their aspirations and abilities.
Experienced paddlers are also encouraged to apply directly for club membership. However, Bramston Canoe Club may request that they attend a peer paddle with a coach present or complete 5 taster sessions in the pool if the club has no previous experience of paddling with them. These measures ensure the club maintains a community of committed and active paddlers.
BCC acknowledges that members may want to involve their children and allows children to paddle alongside their parents. However, a parent or guardian must be present at all times, as the club cannot provide any supervisory function for children. Children receive a 50% discount on taster sessions and 5-week courses.
Basic membership at Bramston Canoe Club costs 45 per year and includes access to club activities and equipment. Pool fees for basic members are an additional 5 per session, payable on the day of the session exclusively via bank transfer.
Whether you're a seasoned paddler or looking to try out canoeing or kayaking for the first time, Bramston Canoe Club welcomes you to join their community of passionate and active water adventurers.
