Canoe Oxford is a renowned canoe and kayak club situated directly on the Thames at Donnington Bridge in Oxford. The club is divided into a youth section and an adult section, both of which meet weekly from April to October. With a fleet of approximately 60 closed cockpit kayaks, open canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, Canoe Oxford offers a variety of options for paddling enthusiasts. In addition, the club has access to sea kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, and more canoes owned by the Riverside Centre.
Originally known as the Riverside Centre Canoe Club and affiliated with the Oxford County Council youth service, Canoe Oxford became an independent club run entirely by volunteers in April 2011. Despite this change, the club continues to maintain its historical focus on providing paddling opportunities and coaching for young people while also fostering a thriving adult group. Canoe Oxford warmly welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels and encourages potential members to get in touch via email to discuss their objectives and arrange a date for a paddle. This provides an opportunity to meet other members and gain a better understanding of the club's activities.
During the winter months, Canoe Oxford organises separate swimming pool sessions for the youth and adult groups to practise skills and learn effective rolling techniques. The youth group paddles every Wednesday evening at 18:00, along with occasional weekend trips. On the other hand, the adult group paddles every Thursday evening at 18:00 and frequently engages in weekend paddling excursions throughout summer. The club also arranges trips to local rivers, white water centres, the coast, and even bushcraft and camping weekends.
The adult group at Canoe Oxford boasts around 50 active members ranging in age from 17 to 75, catering to both beginners and experts. With eight qualified British Canoeing Coaches and Leaders, the group offers ample opportunities for skills development and local paddles from April to late October. Thursday evenings are dedicated to paddling from the clubhouse at Donnington Bridge, during which the group is typically divided into a social paddling group and a skills improvement group. Members are encouraged to explore various types of watercraft to enhance their paddling experiences.
Furthermore, Canoe Oxford organises morning or day trips on most weekends during summer, giving members the chance to improve their paddling skills and endurance. The club also plans a range of longer events throughout the year, such as trips to the River Dee, a camping weekend at Eyensham Lock, bushcraft weekends, and visits to the South Coast for sea kayaking. Winter pool sessions are offered for those looking to enhance their kayak rolling skills.
In conclusion, Canoe Oxford is a vibrant and inclusive club that provides exceptional opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to explore the joys of canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding on the Thames. With its extensive fleet, experienced coaches, regular paddling sessions, and exciting trips and events, Canoe Oxford is the perfect place to develop skills, build friendships, and immerse oneself in the beauty of river-based water activities.