Canoeing is more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle that boosts physical activity and challenges individuals to step outside their comfort zone. Kingston Kayak Club (KKC) provides a supervised and secure environment, promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle for its participants.
Over the years, KKC has earned recognition as the best canoe club in England and has proudly achieved the title of the best club in the United Kingdom. Our club’s aims and objectives are:
- Offer coaching and competitive opportunities in Kayaking/Canoeing
- Promote the club and its activities within the local community
- Manage the Albert Avenue premises
- Ensure a duty of care to all members/users, promoting environmental respect during paddling
- Provide services in a fun, respectful way, ensuring accessibility and fairness to everyone
While canoeing and kayaking may seem like extreme sports, KKC caters to both adrenaline seekers and those looking for a more relaxed experience. From white-water challenges to gentle paddles on serene rivers, our club welcomes individuals and families of all ages and abilities. We provide a diverse range of supervised opportunities guided by qualified instructors.
Accessibility is key at KKC. To make canoeing available to all, the club offers a broad selection of equipment, allowing anyone to try the sport at a minimal cost.
Founded in 1983, KKC has grown from the Wolfreton School Canoe Club into a thriving community. Our clubhouse, located at the Albert Avenue pools complex, includes access to the outdoor Lido pool, renovated through Lottery Funding. Regular training sessions are held in both indoor and outdoor pools, and the clubroom is available for hire, ideal for group meetings.
Our facilities provide a safe, controlled environment for participants to learn essential skills before venturing into the great outdoors. We have a strong environmental ethos, with all members instructed on responsible countryside enjoyment.
KKC embraces diversity, welcoming individuals of all ages, genders, and abilities. Canoeing is a sport for everyone, offering a range of disciplines for both national and international competition, as well as providing a friendly atmosphere for those seeking a healthy exercise routine.
Volunteers play a crucial role at KKC, with a focus on developing coaches, including young talents who have earned accolades such as the 2015 British Canoeing ‘Young Coach’ of the year. Our club has become a regional centre of excellence for coaching development, ensuring continuous improvement and confidence growth among our members.
With strategic importance in the sport, KKC members have held senior positions in national, regional, and local management committees, providing technical assistance in slalom and polo disciplines.
While KKC has around 130 members, we extend canoeing opportunities to a broader audience in Hull and its surrounding areas. Throughout the year, we organize a minimum of six coached sessions weekly, including events for Scouts, Guides, Youth, and disability groups. Our six-week school holiday summer school has been a tradition for 28 years.
Actively seeking new outreach opportunities, KKC introduced sessions for armed forces recruits at Leconfield Barracks and for Mathews Hub, a support organisation for young adults with autism. The club, open to all, fosters a family feel with consistent participation from girls and women.
At KKC, we not only offer an enriching sporting experience but also maintain an active social side suitable for families and individuals of all ages. Members with disabilities are warmly welcomed, with the only prerequisite being the ability to swim and are water confident.