Lakeland Canoe Club takes ownership of four new river kayaks
L – R Rebecca Pinchard, Tess Witheridge, Ed Taylor & Jon Watt, trying out the clubs new boats at Killington Reservoir.
30th April 2019
The Lakeland Canoe Club are based in Kendal and has been in existence for sixty-seven years they have fifty-two members from around the South Lakes who regularly paddle with them. Over the past five years they have become much more active in river and sea kayaking, having held club events on 153 days during 2018. Membership is being built slowly through an inclusive calendar of events.
In response to demand from prospective members they were successful in a grant bid to us (ACT) for Cumbria’s pilot Sport England’s Lace Up Project. This funding will provide a facility for those in rural communities to become more active in sport. Lakeland Canoe Club has purchased four new river kayak, paddles, spray decks, helmets and buoyancy aids as part of their 'Be Inspired, Kayaking For All’ project. This project will help rural people:
- Learn a new active sport
- Improve their health and well being
- Offer a way of keeping fit
- Provide a different perspective on appreciation of the environment
- Include people in a new social hub
- Offer a valuable distraction from the daily routine.
Mike Hayward from the club said: “We are keen to get more people paddling and can offer sessions to enable their participation. We want to attract new members and encourage them to get in touch, so they can get started. You might be a rusty old paddler or a keen new participant. Do send us an email as we are also now looking to run further sessions.”
“You are invited to join our current introduction to paddle sport outdoor session (Wednesday evenings) or in the pool at Kendal leisure centre on Sunday evening. More details be found on our calendar http://lccforum.invisionzone.c... If you can’t make these times then drop us a note so we can keep you informed of upcoming opportunities.”
The club holds Clubmark Accreditation and the British Canoeing Quality Mark, so you can be assured of a safe and enjoyable experience.
Lorrainne Smyth from ACTion with Communities in Cumbria said: “ACT is really pleased to support this local club to expand both its membership and services. The Lace Up fund, managed by our national body – Action with communities in Rural England has allowed 2 ACT to make 10 awards of grant across the county. The pilot project is being evaluated in April 2019 and we hope the results will lead to more funding for small rural projects.”