Essex Slalom and Paddlesport Club

Essex Slalom and Paddlesport Club is a welcoming kayaking and canoeing club based near Chelmer Village. We are a family orientated club and encourage parents to participate in sessions with their family. In addition to weekly paddles, members play, tour on rivers and develop skills on white water, paddle open canoes (Canadian Canoes) and go sea kayaking. The Club was formed by members who train, coach and compete within Slalom Canoeing. We have specific Slalom training sessions for fitness, fun and skill development along with attending competitions for those who wish to compete. Whatever you choose to do you will find this is a supportive encouraging and enabling environment.

The Club is Affiliated with Paddle UK who are the National Governing Body for Paddlesport.

Activities

The following are examples of club activities, but we do much more...

Introduction and development

Whether you are a beginner or further along on your paddling journey we can offer something for everyone. The Club runs taster sessions, these are short introductory activities designed to give a taste of what paddlesport offers. We provide Paddle UK Start, Discover, Explore and Paddle Safer courses, helping you become safe, independent paddler.

Women Only Sessions

The Club runs This Girl Can and supports #ShePaddles sessions. These activities gives women the time and space to learn a sport just for themselves. We find that these sessions are great fun and boost confidence and provide a supportive community for female paddlers. We often find that the women then go on to introduce their families to the sport and continue to develop paddling skills and qualifications.

Weekly Club Sessions

These are our weekly core sessions that run all year depending on weather conditions. They are social and enjoyable, with tours on the Chelmer and other locations such as the Waveney and Stour. They offer an opportunity for members to connect and improve their skills in a fun supportive environment.

Moving Water

The Club offers members who would like to develop moving water skills the opportunity to do so by arranging trips away to other locations such as River Severn Jackfield Rapids, River Wye Symonds Yat, River Trent, Holme Pierre Pont, River Derwent, Lee Valley White Water Centre and many other UK and European destinations.

Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross

The Club has a long history with Canoe Slalom going back to the late 1970's. We have paddlers who engage with the sport whose ages range from 11 to 60+ years old. We now also participate in the new and exciting Kayak Cross discipline.

As a Club we are fortunate to have our own training course where members can practice their skills throughout the year. Even if you do not compete, it's a welcoming space for all, whether the aim is for fitness, skill development or fun.

Health Benefits of Paddling

Paddle sport helps with both Physical and Mental well being and fitness, Here are a few key points taken from the following links Paddle UK GoCanoeing Explore Kent.

Benefits of being in a Blue space helps you feel less Blue. Accessing Blue space, whether it be paddling, fishing, walking, swimming or meditating, can make ourselves feel happier and healthier. Water based activity can be particularly beneficial to your physical and mental wellbeing.

Paddle sports have a positive effect on mental health, improves mood, increases levels of happiness, and reduces stress and anxiety. People who interact with Blue spaces find it to be a restorative experience that can reduce levels of psychological distress and promote cognitive restoration, relaxation and mindfulness. Wellbeing outcomes in sea-kayaking were related to the body-sensory experiences in the environment. This included both ‘sublime-invigorating' and ‘calming-soothing' effects.

Paddle sport is a low impact activity. This means that paddling can help you benefit from aerobic fitness, strength building, and greater flexibility. Even the most leisurely paddle will give you a good aerobic work-out.

Go paddling - Get social - It offers you the opportunity to find new friends.

Paddling helps reclaim family time.

07850 780002
Info@essexslalom.com