Edge Progressive Paddling

Edge Paddling is run by it's membership with a Committee elected annually.

The Current Committee is:

Chair/Sea Kayaking
Alex Whittaker

Chairs the club committee & looks after Sea Kayak training and trips during the summer months.
Paddling Discipline: BC 2 Star

Safety Councillor & Wednesday paddle management
Anthony O’ Sullivan

Co-ordinates Wednesday evening paddles throughout the summer months, managing attendees & ensuring adequate coaches are available for that evening’s activity.
Paddling Discipline: BCAB Coach – Canoe & Kayak, FSRT Provider, Paddle Explore Award Provider

Canal operations
Francis Skrzeszewski

This role co-ordinates operations of the Canal at Brentford Lock.
Paddling Discipline: Paddlesport Instructor, BC 2 star

Membership Secretary
Petra Stockelmayerova
Manages the club membership
Paddling Discipline: BC 2 Star

Treasurer
David Clay

Is responsible for keeping accurate books, recording all collections & disbursement of funds that enable production of a full financial report.

Kit Officer & White Water Development
Tony Nash

Responsible for kit procurement, asset management & the ongoing maintenance of boats & kit. White water paddler development, management of club trips
Paddling Discipline: Paddlesport instructor, BC 2 Star, White Water Award

Training Officer & Pool Sessions
Connor Mcloughlin

Responsible for managing the clubs paddle-sport development strategy including FSRT, First Aid, arranging site specific awareness training (TSK), maintaining training records & relationship management with Brentford Leisure Centre.
Paddling Discipline: Paddlesport Instructor, BC 2 Star, White Water Award

Welfare & New Members Liaison
Trudie Short

Responsible for providing support, guidance and council to new and existing club members
Paddle Discipline: BC 2 Star

Media & website
Danny Sturrock

£130 per annum.

Edge Club Members benefits:

• Wednesday evening weekly club paddles on the Thames between April & September.
• Discounted British Canoeing 1 Star & 2 Star training & assessments.
• Discounted Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FSRT).
• Edge Independent level paddlers can organise “mates” paddles
• Discounted rate on Edge weekend Meetup paddles
• Club weekend paddles on the Thames or Canal.
• White water kayaking program throughout the winter months.
• Sea kayaking program throughout the summer months.
• Canoe & kayak touring trips.

Please see the website calendar for events timings, with further details on the club Facebook page.

For more information on membership contact the club secretary membership@edgepaddling.com

Members of Edge have to be over 18, however, we do arrange events that under 18's (accompanied by a member) can take part in.

For example, under 18's are welcome to our pool sessions and are allowed on some canal sessions at the discretion of the coach.  Check via the Facebook group if a particular session/coach will allow an accompanied under 18.

Kit advice

On most occasions the club can provide the following equipment to club members:
• Buoyancy Aids (keeps you floating if you capsize)
• Canoes/Kayaks
• Paddles
• Spray Decks (very limited numbers, best to buy your own)
• Splash Cags (keeps the wind off you)
• Helmets

Essential Kit you must provide yourself:
• Neoprene shoes or old trainers - you must wear closed toe shoes if venturing onto the Thames shore.
• Warm suitable tops -ones that retain warmth when wet is best eg. fleeces, thermals etc
• Shorts/trousers that you don’t mind getting wet
• Warm dry change of clothing

Optional Kit *
• Dry suit- Great for keeping your whole body warm and dry even if you swim (expensive, but will become your favourite piece of clothing if you venture into white water or surf).
• Wetsuit- a cheaper option than a dry suit if you are not yet prepared to invest in a drysuit. Important to have either a wetsuit or a drysuit for white water/surf if you think you might swim!
• Dry Cag- Will keep your whole body totally dry so long as you stay in your boat and don't swim. Highly recommended item of kit for anyone who wants to progress. Although it doesn't come cheap it’s much more economical than a whole dry suit and makes a really big difference. Can be combined with thermal tops and/or wetsuit for added warmth.

* these items are not required for all activities but may well be essential for some activities and trips. We will let you know in advance if a certain activity or trip requires this extra equipment. If you wish to purchase any canoeing kit, Edge have negotiated club discounts with several canoe retailers – contact us for details.

Extra Trip Kit and Provisions:
• On overnight trips we may camp or stay in caravans/Bunkhouses etc. The club expects you to provide all your own camping and equipment (tents, sleeping bags etc). Again, we may well be able to help out and lend some kit to those who don't have their own on a best endeavour basis. We will let you know in advance if we are camping/caravaning so you have time to get hold of any kit you will need.
• Food is never provided as part of the trip costs unless stated otherwise.

Edge equipment can be requested for personal use for all Club members on proof of the following:

• Over 18 years of age
• British Canoeing 2 star qualification
• FRST qualification
• Site Specific Training (TSK), for the Thames (if travelling on the Thames)

We have the following kit available:

• Sea kayaks
• Touring Kayaks
• Touring Canoes
• White Water boats
• Paddles various
• PFDs
• Helmets
• Cags & spray-decks various, but limited

All use of club equipment must ALWAYS be requested using the Equipment Loan Request Form detailing which equipment is required and when it's being removed and returned.

Under no circumstances should our boats or other equipment be taken from the arch or canal base unless your equipment request has been processed and agreed in advance (you should receive an email confirmation confirming your request is successful).

There is a charge of £10 per day for the use of kayaks/canoes.

Equipment is hired out on a trust-basis, you are liable for any damage or loss at the discretion of the Club Committee. Note that most paddlers start out begging and borrowing from others before building up stashes of kit – try that too!

*Note any borrowing of club equipment for personal use, is done so completely at your own risk.

• Ask a coach at the next club night to teach you something new.
• Sign up to a trip – ask a coach which ones would be good for you. Trips are fantastic for variety, showing what’s possible, and finding out what sort of canoeing you like
• Do a training course. Even if you don’t care for qualifications, the British Canoeing training programmes make sense and strengthen your abilities. The club can arrange these or point you in the direction of where to go.
• Ask Connor!

Friends and family are most welcome on club & pool nightswe can take anyone over 18.. For prices and booking details please see our Meetup Group and Facebook page.

Trips and courses are initial offered to members with any spaces remaining being offered to the general public.

Independent paddlers are those that have reached a sufficient standard that they do not need coaches to accompany them when on the Thames and the Canal.  They can also loan/hire equipment from the club and arrange their own "Mates Paddles".

Independent paddlers have:

• 2 star award
• Completed a Foundation Safety and Rescue (FSRT) course

A mates paddle can be arranged by any club member who is an independent paddler.  All attendees must also be independent paddlers.

Club members are responsible for all club kit borrowed during a mates paddle including replacement of kayaks/canoes if they are lost, stolen or damaged.

Maybe 😊 Seal sightings are rare but not impossible on the Thames near Kew Bridge. You have to just come along and see.