Visually impaired canoeing and kayaking in east London

Tower Hamlets Canoe Club has a canoeing and kayaking program for blind and partially sighted people

Sessions are currrently held on Tuesday evenings at Shadwell Basin, a sheltered body of flat water next to the River Thames in East London. The program is due to last for one year but may be continued, depending on demand.

You will have the opportunity to develop your paddling skills in a boat steered and navigated by a sighted coach or assistant. You will be taught how to steer the boat yourself and may even progress to paddling a boat on your own. Help with navigating will still be provided by coaches, plus perhaps some audio technology. Sessions will be based around your particular needs so that you can learn and develop at your own pace. You will be getting out on the water in your first session.

Our coaches are all trained in first aid and safety and rescue techniques. They also have visual awareness training

There will be opportunities to go on trips to other waterways in and around London in a group of other more experienced people. These are usually held during the day at the weekend.

Sessions are held at the same time as our regular club sessions so you will get to meet lots of other club members. If you want to, you can go for drinks in the nearby pub with them afterwards and attend monthly barbecues and other events.

All boating equipment will be provided, including boats, paddles, lifejackets and other useful items. You may get a little bit wet as the sessions are all outdoors but you won’t initially be going into the water. Sessions, where you do go fully into the water, can be provided as the program develops and the weather and water get warmer.

• We have male and female changing rooms with showers, plus lockers for your belongings.
• Feel free to bring a helper, friend or guide dog.
• You should be at least 18 years old and in good physical health.
• Help to get you from Shadwell DLR station to Shadwell Basin can be provided. It’s only a 10-minute walk.
• For those who may be accompanied by a driver to the sessions, there is parking available onsite.

Places on the program are limited so please get in touch now to book your place. As this is a pilot program, we need time to prepare for the first sessions.

If interested, please call Alex on 07724936602 or 0208 2930318. He will be happy to answer any questions you have. Or email committee@towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk.

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