FAQs
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions we receive. If your query is not here, then please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Can children come along?
Unfortunately, at the moment we cannot cater for under 18s. Please contact Chichester Youth Canoe Club and Hunston Canoe Club who offer facilities for children.
Do I need my own canoe/kayak?
For your induction we normally use a white-water kayak. Whilst it may feel a bit unstable at first, it’s responsiveness will allow you to learn the different techniques and hone these skills which can then be easily applied to the other types of kayaking. We can provide boats, paddles, buoyancy aids etc, which are included within the introductory session fee. If you are borrowing a kayak, please let us know your height and weight so a suitable boat is allocated for you.
It is also possible to hire kayaks when participating in club activities, for which there is a charge. We do encourage members to purchase their own kayaks once they have decided which style is most suitable for them and members should purchase their own bouyancy aid and roof rack for transporting kayaks.
What should I wear?
It is good to be water confident as you may get wet whilst kayaking, and will need to wear something suitable for the weather conditions on the day. Board shorts, rash vets or similar, and a cagoule to keep off the wind are all good. Do not wear jeans or any similar heavy material. If it’s cold some people wear a wetsuit although they can rub under the arms and restrict movement and dry suits for very cold conditions are suitable.
During hot weather, a sun hat or visor and sunglasses (with strap) are advisable, and wear a high factor sun lotion. In all conditions, bring along a bottle of water and a snack bar.
You will also need to wear suitable wet shoes – not flipflops! They need to stay on your feet if you capsize. There are also knee-length waterproof socks available to keep your feet dry and we can advise on the products we think will be useful to you.
Remember a towel and some dry clothes for afterwards.
What facilities are there?
Hunston: this is a small car park with no other facilities, although we do have limited space in our boat shed. Please arrive early as it does get busy.
Chichester Yacht Club: there are showers, toilets and changing rooms available. There is also a car park – please don’t park in the first car park on the right but carry straight on past the barriers to the gravel carpark at the end.
Swimming Pool charges?
Chichester Canoe Club hires out Havant swimming pool so we can continue our training throughout the winter months and improve skills. This is very costly, so we have to ask for a contribution from people wishing to use this facility.
Why do you have two Facebook pages?
We have an ‘open’ Facebook page, where anyone can see some of our club activities. This is used as a marketing tool. We also have a ‘members only’ site, where we post trips and other information: this is only available for our members.