Welcome to the club
Who are we?
Nevis Canoe club welcome all paddle sport enthusiasts of all standards. We have a membership of between 50 and 70 scattered throughout Lochaber.
The Club has existed for well over 30 years. As with many clubs interests have varied. Over time it has been a small group of white water enthusiasts, then with a strong junior group led by a group of enthusiastic teachers. There was even a dip into water polo. Its current incarnation is a more or less organised group of mainly sea kayakers. We are affiliated to the Scottish Canoe Association. Over the last few years our main activities have been short evening trips and occasional day or weekend trips. For a time we also developed an interesting sideline in supporting a charity open water swims, acting as safety cover for swimmers crossing various lochs. The current emphasis is on sea kayaking but there are enthusiastic white water members who do their own thing. The club would like to have junior section but we need some committed parents and qualified kayakers to take this on.
What are The benefits?
Subscriptions (£15 Adult, £5 Junior, £25 Family, a £5 reduction for SCA members) run from Jan 1st but for anyone joining in October membership will run through the following year. Most of our money goes on training. Your support means the club can bid for grants and other benefits. Subsidised pool sessions (Feb / March), and beginner/improver outdoor sessions in May, discounts at local stores (Oban Kayaks 10% except boats, Ellis Brigham – 10%, -Nevis Sport – 15%, Field and Trek – 10%, Costwold – 10 – 15%.), and Scottish Canoe Association affiliation and not forgetting a great bunch of people. And all for just £15 annual
Committee
- Colin McCormick (chairman)
- Ken Stevenson (treasurer)
- Colin Ungoed-Thomas (membership)
- Paul Biggin (secretary, and Tues eve sea kayak organiser)
- Chris Stitt (safeguarding officer)
- Ian MacLeod (web site)
- Alan Petrie (club shed)
- Lyndsay Barr (white water)
- Bridgett Thomas is the active schools organiser and helps with advice.
- Peter Hatto
Any of the committee can be contacted on the club e-mail at neviscc@hotmail.co.uk
Training
Our season normally starts with a series of sessions in the local swimming pool where you can learn the basic strokes in the safety and comfort of the swimming pool with experienced club members on hand to guide you through the basic manoeuvres. More experienced paddlers may want to use these sessions to improve advanced skills but the priority is on the basics.
Once you have learnt the basic skills in the pool it’s time to move onto the real thing. We spend usually have four evenings launching from Loch Eil Outward Bund where you can practice how to paddle your boat forwards, backwards and sideways, learn support strokes, how to tow and be towed, how to fall out and most importantly how to get back in!
Club equipment
The club has a few river kayaks plus paddles and buoyancy aids for use by club members. These are offered on a first come, first served basis so please book in advance. Whilst the club offers this equipment to help newcomers to the sport to get going, in the longer term you will progress more quickly with your own equipment and we will be happy to advise on what is most likely to be suitable for you.
Please also remember that everyone in the club is, like you a member, so it is not fair to expect that equipment will be collected, organised and returned for your use for every trip. For those who don’t want to commit to buying their own equipment at the outset we would recommend purchasing a suitable roof rack so that you can be self sufficient in organising your equipment.
Used kayaks often become available for purchase at much below the cost of new ones and we can help direct you to sources for these.
