The LVPC Flatwater (Racing) section train at least once weekly year-round* in a variety of different racing craft – both individual and crew-boat (up to 4 people in the same boat) – on the canal behind the Lee Valley Whitewater Centre.
Flatwater paddling is exactly what it sounds like: paddling on still water (e.g. a lake) or slow moving water e.g. a canal without large obstacles in the water and without gates/poles to go between/around.
Flatwater racing is generally either travelling very fast over shorter distances in a straight line (sprint) or very fast over a very long distance (marathon/ultra-marathon) in long, slim boats. Sprint is an Olympic discipline whilst Marathon has World Championships and our coaches work with and learn from Team GB World Class Programme coaches.
We have a wide range of craft and equipment suitable for brand-new beginners through to National level competitors and are able to coach technique and skills both on-water and using limited off-water training equipment (‘ergos’ and sliders), and, can assist with individual gym sessions and training plans. We have full use of free-parking and the showers at the Whitewater Centre.
All equipment: boats, buoyancy aids and paddles – we don’t wear helmets in flatwater – plus coaching is included for our low annual fees of:
- £5 for a child (8 years old onwards);
- £10 for an adult; and,
- £15 for a family.
Not sure if you are ready to join LVPC straight away? We offer three free ‘taster’ sessions before any annual membership commitment is made.
Craft we have available to use are:
- Kayaks (K1s , K2s, K4s: i.e. Kayaks for 1x, 2x or 4x people in the same boat);
- Marathon Canoes (C1s and C2s: for 1x or 2x people in the same boat);
- Paracanoes (KL1 and VL1: ie disabled sprint boats for 1x paddler each in a kayak or a Va’a; a canoe with a stabilising arm);
- Wavehoppers (K1s designed for racing down a whitewater course); and,
- Racing Stand-Up Paddleboards for 1x person each.
The main difference between kayaks and canoes is the type of paddles – Canoes and SUPs have only 1 ‘blade’ to go in the water – and also how you sit in the boat (you stand
in/on a SUP, kneel in a canoe, sit in a kayak).
in/on a SUP, kneel in a canoe, sit in a kayak).
We take our boats to local and to national events (sprint and marathon). We seek to become one of the top racing clubs in the country and have hosted our own events for example AquaPaddles. We also support people interested in the Devizes to Westminster or Thames 200 ultramarathon event** and any other fitness or personal challenges. We are a PaddleUK awarding entity for personal qualifications.
We welcome new paddlers and those transferring from other (racing) clubs or from other disciplines and also returning or lapsed paddlers and coaches. Our coaches have a lot of
experience with supporting SEND paddlers – some of them have SEND themselves – and we also have experience with Paracanoe and Paddleability paddlers. We encourage all – where financially possible – to also try the whitewater disciplines that the Club and the Lee Valley Whitewater Centre offer.
All coaching and development is individualised and according to ability and to the individual’s desire. We see racing at other venues as a chance to explore different waters in a friendly and supportive environment and whilst we can suggest races appropriate for all our paddlers, there is no expectation or requirement to race.
Please note: whilst currently flatwater racing training sessions are run on Saturday mornings only, with time we seek to add further sessions at both weekends and weeknights as we recruit further coaches.
The Flatwater (Racing) section is on the General Committee of LVPC.
Section leads are Martin Davies and Reuben Sweetman.
Martin and Reuben are also available most Wednesday evenings at LVPC’s Wednesday Club Night sessions at the Lee Valley Whitewater Centre and you are welcome to come and ask anything of us at these sessions (please ask at the Club reception in the Centre’s main reception area) from 17:00 to 20:00 hours.
*Where it is safe to do so e.g. sessions might be curtailed if winds are high (risk of trees falling), lightning is forecast or where the canal is iced over(!). Cold weather – of itself –
is NOT a reason to cancel paddling – provided appropriate clothing (which we will advise on and insist on, where necessary) is worn. Waves are not an issue for flatwater on the canal and houseboats/motorboats don’t make enough of a wake to be an issue.
*Where it is safe to do so e.g. sessions might be curtailed if winds are high (risk of trees falling), lightning is forecast or where the canal is iced over(!). Cold weather – of itself –
is NOT a reason to cancel paddling – provided appropriate clothing (which we will advise on and insist on, where necessary) is worn. Waves are not an issue for flatwater on the canal and houseboats/motorboats don’t make enough of a wake to be an issue.
**Please contact us WELL in advance if you are interested in a DW or Thames 200 – even more so if you are seeking to ‘compete’ and not just to ‘complete’.
