Bishop's Stortford Canoe Club is based on the River Stort Navigation, Hertfordshire, UK. We are mainly a racing club, with members competing at all levels in marathon and sprint racing. Although we focus on placid water kayaking and Canadian canoeing, there are occasionally opportunities take part in other branches of paddlesport.
BSCC was founded in 1972 and has a flourishing membership of all ages and abilities. Our membership includes an equal balance of adults and juniors. While the standard of paddling is high, the club also likes to have fun and enjoy canoeing as a recreation. We are a friendly club, where new members are always made welcome. The club is run entirely by the voluntary effort of its members, and there are many opportunities for non-paddling parents of junior members to become involved.
The club operates throughout the year on Sunday mornings (all abilities) and on Saturdays and weekday evenings for more serious training. The club house is about one mile south of Bishop's Stortford (Styleman's Lane, off Hallingbury Road - map) with parking. It has canoe storage, gym area with paddle machines, changing rooms, toilets and hot showers.
We have
a range of boats available at the club for members' use. For beginners
we have stable plastic kayaks which provide new paddlers with
a safe and enjoyable introduction to the sport. As proficiency
improves, we have a number of fibreglass racing kayaks, and several
smaller ones (Lightnings) ideal for under-12s. The club also has
tandem kayaks, including Hody K2s for juniors, and some open canoes.
We have a limited amount of storage for members' own boats.
The club participates in the Eastern Region Hasler Marathons, and regularly qualifies to take part in the national finals. National Championship gold medals are currently held by club members in two marathon classes. We are affiliated to the Essex Canoeing Association and for many years have hosted one of the six races in the Essex Winter Series; this series is an ideal introduction to marathon racing both for experienced and new paddlers. Members regularly attend the Sprint Regatta weekends at Nottingham and some local sprint events. While we encourage our paddlers to try different types of paddlesport, activity is strongly focussed on sprint and marathon racing.
As a club, we like to enjoy ourselves off the water as well as on, and each year hold a number of social events. A Quiz Night, Summer Fun Day, and Club Awards Dinner are held annually. The club is currently also trying to get a touring group started.
BSCC is affiliated to the British Canoe Union, who have accredited us under the Clubmark scheme and certified us as a Top Performance Club (read more here). Copies of the club's Constitution, Rules, Codes of Conduct, Safety Policy, Buoyancy Aid Policy and Child Protection Policy and available from the Secretary. The AGM is held in October.
Over the years BSCC has been fortunate to receive grants of various sizes towards different projects. The most recent substantial award was from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme (read more here). In 2010 we received funding from Herts County Council Locality Budget Scheme for the training of several new coaches and a Safeguarding Children course. In 2011 we received a capital grant from Active East Herts for the renovation of our shower facilities. BSCC is hugely grateful to all our sponsors.
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updated 11 July 2011