Membership
Castle Canoe Club's membership is based on a pro rata system with our membership year beginning in June.
Annual membership is currently set at £45, see below for the quarterly break down.
Membership is open to anyone aged 18 or over. There is a 50% discount for students and the unemployed.
There is no charge for your first visit to the club.
Quarterly breakdown
- April / May / June = £45
- July / August / Sept = £35
- Oct / Nov / Dec = £25
- Jan / Feb / March = £15
Please pay by cheque if you can, as this reduces administrative hassle for our unpaid committee members.
Members are also required to act as Duty Officer once or twice per year. Click here for more info on Duty.
To download a copy of the 2011-2012 membership form click here.
Club rules
Age: Anyone paddling must be aged over 18.
Ability to swim: Anyone paddling must be able to swim 50 metres in light clothing. Non-swimmers are NOT allowed onto the water.
Buoyancy Aids: Buoyancy aids must be worn when on or near the water. Do not go onto a jetty without a buoyancy aid.
Footwear: All paddlers must wear appropriate footwear. Paddling in bare feet or flip flops is not permitted.
Capsize drill: Use a Kiwi (i.e. larger open kayak) unless you’ve done the capsize drill. You will need to do a capsize test to paddle any closed cockpit boat (i.e. most boats except Kiwi / open canoe). A list of members who can supervise a capsize / spraydeck test is posted on the door of the club cupboard.
Spray decks: All paddlers who wish to wear a spray deck must show they know how to use a spraydeck. They should either have passed a BCU one star test, have done a spraydeck test at the West Reservoir Centre or be able to detail their experience.
Novices: Stay in designated safe areas unless with an experienced member.
Signing on / off: All paddlers need to sign on the water before paddling and sign off when they are off the water at the end of the session. This includes first-timers who have also signed the first-timer sheet.
Getting in / out: When paddling at the reservoir please be careful when getting on the water. The summer low water level has exposed metal screws in the sloping deck. This can damage the underside of boats if we get in and then slide down into the water. So please do not slide into the water. Instead go out onto one of the pontoons, place your boat in the water and get in to your boat from the side. Just ask for a hand from someone nearby if you need it.
