Welcome to Maldon Canoe Club
We are a friendly, volunteer led canoeing and kayaking club that caters for everyone of all ages and abilities.
Something for everyone
Discover sea kayaking, white water, canoe polo and canoe/kayak touring.
Discover moreBrowse our trips and events
Browse through our events calendar to see what we have going on.
Discover moreCOVID-19 UPDATE – READ MORE
Our history
Maldon Canoe Club (formally known as Maldon and Dengie Canoe Club) has been getting local adults and children on the water since 1980’s.
Initially the club started in the 80s and had strong ties with Essex Scouts and hosted the County Scout Canoe relay race from Chelmsford to Maldon, which was at one point the second largest kayak race in the country. The club folded in the late 90s along with the county canoe race.
In 2008 it was recognised that there was a need for a club in the Maldon and Dengie area following a conversation between local canoe coaches (Clive Marfleet & Chris Davies). Chris was aware of grants available for youth opportunities and with the aid of some of the teenagers at Burnham School, they gained a grant from Burnham council to start the club.
In 2020, due to the expansion of Maldon as a town and district, we felt that the club would benefit from a rebrand to Maldon Canoe Club. Our aims and core values still remain the same: Give local people the opportunity to experience the joys and thrills of Canoeing and kayaking, regardless of age, ability, income, race, or ethnicity.
Club overview
We are an extremely active canoe and kayaking club affiliated with the governing body British Canoeing, we are based in the Maldon district of Essex with pool sessions, river sessions and trips running throughout the year. The club meet regularly at our pool sessions that take place the last Saturday of each month at South Woodham Ferrers swimming pool. (see events for specific details)
New members
We always welcome new starters to the club, even if you come down on your own it’s unlikely that you will be the only new starter that session. You will be introduced to a British Canoeing qualified coach who will help you learn the basics in a structured coaching session, you won’t just be left to work it out for yourself! Pool sessions can be followed by a trip to the pub which is a great opportunity to get to know people better and understand a little more about the club.
Maldon Canoe Club trips
The club meets up and organises club trips throughout the year in a variety of locations around the UK. Our trips offer something for everyone regardless of age or ability. Previous trips have taken us all around the UK from gentle touring paddles that are suitable for everyone to more extreme paddles in challenging seas and white water rivers.
Maldon Canoe Club is not a business or run for profit.
Maldon CC is a Club, made up of a group of like minded individuals who enjoy paddling and want to share their passion and go paddling with others. The Membership fees pay for the club canal licence, club equipment and British Canoeing affiliation. The pool fees pay for the swimming pool hire.
All committee members are club members that volunteer their own free time to help with the smooth running of the club. They are all unpaid.
All coaches are club members that volunteer their own free time at club pool sessions, club trips and club training sessions. They are all unpaid. The club sometimes pays the fees for relevant training courses like welfare, safeguarding and child protection.
For all members and coaches, paddling is their hobby. They pay for their own additional British Canoeing training, safety courses and coaching updates for their own personal paddling improvement and donate this knowledge and their time to help other members.
Our areas of interest
The club caters for a variety of interests including Sea Kayaking, White Water, Touring and Canoe Polo.
Sea Kayaking
Given the close proximity to the sea and local estuaries of East Anglia, the club naturally has a strong focus on sea kayaking. Why not join us!
White Water
The club has always had a keen interest in white water, and with Lee Valley White Water Center on our doorstep there’s no excuse to not give it a go!
Touring
Touring offers something for everyone, regardless of age or ability. We are lucky to have some great local rivers, canals and estuaries ready for you to paddle.
Canoe Polo
Canoe Polo is a high adrenaline filled contact sport. Its great fun to play and also great for those who want to develop their skills and general boat control.
Meet our coaches
Clive Marfleet
Level 3 Coach & LeaderLocal British Canoeing Canoe Organiser for Essex
Coach level 3, 4 star sea, whitewater and open canoe
Has completed 5 star training Sea and White Water.
Clive has been canoeing for over forty years has canoed all types of craft, he currently owns Slalom, whitewater, sea kayaks and open canoes.
Reached division 1 in slalom k1 div 2 in slalom C1 and div 3 in C2 was previous member of Maylandsea Scouts (the original MAD canoe club) and lives in Heybridge
Clive used to manage leisure centres before setting up his own first aid company.
Chris Davies
Level 3 Coach & LeaderCoach level 3, 4 star touring training completed
Chris has been canoeing for over forty years has canoed all types of craft currently owns open canoes as well as sea and whitewater kayaks. Runs Duke of Edinburgh courses for schools
Chris also achieved Div 2 in Slalom k1 and used to paddle to work before he moved to Burnham.
Mike Robards
Level 2 CoachMike has been paddling since 1985 with Tiptree Scouts, he holds the 4 star in kayak and 3 star in open canoe. Mike organises the Blackwater Tour - the only trip allowed on the River Blackwater each year, but does prefer whitewater to the flat stuff (don’t we all?)
Trevor Jones
Level 2 Coach & Leaderlevel 2 & 4 star white water
Trevor Jones is a level 2 coach and has been paddling since 1990 with the Scouts and a number of local clubs. He holds 4 star white water, 3 star award in open canoe, and also completed the 4 star sea training.
Robert Wilson
Level 1 CoachRob is a Level 1 coach and holds the 3 star whitewater and 3 star touring canoe/kayak awards, Rob has also completed his 4 star touring training and FSRT. He is also a national Canoe Polo organiser and grade 3 ref. Robert completed Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race in 2015.
Clint Gaydon
Level 1 CoachClint has been paddling since 1999 holds his 3 star in white water often joins Chris and Clive on the Wales trips recently purchased an open canoe and has also tried sea canoeing Clint has been an active member of the club since 2008 attended the camps and has helped at most of the Blackwater shows and pool sessions. Clint has also completed his 4 star touring leadership training and white water safety and training.
Paul Vincent
Level 2 Coach & LeaderPaul is a level 2 Coach and also holds the 4 star sea award, recently joined the club and has his own open canoe, sea kayak and touring kayak.
Daniel Murray
Level 1 CoachDan is a Level 1 coach and has completed 2 star and 3 star touring canoe/kayak awards. he has also completed the 4 star touring training, FSRT and WWSR courses.
Over the last few years, Dan has taken a keen interest in White Water and developed to be able to paddle the Olympic white water course at Lee Valley as well as other WW rivers around the UK.
Jeff Toser - Honorary member
Level 3 CoachJeff is the local British Canoeing Organiser for Norfolk
He has been canoeing for over 30 years has canoed all types of craft currently owns Slalom whitewater and Sea Kayaks.
Jeff reached division 3 in slalom k1 div 3in slalom C2 with Clive at the front end of this double. He was a previous member of Maylandsea Scouts the original MAD canoe club and now lives in Watton Norfolk.
Paul Rollings
Paddlesports instructorPaul has completed his Paddlesports instructor, FSRT and First Aid. His main interest is touring, but enjoy Paul enjoys all forms of Paddlesports including stand up paddle board.
Keith Schrivener - Honorary member
Honoree memberFounder member of the original MAD canoe club and was the Maylandsea Scout leader who started and ran the County Scout canoe race for many years.
Keith achieved div 3 in Slalom and has competed in many Triathlons
And canoe races and if its mad he’s up for it.
