Discover Sea Kayaking
We are well situated in Essex for sea paddling with the Thames at Southend, Crouch at Burnham, Blackwater at Bradwell, and the Deben and Orwell on the Essex Suffolk boarder. Conditions in these Estuaries can vary from being flat calm to large, exciting and challenging conditions. The coastline is stunning and under appreciated by many within the district, who just don’t realise what is accessible to them on their own doorstep.
Sea kayaking involves the use of longer kayaks (16-18 foot long) which have a good forward speed. The general rule is that the longer the boat, the faster they go and easer to keep straight. The boats have sealed hatches for storage with some also having built in compasses to aid navigation and deck lines for towing.
It can be confusing when looking for boats – with a large range on offer from various manufacturers. Boat lengths, hull shapes, material (plastic, fibre glass, carbon) and features can vary as does the price. Before parting with your hard earned money, we always reccommend that paddlers (especialy new to the sport) try out boats at demo days (keep an eye out for future events), or even better, just ask other club paddlers if you can have a go in theirs. We do have some boats available to loan and always try to have a sea kayak available to try out at our pool sessions. Good quality sea kayak paddles can also be expensive, so again, please ask the club for advice or demo some of ours before you rush out to buy.
Conditions at sea can vary considerably due to wind, speed, direction/tide and coastlines – all these can be assessed by our coaches and decisions made if it’s appropriate for the group. Pre planning and or a change of venue can ensure we get a good paddle in, however, there are occasions when the only option is to paddle another day, it’s about what we can manage safely and making sure everyone feels comfortable.
Paddle locations
We paddle locally from Bradwell, Burnham, Fambridge, Heybridge, Mersea, Felixstowe, Dovercourt and Shoeburyness from short 3-4hr trips to longer 6-7hr day paddles.
Previous trips we have organised outside the county range from Isle of White, Swanage, Anglesey, Norfolk and Farn Island. As a club we attend the September Sea Symposium held at Anglesey every year run by some of the top sea coaches in the country, the scenery and fantastic wildlife is mind blowing and the paddling is awsome too. It also keeps our coaches updated with their skills in challenging seas.
Training / coaches
Maldon Canoe Club are fortunate to have a number of British Canoeing qualified coaches and award providers that are on hand to offer any support they can, so you can feel comfortable on the water and progress your development in your chosen area of canoeing/kayaking.
We also offer safety training and first aid courses. (There are fees applied for most awards/courses, so please speak to one of our coaches, who will happily talk you through the details).
Maldon Canoe Club is fortunate to have 3 sea leaders (old name 4 star sea) in our club (Steve Bickerton, Clive Marfleet and Paul Vincent).
We also have a number of members working toward the sea leader award. Sea leaders are qualified to a standard that makes them legally covered and insured by British Canoeing to take a group of less experienced paddlers out. (If you are intersted in joining any club, you should always check out what experience that club has to offer and if they are legally qualifed to take out less experienced paddlers).
Sea Kayaking awards
Our coaches can also train and pass you on the British Canoeing Kayak Award (old 3 star sea). The Sea Kayaking Awards are aimed at paddlers looking to develop their skills for a safe day out on Sea and Estuaries.
Watch the video to find out more about British Canoeing Awards
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.
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.
Check out our Sea Kayaking gallery
