Our pool sessions
Pool sessions are a great way to experience canoeing / kayaking in a safe warm environment, it’s also an ideal place to practice your skills whether thats the basics or more advanced techniques.
Our sessions are also a great place to start if you are completly new to paddlesports. If you are totally new, then don’t worry, we will first introduce you to a British Canoeing qualified coach who will firstly talk to you about what you want to get out of your session, this will likely be followed by a brief introduction around some of the equipment we use before running through a saftey demonstration. (Experienced life guards as well as our coaches who are also experienced in water safety are present at all our pool sessions).
Book your place at our next pool session (places are limited)
Pool details
Time / Location
Our pool sessions take place on the last Saturday of each month at 6pm – 7pm (please check the club event calendar to make sure)
South Woodham Ferrers swimming pool – Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5JU
What to bring
You will only need your usual swimming gear, towel and a £1 coin for the locker
(some of our members also wear a tshirt / watersport rash vest). Many of our members bring their own boats to practice, but don’t worry – we do have boats and equipment at every pool session that’s available for eveyone to use. You are free to bring your own boat if you wish – just please make sure that it has been washed and cleaned.
Cost
The cost for new (non) members is £7 – per pool session. Non members can come along to 4 sessions until they will be asked to become a member of the club if they wish to continue.
If you are new, please email us beforehand so we know you are coming and can plan accordingly.
The cost for MCC members is £5 – per pool session.
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.
