General Questions
Q: Is HHCC a Business?
A: Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club is primarily run by and for its members. All activities and efforts are driven by member volunteers who arrange and participate in various paddling events and training sessions. While the club focuses on member activities, we do offer some public events, such as taster sessions and Paddle UK Discover award certified training courses during the summer months. These public activities provide a great opportunity for non-members to experience paddling and learn from our qualified volunteers.
Q: What types of paddling does the club accommodate?
A: Our club accommodates various paddling disciplines, including kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), marathon, slalom, touring and whitewater.
Q: When can I speak with someone to ask questions?
A: The best time to talk about the club is whilst on the water, join us on a Taster session and you can ask questions to members out with you. Otherwise it’s best to contact the club using the form.
For The Public
Q: Can I come along to the club if I’m not a member?
A: Yes, we offer taster sessions and Paddle UK Discover award certified training courses for the public during the summer months.
Q: When are the public activities held?
A: Public activities are held during the summer months when it’s light enough on the canal. This is usually from the first Thursday following the clocks changing until early September.
Q: Can I rent equipment from the club?
A: Club equipment is for members use, or during club run events for the public and not available outside these activities.
Q: Can I come to a taster session?
A: Everyone is welcome to the taster sessions run on a Thursday evening. They are suitable for people who have never paddled before, who haven’t been on the water for years and/or are experienced and looking for a club to join for the member benefits. You can try kayaking, stand up paddleboarding or canoeing.
Q: Can my kids come to a taster session?
A: Kids are welcome when accompanied by an adult on the water with them. If younger than 12 we recommend booking a canoe for the adult(s) and kid. This is due to the length of the activity on a school night. If you have joined us for a taster session before and feel your <12yo can join in discuss with the members whilst out. If you are an experienced paddler and want to bring your child with you, please contact the club before booking.
Q: How can I become a member?
A: We ask that all members have a minimum of skills equivalent to the Paddle UK Discover Award. This is to ensure you are safe on the water as an independent paddler. If you have the skills but haven’t paddled with the club before, you can join a taster session for a short assessment by one of our coaches. Let the club know when booking that you would like an assessment.
If you don’t have the Discover Award level skills, you can join a course with HHCC or with any other provider.
Q: What do I need to bring with me when paddling at the club?
Recommended Clothing for Paddling: Bring a change of clothes with you. There are changing rooms, and hot showers available.
- Comfortable, Quick-Drying Clothes: Wear clothes that are comfortable and quick-drying. Avoid heavy fabrics like cotton, which can become heavy when wet. Sports/gym wear is suitable, manmade fabrics. Wetsuits are ideal especially in the cooler months. Lightweight windbreakers are also recommended
- Water Shoes or Sandals: Wear water shoes, trainers or sandals that can get wet. Flip-flops. sliders and crocs are not allowed for safety reasons.
- Sun Protection: Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Layering: Depending on the weather, consider wearing layers that you can easily remove if you get too warm.
- Change of Clothes: Bring a change of clothes and a towel for after the session.
Equipment: All necessary equipment, including the vessel, paddle, and personal flotation device, will be provided.
Q: What is the difference between a kayak and a canoe?
A: Kayak
A: Canoe
- Design: Kayaks are typically enclosed with an opening for the paddler to sit inside.
- Paddle: Kayaks use a double-bladed paddle, which allows the paddler to stroke on both sides without switching hands.
- Seating: The paddler sits with legs extended in front, often inside the kayak.
- Usage: Kayaks are popular for various activities, including touring, whitewater, sea kayaking, and recreational paddling.
- Design: Canoes are open on top, with a wide, open deck. They are generally larger and can accommodate more people or gear.
- Paddle: Canoes use a single-bladed paddle, which requires the paddler to switch sides to maintain a straight course.
- Seating: The paddler typically kneels or sits on a bench inside the canoe.
- Usage: Canoes are commonly used for activities like touring, camping trips, and recreational paddling on calm waters.
For Members
Q: What is available for members?
A: Members have 24/7 access to a gym, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, buoyancy aids, and the Grand Union Canal. We also offer member paddles, flat water, white water where knowledge and experience of other members can be shared and demonstrated to develop your skills. Subsidised training is run by external providers including PSRT, PSI, Core Coach and First Aid. Social events on and off the water include pub crawls, Christmas and New Year paddles and a Christmas party. See full membership benefits for further detail.
Q: Can I store my boat at the club?
A: Yes, you can store your own boat in the locked members shed for an annual storage fee.
Q: Do I need a waterways license?
A: Waterways licenses are required to paddle outside club events and/or your own boat on the canals and waterways in the UK.
Q: How do I buy a waterways license?
A: The easiest and cheapest option we know is to join Paddle UK as a member. Paddle UK is the official UK organization dedicated to supporting and promoting paddlesports. They provide resources, training, and support for paddlers of all levels, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts. As well as providing waterways licenses they provide provide liability insurance, offers and discounts.
Q: What does it cost to join HHCC?
A: Membership fees can be seen on the Membership page.
Q: Why are membership prices different if you are a Paddle UK member?
A: The club pays an affiliation fee to Paddle UK each year. If you are not a member of Paddle UK there is a higher cost to the club. You are also only able to use club boats during club events.
Q: Can I use club equipment off site?
A: Yes, but you will need agreement from the Committee first. You can contact them using the club email address, the contact form on this website or on the club WhatsApp chat. If equipment is required by the club it may not be possible to approve this. There is a recommended donation to the club of £10 per day per vessel (including buoyancy aid and paddle) and any repairs or replacement due to significant damage or loss of the boat or equipment is the responsibility of the borrower.
Q: What types of boats do you have at the Club?
A: HHCC have a wide range of boats allowing you to try out different types if you are new to paddling and before you maybe make a commitment to buy one yourself or decide which type of paddling you prefer.
Our Club boats range from general purpose kayaks, which we use for coaching, through to more discipline specific kayaks for racing, touring or polo. We also have a supply of Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) for 1 person or one SUP that can take up to 8 adults. Additionally, we have canoes which can be paddled solo or by 2/3 persons.
Q: What facilities are available at the Club?
A: HHCC has a clubhouse with separate male and female changing rooms and showers – and yes the water is hot!. A small kitchen area to make tea / coffee if you wish (please bring your own milk), and a gym. We have 2 indoor paddling machines if you wish to keep yourself in trim during the winter months, or work on technique.
Q What are the canal distances from the Club?
| Point | Distance from HHCC |
There & Back |
Stretch |
|||
Miles |
KM |
Miles |
KM |
Miles |
KM |
|
| Clubhouse Slip | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
| Railway Bridge | .23 |
.37 |
.46 |
.74 |
.23 |
.37 |
| Winding Point (centre) | .51 |
.82 |
1.02 |
1.64 |
.28 |
.45 |
| Footbridge | .94 |
1.51 |
1.88 |
3.02 |
.43 |
.69 |
| First Lock | 1.03 |
1.66 |
2.06 |
3.31 |
.09 |
.14 |
| Second Lock (business park) | 1.58 |
2.54 |
3.16 |
5.08 |
.55 |
.88 |
| North Grove Lock (motorway) | 2.16 |
3.48 |
4.32 |
6.95 |
.58 |
.93 |
| Hunton Bridge Locks | 2.86 |
4.60 |
5.72 |
9.20 |
.70 |
1.13 |
| Lady Capel’s Locks | 3.6 |
5.79 |
7.20 |
11.58 |
.74 |
1.19 |
| Cassiobury Park Lock | 4.51 |
7.26 |
9.02 |
14.51 |
.91 |
1.46 |
| Iron Bridge Lock | 5.10 |
8.21 |
10.20 |
16.41 |
.59 |
.95 |
| Cassio Bridge Lock No. 78 | 5.81 |
9.35 |
11.62 |
18.70 |
.71 |
1.14 |
| Common Moor Lock No.79 | 6.75 |
10.86 |
13.50 |
21.72 |
.94 |
1.51 |
| Lot Mead Lock No.79 | 7.51 |
12.08 |
15.02 |
24.17 |
.76 |
1.22 |
| Batchworth Lock (Rickmasworth) | 8.29 |
13.34 |
16.58 |
26.68 |
.78 |
1.26 |
| Stokers Lock | 9.05 |
14.56 |
18.10 |
29.12 |
.76 |
1.22 |
| Lock No. 83 | 9.77 |
15.72 |
19.54 |
31.44 |
.72 |
1.16 |
| Coppermill Lock (Fisheries – Harefield) | 10.86 |
17.47 |
21.72 |
34.95 |
1.09 |
1.75 |
| Black Jacks Lock | 11.53 |
18.55 |
23.06 |
37.10 |
.67 |
1.08 |
with thanks to Andy Sands and Ian Bridges
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