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In 1953 it was
suggested that three Sea Scouts might like to form a Canoe Club. With
three other recruits the six founder members inherited some old Sea
Cadet premises and 50 years on Worcester Canoe Club is celebrating 50
years of Canoeing.
In those 50 years the
clubs members have, among other things, paddled the Grand Canyon,
competed in Olympic Games, World and European Championships, taken
canoeing holidays all over Europe and the UK, won the National
Interclub Marathon Championships 6 times, organized innumerable
Marathon Races and Slaloms and hosted National Championship events,
broken the world tub paddling record ………
With over 100 members
for at least the past 30 years the club has introduced many many
people to the sport of canoeing be it for recreation or serious high
level sport. All of this has been achieved entirely based the
voluntary services of its members. It has been estimated that current
members probably paddle more than 35,000 miles per year, and that over
the past 50 years well over a 1000 people have between them paddled
well over a million miles! Currently around 135 juniors and adults
are actively involved each year with many more visitors enjoying the
clubs facilities at events throughout the year.
The Club’s first
premises comprised half of the Cities old swimming baths located in a
cordoned of section of the river and associated changing rooms,
previously occupied by the Sea Cadets with the Sea Scouts occupying
the other half.. The founder members refurbished the buildings in the
early 60’s turning them into boat storage, workshop and club house
rebuilt the landing stage and built their own boats. Most boats were
made of wood and canvas, some folded up for transport and storage and
the earliest sprint boast were made of wooden veneer.
The clubs first major
trip took place in 1956 when about 30 members spent a week camping and
cruising down the Wye from Hay to Monmouth and since then club trips
have taken members all over England, Wales, Scotland and to many
rivers in Europe.
By the late 50’s club
members were taking part in long distance racing, surfing, slalom,
sprint racing and camping tours and by the early 60’s the club was
establishing itself as one of the countries leading organizers of
racing and slalom events hosting national championship long distance
events and slaloms at Builth Wells, Llandysul, Bransford and Bevere.
The 1960’s saw the
clubs first competitors representing their Alan Edwards and Glen
Palmer representing the country at many events including the Tokyo and
Mexico Olympics
In February 1965 with
a growing membership and need for more space the members were looking
for new premises. With the assistance of a kindly benefactor members
were lucky enough to acquire the old Kings School Boat House on the
Hylton Road. Again the building needed work and was rebuilt with the
enthusiasm of its members to provide one of the best club houses in
the country at the time.
From these new
premises the Club hosted many National Championship Marathon events
and numbered among their members international paddlers. By the mid
70’s the existing River Sports complex on the Eastern bank of the
river was being planned and the club spent many hours raising funds
and subsequently building its existing premises. The existing Club
House finally opened in November 1985. The financial assistance of the
City Sports Council prior to the advent of lottery funding was
crucial in securing the finances needed for what was once again the
leading canoeing facility in the country.
The club still values
amongst its members some individuals with very long associations with
the club. Chris Skellern one of the first members to represent the
club and country in slalom and white water racing is an active member
winning the over 50’s White Water Race World Cup Event at Bala in
2002. Mick and Robin Powell who joined the club in its very early days
are regularly cruising on the river or helping maintain the club
house. Brian Cubberley founder member and treasurer for many many
years sadly died recently whilst still a member of the club.
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