Club History
For over twenty years individuals have been paddling at the site of the old Sutton Seeds to the East of Reading on the River Thames. When the A329(M) was extended under the railway to Thames Valley Park the site became more accessible and more people were attracted to the area to enjoy the waterfront.
With the planned construction of the Wokingham Waterside Centre in the autumn of 2000 the idea of Wokingham forming its own canoe club was discussed and in May 2000 the club was formed with three members, Simon Kerton, John Cooper and Malcolm Fillingham. For the first six months the club met twice a month. As we waited for the new Waterside Centre to be completed interest grew and when the centre was opened in the Autumn membership had grown to 20.
The club rents one of the four stores and has use of the changing rooms, kitchen and function rooms above.
With a grant of £3,795.00 from Sport England the club was able to buy six general-purpose boats and rack out the boathouse. Once boat space was available then membership grew at a fast rate with new people taking up the sport and many returning after some period away from the sport. A few people transferred from other local clubs due to the clubs location.
Owing to the foot and mouth crises in the Spring of 2001 the annual Devises to Westminster Canoe race was cancelled. After permission from the Environment Agency the club was given the ok to hold a marathon race and on Easter Sunday 108 canoeists took part in one of the first races of the year with only 3 weeks notice, marking the inaugural event for the club.
Chairman
June 2000 to November 2003: Simon Kirton
2003 to 2007: Geoff Rippington
2007 to present Gary Thompson
