Fun, friendly and adventurous!
About the club
Welcome to UEA Kayak Club! We are a fun and friendly club which caters to all abilities - whether you've kayaked before or never picked up a paddle! We paddle mostly flat water in Norfolk, but always have trips planned to white water rivers or centres across the country. We run regular sessions, socials, and trips throughout the year. We welcome members at all points during the year, so it's never too late to join!
There's no better way to see Norfolk than having a peaceful paddle along the flatwater rivers, especially if you've just moved here! Take a look at the further details about the club below. We can't wait to see you soon :)
Sessions
When? We run sessions on Wednesday and Saturday every week during term time, from 13:00 - 16:00. We are pretty flexible with our sessions, and offer additional ones regularly - so don't worry if these timings don't work for you!
Where? We meet at the watersports shed, which can be found at Suffolk Terrace Block C, where we get changed and pick up the boats. We then head down to the River Yare on campus, by the bridge on the other side of the lake.
What? At the sessions we work on building up your kayaking skills, go for leisurely paddles along the river, play raft games and paddle down to the weir. We regularly use other craft such as paddleboards and canoes to add variety and build a broader range of skills and competency.
Our weekly sessions are always free, meaning we offer exceptional value for money compared to other sports.
The sign up sheet for sessions is posted on the WhatsApp group every week. Put your name down to reserve a boat. To join the WhatsApp group ask at your taster session or DM us on Instagram.
After kayaking come and join us at the SU bar!
We hope you're excited to get paddling and we can't wait to meet you all!
Trips
We run trips to local and national rivers, whitewater centres, and indoor pools throughout the year. They are a range of beginner, intermediate, and we try to do advanced as much as possible.
Our committee always have a wide range planned! In the past year we have been to Nene Whitewater Centre, South & North Wales, North Yorkshire, Buxton, Lee Valley Whitewater Centre, the Lake District, and camping in Suffolk.
British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS)
We compete in BUCS Slalom in Nottingham and BUCS Sprint in Norwich every year!
BUCS is a great way to show off your skills, gain competence in new environments and craft, and to meet like-minded paddlers from across the country.
Socials
We have loads of great socials planned this year, for drinkers and non-drinkers alike!
As a club we go to sportsnight every fortnight, and other socials in the past year have included: quizzes, coffee mornings, laser tag, sports swaps, bar crawls, climbing, Christmas dinner, Watersports Ball, and joint socials with other clubs. Socials are a great way to get to know everyone better, so come along even if you're not a regular paddler!
There's no pressure to drink or stay out for the whole night - we want you to have a good time and feel safe and comfortable!
Fundraising
Fundraisers we have taken part in this year include Movember and the completion of a kayak marathon to raise money for Catch 22!
This year we are planning to bring back our annual kayak marathon, supporting ActionAid - a charity dedicated to changing the lives of women and girls in developing countries.
Cost
Full academic year membership - £50
September - December membership - £20
January - July membership - £30
Weekly sessions - free
But don't worry about committing - we offer lots of taster sessions and always give you time to meet fellow kayakers, and get a feel for the sport before buying a membership.
What we provide
All equipment hire! Boats, paddles, buoyancy aids, spray decks, cagoules, boots, wetsuits, and more!
What to bring
Wear clothes to go underneath a wetsuit. This can be swimwear or close-fitting clothes you don't mind getting wet.
Try to bring trainers you don't mind getting wet or we can provide wetshoes. Don't forget a change of clothes and a towel! Apply sun cream and bring water on hotter days and for longer paddles.
Please read our risk assessment and code of practice before paddling (UEA login required).
Come along, have fun and meet some chill and cracking people!
Your Committee 2026-27
President - Ace Hallows
Vice-President - Erhan Chaker
Treasurer - Aaron Gladman
Health & Safety Officer - TBA
Social Secretary - Tess Davie
Communities Officer - TBA
Publicity Officers - TBA
First Year Rep - TBA
Get involved! Any outstanding positions and the role of First Year Rep will go up for election early in the Autumn semester. Get your manifestos ready!
Qualifications
Joining is a great way to access new opportunities. As a club we are subsidised by the University, meaning we are able to offer you cheaper ways to gain watersports qualifications.
Currently, we attend Paddlesport Safety & Rescue (PSR) and White Water Safety & Rescue (WWSR) courses yearly. We also offer the opportunity to become driver for the club, if you meet certain requirements.
These certifications are transferable, and using them within the club can entitle you to discounts on trips, so it's a win-win!
Accessibility information
Kayak strives to be accessible to everyone, so if you have any concerns about your ability to take part in this sport, contact us on Instagram or via email.
The watersports shed is located within Suffolk Terrace Block C which can be accessed by climbing 3 steps.
Changing space within the shed is partitioned by privacy curtains. We have equipment spanning a wide range of sizes and weight classes so we can accommodate everybody.
There is car parking immediately opposite the shed which requires a permit obtained from UEA. There is cycle parking next to the shed.
The walk from the shed to the River Yare is approximately 600 metres across a gradient and uneven ground. We have wheels which can be attached to your kayak or canoe to make this much easier, and everybody is encouraged to use them. There will always be somebody to help you transport your craft to the river and back.
Our usual paddle is around 4.00km (there and back) which takes around 2 hours. We also run another paddle which is around 3.00km and quicker. We do longer paddles which can exceed 20.00km. We work up to longer distances to enable everyone to enjoy themselves fully.
We take frequent breaks along the way. If you need a break or would like to turn back, let one of the safeties know and they will assist you. We want everybody to be happy, so don't be afraid to say something.
For accessibility information regarding trips, ask one of the committee and we can provide further details. Social events are flexible and any accessibility requirements can be considered - just let us know.
Get in touch!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram (@ueakayak) for more information!
If you have any questions, please feel free to send us a message. You can also find us at the Sports Fair during Freshers' Week, or ask us in person at the watersports shed at the start of sessions :)