Canoe club in Banbury to celebrate 20 years in town

Based at Woodgreen Leisure Centre, the club formed back in 1996 to introduce recreational canoeing, embrace paddlers who wish to compete in the varied forms of competitive canoeing/kayaking and to bring a club to the heart of Banbury. Members will celebrate the accolade at Middleton Cheney Sports and Social Club.

Tracie Collins, chairman of Cherwell Canoe Club, said “Although I am relatively new to the club, I am so proud to be part of CCC. Everyone is friendly and we all pitch in to make the club what it is today. I look forward to what the future holds and would like to wish all members old and new a very happy 20th Anniversary”.

Several members have been, or are currently participating, in the Team GB squads and the club has attracted GB level paddlers for training from a wider area.

The club has now grown to more than 100 members enjoying a wide variety of canoeing experiences including gentle touring, white water, kayak surfing, sea kayaking and canoe polo.

Over the last two years they have taken part in the Sportivate programme run by Cherwell District Council. The 5 week courses for beginners are heavily subsidised reducing financial barriers and giving families an equal chance to participate. We have even had 3 visits from the Sport England Sporting Champion for Sportivate, Tim Baillie, C2 Slalom Gold Medalist 2012 Olympics.

Mrs Collins added: “Basing the club at Woodgreen Leisure Centre’s outdoor pool makes it easily accessible and we have been lucky over the years with generous support from the National Lottery, Banbury charities and others and sponsorship from the local Letterbox magazine.

“We are hoping that the future will see a permanent storage facility enabling us to expand and continue to offer great opportunities to the community and surrounding towns and villages.”

For more information visit the club website at www.cherwellcc.org.uk or email [email protected]