Poole Harbour Canoe Club is an active club year round, we have paddlers of all ages and all abilities and engage in most activities within paddle sport.

Membership benefits

There are over 400 members, although only sunshine will bring many out onto the water. Members are very diverse and range from those intent on paddling at every opportunity and finding fresh challenges and excitement to those looking for relaxation and gentle exercise. We have lots of family members, parents introducing their children to the sport with support from the club and the assistance of courses and coaches.

Ages range from child to grandparent, whether 17 or 70 you will find someone close to your age in the club.

PHCC caters for nearly all disciplines within paddle sport. Leisurely summer paddling, challenging white water, surf and marathon competition, sea touring and camping, open boat paddling and white water paddling

Few other clubs can match the diversity and range of interests offered by PHCC.

The club offers training courses, taster sessions and allows you to try boats and paddles before committing to buying your own - we can provide all the equipment for hire.

Why take up paddling?

Paddle sport can provide different things at different ability levels.  It is excellent low impact exercise and is the quietest and least obtrusive way of exploring the rivers and coast. It can also lead to the satisfaction of mastering new skills and challenging water and weather conditions.

What activities does the club organise?

The club has a very active events list. During British Summer Time, April to October, the club meets at 6pm on Wednesday evenings usually at our club house at Lake Pier, Lake Drive, Hamworthy. This location on the waters edge is ideal for many paddling activities. The sheltered waters close to shore allow beginners to learn in safety, while more experienced paddlers can head out across the large expanse of Poole Harbour the 2nd biggest natural harbour in the world with over 100 miles of shoreline to explore. Seals can often be seen on the shallow South Western side. By contrast, the Quay area can be very busy on summer weekends, paddlers have to learn how to negotiate the shipping channels in safety.

Less than a mile up the harbour shore at Rockley, games of polo are organised under the railway bridge at slack water. When there is a strong current at the height of spring tides, this location provides the opportunity to learn novice white water skills.

At the head of the harbour on the River Frome is Wareham. Here the water is sheltered even in windy weather and provides conditions suitable for marathon race training in fast but less stable kayaks.

The club meets 9am every Saturday at Riverside Wimborne. This is where the Marathon racing kayak train and is also used by any other paddle craft wishing to enjoy the paddling on the River Stour.

The club meets on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year often for trips outside the harbour where the Dorset coastline beckons. Those who venture out in sea kayaks can travel many miles along the coast. The famous Old Harry Rock landmark is well within reach for a round trip from the harbour on a summer evening. Paddles across the Solent to the Isle of Wight are often on the events list for the year.

When weather conditions are right the club goes surf kayaking at Kimmeridge or Bournemouth and come the rain in winter the river levels rise and white water paddling trips are run to the local rivers.