Members

Check Your Membership

You can check your details and make changes at any time here:

You won’t need a password

What’s Going On at Viking?

Once you have joined Viking, you will be able to access our Members Only Facebook Group. This is where you can easily find out what is going on. The club and members post regularly into this group. Some of the Sections have their own Facebook pages too.
All club activities are on the Calendar.
You can add the calendar to your phone and it will automatically update.

Car Parking

To use the car park a valid sticker needs to be shown in the vehicle. Stickers can be obtained for £6. They are valid for the calendar year & are available from November. Email the chairperson to order a sticker or ask on club night.

There is an agreement between Viking and Star about the car park. Viking’s Wednesday club night and Star’s Thursday club night are protected and members will be asked to respect the car parking priorities of members of the other club on respective nights between 6-10.30 pm. Please return their courtesy by not parking in the clubhouse car park on Thursday evenings. Use the public car parks.

There is now 2 hours free parking in all Bedford town car parks on a Saturday. Ensure you get a ticket from the machine in these car parks.The council have agreed that Viking & Star Club members can park in the Prebend Street car park (car park information) at no charge after 6pm on weekdays & at all times at weekends.
You must display a valid VKC car park sticker or you will be fined. It’s a pay & display car park; other people pay per visit.
There is a height barrier at the entrance so watch out when you have boats on the roof. You can walk under the road bridge & launch onto the river from the bank opposite the clubhouse

Club Boats and Equipment

As part of your membership you are allowed and encouraged to use all try all the various types of kayaks and canoes that the club has.
The rear boathouse (door in the car park) is filled with a large number of general purpose kayaks. They vary in size from youth kayaks up to large kayaks with inbuilt skegs to help go in a straight line. Also, you will find a number of canoe polo boats. See the canoe polo section for more information about this sport and when canoe polo sessions take place.
The front boathouse (river side roller door) contains canoes, a 2 person kayak, sit on tops, canoe slalom kayaks and racing kayaks. A number of the racks in the front boathouse are private and you should always check that it is club equipment before taking it out on the river. This boathouse is also where the more delicate boats are stored and care should be taken in this boathouse.
If you wish to use club equipment away from the club you should always check with the equipment officer to ensure that it is free and what you are borrowing it for is allowed. Mail us here if you wish to borrow club equipment contact:
Club equipment is available for all but it is reserved for courses and is first come first served after that. It is therefore recommended that after a short period of time you start looking for your own equipment.

Boat House Keys

Keys to the boathouse can be issued to members based on criteria including: access to personal boats, access to club boats for coaches running courses, access to activity leaders.
Click here to email us with your request.

Clubhouse Key Fob

A key fob can be used to get into the changing room using the door at the top of the external stairs. The bar staff keep the key fobs and a list of current VKC members. If you are on the list they will give you a key fob in exchange for a £10 by BACS transfer. If you are not on the members list please contact membership@vikingkayak.co.uk

Club Committee and Officials

We have a number of Officials and Club Committee members. All the information can be found on the Club Officials page under the About Us on the top menu. Click here

Volunteering

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Viking Kayak Club. Becoming a member at Viking allows you to do more than just canoe and kayak. We want to encourage you as a member, be it current paddler, former member, parent or friend, to get involved in the Club’s development,
There are many ways for you to get involved whether it is helping out with competitions, coaching to taking on committee appointments, which usually change every second year, so members quickly obtain a wide experience of Club activities.
Some examples of roles which are available:
Coaching
Volunteer co-ordinator
Fundraising
Communications manager
Legal and Admin support
Stand-alone projects,
It’s a fantastic opportunity to get to know more people and add a notch to your CV. It is incredibly rewarding to help contribute to the success of the club. There are different time requirements for each role, from an hour per month, to more demanding positions requiring weekly commitment. We’ll make sure you only need to commit the time you can afford to give.
Click here to email the club secretary if you would like to help out

Bedford River Users Group

We belong to this group that meets to agree when major events take over the river. See the annual diary here

Club Clothing

Godfrey Sport
There’s an excellent range of kit from the cheaper items through to the more technical clothing. And you can even get any item individualised with your initials if you like!

So please, have a look at the page, get your order in and wear your new kit with pride!!

Club Documents

Rules and Polices
Committee Meeting Minutes
All Public Documents   AGM, Accounts etc

Upcoming Viking Kayak Club Events:

Jul
28
Sun
Club trip – The Club to Gt Barford @ Viking Kayak Club
Jul 28 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Club trip from the Clubhouse to Great Barford – Full Members Only

Sunday 28th July

Suitable for kayak, canoe, SUP and SoT and paddlers capable of an all-day paddle.

Meet at the club at 9 am to do car shuttles to Great Barford.

Safe leader ratios will limit space so if you want to come along please comment on Facebook post here to secure your place, or message Patrick via email: treasurer@vikingkayak.co.uk.

Jul
31
Wed
Beginner Canadian Canoe Course @ Viking Kayak Club
Jul 31 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Beginner Canadian Canoe Course @ Viking Kayak Club

Beginner Canoe Course, ‘Discover’ Award

The course runs for four consecutive Wednesday evenings: 17th, 24th, 31st July and August 7th

Course Information

This is a beginner Canadian Canoe course where you can experience your first session on the water and learn useful paddling skills.

The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to get in and out of your canoe safely, move it, and return to your starting point. We’ll have lots of activities during the sessions to make it a fun environment to learn canoeing.

This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler.

Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst understanding the factors which affect your paddling.

Pricing per person:

  • Non-VKC member £90
  • VKC Member £50

If you are not a member you can join the course for the member’s price if you also purchase a club membership. This gives you a £40 discount per person.

Prerequisites:

All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old.

If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process.

Booking Information

If you would like to book a place for your child/ children, follow these steps:

  1. Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information.
  2. Visit the VKC Store, choose the course from the list, select how many places you need and check out.

Further details are available by contacting Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.uk

Club Night – Members only @ Viking Kayak Club
Jul 31 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesday night is our member’s club night. We paddle all year round. This is a social paddle and is open to all members.

We are a mixed discipline, mixed ability club. There is a range of kayaks, Canadian canoes and SUPs available to borrow as well as all the safety equipment you’ll need, including female-friendly BAs. Everyone is very welcoming and will help you choose the right kit for you if you are not sure.

All club paddles are led by qualified instructors and they carry safety and first aid equipment on paddles in case there are any problems.

There are often different paddling options, depending on the time of the year and the size of the group. We always have a flat paddle which is suitable for families and beginners.

 

See Club Activities for more information.

Aug
7
Wed
Beginner Canadian Canoe Course @ Viking Kayak Club
Aug 7 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Beginner Canadian Canoe Course @ Viking Kayak Club

Beginner Canoe Course, ‘Discover’ Award

The course runs for four consecutive Wednesday evenings: 17th, 24th, 31st July and August 7th

Course Information

This is a beginner Canadian Canoe course where you can experience your first session on the water and learn useful paddling skills.

The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to get in and out of your canoe safely, move it, and return to your starting point. We’ll have lots of activities during the sessions to make it a fun environment to learn canoeing.

This Award allows you to develop your decision-making and practical skills, taking you on the next steps towards becoming a proficient and independent paddler.

Learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst understanding the factors which affect your paddling.

Pricing per person:

  • Non-VKC member £90
  • VKC Member £50

If you are not a member you can join the course for the member’s price if you also purchase a club membership. This gives you a £40 discount per person.

Prerequisites:

All paddlers attending the course must be water-confident and be able to swim. Minimum age is 9 years old.

If you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please let us know during the booking process.

Booking Information

If you would like to book a place for your child/ children, follow these steps:

  1. Register each paddler’s details as ad-hoc paddlers here, so we have each paddler’s details including medical and emergency contact information.
  2. Visit the VKC Store, choose the course from the list, select how many places you need and check out.

Further details are available by contacting Gemma Rogers membership@vikingkayak.co.uk

Club Night – Members only @ Viking Kayak Club
Aug 7 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesday night is our member’s club night. We paddle all year round. This is a social paddle and is open to all members.

We are a mixed discipline, mixed ability club. There is a range of kayaks, Canadian canoes and SUPs available to borrow as well as all the safety equipment you’ll need, including female-friendly BAs. Everyone is very welcoming and will help you choose the right kit for you if you are not sure.

All club paddles are led by qualified instructors and they carry safety and first aid equipment on paddles in case there are any problems.

There are often different paddling options, depending on the time of the year and the size of the group. We always have a flat paddle which is suitable for families and beginners.

 

See Club Activities for more information.

Aug
14
Wed
Club Night – Members only @ Viking Kayak Club
Aug 14 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesday night is our member’s club night. We paddle all year round. This is a social paddle and is open to all members.

We are a mixed discipline, mixed ability club. There is a range of kayaks, Canadian canoes and SUPs available to borrow as well as all the safety equipment you’ll need, including female-friendly BAs. Everyone is very welcoming and will help you choose the right kit for you if you are not sure.

All club paddles are led by qualified instructors and they carry safety and first aid equipment on paddles in case there are any problems.

There are often different paddling options, depending on the time of the year and the size of the group. We always have a flat paddle which is suitable for families and beginners.

 

See Club Activities for more information.

Aug
19
Mon
Committee Meeting
Aug 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Aug
21
Wed
Club Night – Members only @ Viking Kayak Club
Aug 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesday night is our member’s club night. We paddle all year round. This is a social paddle and is open to all members.

We are a mixed discipline, mixed ability club. There is a range of kayaks, Canadian canoes and SUPs available to borrow as well as all the safety equipment you’ll need, including female-friendly BAs. Everyone is very welcoming and will help you choose the right kit for you if you are not sure.

All club paddles are led by qualified instructors and they carry safety and first aid equipment on paddles in case there are any problems.

There are often different paddling options, depending on the time of the year and the size of the group. We always have a flat paddle which is suitable for families and beginners.

 

See Club Activities for more information.

Aug
28
Wed
Club Night – Members only @ Viking Kayak Club
Aug 28 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesday night is our member’s club night. We paddle all year round. This is a social paddle and is open to all members.

We are a mixed discipline, mixed ability club. There is a range of kayaks, Canadian canoes and SUPs available to borrow as well as all the safety equipment you’ll need, including female-friendly BAs. Everyone is very welcoming and will help you choose the right kit for you if you are not sure.

All club paddles are led by qualified instructors and they carry safety and first aid equipment on paddles in case there are any problems.

There are often different paddling options, depending on the time of the year and the size of the group. We always have a flat paddle which is suitable for families and beginners.

 

See Club Activities for more information.

Aug
31
Sat
Cardington Slalom Competition Div 2/3/4 @ Cardington Canoe Slalom Course
Aug 31 – Sep 1 all-day

national ranking slalom
Catch up with slalom at Viking on Facebook here

Online entries here