Below is a selection of links to resources or further information relating to sea kayaking and touring. This will evolve over time – please feel free to email suggestions to info@chelseakayakclub.co.uk or leave appropriate comments.
Friends of CKC
Brentford Boating Arch
Seapoint Canoe Centre
Ocean Paddler Magazine
Link to the latest digital versions of Ocean Paddler Magazine:
Liquid Logistics
All CKC members are entitled to a 10% discount on Liquid Logistics courses and trips – simply mention you are a CKC member when booking to enjoy the discount.
Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking
Safety & Navigation Resources
Port of London Authority – general and night navigation advice for the tidal Thames
Code of Practice for rowing on the Tidal Thames above Putney – details local navigation rules for the tidal Thames above Putney for vessels under oars, which include canoes and kayaks
Maritime and Coastguard Agency – general advice for kayakers
Environment Agency – one of the major navigation authorities in charge of inland rivers, estuaries and harbours in England and Wales
British Waterways – public corporation that cares for the 2,200-mile network of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales
RNLI Sea Safety – The Complete Guide – essential information for all who go to sea
Coast Guard 66 – voluntary safety identification scheme
Sailtrain – aimed more at RYA but lots of useful information about bouyage and navigation
Metcheck – useful weather site
Wiley Nautical Almanac – comprehensive free almanac for southern UK
Admiralty Easy Tide – free 7 day tidal forecasts
Online Resources
UK Sea Kayak Guidebook – offshoot from the UK Rivers Guidebook dedicated to sea kayaking and includes loads of tips, information and articles
UK Rivers Guidebook – “Sea and Surf” Forum
Kayarchy – the sea kayaker’s online handbook and reference
South West Sea Kayaking – a new book by Mark Rainsley covering an area from the Isle of Wight to Cornwall
West Berkshire Sea Kayaking – a journal of Sea Kayaking Trips and other ‘outside’ stuff
Sea Kayak Routes – a podcast library of sea paddlers describing their latest / favourite / most epic sea kayaking routes
See Kayak – largest directory of sea kayaking related web sites
Kayak Paddling – Niko Hakkarainen’s excellent animated site on all the basics
Animated Knots by Grog – easy to follow site on how to tie just about any useful knot
Go Paddle – online resource for all paddlesports
National Governing Bodies / Associations
British Canoe Union – lead body for canoeing and kayaking in the UK
Sea Touring Committee – specialist committee of the British Canoe Union, which looks after the interests of sea paddlers in Britain and is involved in all aspects of the sport at all levels
Scottish Canoe Association – part of the SCA website is devoted to touring, whether by sea kayak or open boat
Irish Sea Kayaking Association – association in Ireland dedicated to sea kayaking
Magazines / Books
Ocean Paddler Magazine – UK based dedicated sea kayaking magazine
Sea Kayaker Magazine – US based sea kayaking magazine
Canoe / Kayak Magazine – UK based general canoeing and kayaking magazine
Paddle World Magazine – the international paddlesport magazine
Sea Kayaking Clubs / Groups
Portsmouth and District Canoe Club – a club which focuses (almost) exclusively on sea kayaking
South East Sea Kayakers – informal meeting point for sea kayakers in the South & East of England
Specialist Providers
Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking – providers of the largest number of sea kayak courses in the South and South East
Norwest Sea Kayaking – sea kayak on the remote and rugged North West coastline of Scotland
Plas y Brenin – the National Mountain Centre – outdoor activity courses in rock climbing, hillwalking, mountaineering, ski-touring, kayaking and canoeing
Specialist Retailers
Imray – nautical charts, books and software
Whitewater the Canoe Centre – specialist canoe and kayaking boats and equipment retailer based in Shepperton
Kent Canoes – specialist canoe and kayaking boats and equipment retailer based in Kent
Desperate Measures – specialist canoe and kayaking boats and equipment retailer based in Nottingham
