With Easter over, the canoe club is getting set for the new season of river sessions, starting with a Taster Day on 16th April where you can come along and have a go.

See if you like canoeing and if you do, find out how to take it further. We are opening the clubhouse to members of the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and we invite you to come along to meet us and take part in a taster session if you wish.

Club Chairman, Andy Vowell, said: “This will be our 40th year at the club and we are looking forward to meeting many new faces, as well as welcoming back familiar faces from recent years. Over time, the club has grown immensely and we are able to offer kayaking to people from the age of eight upwards. In response to the recent increase in participation, we are going to operate on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings this year, in addition to the normal frequent events and competitions which we hold over weekends.

“We are proud of the opportunities we give to young people in particular. If they want to take canoeing further, we encourage them to work their way through a structured syllabus and to develop skills in either competition or whitewater kayaking. And as they progress, we find they develop other skills with us: leadership and communication skills, social skills, working in a team and taking responsibility. These are the skills they will need for life and we are pleased to be able to support them in this way.

“Adults are also encouraged to learn with us and can join the sessions we offer on Tuesday evenings, from the beginning of May and running all through the summer months. Booking is not required for these sessions – just turn up and learn the skills required for the One Star qualification.”

For anyone who wants to find out whether canoeing is something for them, the first thing to do is to have a go: 16th April, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is our first Taster Day this year, at the Clubhouse in Frome (BA11 1BE). Just turn up between those times, wear clothes that you won’t mind getting wet and some old trainers, the club provides all the specialist kit. For more information, get in touch via the website, www.frome-canoe-club.org.uk