Paddle Sports

Courses

During the spring, summer and early autumn we run courses based at the centre to enable participants to earn their British Canoeing qualifications.

Paddlesport Discover Award

Taking you on the next steps towards becoming an independent paddler, for a fun and safe time on the water. Developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling, developing your decision making and practical skills, giving you confidence on the water.

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

Paddlesport Explore Award

Your Explore Award gives you ownership allowing you to choose where you move next in the world of Paddlesport.

Working with a coach you will be able to develop a programme that suits your needs. Learn to make confident choices with this individualised approach. This award recognises your ability to independently paddle your chosen craft in a sheltered water environment.

White Water Award

The White Water Awards are aimed at paddlers looking to develop their skills for a safe day out on rivers.

These awards can be taken in a variety of craft, including white water kayaks, OC1s and sit on tops, depending on your skill level and the environment.

Your White Water Award endorses your skill, judgment and decision making to ensure a successful day on rivers up to grade 2.

You will be confident in planning and undertaking journeys on moving water with proficient skills to be in control throughout. Your award should be seen as a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with Progressive White Water Award holders.

Paddlesport Safety and Rescue

This training course is intended for all paddlers, coaches and volunteers irrespective of craft or discipline choice, and is available in either bank-based or boat-based option.

It provides training on key skills needed to operate safely and deal with common emergencies in a sheltered water environment. These skills then form the foundations for safety and rescue throughout British Canoeing awards.

Expeditions

In the winter and early spring, we travel further afield to the livelier West Country and Welsh rivers to enhance our skills and have fun. In the summer months we paddle local rivers and make a trip to Brownsea Island from the mainland, sometimes there is even a beach visit!

All courses and trips are supervised by leaders who are Members of the Scout Organisation and are British Canoeing qualified coaches with the relevant experience.

Example expeditions include:

Local Rivers and Canals

Taking you on the next steps towards becoming an independent paddler, for a fun and safe time on the water. Developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling, developing your decision making and practical skills, giving you confidence on the water.

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

Brownsea Island

Taking in the sights of Brownsea Island this is a canoe camping weekend. From the mainland it’s a paddle/sail across to Brownsea Island. A night on the island and then a short paddle back to Sandbanks on the mainland on the Sunday. Ideal for Open Water canoe training/assessment.

River Trywern Trip

A slightly more advanced trip for those who have developed solid skills on moving water and want to push their abilities. This trip tends to be more of a peer led activity than a formal coaching event.

Boxing Day Paddle

Need to burn of that Christmas Turkey, fed up with the in-laws? This is the trip for you. A festive paddle in the Surrey area where any brussels sprout smells can be blamed on the cows!

Events

Fun Day 

We have a Funday in May which includes kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and land based team challenges. The event culminates in our famous cardboard boat race!

Go Canoeing Events

We provide the staff and the kit, you get your Scouts on the water. Book your young people onto a session and we will ensure all manner of water craft will be available for a fun introduction to water sports, looked after by qualified instructors.

Programme

Surrey Scout Water Activities has a comprehensive programme to provide all those involved in scouting with access to courses, fun sessions and adventurous expeditions. We have a rolling programme of events arranged by experienced and qualified Coaches.

Download our latest programme October 2024-February 2026 programme  Updated – 13/10/2024

Click here to view the SSWAC Calendar Online

The SSWAC Centre

Based on National Trust land on the banks of the Wey Navigation in Godalming, we have a building with changing rooms, a toilet and hand washing facilities. At the rear of the building is storage for our fleet of kayaks, open canoes, and Stand-Up Paddle Boards. We have equipment suitable for all types of water – be it calm conditions on the canal or the white-water rivers that we visit during the winter months. We share a jetty with Godalming District Scouts and there is plenty of parking available for users of the centre. Our centre is a great place to have a go at paddling and then go on to gain more skills.

We have a huge variety of canoes and kayaks available to hire to fit paddles of all sizes. All our boats are fitted with added buoyancy either in the form of solid foam blocks or air bags for added safety.  We also have a selection of buoyancy aids, paddles, cags, throw lines, tow lines, spray decks, dry bags, lining and tracking kits, poles, barrels, sails, and helmets.

Hiring The Centre

The centre and kit are available for hire by all members of the wider Scout Movement. All leaders must adhere to POR. The center is available to youth groups subject to terms and conditions. You can bring your own kit and just hire the changing facilities and launch area or hire the equipment as well.

We are not able to offer casual hire to members of the public, but welcome interest from organised groups with suitable coaching cover.  

Some of your questions are:

What Kit do you have?

We have a fleet of  kayaks and open canoes, Mad River Explorers and Venture Prospectors. We have an Eskimo Topo duo, a tandem kayak which will enable nervous and disabled paddlers to get involved too and also some Stand Up Paddle Boards, including our Giant 8 person (20 Cub Scouts) board.

If you use SSWAC boats, buoyancy aids and paddles are also provided. We have a range of BAs and kayaks to suit all size of paddler. Also available for the more experienced paddler to the centre are nylon spray decks. We have cagoules in a number of sizes available. For moving water trips we can hire out neoprene spray decks and helmets are also provided. SSWAC has a small amount of rescue equipment available for use on the moving water trips.

What qualifications do you need to hire the centre?

Scout Association Adventurous Activities Permit – Canoe or Kayak and/or British Canoeing/UKCC coaching qualifications.

What if we don’t have anyone with the appropriate qualifications?

Ask anyway, we will endeavour to put you in touch with someone who does and is happy to help.

How long can we hire the centre for?

You can hire the centre for a half or whole day sessions, or for an evening session. A half day is a session of 4 hours or less.

What does it cost?

We charge “per head” for equipment hire. It’s not about how many boats you hire, but how many people you put in/on them. This pricing structure is for all our craft.

How do I book the centre?

For any questions surrounding hire, or to make a booking, email your requirements and proposed dates to the booking secretary at sswac.bookings@surrey-scouts.org.uk

Trailer Hire

SSWAC has a canoe trailer located over on the east side of Surrey which is fully laden with a fleet of Open Canoes. It has a secure locker which has paddles and buoyancy aids within.

The trailer is available for hire (with the boats) for all in Scouting to utilise. It has a mixed fleet of Prosepctor and Explorer Open Canoes all again fitted with extra buoyancy blocks if you are finding it difficult to keep yourself upright (in the boat, not in your car!). There are 7 boats on the trailer in total.

If you would like to make use of this resource then again contact us on sswac.bookings@surrey-scouts.org.uk
We are happy for short or long term loan of the trailer and open boats. Just drop us an email with your requirements and we will see what we can do for you.

The SSWAC Centre can be found at OS Grid Ref: SU 975 440 What3Words: cheese.shrimp.woes

For those of you that have visited our centre in the past, be aware that the old route in (i.e. the first exit off the roundabout once you have passed over the bridge) is no longer available.  
The new route in is the blue arrow shown on the map. Now stay on the main road from that roundabout after the bridge (A3100). Get into the left lane and at the traffic lights turn left as if you are going into Sainsbury’s.

At the next round about take the second exit and then on your left you will see a Black, Wooden Building. Take the track by that building which will bring you to the gate to enter the Wharf. 

If you are attending a course with SSWAC one of the coaching staff will have opened the gate.
If you have hired the centre privately and have picked the centre keys up there is a Water Ways key on the set of keys that opens the gate.

Drive to the end of the track where there is a locked British Waterways Gate. 

The Waterways Gate requires constant access, so please do not park in front of the gate and leave your vehicle unattended.

DOCUMENTS

Here are a number of documents you might find useful:

Equipment document for what to wear

• Guidance document for what to wear

Permit and Training Documents

• Permit Guide
• Guidance on applying for grants
• Grant application form
• Grant evaluation form

Risk Assessment Documents

• Surrey Scouts Water Activities Risk Assessment Template V1 Sept 24

Centre Hire Documents

• Centre Terms of Hire
• Terms of Hire Acceptance document
• Guidance on Leaving the Centre Following a Hire
• Centre Usage Check Sheet

SSWAC Administration Documents

• SSWAC Mileage Claim Form
• SSWAC Expenses Claim Form