Viking Kayak Club is an open, community-based, multi-disciplinary club and is now one of the foremost canoe and kayak clubs in the UK. The club offers a broad range of paddling opportunities from easy recreational paddling to competition in canoe slalom, canoe racing and canoe polo and is active in encouraging beginners into the sport. Viking was founded in 1961 and celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2011. Its clubhouse is at Batts Ford on the north bank of the River Great Ouse in the centre of Bedford, England. In 2009, Viking was named the British Canoe Union (BCU)’s Club of the Year and was Runner Up in the overall UK Sports Club of the Year run by The Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR). Viking is also accredited under Sport England’s Clubmark scheme and by the BCU as Top Club Gold, the highest level of canoe club accreditation. Membership The club is open to all from the age of eight upwards and welcomes families and adults of all ages to take part in canoeing and kayaking sport and recreation. All forms of paddling are supported. The club has equipment available to beginners and runs a range of courses from beginner level through to more advanced paddling and even for those wishing to become a coach. It also runs specialist training in slalom, polo and racing as well as the opportunity to meet with like–minded people and go on trips at weekends etc. From around Easter through to the Summer each year, Viking runs a Kids Club and a Paddlesport Academy based on Canoe England’s Paddle Power scheme. Events Viking runs several events and national ranking competitions each year. These have included the National Marathon championships, the Hasler Series National Finals, and UK Junior and Veteran Slalom championships. Events in 2014 will include: 2nd Etienne Stott White Water Arena Slalom 9 March 62nd Annual Bedford Kayak Marathon, Sunday 4 May Annual ‘Come and Try it’ event, Bank Holiday Monday 5 May Slalom weekend (national ranking event Division 2/3/4), at Cardington Artificial Slalom Course, 14/15 June Bedford River Festival (Viking will run various demonstration events), 19/20 July Slalom weekend (national ranking event Division 2/3/4), at Cardington Artificial Slalom Course, 30/31 August UK Canoe Slalom Inter Clubs final, at Cardington Artificial Slalom Course (organised by the BCU Slalom committee), 6/7 September 50th Annual Boxing Day Roll, 26 December, Roll happens at precisely 11:30