Paddlesports

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your technique, choose from our Paddlesport Development Programme for structured learning, Bespoke Coaching for personalised sessions, or join one of our public paddling sessions to practice your skills with others.

Lessons and courses Assessments  Public Paddling

Lessons and Courses

Make the most of structured courses designed to take you from beginner to advanced white water paddling.

Course Location Session Length Duration Price (Junior 8 - 16) Price (Adult 16+)
Flat Water Kayaking Lake 60 min/90 min 4 weeks £100.80 £168
Introduction to White Water Legacy Course 60 min/90 min 4 weeks £132 £220
Developing White Water Legacy Course 60 min/90 min 4 weeks £132 £220
Introduction to Advanced White Water  Olympic Course 60 min 4 weeks £113.60 £189
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Who can join?

✔️ Juniors (8-16) – Parental consent required
✔️ Adults (16+)

Wider requirements:

  • Beginner courses (Flat Water) require no prior experience
  • White Water courses require previous kayaking skills & the relevant Lee Valley Assessment
  • Advanced courses require a Legacy or Olympic Assessment
  • A good level of fitness helps with progression
  • Confidence in water is required (swimming recommended but not essential)

What You'll Learn

Flat Water Kayaking (Lake)
✅ Fundamentals: posture, control, and paddle technique
✅ Basic self-rescue & spray deck use

Introduction to White Water (Legacy Course)
✅ Entering & exiting the flow
✅ Understanding river features & positioning

Developing White Water (Legacy Course)
✅ Refining line choice & kayak control
✅ Confidence & anxiety management

Introduction to Advanced White Water (Olympic Course)
✅ Breaking down bigger rapids
✅ Line choice & advanced water navigation

Progression Pathway

Lee Valley White Water Centre - Progression Pathway

How to Book

📢 You need a free Lee Valley membership to book courses. Sign up here.
👩‍👧 Juniors (8-16) must be accredited by the venue.

✅ Already a member? Book online or via the app!
❓ Questions? Contact us for more info.

Bespoke Kayaking Sessions

✅ Flat Water – Modern & progressive approach
✅ White Water – Technical skills & performance
✅ Coach Education – White water & flat water

Note: Some bespoke sessions may require prior assessment. Kayak assessments cannot be conducted during bespoke lessons.

Bespoke Session Locations and Booking

Lake Bespoke Sessions

Duration: 1 hour session.

Please note, mid-week bookings available upon request.


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Legacy Bespoke Sessions

Duration: 1 hour session.

Please note, requires prior use of a spray deck/self rescue knowledge.


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Olympic Bespoke Sessions

Duration: 1 hour session.

Please note, for group bookings (more than 1:1) you'll need to provide names of all members, all participants must have the Legacy sign off.
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Bespoke session pricing and ratios

Group Size Price
1:1 £68
1:2 £111
1:3 £147
1:4 £171

Assessments

To paddle our Lake, Legacy or Olympic Course in a canoe or kayak you’ll need to have successfully completed one, or both of our Paddlesport Competency Assessments.

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Paddlesport Assessments

Public Paddling

Whether you want to paddle on our lake or master the drop and eddies of our white water courses you won’t find water quite like it so close to London!

To paddle on the Lake, Legacy Channel or Olympic Channel you must've completed the corresponding assessment. Once this has been checked and verified by our team of instructors you will be free to book yourself on the next available session and paddle!

  • Legacy Channel
  • Olympic Channel (no rafts)
  • Olympic Channel(with rafts) – subject to raft bookings, these sessions will be released seven days prior
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Lee Valley White Water Centre - Public Paddling - FAQ's

How do I book a session?

Click 'Book Activity' at the top of this page, where you can log into your membership profile to check availability and make your booking.

I don’t know my membership number?  

If you don’t know your membership number, please email us with your full name and postcode and a member of our staff will respond as soon as possible.

My membership has expired?

Our kayaking membership does not expire but our booking system does! We just need to renew this so please email us with your membership number and a member of our staff will respond as soon as possible.

I have a paddling booking on hold, can I use this to book?

If you have a paddling session on hold, email us with your preferred date and time. If available, we'll confirm your booking. If additional payment is needed, we’ll call you to process it—your booking isn’t secured until confirmed.

I am not a member or signed off on the course, can I still book?

To access the facilities, you need a Lee Valley White Water Centre membership and a passed assessment for your chosen water (Lake, Legacy, or Olympic Course).

  • Legacy course: Requires spray deck paddling, exit, and self rescue skills
  • Olympic course: Requires a completed Legacy assessment linked to your membership account

Please note, assessments have limited availability.

What sessions can I book?

Please log in online with your membership number to see available session times for paddling.

Can I book on behalf of someone else?

Bookings are only for yourself under your membership ID—check-ins under different names aren't allowed. You can reschedule until 16:00 the day before but cannot transfer bookings. Released slots become available to all eligible members.

I can’t book a session?

If a session is unavailable, it's fully booked. Cancellations may open spots, so check back online for updates.

How do I get my bib?

Bring your phone to scan the QR code and complete the safety declaration when collecting your bib at reception.

Where do I enter the water?

Activity customers can access the lake via the designated zone near reception. Please note, the pontoon is unavailable during Water Wipe Out sessions.

Enter and exit quickly to avoid delays. Additional access is via the steps below the conveyor—please be considerate of others on the water.

I would like to coach on the white water courses and I am qualified to do so?

We are in the process of reviewing how external coaches operate at the centre and on public sessions which means external coaching will not be able to resume at the moment. We will contact all coaches registered with us with more information once we have it.

​If you would like to discuss an exclusive hire of our courses, please contact us.

Can I rent equipment?

Yes, equipment hire is available, please ask at reception when you check in for your activity. When you’ve finished with your equipment please ask the staff member in the kit distribution room and they’ll direct you. Before returning wet suits please turn them inside out. 

NGB Courses

Lee Valley White Water Centre is an approved provider by British Canoeing, the awarding body of the following qualifications.

Paddlesports Instructor

Do you want to have fun? Do you like to spend time on the water with likeminded people? Do you want to introduce people from all walks of life to paddlesport by running fun, engaging taster and starter sessions? 

If so your pathway to becoming a Paddlesport Instructor starts here.

Course requirements:

  • Minimum age 16 years 
  • Full National Association Membership 
  • Valid (within 3 years) British Canoeing Awarding Body recognised 1-day First Aid Award 
  • Valid (within 3 years) Safeguarding Training recognised by British Canoeing Awarding Body 
  • Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Training (PSRC) 

Course duration:

  • 2 days
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