Welcome to Nairn Kayak Club

Based on the shores of the beautiful Moray Firth, Nairn Kayak Club is uniquely situated close to some of the finest paddling locations in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 2011, Nairn Kayak club has enjoyed a remarkable level of success, with it’s members participating in a variety of disciplines including: River, Sea and Racing. The club has been particularly successful in racing, winning a number of trophies over the years and are keepers of a world record.

This website will hopefully give you an overview of the Nairn Kayak club and the many activities it offers. If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sea Kayaking

If you are interested in Sea Kayaking you can’t do any better than paddling in the Moray Firth which is the back drop to Nairn’s glorious beaches.

Join fellow paddlers through the summer at the Club Yard situated at Nairn Harbour on Thursday evenings at 6.15 to 6.30pm where a warm welcome will await you. The Moray Firth also offers the opportunity to spot seals, dolphins and basking sharks.

Conditions vary depending on tide and weather conditions, offering something new to each sessions. Safety is paramount, and the sessions leader will make a decision to paddle or not based on conditions, and communicate this via Sportmember feeds.

The club will run beginners courses when we can, often in the pool. Members new to paddling will have been expected to complete this, or an introductory course undertaken externally, to ensure basic paddling ability and awareness before joining sea kayak sessions.

River Kayaking

Come and join the gang down on the River Findhorn.

Here on a Wednesday night through the summer we practice the paddling and safety skills typically used on river trips.

Typically we will run from 6.30/7 until about 8. The location changes weekly so please keep an eye on the facebook page / Sportmember feed as the details will be published there.

We also run longer weekend trips and these will be published closer to the time of the event.

If you are interested then please get in touch and we can provide more information.

Race / surfski paddling

Since its start in 2011 NKC has been involved in Kayak race training and competition. We organise the River Spey Marathon, and the Spey White Water Race.

A small group of paddlers meets regularly to train and paddle on flat and moving water in K1, river racers and surf ski. This happens in a variety of locations making use of the local conditions. Members compete in events around the country and internationally.

The club recently purchased two brand new surfski kayaks from Rogue, to further grow this exciting discipline.

In recent years we have organised a successful ocean race based in Nairn called the Moray Firth Sea Kayak Challenge attracting paddlers from around the country and internationally. In 2024 the MFSKC will take place on July 20th.  This is open to race kayaks but also touring kayaks and paddleboarders, prone boards, and fast sea kayaks - you just need to be able to complete the course in the allotted time.

Please contact the club if you are interested in joining us for fitness training and paddling.

Pool Sessions

The club organise and run pool sessions on Thursday evenings from 8 to 9 pm at Nairn Leisure Centre during January, February and March.  

Specific courses such as for beginners or rolling instruction will be available, as well as space for members to come and practice their basic paddling skills and rescues in a supervised environment. 

Club Yard

Our club yard is located at Nairn harbour, just next to the sailing club.  Here we have storage for club boats and equipment and limited availability for member boat storage.

During club sessions, members can utilise club equipment such as boats, paddles and spray decks - but are advised to have their own fitted safety equipment including buoyancy aid / personal flotation device, wet/dry suits etc.

Club equipment can be rented for a small fee outside of club sessions for members use, agreeing to the club's terms and conditions.

Social activities

We run a variety of social sessions, particularly in the winter when paddling opportunities are more limited. Recent events have included fantastic talks from prominent local paddlers and club members, club organised yoga / pilates aimed at paddlers, and safety talks with more events planned.

We organise a club summer BBQ in July/August and Christmas meal. 

Paddler development

We want to see paddling off all kinds grow and flourish in Nairn.  To that end, the club supports paddler development through some in house training from our club coaches, and by organising external external activities which members can join for a fee (determined by provider). The committee will consider applictions from members for support towards training and development courses which will benefit the club.  

Club Structure

The club is run by a committee of volunteers and is a registered charity in Scotland. Our three trustees are the Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.  The AGM is held in April when all committee positions will be elected.  Other committee positions include Safeguarding Officer, Safety Officer, Yard / Equipment Officer, Grant Officer, Social / Events officer and we currently have a seconded committee position for Paddler Development Officer.

We are an affiliated club of Paddle Scotland (formerly the Scottish Canoe Association), and follow all relevant Paddle Scotland policy and procedures. Club members will be registers as affiliates of Paddle Scotland which will provide liability insurance to the member during any club activities.  Members may upgrade to a full Paddle Scotland (or other affiliated UK paddling organisations) membership to extend this liability insurance to their own paddling activities outside of the club.

Trips

Club coaches and leaders will organise sea and river trips periodically and publicise these to members through Sportmember / email when they arise.  Spaces will be limited for safety and the paddlers should ensure they are capable in the expected conditions and distances which can be discussed with the trip organiser.

Membership

Annual membership is currently £30 for a single adult, reduced to £12 for subsequent adults sharing the same address. Membership is payable in January. New members joining at the end of the paddling season in September will be exempt until the following January.  You must be a member to join any club activities. 

Under 18s may join the club alongside a paying adult member and are free. Their responsible adult must participate in any activity alongside a child member as the club does not currently offer any child sessions.