History & Accolades
History
Wey Kayak Club was founded in 1972, when two separate canoe clubs had the opportunity to be part of the then new Guildford Waterside Centre (established at the same time). Caterham Canoe Club and Woking Kayak Club amalgamated to create Wey Kayak Club.
The club was not large, with only 12 founding members, of which our chairman Jim Rossiter is one. The funds to create and build the Guildford Waterside Centre were orchestrated through Ted Tate. Ted worked for the Guildford Borough Council as a youth officer and through Ted’s influence (who had personal links to members of WKC) played a significant part in establishing the Waterside Centre, of which WKC is a founder member and therefore the two are intrinsically linked.
The Guildford Waterside Centre (GWC), our home for over 40 years is a multi-million pound, multi-functional and wheelchair-accessible complex. It enables us and a number of other sporting and community groups to expand our activities and embrace new members.
In 2018 the Club voted to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to recognise the benefit we serve the wider Guildford community and promoting the sport of canoeing and kayaking.
Club Honours
We are proud of everyone who has represented Wey Kayak Club or supported the club over the years.
Racing underpins WKC and it has an enviable pedigree, having supplied 8 separate athletes to 6 Olympic Games with a tally of 5 Olympic medals within sprint and, numerous world championship athletes within marathon and surf ski.
Without doubt, we are one of the most successful sporting organisations of Guildford and the surrounding area and the young upstart in the kayaking world.
Recent Inter-club National Titles
Interclub titles rely on a club wide effort at all levels of ability and age and demonstrate the team ethic within the club
2022
1st National Marathon Championships
2021
2nd MacGregor Paddle (Sprint) ; (no Hasler final); 3rd National Marathon Championships
2019
1st place McGregor Paddle (Sprint), 1st place Hasler Final; 2nd place National Marathon Championships
2018
Olympians
European & World Championship Athletes
Greta Roeser (2021-22), Honor Lewis (2021-22), Nerys Hall (2022), Alex Bicknell (2019), Jordan Martyn (2019), Andras Kovacs (2017), Fay Lamph (2011-16), Chris Carson (2017), Ed Cox (2016), Ryan Ingham (2018), Joe Hayman Joyce (2016), Sophie Thomspon (2018), Samantha Martyn (2018), Abigail Edmonds (2012), Rachel Cawthorn (2016), Anne Dickins (2016), Tim Lodge (2019) , Ed Haws (2014), Jack Childerstone (2014), Charlie Welch (2012), Dean Terry (2012), Matt Welch (12-13), Alice Haws (2011), Victoria Croucher (2011), Mark Childerstone (2011), Paul Wycherley (2004), Jon Simmons, Phoebe Ayres (2014), Simon Fenemore, Clair Hannon, Dave Martyn, Dave Battershall, Simon Easterling, Paul Hobrough (2002), Paul Dimmock (‘82), Duncan Roeser, John Oliver, Robin Ayres (‘82), Roy Fieldus, Adrian Croucher (84), Ewan Cox, Eric Jamison, Robin Williams (‘85-’87), Peter Gorman. Andrew Sherrif (75, 78, 81, 82, 83, 85 & 86)
Honorary Life Members
Anne Dickins
Abigail Edmonds
Liam Heath
Norma Parlane
Chris Rexworthy
Jim Rossiter
Rachel Scholfield (nee Cawthorn)
Rob Williams