Pool meetings

... will take place every Tuesday from the 11^th October  9-10pm in the main swimming pool at the Porchester Centre, Bayswater - at the north end of Queensway, just west of Paddington (see map). By tube, Bayswater or Queensway are probably most convenient.

The rota of who's expected to be in charge each week is available here.

Make sure you get there in time to get changed and ready to meet on the poolside by 9pm. The cost is £4 for members, £5 for non-members, and the lockers take a 20p piece (but give it back later). You pay us at the end of the evening - not the centre on the way in!

We usually find a few minutes to chat in the pub afterwards!

Everyone should make the effort to come, no matter how inexperienced or experienced - it's to your advantage! We provide coaching and practice etc for all standards from complete beginners. You only need to bring swimming things: all equipment is provided. Each week includes time for training and practice in all the canoeing strokes and skills, including Eskimo rolling.

We sometimes have a half-hour "canoe polo" session, providing a great opportunity for everyone, no matter how good or bad your paddling skills, to get stuck in and fling a ball around! We don't take this too seriously, the emphasis is on fun, and it's a great way of improving your paddling.

As some of the boats and kit aren't kept at the pool, bear with us if anything turns up late, eh? London traffic isn't the most predictable, and leaders generally have to make a 20 mile journey to get the kit there...

Thames meetings

Directions to Chiswick

The best way to get to Chiswick is by train to Barnes Bridge Station (from Waterloo, Vauxhall or Clapham Junction). From the station (see sketch map):

• Cross the footbridge alongside the railway and go down the steps at the far end;
• At the bottom of the steps turn left (not straight on along the river - if you come to the Civil Service Rowing Club boathouse, you've gone the wrong way).
• After about 100 yards, bear right, cross the road and walk along a narrow path (not the road) just before the wall of the private tennis centre - there's a large CSSC sign at the beginning of the path, pointing along the path to the Civil Service Sports Ground.
• As implied by the map, our building is part of the fenced-off groundsmen's compound, on the right hand side if you come in this way - there's a big sign on our wall.

If you're coming by car, Riverside Drive is a turning off the main A316 road. Coming from the A4 at Hammersmith/Chiswick, it's the second "real" traffic lights - if you get to Chiswick Bridge you've gone much too far. Coming northwards up the A316 from Richmond, turn right at the second traffic lights after you've crossed Chiswick Bridge. The Sports Ground is the last entrance on the right before you get to the Embankment. If you need any further directions, contact us!

For additional information see http://www.cssc.co.uk/RegionalSites/LondonSite/LondonClubs.aspx