Welcome to the website of Kirkwall Kayak Club. This website is under constant development so please come back regularly to see what's new. Any suggestions for the site can be sent to the webmaster through the feedback form here.

Kirkwall Kayak Club was first set up in the Spring of 1973, as a club based at Kirkwall Grammar School.

The Orkney Islands provide an excellent variety of trips suitable for beginners and more experienced paddlers. Scapa Beach, Kirkwall Bay, Inganess Bay, Waulkmill Bay and the Bayof Firth are sheltered and excellent places for beginners to gain experience.

During the summer months, Club Members meet up on Wednesday or Thursday evenings and for longer trips on Sundays. Long daylight hours from mid May to mid August allow a variety of trips; Kirkwall to Thieves Holm, across the String to Shapinsay and back, Barrier Four to Rose Ness and back, Dingieshowe to Newark or Rose Ness and back, Skaill in Deerness to the Gloup, Mull Head and back, East Side, South Ronaldsay to Windwick and back, trips from Toab to Rerwick Head and back, Ness, Stromness to Graemsay and Hoy or the Bay of Ireland and back, Houton to Cava and back, Tingwall to Kirkwall etc.

Longer trips are sometimes done on Saturdays or Sundays.

During the winter months training sessions take place weekly in the swimming pool at Kirkwall Grammar School.

The Club prides itself in having a friendly welcoming social atmosphere. Kayakers are encouraged to join the Scottish Canoe Association SCA and to read kayaking books and magazines. The British Canoe Union, BCU Coaching Handbook is recommended and contains a wealth of detailed information on all forms of the sport.

For more information contact John Mowat on 01856 872922.

John has been kayaking for forty years and has held British Canoe Union, BCU, coaching qualifications for thirty six years.