About Oban Canoe Club

The Oban Canoe Club was formed in 2007 and now has around 100 members from across Argyll.  The club is made up of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy white water kayaking, sea kayaking and open canoeing. The Club aims are to keep active, have fun, paddle safely and get out on the water as much as possible throughout the year.

Club nights – sea and river

From May to September, we run regular Club nights – Tuesdays for river running and usually Wednesdays or Thursdays for sea trips. There are also day trips at the weekends covering different parts of the Argyll coast including Port Appin, Oban, Kerrera, Easdale and Cuan Sound. The regular river trips are on the Awe, plus there are days on the Etive, Garry or wherever there is enough water.

Skill development

Club members come from all backgrounds and all levels of kayaking experience. We are fortunate to have qualified kayaking coaches in the Club who help paddlers develop their skills. We organise swimming pool sessions throughout the winter to introduce newer members to key skills and for more experienced paddlers to brush up on their paddle strokes and find that bomb-proof roll.  The season is kicked off with an on-the-water coaching weekend with skill improvement sessions throughout the summer.  We actively encourage members to work towards gaining BCU personal performance awards and leadership qualifications. For more info on the paddling awards scheme, take a look at: www.bcu.org.uk/tests-and-awards/

Kayak and Kit Hire – sea and river

The Oban Canoe Club has a selection of touring and river boats, paddles, spraydecks and helmets for hire to Club members.

Equipment must be pre booked through the Equipment Officer - David Bruce - at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The kit is kept in a dedicated storage area on the outskirts of Oban. A key for the storage is available from Outside Edge (during shop opening hours) but must be returned after collection or return of equipment. Payment can be made to the Equipment Officer or left at Outside Edge, cheques should be made payable to Oban Canoe Club. Please download, print and sign this form and hand it over with your payment.

Kayak Hire rates (including suitable paddle, spraydeck and helmet if required) are:

• Half Day Hire: £10
• Full Day Hire: £15
• Weekend Hire: £25

Kit Hire Terms and Conditions

• Equipment is available to hire to OCC members only.
• Transportation, collection and return of equipment is the responsibility of the Hirer.
• Any loss or damage must be reported to the Equipment Officer - David Bruce - at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Any loss or damage deemed to be caused through misuse or neglect must be made good by the Hirer.
• Equipment must be returned and secured at the storage facility after hire period.
• Equipment must be returned cleaned and ready for use.
• Use of the equipment is done so at the Hirer's own risk.

Off the water

We’re quite a sociable bunch too – there are social events throughout the year including slideshows/talks, curry nights and barbecues. Take a look at the events calendar to see what’s on.

How the Club runs

The Oban Canoe Club has a committee which meets through the year to plan the activities calendar and arrange coaching sessions; the current committee are listed here. If you would like to get in touch with the committee with questions or event ideas, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Club coach led trips and Social trips

There are lots of kayaking trips througout the season - take a look at the Events Calendar and keep an eye on the Forum too. Trips and events that appear on the Events Calendar are organised by the Club and will be led by coaches or qualified leaders.

Trips that appear only on the Forum are social paddles arranged by Club members who are happy for other members to join them if they would like to take part. (The legal bit: Oban CC can take no responsibility for the planning or conduct of these trips, and the Club's SCA-affiliation does not provide any form of insurance cover. Enough paranoia - get out and enjoy your paddling!)