# Hampton Canoe Club Trustees Report ## and Financial Statements for the period ending 26 September 2025 1 ## Hampton Canoe Club Charity Information for the period ending 26 September 2025 Reporting Period: 27 September 2024 to 26 September 2025 Charity number: 1205734 Registered address: 50 Uxbridge Road Hampton Hill TW12 3AD Trustees: Tamra Cave Chair Denise Fazackerley Vice Chair John Freeman Treasurer Elisabeth Judge Membership Secretary Lewis Brown Repairs & Maintenance Philip Tauwhare Rack Manager Patricia Bolton Welfare Officer resigned 29/5/2025 Clive Goodwin Trustee elected 29/5/2025 Bankers The Cooperative Bank PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 8WT 2 Hampton Canoe Club Trustees report for the period ending 26 September 2025 ## Legal Status Hampton Canoe Club (‘the Club’) is governed by a constitution. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting for charities. ## Organisation Hampton Canoe Club has a Committee of Trustees who oversee the running of the Club and manage its premises. The Trustees who served during the reporting period are listed on page 2. Trustees were appointed on 15 November 2023, when the Club first registered with the Charity Commission as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). The Trustees resigned and were re-elected by the members at the first AGM in June 2025, except for Patricia Bolton who stood down as Trustee whilst remaining Welfare Officer. Clive Goodwin was elected as a Trustee on 29/5/2025. All new Trustees are inducted into their into their roles, in line with Charity Commission guidance. The Club’s secretary is not a Trustee. They attend Committee meetings as an independent, non-voting member. ## Aims The Club aims to promote community participation in healthy recreation through paddle sports in the Borough of Richmond on Thames and surrounding areas. Located beside the river Thames, the Club was originally established in 1970 and transitioned to registered charity status on the 15th November 2023. The Club’s financial year end date is the 26th September. The Club is affiliated to Paddle UK, the national governing body for paddle sports. ## Principal Risks The Committee of Trustees is responsible for the oversight of the risks faced by the Club. The Trustees have assessed the major risks and are satisfied systems are in place to mitigate these. The principal risks identified are as follows: - Paddle sports are inherently risky activities: the risk of harm is well managed through stringent risk assessment guidelines and procedures. Experienced and suitably qualified coaches, instructors and leaders risk assess all conditions and circumstances, whenever planned Club activity is delivered. - Loss of or damage to club equipment and facilities: appropriate insurance is in place and systems in place for annual checks and maintenance and is renewed yearly. - Variable cashflow: is managed by closely monitoring income and expenditure. Any major expenditure is anticipated / discussed in advance. A Reserves Policy is also in place. On our committee we have expertise in business and finance. 3 - Insufficient membership engagement: membership is closely monitored and members canvassed for feedback informally and formally to inform our activity planning. - As a volunteer-led organisation, the Club’s operations are subject to the risk of trustees and key members availability/attrition: mitigated by completion of a trustees skills audit, identifying strengths and gaps to inform sustainability and succession planning. Trustees and members are encouraged to share and develop skills to support the Club’s charitable aims. - Refusal or failure to renew the clubhouse lease by Richmond Borough Council: mitigated through regular engagement with the Council - discussions are under way to ensure the Club is able to continue its operations without disruption. ## Regular Activities The Club provides recreational-social paddling activities which support positive physical and mental wellbeing. All club activities are managed and delivered by members who are volunteers, and the Charity is indebted to all who have given and continue to give their time and skills. This encompasses: - Coaching, instruction, training and leading paddling activities - Club management at trustee, committee and operational levels - Maintenance of boats, equipment, structures and infrastructures - Website maintenance and development - Communications and marketing - Organising events and social activities, on and off the water - Cleaning club facilities and ensuring adequate supplies The Club is membership-based for adults over the age of 18. The core route to membership is the completion of a beginner course provided by volunteer coaches who have appropriate qualifications, through Paddle UK. This ensures that our volunteer coaches have the skills and experience to enable safe paddling. On completion of the beginner course, our coaches are able to issue the Paddle UK ‘Discovery’ award and a pathway of support and progression is provided to build skills and confidence. During this reporting period, the Club has: - encouraged, supported and developed 25 new members (many of whom are new to paddle sport); - facilitated regular supervised and informal paddling trips; - delivered a variety of paddling skills coaching and training sessions; - upskilled experienced members to gain qualifications and training to support aims; - facilitated many social events to provide opportunities for members to build social connections with other members; - Facilitated a free event for the wider community to raise awareness of the Club’s facilities and to give people an opportunity to try kayaking; and - continued to foster collaborative links with like-minded organisations. The Club welcomes adults of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. What distinguishes the Club from all others within the local area is its strong engagement with older adults, providing a unique and valuable benefit to the wider community. 4 The Club maintains a good range of paddling equipment, including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and associated auxiliary equipment. This enables members to participate in a wide range of paddling activities throughout the year. All equipment is owned, maintained and managed by the Club and is available for member use year-round. New entrants to the sport, as well as those returning to paddling later in life, consistently describe the Club as open, very supportive and welcoming. Many go on to become regular paddlers and report clear benefits to both their physical health and mental wellbeing. Through its on- and off-water activities, the Club provides opportunities for members to build strong social connections, supporting fitness, wellbeing and a shared sense of community. A snapshot of our activities from 2025 can be seen here. ## Achievements In line with our 2025 Annual Plan, we have met our key goals:. - Increased paddling activity by 30% - Attracting and supporting new members - As a new charity, continued to review and implement governance processes to ensure compliance - Continued to develop key skills with our coaches, trip leaders and volunteers - Arranged vibrant social events and community collaboration 5 ## Membership Growth and Engagement drives 30% increase in activity Our membership is thriving, with 126 members at the end of this reporting period (2024: 119 members). We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, welcoming adults of all ages and backgrounds. Our modest membership fees and nominal equipment charges ensure accessibility for all. We actively seek member feedback, both informally and through a formal survey, to inform our activities and strategic direction. Paddling activity increased by 30% during the year, as a result of more trips, especially during the winter months and our efforts to engage and encourage new members through our ‘improver’ programmes. In collaboration with Portsmouth Canoe Club some members were able to enjoy sea kayak trips in Scotland and in Wales. As well as a club trip to Turkey. ## Attracting and Supporting New Members We are dedicated to providing safe and enjoyable paddling experiences. This year, we provided: - A ‘Come and Try it Day’ which attracted 24 newcomers to paddle sport and provided them with a taster experience. - Three beginner courses and 5 individual kayak assessments, resulting in 25 new members. - Twenty improver sessions, with structured support and development, so new members can progress from beginners to confident paddlers, ready to participate in all club activities. We have also invested in training our members to deliver and support club activities, including: - Nine members were sponsored to complete the Paddle UK Paddlesport Rescue and Safety course. - Eight first aiders trained. - A new coach sponsored to qualify with Paddle UK, to become a club coach - An existing coach sponsored to coach Paddleboarding and to deliver a Paddle UK accredited course for our trip leaders. ## Diverse Paddling Activities Our Club offers a wide range of paddling activities, catering to all skill levels and abilities. From frequent river and canal trips to more specialised training sessions, our members have opportunities to enhance their skills and enjoy this great sport. Highlights include: Fitness, competitive and social paddles: - 7 Hare and Hounds races through summer months, with social BBQs open to all members to participate. - 17 Early morning fitness paddles. - Peer paddles and 15 club trips throughout the year, using local canals and other waterways, where members can paddle safely through winter months - Regular peer paddles to suit member’s abilities and interests, including leisurely paddles, fitness paddles and marathon racing. - Supported 6 members to participate in two races in the Hasler Series. - 12 Aquapaddle events - community fun races in collaboration with the nationwide Aquapaddle charity. 6 ## Governance review In our first full year as a charity, we completed the process of aligning our operations with our new charitable obligations. This included comprehensive trustee training, a skills audit, and a thorough review of our existing policies and procedures. We also invested in programmes to ensure compliance with new standards for deployment set by our governing body Paddle UK ## Skills development We invested in advanced training for one coach, enabling them to deliver trip leader training in line with new Paddle UK standards for deployment. We strengthened and brought new blood to our team of volunteer coaches and trip leaders For members we carried out - 2 open canoe training and safety sessions - 20 Improver sessions - 8 technique development sessions - 17 fitness sessions - 15 trips - Rescue practice/training in single and double kayaks, sea kayaks and open canoes - Specific sessions for members to try faster kayaks, in a controlled and safe environment - Introduction to winter paddling training sessions to encourage and enable members to stay healthy through winter - Introduction to sea kayaking session - Pool training sessions for sea kayaking skills in a sheltered environment - Individual coaching sessions 7 ## Social Events and Community Engagement We believe in fostering a strong sense of community through social events and collaborative initiatives. This year, we hosted a variety of social events, including: - Annual regatta and BBQ - Christmas Party - New Year Day & Summer Solstice paddles inc. lunch on the Wey Navigation - BBQ socials through the warm season - Themed evening paddle/social as such as “Paddle & Pizza” We also participated in wider community activities, such as - 5 River Clean Up sessions: clearing the river at Bell Hill Recreation Ground and our local area of plastic and other debris. - RNLI rescue training: with members acting as victims of paddlesport accidents. - ‘Swim Safety’: providing on the water rescue support for events such as The Henley Swim, London Triathlon, Arctic One Charity Tri & Para Tri Festival. - ‘AquaPaddle’ events: regular support/participation and marshalling. Aquapaddle charity brings paddle sports to those communities who would really benefit from being out on the water for Physical and Mental Health.” with support to BlueSpace charity. ## Environmental and Social Responsibility We are dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship / responsibility. This year, we: . - Participated in invasive species removal initiatives. - Held regular litter pick sessions. - Hosted and supported emergency services public open day. 8 ## Statement of Public Benefit The Trustees have considered the guidance provided by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit and its impact on the Club’s work, and in particular the requirement that there must be specific identifiable benefits as well as ones applicable to the wider public. Trustees consider that both requirements have been met. ## Financial Review The reporting period to 26 September 2025 is our first full year. Our income has exceeded expenditure by £7,599. Our main sources of income were membership and rack fees, public courses and boat money - all of which comprised 84% of our total income of £22,927. Equipment hire was up by over 20% as a result of increased paddling activity of 30% in the year. This had a favourable impact on our income but this must be offset by increased wear and tear on club boats and paddles and the need for repairs and maintenance. A group of members were sponsored to learn boat repair skills, saving us money on repairs we would otherwise pay for Our main expenditure items were rent, insurance and courses(volunteer training) and these account for 53% of our costs These financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the applicable regulations governing charity accounts, including the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have reviewed the Charity’s position as a going concern in accordance with Charity Commission guidance, taking into account its financial position and the forthcoming renewal of the lease on its premises. The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. As the Charity’s annual income remains below £25,000, we are not yet required to appoint an independent examiner. Nevertheless, in line with good governance, we will continue to ensure that our accounts undergo a secondary review by an appropriately qualified individual. This practice will remain in place until the appointment of an independent examiner becomes a formal requirement. ## Reserves Policy The Trustees have examined the Charity's need for reserves in the context of planned activities during the coming year. In particular: - Re-negotiation of the Club premises lease in 2026 (which expires on 31 December 2026), including the risk of the need to find new premises or for significant rent increase at the end of the 20-year lease. - Unexpected expenditure such as building maintenance. - Maintain a level of working capital to finance its charitable operations/hold 6 months operating costs as a general reserve. 9 - Allow for the development of new initiatives in support of our charitable aims. The Trustees wish to maintain unrestricted reserves to a level to cope with financial contingencies. The Charity holds current reserves of £40,000 to cover: 6 months of foreseen running costs as well as expenditure, risks related to lease renewal and other unexpected expenses. ## Investments The Club’s reserves are invested in a 95-day investment account with The Cooperative Bank. ## Sources of Income During the period we received funding from the following sources: - Grants from Paddle UK and Richmond Council Civic Pride Fund - Membership fees and equipment hire - Fees from public courses ## Future 2026 Plans We are excited about our development plan - agreed by the Committee and delivered by members - to improve local people’s physical and mental wellbeing through healthy recreation and community participation in paddle sports. Three public courses have been scheduled to be run by our volunteer coaches over the next year, which we hope will attract at least 20 new members in the coming year. Our governing body, Paddle UK has laid down new standards for the training and deployment of coaches and trip leaders, and we are seeking further funding to support the new / necessary programmes. These programmes will be accelerated in 2026 to meet new deployment standards in force from 2027. We will continue to enable and support regular paddling throughout the year and especially to build on our success in encouraging members to keep going safely through the winter months. We continue to involve ourselves in a range of activities to support our local and the wider community. This report was approved by the Trustees on 29 January 2026. Tamra Cave Chair of Trustees John Freeman Treasurer 10 ## Hampton Canoe Club Statement of Financial Activities period ending 26 September 2025 11 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Urff8Strthd funds Restrictsd fLnds gtèst£ Endowm8nt lund5 Car￿9¢Y1&S to 81 Cash funds Cooporthe ￿kc￿re￿ 5216 coop￿r￿9 BankSaY￿9& 56.915 Total eash funds 62232 aL￿}I Rostrlctsd ds fvnds n(ts toneuest£ to neuest£ 82 Other n￿ndary assets F￿d to •￿Èt bÈk7 C￿tro￿l B3 Investm￿ assds Fwd to 55et be T￿le￿ (¥r￿r*i B4 Asset5 retain￿1 forthe thwity'5 own use 5 ￿￿(￿jIeS S￿1 F￿d to rebtes Arno￿￿t duÈ en Detsi *ydeposts B5 LlabllStl•s svy￿d by ore or tsvo tr￿te￿$ r behaK of al the trusiees Dale of roval &gHlure Pnrt NaTTre Joth Freetr 29ffj1f2026 12