Manchester Canoe Club
Encyclopedia
The Manchester Canoe Club (MCC) is based on the banks of the River Goyt at Marple
, in Greater Manchester
, England. Since its foundation in 1933, the club has been actively involved in the development of canoe sport, particularly in the competitive disciplines of Canoe Polo
and Canoe Slalom.
in 1936, along with Clyde Canoe Club, the Royal Canoe Club, and the Canoe section of the Camping Club. In the early years, Manchester Canoe Club was primarily focused on touring
and canoe camping
. When canoe slalom gained popularity in 1939, MCC became a pioneering club in the sport.
In the late 60s, the club began searching for a permanent club site, and found the current site at Dale Road, Marple
. Initially, MCC could only lease the site for a year at a time, so plans for a permanent club headquarters had to be abandoned; instead, a caravan
was brought onto the site and used. In 1974, as a long-term lease agreement looked more possible, the caravan was replaced with a World War II
nissen hut
. After years of searching, MCC negotiated a 7-year lease of the club site in 1988. In 1992, MCC was able to purchase the site permanently; to do this, the club received a grant from the Foundation for Sports and Arts. Plans for a new clubhouse were restarted, and funding from Sports England was approved in February 2002. Construction of the new clubhouse began shortly afterwards, and finished in August 2003.
team, which is a separate branch of the club. The polo team competes in National League divisions, as well as organising the North West local league. MCC also compete in the National Canoe Polo championships and the annual International tournaments.
In Summer 2008, extensive work was carried out at the club site to alter the river flow, creating new river features and obstacles.
World champions in canoe slalom
Marple, Greater Manchester
Marple is a small town within the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Goyt southeast of Stockport.Historically part of Cheshire, Marple has a population of 23,480 .-Toponymy:...
, in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, England. Since its foundation in 1933, the club has been actively involved in the development of canoe sport, particularly in the competitive disciplines of Canoe Polo
Canoe polo
Canoe Polo is a competitive ball sport played on water, in a defined "field", between two teams of 5 players, each in a kayak...
and Canoe Slalom.
Foundation
Manchester Canoe Club was formed at an inaugural meeting in May 1933 as part of the British Canoe Association, making it one of the oldest canoe clubs in the United Kingdom. MCC founded the British Canoe UnionBritish Canoe Union
The British Canoe Union is a national governing body for canoeing in the United Kingdom, whose stated purpose is "Helping and Inspiring people to go canoeing”....
in 1936, along with Clyde Canoe Club, the Royal Canoe Club, and the Canoe section of the Camping Club. In the early years, Manchester Canoe Club was primarily focused on touring
Touring
Touring may mean:* touring, the estate/wagon version of BMW cars* Bicycle touring* Ski touring* Touring * Carrozzeria Touring* Touring * Touring car racing* a model of Hymer campers* a song by The Ramones* Touring theatre...
and canoe camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
. When canoe slalom gained popularity in 1939, MCC became a pioneering club in the sport.
In the late 60s, the club began searching for a permanent club site, and found the current site at Dale Road, Marple
Marple, Greater Manchester
Marple is a small town within the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Goyt southeast of Stockport.Historically part of Cheshire, Marple has a population of 23,480 .-Toponymy:...
. Initially, MCC could only lease the site for a year at a time, so plans for a permanent club headquarters had to be abandoned; instead, a caravan
Travel trailer
A travel trailer or caravan is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent . It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation, without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places...
was brought onto the site and used. In 1974, as a long-term lease agreement looked more possible, the caravan was replaced with a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
nissen hut
Nissen hut
A Nissen hut is a prefabricated steel structure made from a half-cylindrical skin of corrugated steel, a variant of which was used extensively during World War II.-Description:...
. After years of searching, MCC negotiated a 7-year lease of the club site in 1988. In 1992, MCC was able to purchase the site permanently; to do this, the club received a grant from the Foundation for Sports and Arts. Plans for a new clubhouse were restarted, and funding from Sports England was approved in February 2002. Construction of the new clubhouse began shortly afterwards, and finished in August 2003.
Present
To avoid conflict between different disciplines of canoeing, MCC has club officers who are responsible for the training, promotion, and coordination of each area. In spite of this, MCC host several national slalom races for divisions 3 and 4 during the Canoe Slalom season. Training courses are also held at the local Hazel Grove baths during winter. MCC takes an active role in campaigns and political debates. In January 2008, Mark Davies (club chairman) appeared on the BBC Politics North West show, campaigning for river access. The club is also partnered with local canoeing retailer, Brookbank Canoes.Canoe Polo
Manchester Canoe Club has a canoe poloCanoe polo
Canoe Polo is a competitive ball sport played on water, in a defined "field", between two teams of 5 players, each in a kayak...
team, which is a separate branch of the club. The polo team competes in National League divisions, as well as organising the North West local league. MCC also compete in the National Canoe Polo championships and the annual International tournaments.
River Goyt
The River Goyt runs from the Errwood, Fernilee, and Etherow reservoirs, which tends to stabilise the river level. The stretch of the River Goyt at the club site is fairly placid (grade 2). but can become grade 3 and higher in heavy rain. The stretch has rapids either side, and contains a number of pools and eddies; the water is also very clean, shown by the rise in fishing.In Summer 2008, extensive work was carried out at the club site to alter the river flow, creating new river features and obstacles.
Notable members
National champions in canoe slalom- Kathleen Toothill
- Keith Waite
- Julian Shaw
- Jean Battersby
- Leslie Calverley
- Ken Langford
- Ray Calverley
- Julia Harling
- Martyn Peters
- Heather Corrie
- Paul Ratcliffe
World champions in canoe slalom
- Martin Rohleder
- Ray Calverley
- Ken Langford
- John MacLeodJohn MacLeod (canoer)John MacLeod is a British slalom canoeist who competed in the 1960s and 1970s. He finished 30th in the K-1 event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.-References:*...
- Jim Dolan
- Heather Corrie
- Paul Ratcliffe