Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland

Kirkwall Kayak Club

Kirkwall Kayak Club offers sea kayaking around Orkney, with separate routes for beginners and experienced paddlers. Its summer base is Hatston Slip. The club also describes winter training at Pickaquoy, but the operator's 13 October 2026 notice keeps the pool closed. Contact the club about current arrangements before travelling or applying.

Sea kayaking
Recreational paddling

Read membership details and enquire Club website

Information checked 14 October 2026View sources

Before you join

Adult beginners: Sea paddles are for members. Visiting membership depends on the trip leader's agreement. Use the membership page to enquire and request booking-system access. Every club session needs booking. The pool page asks for a 25-metre swim; linked February 2018 by-laws require 50 metres for members. Confirm the applicable swimming rule and current fees with the club.
Junior paddlers: The club lists under-18 membership and separate junior pool sessions. Its linked 2018 by-laws set an outdoor starting age of 12, with younger children accompanied by a responsible parent and accepted by the leader. Written parental consent is required for under-18s. Pool guidance instead refers to secondary-school pupils and accompanied younger children. Confirm the current age and supervision arrangements.
Equipment: Pool training lists kayaks, paddles and spraydecks, with normal swimwear. Sea sessions have separate equipment arrangements, including boats, paddles, buoyancy aids and wetsuits. Ask about sizes, availability and personal clothing for the agreed activity. The linked by-laws encourage established adults to obtain their own equipment, keeping club boats available for beginners and juniors.
Accessibility: Pickaquoy describes accessible changing, a Poolpod, submersible wheelchairs and a changing-room hoist. That hoist may only be used by a suitably trained carer. These are swimming facilities, currently affected by the pool closure. They do not establish adapted kayaking, accessible sea launching or club-provided personal care. Discuss practical participation with the club.
Where the club paddles: The owner names Hatston Slip and the Orkney Sailing Club compound for summer sea paddling. Its pages disagree on the experienced-paddler weekday, so confirm the trip's time and meeting point. Winter pool training normally uses Pickaquoy. The operator's 13 October 2026 notice says wetside facilities remain closed until further notice. No club restart date is confirmed.