Brian Sidaway - Club President

Brian is an avid supporter of all things Viking and has been since the earliest days - a lifelong paddler and an inspiration to all!

Rob Bates - Club Chairman.

Rob is a big part of the main driving force behind the new look and feel of Viking Kayak Club. Rob is responsible for steering the club in the direction that will bring most success for the club and it’s membership in the coming years. 

BCU 4 Star Kayak - BCU 2 Star Canoe - BCU 4 Star Sea Kayak - Aquatic First-Aid - BCU Lifeguard

BCU Level 2 Coach - Trainee level 3

UKCC Registered Coach

Mike Carter - Club Treasurer .

Mike has been a member of Viking almost from the start in the 1960’s. A keen paddler over the years but now unable to paddle due to a leg injury.  An avid Viking supporter and slalom fanatic!

BCU International Slalom Judge

Charles Smith - Equipment Officer .

Chas is a keen whitewater and fun paddler, often seen on (in) the weirs and on river trips around Bedford.

Charles often enjoys relaxed paddles with his daughter, Hannah and has been a Viking member for 2yrs+. 

BCU 3 Star Kayak - BCU 2 Star Canoe.

Sam Jackson - Membership Secretary & Child Protection Officer.

Need to know more about joining Viking?  Talk to Sam Jackson, the friendly face of paddling in Bedford!  Even happy when she’s floating away upside-down, talk to Sam and leave with a smile on your face (a membership form in your hand and no  money in your pockets!).

BCU 3 Star Kayak - BCU 2 Star Canoe - Aquatic First-Aid - BCU Lifeguard

UKCC Level-1 Coach

Janet Annetts - Committee Member

Janet is a highly valued coach at Viking.

BCU 4 Star Solo Canoe - 4 Star Specialist Open Canoe - BCU 4 Star Kayak - Aquatic First-Aid - BCU Lifeguard

BCU Level 3 Inland Kayak Coach

UKCC Registered Coach

Rakesh Beri - Youth Representative .

A Relative newcomer (2007), keen as mustard and learns fast!

BCU 1 Star Kayak

Richard Jackson - Committee Member .

Need some nearly-new equipment or a new boat?  Tell Sam Jackson what you need, she will buy it for herself and when she decides she has too much gear (about a week later) buy it from Richard for half the amount!

BCU 3 Star Kayak - BCU 2 Star Canoe - Aquatic First-Aid - BCU Lifeguard

UKCC Level-1 Coach

Phillipa Partington - Club Secretary

Phillipa is a very active Viking member and a very experienced paddler, she will take on any type of water in her well-loved dancer or her shiny new Stretch!

BCU 3 Star Kayak

Anne Dorber - Committee Member

Anne is renowned for her long-distance leisurely cruises down the Ouse. Anne has probably paddled more waters than most other club members.

BCU 3 Star Kayak - BCU 2 Star Tandem Canoe

BCU Level 1 Coach -Trainee Level 2 - BCU Lifeguard

Pete Smart - Committee Member

Pete is a bit of a nutter and quite unstable...

(although it’s quite hard to grasp from this photo)

BCU 2 Star Kayak & Canoe

Toby Breckon - Committee Member & Deputy Child Protection Officer

Toby is a new paddler but, despite this, is very intelligent!