The Canton Kayak Club is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was ‘born’ in 1999 with 10 boats and 30 members when developer Bill Struever and restaurateur Charlie Gjerde, two kayak enthusiasts, were discussing ways to give more people the opportunity to live, work and play in Baltimore City as well as enjoy a great natural resource, the Baltimore Harbor. With guidance and dedication from our CKC staff, the club was taken to the next level - now boasting over 80 kayaks and ... Read More
The Canton Kayak Club is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was ‘born’ in 1999 with 10 boats and 30 members when developer Bill Struever and restaurateur Charlie Gjerde, two kayak enthusiasts, were discussing ways to give more people the opportunity to live, work and play in Baltimore City as well as enjoy a great natural resource, the Baltimore Harbor. With guidance and dedication from our CKC staff, the club was taken to the next level - now boasting over 80 kayaks and 500 members. We were given a special mention in Michaela Gaaserud's 2007 book, Sea Kayaking the Baltimore/Washington DC Area; we were chosen "Best Urban Sports Organization" by Baltimore Magazine in 2008; members of our club were filmed in 2009 for "The Two Percent Solution," a segment in Maryland Public Television's "Outdoors Maryland" series which first aired in February 2010; and the City Paper referenced us in naming the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco the "Area's Best Place to Paddle" in 2010.
Kayaking provides opportunities for exercise, exploring the harbor, making new friends, and networking. Members pay a small annual fee that entitles them to free training, unlimited use of the Club kayaks, paddles and pfd's, group kayaking opportunities, happy hours and more. Our "Paddle Pals" outings allow new paddlers to gain experience in a group setting. Each season, we strive to find special projects and events that combine kayaking with community service; past events have included wetlands plantings at Masonville Cove, joint outings with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, kayak support for swimmers in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's annual Purple Swim Baltimore, joint outings with disabled veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan in cooperation with Team River Runner, and shoreline cleanup projects. Six conveniently located waterfront dock stations and a 'no reservation required' policy makes this club extremely user-friendly.
To join the Kayak Club, applicants must complete the online application and waiver, and then complete the ACA kayak training class, a basic level skills/safety class, that is included in your new membership dues. Classes are taught by the certified instructors from KayakTraining.com. We offer both Saturday and Sunday classes. Advanced registration is required.
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