WEEKLY canoeing sessions have begun at Carr Mill Dam, where St Helens Canoe Club has been creating quite a splash.

Club coach Paul Smee was helping Duke of Edinburgh award seekers master the paddles, when the formation of a club was suggested to open up the sport to a wider audience.

Paul told the Star: “With the help of youth services, we secured a grant to buy a fleet of 14 boats and got permission to run weekly sessions in Queens Park leisure centre, these ran through 2013.

“As we approached this summer, we had a break from the pool and sought an outdoor venue. Eventually we got in contact with the power boating club based at Carr Mill Dam and started regular canoeing sessions there.

“As a youngster, I did kayaking with the St Helens youth services and I remember it being a great laugh. It’s nice that 20 years on I’m trying to offer the same thing to others.”

Now the club is keen to locate a redundant, but useable shipping container to provide secure storage for canoes and equipment.

Weekly sessions for those aged seven and upwards are now running on Wednesday evenings at Carr Mill from 6pm until the light fades. For more information, see sthelenscc.co.uk.