MBKC

Monasterevin Blueway Kayaking Club (MBKC) is a not-for-profit paddling organisation founded in 2019 by local kayakers in Monasterevin, County Kildare. Based at the Kildare Sports Partnership water sports hub at Moore’s Lock, the club operates with support from Kildare Sports Partnership and Waterways Ireland. It is affiliated with Canoeing Ireland and is managed by a democratically elected volunteer committee.

MBKC brings paddlers together through club sessions, outings and introductory taster sessions, with public events and courses announced through its Eventbrite page and social media. The club also provides members with practical resources, including paddle plans, a handbook and a risk assessment form, and signposts paddlers to Canoeing Ireland skills and instructor guidance.

Because kayaking carries inherent risks, the club assesses new membership according to experience and instructor availability. It can accept applications from paddlers with Canoeing Ireland Level 2 Kayak Skills qualification, while access for beginners is limited when instructors are unavailable. MBKC has also expressed plans to run Level 2 skills courses to help more new paddlers join.