Viking Kayak Club in Bedford has a number of reasons to celebrate. Not only has the Club recently become Clubmark accredited and only the third club in the country to be awarded the BCU's Top Club Gold, but it is also racking up a roll call of national and local awards; winning BCU's Club of the Year competition for 2009, hot on the heels of local success as Bedford Sports Club of the Year 2008, which it received just before Christmas.

And to top things off, the Club also picked up second prize at the highly coveted Sports Club of the Year awards at CCPR's national awards ceremony. This second place trophy and £3,000 prize money, presented by Olympic champion Rebecca Romero, was awarded to clubs who have made an outstanding contribution to their community.

Founded in 1961, the Bedford-based club has a heritage of flat water racing and slalom. The clubs' involvement in the local community, up to national level, ensures it has plenty to offer in a number of disciplines regardless of recreational or competitive aspirations. Viking will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2011 and has always been a strong club, organising national ranking events in both Slalom and Flat Water Racing. The club continues to have a multi-disciplinary approach, now including Canoe Polo, as well as recreational trips from gentle river cruises to whitewater, sea and surf trips.

In the last two years, it has set up a successful Viking Kids Club which brings in kids from as young as eight and gives them the basic paddling skills in a fun environment, as well as an Academy, which takes the young paddlers on to more advanced skills like slalom, polo and racing as well as leadership.

Youngsters that have achieved success from the Club include Etienne Stott, who with partner Tim Baillie is current British Champion in C2 (two man canoe) Canoe Slalom. They recently won all three races in the UK selection for the upcoming European Slalom Championships. Etienne was also named Bedford Sports Personality of the year 2008 just before Christmas, alongside the Bedford Sports Club of the Year 2008 award. Also, Jake Silvester, 17 has now progressed to competing in Mens Premier Division in K1 (solo kayak) and in the UK selection.

Viking Kayak Club has managed to promote the sport both as a recreational activity and up to competitive level. A dedicated team of volunteers and coaches has ensured that paddlesport is open and accessible to anyone and everyone who would like to take part in the sport. For instance, Viking initiated and developed Paddle Bedford, a network linking schools, centres and clubs participating in paddlesport - the emphasis being ‘club as the hub'. This provides a direct pathway between schools and the club as participants and volunteers. Their work with the local authority has ensured that the club plays an important role in the local community.

Rob Bates, Chairman of Viking Kayak Club, commenting on the club's latest achievement at the CCPR awards, said,

"We are really chuffed at coming 2nd for the Sports Club or the Year award, so soon after being named British Canoe Union Club of the Year. It's been a real team effort over the last couple of years to get the club to where it is today and so we're delighted to have this national recognition for our achievements. We think there's still more for us to do but there can be no greater encouragement."