The wet weather may have deterred some people, but a group of hardy souls enjoyed an afternoon of paddlesport on Oulton Broad.

Kayaks and open canoes ventured out on to the broads in mixed conditions today (Sunday) as the Lowestoft and District Canoe Club held an open day.

With people encouraged to come along and have a go at kayaking and canoeing in different boats, fun was on the agenda – and those that turned out to give it a try all showed interest in joining the family friendly club.

Formed in 1979, the Lowestoft and District Canoe Club will mark 35 years of paddlesport in October this year.

Chairman Rick Pond said the open day was organised to raise the profile of the club, which is based in Oulton Broad with their headquarters at Nicholas Everitt Park, and get more people interested in kayaking and canoeing.

He said: 'Obviously the weather did not help as the broad was very choppy, and it did not make it ideal conditions for people who are not used to being on a boat.

'The turnout was not great, but the people that turned up really enjoyed it and hopefully all will end up becoming members of the club, which was what we were trying to do.'

With a fun, family orientated atmosphere at the club, members range in ages and there is a growing junior section.

The club meets for training or general paddling on a Tuesday evening at Oulton Broad between 7pm and sunset during the season, which runs between April to September.

In the winter, between October and March, the club run indoor training sessions at a swimming pool in Great Yarmouth to allow members to practice rolls and techniques.

'We have at least three families who are all regularly out on the water at the same time,' Mr Pond said. 'You need to be 10-years-old before you can join the training classes. So come along on a club evening to find out what it is all about.'

For more details on the club, visit its page on Facebook via www.facebook.com/LowestoftDistrictCanoeClub