If Cremorne Riverside had a kit shop on site, I’d be a pauper.

I’m not a big fan of shopping. Not because I don’t like having/buying new stuff; I just don’t like spending my free time crammed indoors artificially lit shopping centres with thousands of people, or jostling up and down a high street trying to pass the ‘crawlers’ as I move from shop to shop.

It’s a bit of a different story though when  a renowned canoe retailer sets up shop on my kayaking doorstep. Add to that two knowledagable (and nice!) sales guys, and a whole bunch of demo kit to try out at one’s leisure… now that’s my sort of shopping experience.

From 9am till 2.30pm yesterday, Danny and Barry of Desperate Measures grooved their shop moves on Cremorne’s deck, while Kim, Katy and Ian whipped up a culinary bbq fest, and Harry, Blair and Alfie jumped on and off the water with newbie and regular paddlers alike trying out kayaking and kit.

And me? I shopped. And ate. And shopped some more. And ate a bit more.

After a few sumptuous burgers, hot dogs, vegetable kebabs and cupcakes, Barry took to the water for a bit of a coaching session with Antony, Muna, John (three of our favourite young kayakers) and Blair, learning to bust some moves in the Wavesport, Dagger and Jackson playboats.

It was great to see everyone who popped in during the day, thanks to all from Chelsea Kayak Club, Putney Bridge Canoe Club and Tower hamlets for coming by (and any other clubs that came down that I haven’t mentioned please let us know!).

And a big congrats to all of you who tried kayaking for the first time – we’ll hopefully see more of you soon. And you don’t need to wait until next summer to come back; Kayaking London paddles throughout the year.

And just in case you haven’t seen enough photos, click here to see a couple more on the Chelsea Kayak Club blog.