There is no better way for newcomers to the canals to learn about boating than to join a boat club. There are boat clubs on almost all the canals in the UK, and the list here should help you to find a boat club near to where you live or where you moor your boat.
Most boat clubs have a club-house where social events are held throughout the year, cruises are usualy organised by the commodore on bank holidays and some clubs organise a longer cruise in the summer.
Most boat clubs have members who have been boating for several years, and are a wealth of information. You will be made most welcome at most boat clubs, and invited to take part in the organised activities.

A lot of the Canal Trusts and Societies have been around for several years. Most were formed by enthusiasts with the aim of keeping a run down canal open, or in some cases to promote and organise the restoration of a closed canal. Without the enthusiastic members of these Trusts and Societies many of the canals we enjoy today and take for granted would not be navigable.