A Gorge-geous Day on the River Eden

A Gorge-geous Day on the River Eden by John B

On Sunday 11 October 2026, ten enthusiastic members of Liverpool Canoe Club gathered for an enjoyable open canoe trip down the River Eden, paddling the picturesque stretch from Lazonby to Armathwaite. With seven boats, mild weather and occasional sunny spells, the conditions looked promising for a day of running rapids, playing on waves and enjoying everything this beautiful section of river had to offer.

The group consisted of three tandem crews: Sue and Colin, Adya and Andy, and Jacki and Dom. The remaining four boats were paddled solo by Keith, John, Mike and Marco. Although the river gauges were showing low levels, the Eden was running well and provided plenty of water for an entertaining paddle. After the usual preparations and a quick shuttle, we launched our canoes and set off downstream.

This section of the Eden certainly lived up to expectations. The river offered a succession of rapids, with calmer stretches in between providing opportunities to regroup, catch our breath and discuss the best lines through the next set of obstacles. The variety made it an ideal trip for paddlers of different abilities, with plenty of chances to practise and develop skills along the way.

Some took the opportunity to work on breaking in and out of eddies, while others concentrated on spotting and avoiding rocks or experimenting with different lines through the same rapids. Whether shooting straight down the middle or picking off as many eddies as possible on the way down, there was always something to keep everyone occupied.

The numerous waves provided another source of entertainment, with paddlers taking turns to use them to cross the river. Keith and John took things a step further, attempting to surf one of the waves before eventually getting themselves established and managing to catch a surf. There was plenty of encouragement from the rest of the group, and it was great to see everyone making the most of the opportunities the river provided.

The scenery was equally impressive, with the surrounding landscape and gorge providing a spectacular backdrop to the day’s paddling. As Keith aptly put it, the scenery was truly gorge-geous — a pun that was perhaps inevitable but nonetheless deserved its place in the trip report!

There were no swims during the day, although Jacki, paddling tandem with Dom at the stern, provided some spectacularly bouncy moments as their boat negotiated the rapids. The lively water certainly kept everyone on their toes, and there was no shortage of splashing, bouncing and the occasional need to bale out.

As we approached Armathwaite, attention turned to the weir. Keith took the lead in demonstrating the line, heading down the tongue and moving very slightly to the right at the bottom. With the route explained and the example set, the group prepared to tackle the final obstacle.

All but two boats opted to run the weir. Keith deserves a special mention for paddling Marco’s boat through the weir for a second time, saving Marco a portage. Technically, then, all but one boat made the descent! The weir provided an exciting finish to the trip, with everyone taking on some water on the way down but, remarkably, no swims. A successful run all round!

Below the weir, we continued towards Armathwaite Bridge, taking out on the right-hand side just downstream of the bridge. The group worked together to carry the boats up to the waiting vehicles and trailer. With the boats loaded and everyone accounted for, it was time to collect the remaining car from the put-in and head for a well-earned refreshment stop.

The group reconvened at Tebay Services, where coffee and cake were high on the agenda, with some members opting for a scone or two. After a quick change of arrangements to get John’s canoe off the trailer and back onto his car, everyone was ready for the final drive home.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable club trip on a fantastic stretch of river. Despite the low gauge readings, the Eden delivered plenty of fun, with numerous rapids to run, waves to play on and opportunities for everyone to practise and develop their paddling skills. The combination of lively water, spectacular scenery and good company made for a memorable day out.

With ten paddlers, seven boats, plenty of splashes, some successful surfing and a weir run that left everyone a little wetter than when they started, the River Eden once again proved that you don’t need high water levels to have a great day on the river.

A gorge-geous day out with Liverpool Canoe Club!