Scotland Bank holiday Easter Club Trip Day 3 Falls of Lora by Sarah Gille It was Easter Sunday and the hostel woke to decision making and weather watching. River boaters split into 2 groups today. One of which set off to paddle the Spean gorge led by Ian bell. (In his river boat – not his sea kayak (lol)) while our group set off to have a bash at Falls of Lora. His is a kind of tide race passing under a bridge which forms large play waves. When we arrived, it was clear that it would be an epic day as all the names and faces of the playboating world started to arrive. Don’t ask me who- but one had long curly hair, there was expensive carbon playboats and a Pyranha van. As we waited for the waves to build, we saw 3 seals playing just upstream. Is it up steam because it’s the sea? Roy and David could not contain their excitement so hopped on early to get familiar with the water and show the professionals how it’s done. Next with Craig on bank watch myself, rich, Liz and Aleksander made the seal launch into the sea. Does this count as sea kayaking, I wondered? I was defiantly cracking it. We all bounced down the massive waves safely and for me with absolutely no skill or grace and regrouped in the eddy under the bridge partition and watched the pros at work surfing the first wave. They even cued in a neat and orderly line. As the featured developed people started to climb out around the bridge partition and get in again as more waves formed slightly up stream/sea?? One of them looked amazing – apparently called the eternity wave. The waves where far too big and scary […]

Scotland Bank holiday Easter Club Trip Day 3 by Kirk Williams Haven’t paddled the Spean Gorge for a while and although levels were low, they were up a bit from Saturday and we knew people had a decent day then an intrepid team of John C, Ian B, Mark B, Jenny B, Chris T and Kirk decided to give it a go. Shuttle done so all cars at the get out (thanks Marianne) the put in at the Spean Bridge Woollen Mill was a bumpy bony experience but we managed to get moving without too much muscle strain. The first rapid of note is the Fairy Steps, a series of small but significant drops as the name suggests. The team managed to negotiate each step with no major problems but some nervous grins…. The river now moves into the gorge section proper and narrows significantly. We scouted and navigated a few more tight flows and small drops between the rocks, each providing interesting opportunities for practicing our river leading skills, line of sight etc We arrived at one of the key rapids on the river, the infamous Headbanger, and as usual portaged this after having a good look at it and talking confidently about how we would run it if we dared! The portage doesn’t remove all the fun as it comes with a tricky seal launch, either into a tight turn drop with a submerged tree or from pretty high up on the rocks. Both options were exercised, some with style! Much fun was had at a 1+ metre pour over/drop that managed to tail end a few big river boats, and Ian excelled himself by getting his nose stuck in an undercut, side surfing the hole and eventually pulling a 180 nose pirouette to successfully escape its clutches […]

After a Friday of scraping boats along the Lochy with a lack of rain, Saturday morning brought the promise of a proper whitewater paddle as the Garry was dam released. 15 paddlers set off early, aided by an impromptu fire alarm wake up call (thanks Neil), for the 90 minute drive to hopefully beat the crowds of other paddling groups. 11 paddlers (Richard, Liz, John, Roy, Kirk, Chris, David, Mark, Sarah, Jenny & Hannah) walked up to get on to the Upper Garry with Roy’s brief of “Ferry glide from here towards that rock, head down river towards the tongue and if you don’t make it …” One by one the eleven got on and successfully negotiated the first feature, breaking out until the group was ready to reform and run the rest of the Upper.  A quick brief before each rocky feature saw the group successfully reach the Upper get out where they were joined by Leanne, myself, Neil and Aleksander. Roy’s brief for the start of the Lower Garry was “This is a 3 foot drop but a quick paddle over should see you land flat and you’ll be fine.” All over the feature and a sense of elation at having landed the three foot drop. Another technical feature and then the river flattened out to give a chance to chat about the Upper and the start of the Lower. Back to a couple more technical drops and an unexpected feature which didn’t have a left hand turn!! A fantastic and safe paddle, a few successful rolls and great company. Thanks to everyone. Craig

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk May 2019 Click here to see the photos and to vote for your favourite.

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk April 2019 # 1 River Wye Khosi trip by Keith 21 votes (30%) # 2 Graham at Crosby Surf by Dave Rawlinson 15 votes (21%) # 3 River Dee Improvers Trip by Dave Gentle 12 votes (17%) # 4 U14 Canoe Polo team in action in March Tournament by Craig Ford 12 votes (17%) # 5 Open Boats on River Dee by Nikki Aldridge 6 votes (8%) # 6 Luke on an Introductory course at the docks by Lee Boylan 5 votes (7%)

Club Run Courses (Spring 2019) for more detail check the online Club Calendar……. You need to be a current member of the club to paddle with us (Insurance and emergency contact details etc) 23rd March 2019 One Day first Aid course for volunteers and helpers – Ian Bell 24th March 2019 Volunteer helpers and Coach skills day – Click for more and to book a place…. 1st April 2019 (3 x Wednesdays) Open Boat (Canoe) Skills Course – Coach Mark Garrod Click for more.. 14th April 2019 Introductory Course – Coaches Craig Ellingham and John Fay Click for more.. 28th April 2019 Club Open Day at the Compound at the Docks. Try different disciplines, junior session, come and try it session for non-members, Sunday tour of the docks. Bring and buy sale for any canoe or kayaking gear. Pyrahna Demo Fleet. 1st May 2019 (3 x Wednesdays) Improvers Kayak Course – Coach Mark Garrod – Click for more.. 12th May 2019 Foundation Safety and Rescue Course Click for more 12th May 2019 Introductory Course – Coaches Craig Ellingham and John Fay Click for more.. To be arraged Paddle sport Leader and Instructor Courses

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk April 2019 Click here to see the photos and to vote for your favourite.