Club Expedition to Alaska “Day 3” (Whittier to Perry Island, Meares Glacier and Unakwik Inlet and return via Esther Island) “A Temperate Rainforest?” 18th August (Saturday) – Perry Island to Olsen Island Despite the long length of the first full day, the team was up and ready to go by the normal 9am start. After ensuring that each team had restocked with water, it was time for team brief. Under grey skies the plan was outlined, a 7km crossing to the Dutch Group of Islands for lunch and then via some abandoned oil tanks to Axel Lind island (13km) where we would scout for a campsite. But we might head on a little further if appropriate. Everyone was ok with the plan, but there were a few requests for a repeat viewing of the whale – let’s see what we could do. Heading off as a tight group it was great to hear that everyone chatting that they had recovered from the day before. Just as we were settling into paddling rhythm there was an excited cry of “Whale!”. We eagerly looked in the direction pointed, and lo and behold there was the distinctive spout, and noise, of a whale. Alas it was too far away in the wrong direction to make paddling over worthwhile, but at least it was a request met and another tick in the wildlife box. With spirits high, and the weather conducive to paddling, we headed on towards the Dutch Group. Despite the solitude of the location, at all times we could hear these barks and howls travelling across the sea. The only answer could be sea lions, and it appeared as if the noise was coming from a group of skerries just off our planned route. In my opinion a sea lion colony outweighs […]

North West and Central Canoe Polo Division 2   Saturday 22nd  was the first tournament of North West and Central Division 2 for LCC Brunswick (youth team) having won Division 3 last season and joining fellow LCC team Coburg (old people). With both teams beating Manchester Wildcats B and Red Rose A and both losing against FOA D and Viking Y during the day , before lining up against each other in their final game, with the old people winning a tight game 3-2. A big well done to both teams for a great day. PS see you  on 23 February  in Cheadle  at 19;10 for the rematch ! Norman Cook Coburg team coach (after Richie was sent off for dissent).  

Club Expedition to Alaska “Getting there and Day 1” (Whittier to Perry Island, Meares Glacier and Unakwik Inlet and return via Esther Island) “A Temperate Rainforest?” This clubs` expedition to Prince William Sound is now well established with trips in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016 and again in 2018. This time we headed out to Perry Island in search of whales and then to Unakwik Inlet to find Meares Glacier. This involved some fairly-long, open crossings; including several in the thick fog. We were stormbound for several days with strong gusty winds and heavy rain. Every day we encountered something interesting including; humpback whales, black bears, Orca, Steller Sea lions and common harbour seals, deer, sea otters, bald headed eagles and many other sea birds; they seemed to be everywhere. We also paddled up to enormous tide-water glaciers. Our friend Levi Hogan (below) shuttled us to and from Whittier along with supplying his fleet of high quality UK Sea kayaks. Keith Peek. Mark Pawley Ruth Edwards Ian Bell Mike Alter Andy Garland, Martin Aldridge Roger Morgan, Chris Preston Frankie Annan, Nikki Aldridge The flight out and getting to Whittier Levi Hogan from Turnagain Kayaks This year, not only did we find a new outfitter, Levi Hogan and Turnagain kayaks but we also found cheaper and more direct flights via Iceland. Consequently, we had a much larger group than normal with 13 of us making the journey out to Anchorage. The flights cost around £800 with short stop over (2hrs) in the new North Atlantic hub of Reykjavik. On the way-out we were all kicking ourselves as we should have booked a couple of days in Iceland instead of flying straight through. We had to endure numerous advertising videos and TV programmes teasing us with the best that Iceland had to offer. […]

Short video of Leven. (just trying new go- pro really )

Great day yesterday on the River Rothay I will do it again for sure. Level was 0.7m this was a bit low perhaps 1.0 would of been better the trip was suited for a small number as there were many low hanging trees. Some amazing scenery. The rivers winds narrowly through grasmere then through grasmere like on to Rothay again then across Rydal water. Then on to Windermere, one river however wasn’t enough we did a quick run of Leven perhaps not best idea as it was late and we were tired. Neil came a cropper on the racecourse section and incurred a paddle snap. Bit of a downer but a great day in total Thanks all John https://youtu.be/RoEKt6jTze4

Lovely little article about Paul and his C1 conversion kits. Well done Paul. http://www.unsponsored.co.uk/press/c1-kayak-conversions/

Coniston open water swim by James Duffy Over 600 hundred swimmers took to Coniston Water on Saturday 1st September to take part in the gruelling Chillswim Coniston open water swim supervised by 40 kayakers including a team from Liverpool Canoe Club. After a somewhat tropical summer, the water temperature in the lakes was back in the normal temperature range of 16.8 degrees for the early morning swim. The event was a 5.25 mile linear swim of Coniston, and full support was provided for the swimmers by the kayakers. However, each swimmer also had a mandatory float in tow which made the task of the safety kayakers much easier. The Chillswim Coniston is open to both wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimmers, and approximately 120 of the swimmers chose to swim without a wetsuit. The fastest swimmer of the day was 21-year-old Sean Wylie from Hexham, who blasted the course in 1 hour 45 minutes and 53 seconds; the fastest time in the event’s history. Wylie was followed by Tom Robinson of Ulverston, in 1:51:04, who turns 18 next week. The fastest woman was 17-year-old Abbie Holyoake of Yorkshire Pentathlon, who finished in 1 hour 59 minutes. In the non-wetsuit category, first man was 46-year-old Phillip Hewitt of Hartlepool in 2:07:36 and first woman was 27-year-old Rachel Wilkinson from Yorkshire in 2:16:54. Swimmers range from first time long distance open water swimmers to Channel swimmers and everything in between. John McGivern from Merseyside participated with his three children as his 70th birthday present to himself. “Having swum this event with Chillswim before I knew it was special, and I wanted to have a great family memory for my 70th birthday. What better way than bringing my kids to swim 5 miles with me?” Top of Form    

The Windermere One Way Swim by James Duffy The Windermere One Way Swim took place on Sunday 2nd September at the beautiful and sheltered Fell Foot Park at the southern end of Windermere and some 167 swimmers took part. Swimmers were each accompanied by a personal kayaker including eight from Liverpool Canoe Club. The epic 11.2 mile swim the length of Windermere ended near Ambleside at Brathay Hall. Every Windermere One Way swimmer also had a timing chip to accurately record their time. Wetsuits were recommended but a significant number of experienced swimmers competed the challenge without a wetsuit. Significant crowds cheered the swimmers at the major viewing points and at the feed station just north of the ferry landing on the west side. Congratulations to all the swimmers.  

Canoe Polo Success at the British Open On Friday  31st we travelled  to Nottingham for the British Open canoe polo tournament , staying just  2 miles down the road at Holme Pierrepont Country Park campsite . We had  entered Division 3 with 9 other teams , ten-minute halves and a shot clock {which was a first for several of our  players} . On the Saturday  The Division was split into two mini leagues with our team winning 3 out of the 4. The only loss being against St Albans youth  to finish ranked 2nd in the group. On the Sunday we went into the knockout stages winning the first game on a golden goal against Kayak Northumbria in the 2nd period of extra time. Next up was Southampton University in  the semi-finals  which was won 3-2 with  probably our best all round game of the weekend. We were able to comfortably pass the ball around well to run down the clock. Then it was into the final against St Albans youth who beat us for the second time of the weekend,   4-0  with some good skills  for such a  young team. A big well done to the Sam , Aaron , Callum , John and Luke. Eventual runners up Division 3 . Norman Cook (Team Coach).