Background I know it doesn’t appeal to everyone but one of my goals has always been to do an expedition in my sea kayak. My introduction came earlier in the year with a weeklong trip wild camping on Mull. Other than the simple pleasure of escaping and paddling for a week, I had a number of objectives: To experience wild camping: I have done the standard stuff in a field with a shower block but never anything like turning up on a beach and pitching a tent. To understand the challenges of extended trips: I have plenty of one day trips and paddled every day for a week but always with luxury of catering on hand and a readymade bed. To understand how to look after myself / protect my body on trips. I know how I feel sometimes after a hard day’s paddle, so how would I feel after a week of it… and wild camping. To develop / refine my paddling skills. I paddle reasonably regularly but it can have a habit of being in fits and starts and I feel I have stagnated somewhat in my development as a paddler. ….. and to enjoy myself. There is no point in doing something like this and not enjoying it. Preparation There is no way I could just turn up and paddle for a week; so big part of my preparation involved exercise and building up my fitness and stamina. In addition to additional paddles on my local river, there was swimming and trips to the gym. I thought I had a lot of gear but when I got Pete Thomas’ packing list I was surprised at how much I didn’t have. A few trips to Runcorn and Go Camping and eBay purchases sorted that and left me a […]

All, I would just like to say Saturday was one of my best kayak days ever not about counting swims counting numbers of smiles from people. Excellent day well done to all How good was that? I eventually met Surf King Karl Tatum, saw a constant determined effort by John Rasquinha and had a cracking time with all. John Allerton provided another quality session and gave good advice on safety, lines, skills,etc. There was plenty ‘in the flow’ rolling practice. After 3.5 hours on the water with tiredness kicking in Steve and Karl battled it out to see who could ‘have the last go’ on the bottom surf wave. Karl – bravery doing serpents on first day back on a river in years Gary – nailed it John – superb Stuart – yes made it look easy apologies if I missed anyone, John

One of them days when the sunshines and everyone smiles what a lovely day thanks all   . Well done all. level 0.6 Serpents Tail was a blast. great surfing, swiming and smiling. Karl – sorry there were no Rock and Candy Floss Shops.   How good was that? I eventually met Surf King Karl Tatum, saw a constant determined effort by John Rasquinha and had a cracking time with all. John Allerton provided another quality session and gave good advice on safety, lines, skills,etc. There was plenty ‘in the flow’ rolling practice. After 3.5 hours on the water with tiredness kicking in Steve and Karl battled it out to see who could ‘have the last go’ on the bottom surf wave.  That was fun !  Dave

Hi All, Club Open Day / come and try it day – Sunday 29th April 10:30am to 12:30am Everyone is welcome to this traditional summer season opener.   We will have lots of taster sessions / come and try it sessions / Pyranha Canoes and Kayaks are bringing their demo fleet / rolling competition / Sprint championships competition / beer cooler competition? / canoe Polo penalty shot competition  / and bring and buy sale of used canoeing items. This event is open to non-members but they need to sign in and leave emergency contact details if paddling. More details to follow later in the week but right now I need a band of volunteers to help run the event. Eg Coaches and experienced paddlers to oversee the taster sessions and on water activities Car Parking helper Bring and Buy Sale supervisor Welcome and information team Competition supervisors and results coordinators If you are interested in supporting the club in any of the roles please reply to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk saying what you would like to do and I will outline the task and give details of the briefing on Sunday morning. Many thanks  

Was very very cold on hands today on the River Dee Level 0.86m – Neil superb well done such improvement and also Aaron, John excellent. Ian looked confident – not best weather but hey beats sitting on the couch. Thanks all – the suns coming out in May finally Im sure! Thanks All.

Saturday morning at 10:30am a small group of six LCC members met at the Runcorn Rowing Club to paddle the stretch of the Weaver Navigation up to the Dutton Locks. It was a hive of activity at the rowing club as boats were loaded onto trailers for an away meeting. We weaved our way through the group carrying our kayaks to the launching pontoon with greetings being exchanged.  It was a leisurely two hour trip to the locks so with a stop for lunch we were looking at returning at around 4pm. With everyone safely on the water we were off.  Three sea kayaks, and three crossover kayaks made the two hour trip in decent weather. We had no rain and little wind. Arriving at the little landing point Phil tied all the boats together and we left them floating in a colourful little group on the water whilst we all headed to the picnic tables up ahead.The table was soon covered with sandwiches, biscuits, chocolate fudge cake and jam and “dirty custard  donuts.” It was a welcome break. The weather had turned quite chilly now and so the group headed back. We usually make a trip around to the sluice gates before heading back but today we gave them a miss.  The return trip was done at the same leisurely pace although we did encounter some strong wind in places which made it a little longer than the two hours.  Despite our little group being a bit out of practice having not padded much distance over the winter months we managed the 10 mile trip quite comfortably. Paddlers:- Irene Jackson, Jim Duffy, Phil Edwards, Bob & Sue Hamilton and John Fay

8 days paddling down the Sun Koshi – interactive map at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_2GQCWB3luv14RlGozLguZzYRkpN0-mP&usp=sharing

You’ll have 1 soft stuff bag that goes in a dry bag for everything to go in. Valuables or crushables (e.g. sun glasses / bottles of Deet …) go in the Peli-case   Paddling clothes for warm water: Helmet BA Spray deck, remember to check yours will fit choice A and B from the hire list Quick drying long sleeve top (and legs if on raft) to protect from sun (rash vest or base layer) Cag for the afternoon wind, short sleeve fine but if back to back storms it can get cool so still take long sleeve Shorts 3 sets of undies – on, off & a spare in case evening rain prevents a wash drying River shoes that have grip to portage on boulders Consider gloves (socks if rafting) to protect against the sun Factor 50 sunscreen Contact lenses not ideal with water quality and silt after rain or big water splashes Bug repellent (mainly last 2 days) maybe for lunch stops Dry bag to take bits in the boat – you can’t access kit between camps Airbags, check if required before going, there were some with a bit of life in them provided Personal safety kit Throwline? Probably not going to use due to river width and the fact the group don’t stop to set up safety Water bottle, they provide clean water and squash Lots of food at breakfast, lunch and dinner no need for extra snacks   Camping kit: Tents provided but the fine sand got in. You may want to have a bag to protect valuables Summer sleeping bag, they will provide but you may like to use your own Camping pillow or pillowcase to stuff with clothes Roll mat can be provided, taking a thermarest recommended 1 set of shorts, t-shirt, long sleeve […]

We were up for tea and coffee at 6am followed by a massive breakfast at 7am – fruit salad with granola, scrambled, egg, fried veg, toast and a selection of peanut butter, jam and marmalade (which also came out every lunch time with salt, pepper, ketchup and chilli sauce). Drinking water had been prepared over night for us to fill our water bottles with a choice of squash. With the camp packed up and the rafts loaded by 8.30am we were told the line as we went straight into the first named rapid of the trip. The big holes were relatively easy to avoid and we were soon all safely down and playing in the bottom wave while waiting for the rafts to catch up. Then, while the vultures circled overhead we set off down the river. The scenery was great and the water was getting bigger as we paddled up to a new rapid formed by a recent avalanche which will now be known as ‘Keep Right or Get Munched’. We paddled for about 3.5hrs until lunch – plenty of biscuits, bread, beans, coleslaw, spaghetti in a dressing and oranges. We continued for another couple of hours before setting up camp and tucking into prawn crackers and hot drinks. Just before dinner (veg curry) was a rain storm so the guides quickly assembled shelters from oars and tarps. After dinner we sat out by the campfire used to burn the rubbish from the last 2 days before heading off to bed. While collecting wood the guides also put rocks on our tent pegs, they could tell a few squalls might pass us while the odd rumble of thunder could be heard some distance away. With more rain overnight the river lived up to its name and was turned gold […]