On Tuesday we set of on a two day adventure to the Verdon Gorge. After doing a supermarket shop the day before, we packed up the minibus and set of bright an early for the four hour drive. We arrived about midday, unfortuntately to find that the river that usually releases on a Tuesday wasn’t to release because of the drought. This didnt dampen our spirits though, as the Verdon Gorge is one of the world’s greatest areas of ourstandng natural beauty and it was definitely worth going just to see it! We found a little stoney beach (which we marked as a good place for our wild camp that night) and settled down for lunch and a relaxing afternoon in the sunshine, swimming an reading. Later that afternoon we headed off to swim a popular part of the gorge. Dressed in our paddling kit, we floated down rapids (feet up, bums high to miss the rocks!), swam though syphons and even jumped off rocks into the deeper water below. After a climb up the gorge and through the mountain tunnels, we set off on a scenic drive to the highest viewpoint of the Gorge, to see Europe’s Grand Canyon-an abslutely stunning spectacle. The Gorges Du Verdon (in French: Les Gorges du Verdon or Grand canyon du Verdon), in south-eastern France (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), is a river canyon that is often considered to be one of Europe’s most beautiful. It is about 25 kilometres long and up to 700 meters deep. It was formed by the Verdon River, which is named for its startling turquoise-green colour, one of the location’s distinguishing characteristics. The most impressive part lies between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where the river has cut a ravine to a depth of 700 metres through the limestone mass. At the end of the canyon, the Verdon River flows into the artificial lake of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon (in French: Lac de […]

After lunch we set off in the van round the twisty roads with great views into the gorge below. The drop below was just a little wooden fence away. The bike was dropped at the get out and we were off to the get in for the 2nd paddle of the day. A fast safe flow with lots of eddies to hop and waves to play in. Then there was the Keith v tree challenge – the tree won and Kieth rolled. He was just remindng us to avoid trees. Dom practised his technique of barging people out of eddies and team mamba started a tag team hi-fiving as they weaved in and out of the eaddies together. It was then back to camp via the supermarket to stock up for the 2 day adventure to follow. More Photos……..

1st river of the day…. Low water levels made a challenging paddle round rocks and little drops. We split into 3 groups, the average weight seemed to set the paddling rate of each team of pddlers as we scraped over some gravely sections. There were a couple of swims, but smiles all round. Off at the rickety bridge for lunch in the sun after Keith had cycled to retrieve the van. The plans for the next couple of days were discussed in detail and a plan was formulated for the afternoon paddle and for the next 2 days. More photos….

With calm conditions forecast and HW just before 11am, I launched from the Old Coastguard Station at 0840 for a scenic outing to Hilbre.  After crossing the shipping channel as “Kayak Robin”, I headed for Leasowe Lighthouse which is as far as I’d previously explored along the North Wirral Coast.  Wirral Lifeguards were patrolling the shore in a landrover type vehicle.  After hearing them sign on with Holyhead Coastguard, I called than up on Channel 16 to let them know of my presence.  They said they were already keeping an eye on me. I soon reached Hoylake slipway which presented a tranquil scene with quaint old boats moored nearby.  Despite it being around HW, water then started to become in short supply.  For next half mile or so, I splodged along in ankle deep water with the kayak following along behind.  [DSCN0530.jpg]  I eventually found some deeper water with Red Rocks to my left and Hilbre straight ahead.  While making that final crossing there were seals everywhere, too many to count. With the tide now ebbing, I didn’t want to risk the normal beach landing on Hilbre so continued around to the NW corner where there are some deep channels that are more suitable for latecomers. After a welcome break, I first headed NW, then N and NE so as to skirt around the end of the Wirral Peninsular.  A little way out, I could see two prominent green buoys which I though might mark the Rock Channel back to Liverpool.  Designated HE3 and HE2, I’ve since found that they mark the “Hilbre Swash”. With super calm conditions and the windfarm seemingly not far away, I decided to return to Crosby via a northerly route rather than staying close to the shore.  With the outgoing tide, I was drifting north […]

We unloaded all our kit and had set up camp at L` Argentiere La Bessee the night before.  After a lazy start and a food run the first paddle of the holiday was the Middle Durance. The brave got on at the campsite slalom course, picking up the less stupid at the bottom to set off down stream in the fast silty white/blue flow for 19km. Extra sun screen was applied part way down and the trees on the bends were mostly were avoided. The wind in our faces kept us cool in the hot sun. After no swims Keith got everyone in for throw line practise. The initial swim was a chilly wake-up. Although Keiran seemed to enjoy it as he went a few eddies lower than planned. We might need some more practise to improve our aim or less slalom poles to get in the way. After lunch in the sun the big kids went down the slide at the rolling pool to do another lap of the lower slalom course. Some of the others went to check out the canoe shop and Mark sampled the local blackcurrent crumble. It was then back to camp for dinner and BA sewing! More photos….

We are proposing to run a trip to Alaska in August 2018.  Provisional dates are 16th to 30 August but final dates will be determined by the cheapest days for flights.  The plan is to paddle a 12 day self-supported sea kayaking trip from Whittier.   We intend to visit a number of large tide water glaciers and several islands in Prince William Sound.  You must be prepared to camp from your boats for the whole of the trip and therefore you do need good camping skills. Approximate costs will be £500 + flights which were £900 in 2016. Provisional expressions of interest from current club members are requested by email.  Please include a very short summary of your experience if I have not paddled with you before.  Once I have this list of names more details will be circulated along with a chance to book. Keith Steer website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk

We are proposing to run a trip to Nepal in April 2018.  Provisional dates are 31st March to 13 April but final dates will be determined by the cheapest days for flights.  The plan is to paddle the relatively easy Sun Koshi with a 9 day raft supported trip camping on the sandy beaches along the river. (No need to carry anything in the boats). Approximate costs will be £500 + flights which were £450 in 2016. Provisional expressions of interest from current club members are requested by email.  Please include a very short summary of your experience if I have not paddled with you before.  Once I have this list of names more details will be circulated along with a chance to book. Keith Steer website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk  

Kayak Safety Cover Required – Warrington Dolphins Docks Swim – Coordinator John Worswick Saturday, 5 Aug 2017 8am – 12pm 16 spaces available. If you are reasonably competent in a kayak and willing to help please register here. Kayaks are available from the club racks. The event takes place from the Watersports Centre and you will be placed in a team by the coordinator and be given full support and instructions. This is an ideal first event if you are new to kayak safety. Meet at the compound at 8:00am ready for the water. The club receives a small donation for helping and all volunteers are invited to a free lunch if they so wish immediately after the event. Please click here for more details and to sign up……

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