A leisurely start to Saturday saw us heading down to North wales for a little pootle in the the sea. Since we failed to tempt any more out for the trip on Saturday it was just the 3 of us which is just about right since we needed to shuttle the cars to West shore for the get out and on the water for 11. This was a little later than I would have liked however no issues as we had plenty of tide. As we rounded Little Orme the seals where in a playful mood and came out so splash our kayaks and have a good old nosy. Lunch was then had at the far end of Llandunno bay, east end before continuing on past the pier and on to Gt Orme, it was a little choppier than expected but it all added to the fun. I’d never done the Ormes on this tide and was amazed to see how different the cliffs were on a lower level, some of the caves were also more accessible. I also couldn’t believe how clear the water was here to, never seen it so clear. As we approached west shore we were on the bottom of the tide and there appeared to be an awful lot of sand between us and the car!! Good job we brought our trolleys. After lugging them up the beach for half an hour I turned to look back how far we had walked only to see that there was a channel running parallel to the big pipe that we could have paddled up! DOH! Ah well I’ll know for next time. Karl, Chris, Roy.

Please find attached the results from last night including the overall league results. Congratulations to Liverpool Ladies coming in 1st place and congratulations to Penrith Ladies who are the runners up! I think both teams will be getting trophies and I will arrange how we get these out to you. I hope all teams enjoyed it and if you have any feedback in general feel free to let me know and I can pass on to th e BCU Polo committee.  As I said to you last night I am so pleased and impressed how much everyone has improve d since last season and I hope everyone enjoyed it! I certainly did!   Thank you to all teams for your hard work reffing and running the table, and I hope you will be back to play again next season 🙂 Best wishes and thank you! Rachel  

Why not come and do a spot of paddling with the club.  We have sole use again this year including the large kitchen / dining room / drying rooms etc. Scotland’s only inside ice climbing wall is just across the road, Ben Nevis is just up the road.  Great open boat, sea kayaking, sheltered lochs and beautiful rivers.  Lots to do for non-paddlers. We still have a few places left in the hostel but will soon be sending out the car share rooming options so please hurry if you still want to reserve you place. Click here for more information and to book…… Thursday, 13 Apr 2017 For 4 days Scottish Easter Paddling Holiday based at Kinlochleven – coordinator Roy McHale.  40 is the maximum number on this trip to ensure there is enough cover for all the trips. . We will contact you with more details – list of who is going so you can share transport. Contact Roy McHale for more information…. The area is ideal for Sea Kayaking, loch paddling, grade 2 rivers, grade 3-4 rivers, Open Boat trips, walking, Skiing and mountain Biking. There is something for everyone. Cost is £17.50 per night but you need to pay for all 4 nights. We have booked the whole hostel for all of the Easter so that is £70 for a place on the trip. 1 x 2, 3 x 3, 5 x 4 and 1 x 8 bedded rooms available and will be allocated by Roy once you have booked. Roy McHale email: Roy.McHale AT riverside.org.uk There is a camping / Camping van option which is the same cost as the hostel (£70) and must be pre-booked using the bookwhen form below as it is a very busy Easter and most of the tent spaces have been reserved for walkers on […]

Twenty-seven brave souls participated on the journey into the subterranean world of the Queensway (old) Mersey Tunnel wondering beneath Liverpool’s city streets. As I approached the George’s Dock Building entrance I was greeted by the site of an jolly crowd of Liverpool Canoe Club members with some bright spark shouting “Did you bring the biscuits and sausage rolls?”  What cheek! After sorting out bright yellow hard hats/high visibility vests we assembled by the two tour guides who gave us a brief history of the construction, safety issues etc. and then the tour began. Young Aleksander between the 2 Craigs! The entrance hall Meeting Room Now we could have taken the lift but we all decided, some unwisely, to ascend the 4 flights of stairs to the original tunnel control room where Irene took centre stage, displaying what to do in an emergency should there be flooding! After all the laughter and the banter between LCC and the 2 Scouse Tunnel Guide comics the atmosphere changed as they told us about the ghost and tried to frighten young Aleksander (and us).  Aleksander was not at all bothered unlike some of us who shuddered at the eerie stories!! After fiddling with all the dials, controls etc it was time to descend into the depths.  Back down the stairs we went to the ground floor and then down more stairs to 4 floors below street level. We arrived at one of the huge ventilation chambers and waited while the fan started up.  Although rather dusty walking down when the fan got going the air was remarkably clean and fresh and quite gusty!      Another ventilation fan   We walked through what seemed a labyrinth of twists and turns until we got to the emergency escape refuges, where seven of us at a time were let loose […]

The great thing about Scotland in March is a) the lack of people and b) the lack of midges! It can be a bit chilly in March so we planned a route to take in a couple of overnight stays in mountain bothies so that we could relax in front of a real fire each evening. As per usual, we decided to drive through the night alternating between sleeping and driving, a strategy that seems to work well and makes for a stress-free journey. The trip plan was to paddle out of Mallaig and head up Loch Nevis staying the first night at Sourlies Bothy, returning the next day part way along Loch Nevis before deploying our kayak trollies to climb the pass to Loch Morar and heading to Oban Bothy at the head of the Loch. The final day was to be a gentle paddle along Loch Morar and a gentle run back to Mallaig to grab the car. We loaded our car with luggage and boats the previous evening before heading to bed for a couple of hours sleep. At 1.15am, we tumbled in to the car and set off. With clear roads, the journey was a breeze and we were in Mallaig by 7.30 am, in time to shop for an onion and cough sweets at the local Cooperative. The mission café in Mallaig opens at 8am in winter and does a reasonable full Scottish breakfast. By 9.15am we’re on the slipway wondering how we’re going to get all the gear we have brought in to our kayaks; wine, Guinness and other essentials! After much faffing and repacking we were off by 10.30 with a local skipper warning us of the windy conditions out in the loch. Initially, we could hug the shore for protection but eventually our […]

Why do we need you? At the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust we believe that the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close.  You will be directly involved in shaping our visitors’ unforgettable experiences through your warm welcome, your interaction with them and the information that you provide.  We need friendly, outgoing people to help with the canoe safari operation, ensuring that our visitors feel part of something amazing.  Who will be responsible for your role?           Marketing Manager Where will you be based?                                   Canoe barn How much time will it take?                    We have opportunities on all days. We will mutually agree the hours that you can contribute and it would be helpful if you could try to give us as much notice as possible on the occasions when you are not able to contribute those hours You must be 18 years or over to apply for this role.  What will you be doing? Giving health and safety briefings covering all of the aspects of canoe safety applicable to Martin Mere canoe safari Fitting buoyancy aids in a professional manner, paying particular attention to the sensitivities of older people and children Handling money taken for canoe trips Illustrating the use of canoes and paddles, including demonstrating if necessary Completing paper work relevant to canoe trips accurately, in particular on participants return Understanding the importance of prompt response to emergency calls Monitoring the canoe route and visitors’ participation in the activity Maintaining the tidiness of canoe hut and surrounding area Who are we looking for? No previous experience is required as training will be provided.  However this role will     suit you if you have a love of wildlife and the outdoors and are: Confident or experienced in […]

Club weekends and major events for the Club 2017 – for more detail check the online Club Calendar……. 10 – 12th March 2017 Scottish Sea Paddle Arisaig/Mallaig area – Coordinator Simon Howarth 10th March 2017 Improvers River Trip (Grade 2-3) – Coordinator John Allerton and Keith Steer Click to book a place… 13 – 17th March 2017 River Wye Paddle from Hereford to Hoarwithy (Grade 1 flat water) – Coordinator Carl Yung Leungsangnam Click to book a place… 1st, 8th April and 7th and 8th May 2017 Open Boat (Canadian Canoe) Introductory / Improvers Course – Coordinator Mike Alter and Ruth Edwards 3 x half day and 1 day local trip Click to book a place… 13 – 17th April 2017 Scottish Easter Paddling Holiday based at Kinlochleven – coordinator Roy McHale. Click to book a place… 22nd April 2017 Introductory Course for new members / Novice Paddlers 1 x six hour session Click to book a place… 12 – 14th May 2017 Anglesey Weekend #1  Click for more and to book a place – based at Tyn Rhos Trearddur Bay  – coordinator Peter Massey. 26 – 29th May 2017 Pembroke Bank Holiday Weekend Click for more and to book a place – based at Whitesands Camping coordinator Jenny Brown. 9 – 11th June 2017 Anglesey Junior Club Weekend #2 Click for more and to book a place – based at Pen-y-Bont Farm, 4 Mile Bridge  coordinator Keith Steer. 25th June 2017 Hilbre Island Race – Club event for all  More information…….. 7 – 9th July 2017 Anglesey Weekend #3 Click for more and to book a place – based at Bodfan Farm, Rhosneigr  – coordinator Jenny Brown. 21st July  – 6th Aug 2017 Alpine Holiday Alpine Rivers Holiday – Briancon France  Coordinator Keith Steer 22 – 24th Septmber 2017 […]

Photo of the Month Competition – Click here to vote for your favourite Elf on a Shed – Photo by Sarah Gille LCC Ladies Canoe Polo Team  – Photo by Emma Kirk Craig and Steve on the Burrs – Photo by Dave Gentle Photo of the Month Competition – Click here to vote for your favourite

To put our skills into practice, our 3 session sea kayak improver course cumulated on Sunday with an open water trip on the Dee estuary. In the wake of storm Doris, the original plan to paddle to Hilbre was changed to a more sheltered paddle, up the estuary, from the Dee Sailing Club towards Parkgate. We met at the Dee Sailing Club bright and early, donned our thermals and dry suits, and carried our boats down to the beach to launch. Keith Steer described where we were headed and off we went, at first paddling at about 45 degrees to the north westerly to get clear of the beach. In the strong wind and great waves, we kept in a large group, 16 altogether, with Keith at the head and our coaches Gareth Jones, Alan Peachment and Mark Pawley (unfortunately John Fay had hurt his back and was unable to join us) supporting and watching out for us from all sides. This was my first trip on open water (aside from a tame potter on the Devonshire coast in the glorious sunshine of the height of summer!), but I got use to the motion of the sea quickly and using mark’s very smart paddle (thank you again!) I surprised myself by making good headway with my improved paddle stroke described by a fellow paddler as ‘steady and efficient’! Once clear of the shore, we paddled into the wind, choppy waves coming from the side, but I trusted in my sturdy club Scorpio (and my improving support strokes!) and thoroughly enjoyed either ploughing through the waves or floating over them to fall down the trough on the other side. We paddled for a couple of hours, with the little white houses of Parkgate ahead, before turning into the marshes to fuel […]