Originally published as Sarah goes sea kayaking: The Marshlands, by boat.  After 3 morning training sessions in the docks the course tackles the strong South Westerly winds with a trip from Dee Sailing Club south towards Parkgate and Neston. In which brave Sarah goes out into the more than choppy waters of the Dee Estuary and the boundaries of her comfort zone are well and truly pushed. * December 2016. The Shining Shore, Dee sailing club slipway visible in the distance. One of my favourite places in the whole world is ‘The Shining Shore’ – the shining waters and mudflats of the Dee Estuary. Me and Ronnie have walked all along this shore, from Parkgate to West Kirby, and have a default walk which starts at Thurstaston, goes inland  through lanes and woodland, and emerges on the beach and the cliffs at Thurstaston for the last stretch. We’ve done it so many times in the last six years I feel I could probably do it blindfold. We also walk further up the shore, further inland where the marsh is gradually encroaching, and we call that part ‘The Marshlands’. And yet each time we walk here there is always something to see – wildflowers, the change in the light, the birds in the estuary…. Here’s a selection of photographs of this part of the world from the last five years. Over the years we’ve observed the cliffs erode, the marsh becoming larger. And the tidal flow in and out of the cut through the marsh. During our years of walking I didn’t imagine that I would enter the marsh through this cut. But this weekend I did. My latest kayaking adventure starts at the Dee sailing club slipway, nearing high tide on Sunday 26 February 2017. My Romany kayak. Ready to launch as high tide approaches, […]

Please open it by clicking this link February Newsletter…….  or via the website   More Archived Newsletters….. To check your membership details go to Login button on website or click here….      If you have forgotten your password click here….. to have a new one emailed to you. (Please note that some ISP`s may block our automated system so please contact membership@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk if you have prob

With the upcoming sea kayak course, here are some thoughts about packing for those longer trips – but remember it’s not the only way! Time to start dreaming and planning. Single overnighter to multi week trip, its all good.

Sea Kayak Demo Day by Sea Kayak Oban www.seakayakoban.com Sunday 12th March 2016 – Killington Lake 10 am -2 pm hosted by Killington Sailing Association, supported by Sedbergh & District Canoe Club, supervised by “Cumbria Canoeists” – Mike Sunderland & RDT To Book / Request a Kayak please E-Mail info@seakayakoban.com, or Call Stuart or Cathy for a chat on 01631-565-310. Before buying a sea kayak it is really worthwhile trying as many as you can and Sea Kayak Oban’s demo days are the perfect opportunity. We will have at least 4 different brands – Valley, Northshore, P&H, Epic, Perception – of sea kayaks and lots of different sizes and styles. NEW VALLEY SIRONA LV & MV SIZES and plastic Sirona LV & MV and the EPIC V5 & V6. Also paddles by Werner, Adventure Technology, Epic Wings & Ainsworth & you can also size drysuits by Kokatat and PeakUk. Bring regular paddling gear and try as many kayaks you want on Killington Lake – Sea kayak Oban team Stuart and Cathy – on hand to advise and discuss kayak designs, handling qualities, suitability & prices. Grateful thanks to “Killington Sailing Association” (KSA) for hosting the event – all sailing members VERY welcome. Please Book and  IT is  all  FREE

River Dee Improvers Trip 5th February 2017 What a fantastic paddle it turned out to be on Sunday! We all met at Ponsonby arms, in Llangollen, the car park after town falls where paddlers usually get off when they have paddled from Horse shoe falls down to town. Everyone started to arrive at 9:30 am. It was a beginners and improvers trip, we were there to paddle the lower Dee. We had a great flow of water which was nice and manageable for all levels of paddlers. There was a good turn out for this nice relaxing paddle on the chilly Sunday morning. Once everyone had got changed into their nice and toasty thermals and paddling kit, the people in cars made their way down to where we were due to get off the river. As everyone arrived back to where the rest of us were stood freezing whilst starting to get to know each other, it was then time to get on the water. Before we did that, the top dog Keith put us all into our groups, it was my first trip with Liverpool Canoe Club and I was there to help out doing some river leading to help me towards my 4*. I’m very grateful that Keith and my group leader Mark (who I accidentally kept calling Steve) Garrod let me tag along. When we were all ready to start our journey, not to name any names here (simply because I don’t know any), but someone had left their helmet in their car, which just had to be at the get off point….. Luckily my Mum and Dad took this lovely gentleman back down to his car to collect his helmet. Whilst the bloke’s group waited patiently behind, the other groups made their way onto the water. […]

The Kayak Roll – 3 part Video   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0ZJeTkxOGU    

Dear All A reminder that we have the Irwell 2, Wild Water Race Northern Counties Series Regional Race coming up on Sunday 19th March. All welcome – it’s a great venue and always good racing whatever the level! I if you are planning to come please let me know thanks: Peter Schofield. 07790 494110 email chairman@wildwater.org.uk The course runs through the Burrs Activity Centre Site from just below the weir on the River Irwell at the top through down to below the road bridge to the get-out at the bottom of the site, river left (i.e. on the left hand side of the river looking down-stream). One of the major advantages of the Burrs is a mill stream running alongside and above the River Irwell that allows race participants to paddle back up to the start and to get as many runs in as possible. ACCESS River Irwell, Burrs Activity Centre, Woodhill Road, Bury, BL8 1DA The course is available from 0930. Competitors are advised to arrive early and walk the course before getting on to practice. It is also advisable to change after practicing and staying warm between the race briefing and getting on for the start of the race. PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE 0930 – 1100 Free practice on river. 0930 – 1030 Late entries in the car park 1030 Race brief in the car park 1130 First sprint run 1 minute intervals 1230 Second Sprint Run 1 minute intervals Directly after the second sprint run at approx. 1340 there will be the Club Team Race & open Canadian class all starting at two minute intervals. (We can have a break after the Kayak Team Race for clubs to get back to the start if needed) 1600 (approx.) Prize giving Best regards Peter Peter Schofield Chairman, Wild Water Racing Committee, […]

Please open it by clicking this link January Newsletter…….  or via the website   More Archived Newsletters….. To check your membership details go to Login button on website or click here….      If you have forgotten your password click here….. to have a new one emailed to you. (Please note that some ISP`s may block our automated system so please contact membership@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk if you have problems)

  Liverpool Canoe Club Photo Competition Winners – January 2017   Congratulations to John Fay for his winning photo: “Phils Hotdog” Runner up JohnPegram:  “Llandysul (mid Wales) along the slalom” Runner up Jenny Brown: “Tees weekend 2016”  Not found your photograph? – see all the entries for this month……….. Criteria for the photo of the month competition…. 25 % Quality and sharpness of the photograph, 25% Quirkiness and framing of the subject, 25% Diversity of the subject material (ie not all one discipline), 25% has LCC logo or clothing in the shot. Please send in your entries for next month now – website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk

Club weekends and major events for the Club 2017 – for more detail check the online Club Calendar…… 5th February 2017 Improvers River Trip (Grade 2-3) – Coordinator John Allerton and Keith Steer Click to book a place… 25 – 26th March 2017 River Wye Paddle from Hereford to Hoarwithy (Grade 1 flat water) – Coordinator Carl Yung Leungsangnam Click to book a place… 13 – 17th April 2017 Scottish Easter Paddling Holiday based at Kinlochleven – coordinator Roy McHale. 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 Anglesey Weekend #4 Click for more and to book a place – based at Outdoor Alternative Rhoscolyn  – coordinator Peter Massey.