End of an era. The last ever pool session at the Kingsway Leisure Centre is tonight (Thursday 28th November 2024). As some of you may know, we are leaving the pool at Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes after tonight’s pool session. The new pool in Widnes, which will open after Christmas, is much smaller and unsuited to canoeing so we are moving on. We start next week on a new night… Read More »End of an era. The last ever pool session at the Kingsway Leisure Centre

Sheltered Home Waters Course 16th & 21 Nov 24 We ran a sheltered or home waters training and assessment course last weekend. Four candidates practised rescues and towing in many different scenarios. It was generally felt that technique and not strength was the most important factor when dealing with rescue situations. The Club ran 5 similar training courses last summer, signing off several new dock leaders. If you are interested… Read More »Sheltered Home Waters Course 16th & 21 Nov 24

There had been nothing in the rivers for over three weeks and we wanted to get out and do something different. The only river running was the Dee and it was on a scrape, Tryweryn was not releasing and someone came up with the idea of paddling on the Menai Straits. It was a big tide so the current would be running between the bridges. Terry Story in his guidebook… Read More »White Water Leaders Trip – Swellies on 17 Nov 24

Bute Circumnavigation 8th – 11th Nov Gary, Roger, Eamon, Andy and Christine The Isle of Bute nestles comfortably in the Firth of Clyde, south of the Cowal peninsula and north of the Sound of Bute, divided into highland and lowland areas by the highland boundary fault which crosses the island along the line of Ettrick Bay/ Kames Bay. Farming and tourism are the main industries, along with some fishing and… Read More »Bute Circumnavigation 8th – 11th Nov 2025 by Andy Bond

Llangollen Canal – Chirk to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct by Alan Peachment 13 go paddling on the Llangollen canal out and return from Chirk to Trevor Basin. Saturday 16th November 2024. The trip took in 2 aqueducts and 2 tunnels.The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – which crosses the river Dee at a height of 126ft/38.4m. The Chirk Aqueduct crosses the river Ceiriog at a height of 70ft/21m.We also paddled through the Whitehouse tunnel (191yds/174m)… Read More »Llangollen Canal – Chirk to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct by Alan Peachment

2024 11 10 River Dee paddle Following a last-minute Google group from an email from Chris for a paddle on a very low river Dee, A group of 9 club paddlers met at the top car park. A short shuttle to the bottom and we were off, “boofing” horseshoe weir. [Nb this weir can be lethal in high water where it is shot on the rocky ledges on the left]… Read More »2024 11 10 River Dee paddle

Royal Dee Descent October 2024 by Graham Rowe Day 1 There’s a time to go to the river when it is right to do the river, not fix a date then complain it was either flooded or way too low. The season was right, a significant volume of rain had drenched the watershed, and the weather looked generally favourable for an opportunity to descend the Aberdeenshire Dee, the Royal Dee.… Read More »Royal Dee Descent October 2024 by Graham Rowe

An interview with Tim and Laura, two club members who are hoping to do the Devizes-Westminster Canoe Race next year. What is the DW? Laura: The Devizes to Westminster canoe race is held over the Easter weekend every year, and runs—as the name would suggest—from Devizes in Wiltshire, down the Kennet and Avon canal to Reading, and then down the river Thames to Westminster. It’s 125 miles long, with  77… Read More »The DW next year

Hilbre Island Paddle 2nd Nov 2024 With high pressure set for the weekend emails went out asking for paddlers to join for either the Saturday or Sunday paddles on the sea. The tides were right for an early morning dart out to Hilbre from West Kirby. Six club members met up at the slipway and waited for the tide to reach the tarmac. It was an enjoyable paddle out with… Read More »Hilbre Island Paddle 2nd Nov 2024

Festival of light with a twist…by James G Paddling on the sea at night can be a phenomenal experience. Not being able to see the sea around you as it passes under your boat encourages you to relax, absorb what is going on, and allow the boat to move while you provide the propulsion. In the right conditions, it can be hugely beneficial.  As per the golden rule of sea… Read More »Festival of light with a twist…by James G