Another great day paddling through the tunnels and being attacked by a mad swan

Another great day paddling through the tunnels and being attacked by a mad swan. 14.9 miles in total. Great paddle today from Preston Brook, through the 3/4mile long Preston Brook Tunnel and out onto the Trent & Mersey canal. Through another tunnel and onwards to the Barton Tunnel. A stop for lunch and then back with the wind behind us. They are on the Trent & Mersey canal. If you went from Preston Brook on the Bridgewater canal and go towards the Anderton boat lift it joins the Trent & Mersey canal and you will go through 3 tunnels. there are times to enter the tunnels so just check before going through or you’ll meet a canal boat coming the other way. John Fay More get ins and locations to paddle…… Leeds to Liverpool Canal – All the canoe access points and routes  Bridgewater Canal – All the canoe access points and routes 

Hilbre Trip Pre-lockdown 2nd January

Hilbre Trip Pre-lockdown 2nd January The four of us met at West Kirby on a bright but cold day and waited for the tide to hit the slipway. Two other groups were also launching but took the inside passage inshore of the Little Eye. We headed out to find deeper water but had to fight the tide and the incoming swell. We eventually rounded Little Eye but large waves were breaking on one of the off-shore bars. We gingerly made our way to middle eye and squeezed through the channel with some large swells and made it to the beach on Hilbre. There was not much discussion about not going around the northern end. While on the beach we met a couple of other paddlers and swapped stories and chit-chat. After lunch we headed back but first had to pick our way through some large waves breaking on the reef on the Southern End of Hilbre. By picking the swells this was easily achieved. We were making good progress with the wind on our backs, but the tide was now ebbing quiet strongly and we had a little trouble punching through the breaking waves caused by swell against tide as it flowed over the shallows off Little Eye. We increased our cadence and surfed through the accelerated flow now against us. Once through, we had an easy paddle back to the Slipway.

Breaking Ice on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal

Breaking Ice on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal today with Phil Edwards. Morris Lane to Lydiate and back. Just short of 12 miles John Fay More get ins and locations to paddle…… Leeds to Liverpool Canal – All the canoe access points and routes  Bridgewater Canal – All the canoe access points and routes 

Bridgewater Canal – Local Paddles and Access Points

Bridgewater Canal – Local Paddles and Access Points This is easily accessed from the western end just under the flyover for the old Runcorn Bridge.  There is a car park behind the Wat Phra Singh UK Restaurant (formally the Waterloo Pub) or a public one next to it. Access to the canal side in front of the canal barges. Any type of boat suitable. It is best to come from centre of Runcorn via Devonshire Place and then via the High Street. There are numerous access points along the canal, and it can make for an good trip either out and return or with a car shuttle.   Click each access point along the Bridgewater Canal for more details and photographs. Please note this is a private canal and not part of the Canal and Rivers Trust network. Click here to see a large interactive map of all the recognised access and parking points along the Bridgewater Canal from Runcorn to Leigh Canal map for the Whole of the UK…..  

Winter edition of Paddler Ezine

New wicked winter issue 57 Break the ice and look forward to a warmer, better 2021… The International magazine for recreational paddlers Purchase the printed issue Free online HTML5 edition for mobiles Free online Joomag flip-page PDF issue

Crosby Surf in my repaired Surf Kayak by Karl Tattum

Crosby Surf in my repaired Surf Kayak by Karl Tattum Shakedown paddle today at Crosby to check if the Mega Neutron is now watertight. It started as I noticed each time I took to the water the boat would quickly become harder to paddle but I thought it was filling up through my spaydeck. After investigation, a small crack soon appeared to be a large crack and the rim tape had turned to dust exposing the joints. Filled with West System G Flex 655-k which is a Marine Grade Epoxy resin that is mixed 1 to 1 and can absorb stresses of expansion, contraction, shock and vibration. Easy to use, apply and finish. The result after today’s Surf is a fully watertight boat that paddles much easier now without the extra 5 gallons of water inside. Surf and weather was great as I had all the waves to myself.

Location of defibrillators with easy access from the water along the South Liverpool Docks.

Location of defibrillators with easy access from the water along the South Liverpool Docks. Only 4 locations are available 24/7 (Yacht Club Marina, Holiday Inn Express, Albert Dock security Tel: 0151 707 8384 and Pullman Liverpool Hotel) Please click on each location for more details. Click here to see the map in full screen….. Jim DuffyBCU Lifeguards Representative If you would like to get involved to help on any kayak safety cover  or require more information on defibrillators please contact Jim on Mobile 07900 078197

Leeds to Liverpool Canal – Local Access Points

Some of our club members have been getting out for their daily exercise on local waterways. We have updated our Leeds to Liverpool Canal page to indicate some of the local paddles available. We especially recommend the British Canoeing guides and suggested routes at the bottom of the page. If anyone has more good suggestions for access points, routes or trip reports for local paddles please pass them on. At the moment you are able to exercise locally within a household group or if on your own with one other person. You will of course need access to your own canoe or kayak as the all club facilities are closed during National Lockdown. NB please note that this includes the Liverpool Docks and Coburg Slipway which should not be used whilst all club paddling is suspended. Would be good to hear about some of your local paddling – please send items for the newsletter to There are many access points along the canal. The full route is 167 miles long, but many local paddlers use the canal for local trips. There is also the Rufford Branch, that goes north from Burscough to Tarlton Lock near Hesketh Bank and is worth exploring. Others have also explored a round trip returning on the River Douglas (Grade 1?) as it follows a section of the canal. The Leeds Liverpool canal is used by many Pleasure boats. Please paddle on the right-hand side of the canal when passing other traffic and watch out for fishing rods along its banks. Food and drink can be purchased at any of the canal side Pubs. There are also picnic areas by the Ship Inn Burscough. You may wish to bring your own food and drink. Canoe trails to download Eldonian Village Hall to Cooksons Bridge Cooksons Bridge […]

Covid 19 – Alert level 5, all use of the docks and compound, club trips and events etc will be suspended with immediate effect.

Hi All, I think we all knew it was coming.  Tonight`s announcement of an alert level 5 means that we should suspend all club paddles until further notice. You are free to exercise alone or within any guidelines which are yet to be announced but all use of the docks and compound, club trips and events etc will be suspended with immediate effect. The Club Calendar and Bookwhen site has been changed to reflect this new level of alert. The new measures become law on Wednesday, but we are advised to follow the guidance immediately to protect all in the area. Coronavirus (COVID‑19) National lockdown: stay at home You must stay at home. This is the single most important action we can all take to protect the NHS and save lives. You must not leave your home unless necessary. Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household. LCC

Surfing since lockdown

Surfing since lockdown We are fortunate in where we live. Even though we have just been put into tier 3, and cannot travel out of our region, we are lucky to have the amazing coastline around us. In recent years I have been mainly a park n play paddler, but with everywhere closed to us, it is time to get back on the surf which I love. Crosby has always been a favourite spot. It’s close to home and gives a good beating when the wind is blowing. Even an hour on the water makes you ache the next day. With lockdown here for a while, whilst we are still allowed, it is a great time to explore the local coastline. In the last week we have been to Crosby Beach, Perch Rock New Brighton and Leasowe Bay, Wallasey. Crosby runs on Westerly winds of 15mph, looks like New Brighton and Leasowe run on Northerly winds of 10mph. If you get the opportunity to try the sea, give it a go. Even if you swim, it’s usually a short walk to the beach with your boat and paddle. Ask Karl Tattum about this, as he has been an expert it boat and paddle swimming recently. Hope to get out again soon. See you on the water. Paul Harwood