Open canoe trip – Farndon to Chester The weather was too good to miss, and we had agreed to meet up in Farndon to paddle down to Chester. We had agreed to paddle as two groups on the river with social distancing made easy in the opens. Put-In: Holt (Roman) Bridge in Farndon, Bridge Street, LL13 9JH Take-out at Sandy Lane CH3 5UT At Farndon we stayed on the English side of the bridge but observed many cyclists and locals crossing to the Welsh side. Fortunately, the border ran down the middle of this part of the lower river Dee, so we were not breaking any Covid-19 rules. Whilst waiting for the shuttle we chatted to locals about the large flood in January which damaged part of the bridge which was closed for 4-5 days. We put in at the small public car park by the new build called “the boat house” just in case anyone is looking for a new 5 bed detached with nice views of the river and town. Despite being pretty low, there was a good current to help us whisk us along the pleasant countryside. Several large logs blocked part of the river channel in places, but we were able to chat to each other as we paddled. Elevenses arrived and we managed to get out and enjoy a brew. Both groups stopped in the same place, but we all kept our distance. I even observed some high hills in the distance – after some discussion we agreed they were the hills around Llantysilio. We paddled on past the Duke of Westminster`s old Estate (Grosvenor Estate and Eaton Hall) under the Iron Bridge and stopped for lunch at the sharp Elbow bend with the sandy beach. Mark had his “Kelly Kettle” and stove and was keen to fry […]

Training sessions in the Docks It was good to see lots of group out on the water over the first week after lockdown. Along with the many paddle start sessions, distance paddling, skills sessions and general docks paddles were the open canoe sessions and sea kayak leaders and transition paddles. Some photos below. To see further paddling opportunities check out the club calendar………….. More photos…..

It will be great to get back paddling after such a long break. Just a couple of pointers below to help things run smoothly. All paddling places MUST be pre-booked with coordinator, once on site you need to wear a mask (from “car to afloat”). When planning trips, please ensure they are well within your capability – we are all a little rusty with skills and fitness after such a long break. Group leaders MUST supervise their paddlers both in selection and especially putting equipment away. Please store boats on their side on the racks according to length (longest on the left – shortest on the right). Buoyancy aid zips must be done up and spray decks hung up by the release pull. Can we all remind ourselves of where boats go after a session – see the images in the compound and in this email. Absolutely no seal launching from the beach at the compound, make sure the boat is just afloat and parallel with the shore and be prepared to step into the water. See getting afloat video 1 and Video 2 All paddling is in small, distinct groups of 6. Canoe polo is a team sport and current guidelines allow groups of 6 to play and train together (eg two teams of 6), provided they follow all canoe polo COVID 19 guidelines. COVID 19 is a respiratory virus and you are at most risk when face to face so please try to leave the compound and site as quickly as possible after paddling and avoid post paddle social chatting. LCC COVID 19 guidance…. See you on the water LCC

Stolen North Shore Calypso 2 Sea Kayak Please could you post a picture of my stolen Kayak on your site in case anyone has seen it for sale online? It was taken from us in Argyll at the end of January. It is pretty old and not very valuable but has great value to us. It’s a north Shore Calypso 2. Any information would be gratefully received, Thank you so much. Best wishes, Mary-Lou Aitchison

Over the next week or so you find that club paddles and sessions will become visible on our calendar and bookwhen booking system. All paddlers MUST be pre-booked with the session leader either via email or for most docks sessions via the link to the bookwhen site. Generally, sessions become visible 7 days ahead of the paddle and closes 24hrs before the paddle to enable the organiser to coordinate any groups or last-minute details. Please remember that all our coordinators, coaches and group leaders are volunteers and while we do our utmost to put on lots of paddles, with the numbers in the club, we all must be patient and wait for the right opportunity to paddle. Please only book a place if you are absolutely certain you can make the session. Doing so will block the place to other members. Key points when at the compound: Do not leave valuable in sight in any parked cars at the compound Everyone has to wear face masks from their car to being afloat when at the docks Please leave as soon as you can after the session – no chatting or hanging around.  Click here for Full Sized Calendar LCC Covid 19 Guidance (paddling and Equipment) Guidelines on coordinating or running a club trip See you on the water after 29th March (safely distanced and in small groups) Covid 19 Guidance (paddling and Equipment)  LCC Home   Site Map Page last updated March 23, 2021  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 The Stewardship group have reviewed all the latest guidance and agreed on […]

River Alt from Hightown Neap tides and calm weather gave the opportunity to paddle from Hightown down the river Alt and along the Hightown Dune system. We are still restricted to daily exercise with one other person, so Graham and I decided to take opens and enjoy the evening sunset. We accessed the river down the concrete slipway by the boatyard from Lower Alt Road (near the nature conservancy building). We paddled along the course of the river past the moorings and on to the Hightown Sailing club. We chatted to a couple of fishing folk and then paddle out of the creek to open sea. Conditions were flat and we had a cup of coffee on the sand bank near the River Alt outer marker and watch the ferries and tankers come up the main channel and into the Liverpool Docks. We paddled back up the Alt to the pumping station at the Rifle Range and MOD property before getting off the water at the boat yard. A great evening paddle but parking is limited to a few cars. You also only have an hour either side of high water or risk the muddy banks. The club usually paddles in the opposite direction from Crosby coast guard station. It is best to allow an hour or so either side of high water. Looking forward to the return of club paddling after the 28th March (or when restrictions allow) .

The excellent weather forecast continued over the Sunday – Very light winds and blue skies.  This meant we had to go on the sea but where?  Midday spring tides gave lots of opportunities around the region, River Alt from Crosby, River Mersey on the flood and return, Hilbre Island, Runcorn bridge to Fiddlers Ferry and Dee Sailing club to Heswall and Dee Sailing club to Mostyn shore (TSS Duke of Lancaster).  Well, we wanted to keep away from the crowds at Hilbre and West Kirby so fancied paddling across the Dee Estuary to the check out the Mostyn shoreline. Ian and I met at 10:00am at Dee Sailing Club (where run the Hilbre Island Sea Kayak Race) a couple of hours before high tide.   We readied our kayaks and as the tide came over the causeway, we launched heading SW towards Mostyn.   There was fog out in the middle and we were unable to see the Welsh coast but after about 45 mins we started to see the outline of the Flintshire shoreline.   As we drew closer, we could see the outline of beached TSS Duke of Lancaster.   As we approached, we spotted a small slipway and harbour masters office and decided to draw up to stretch our legs and have lunch. As we landed an official looking person approached and said, “where are you from”.   Not wanting a confrontation during these difficult times, I replied Flint and that we were just having a cuppa.  He relaxed a bit but said we were not to go up into the yard area by the harbour.   “no worries we will stay below the high tide line.” After about half an hour the tide began to change, and we got back on the water to return to Dee Sailing club.  As we closed […]

Leeds to Liverpool Canal – Halsall to Aintree and back The sunny weather was too good to miss so Graham and I decided to go for a paddle on the canal heading south through Lydiate and Maghull to Aintree Lane to where the canal goes over the River Alt. We passed under several very low bridges but the one at Aintree Lan is unpassable and a definite portage up and over the road. Once reaching Lydiate we passed 50 or so motorboats and canal barges, the Mersey Motorboat club! There were many houses which now backed onto the canal and it was clear that many had been busy last summer building numerous summer houses, decking and seating areas at the bottom of their gardens to while away the summer. The tow path was packed with walkers and bikes but we glided by taking in the surroundings. On the return journey Graham collected lots of fishing tackle from the trees and bushes. We saw loads of wildlife including a couple of kingfishers. This just indicates the good quality of the water on the canal. The numerous canals and waterways that surround the region give ample opportunity for all to get out on the water. Access is easy with the numerous small car parks and access points. Click the links below and plan your next outing. You obviously need your own boats at the moment but there is always someone to paddle with as a pair. Just suggest a trip via the googlegroups and provided there is a few days’ notice lots of members would be willing to get out on the water. 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 

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 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.