Paddle up the Mersey, Monday 15th June by Jill Barlow I was one of the lucky ones who saw Keith’s email in time to snag two places on his trip up the Mersey. These days you need to get in there fast to join a paddle! We met at 6.30 by the dock compound – Keith, Trevor, Roger, Derek, Helen and myself – and we launched our boats in the small river entrance across the road. It was a nice evening and the river looked enticing, though the wind was a little stronger than expected. A few fishermen were on the quayside with their lines out, so we negotiated a passage alongside the wall to keep them happy and set off. I’m usually on a 34ft racing sailboat when I’m on the Mersey, so it was a little strange to be so close to the water! We made good progress, thanks in part to the tide coming in, passing various landmarks including the Marina lock gate, the old dock warehouses and new office blocks. Further on, we passed the Britannia pub and the red bull statue in Otterspool Park. People walking along the prom and on the beach called out or waved to us – guess they’re more used to seeing the large, impersonal tankers, not kayakers making their own way up the river! The route we took was down the Garston channel – one of the two shipping channels which are dredged to provide enough depth for the larger boats coming in. The buoys are labelled G1-11, and those indicating the Eastham channel are E1-E7. They’re also used as racing marks by the racing fleets of the local yacht clubs. Buoys & marks on the River Mersey (Courtesy of Royal Mersey Yacht Club) The sky got slowly darker as […]

A nearly summer solstice paddle round Hilbre Island 20th June 2020 by Catriona Hare Although there were quite a few beards around and some unruly hair styles, there were only a few people who looked like they could pass for druids, and no longest day rituals ensued. Although there was talk of the use of horsehair clippers as an emergency grooming tool, if our inner Getafix started to take hold. There were two groups paddling round Hilbre today the official LCC trip and some other randomers from the club who just happened to be on the same stretch of water. Well until Wales opens up to those of us east of the border, Hilbre and West Kirby are going to be very popular. It started, much to Keith’s chagrin with Ian predicting the arrival of water on the slip more accurately. Despite the lack of choice of location a paddle to Hilbre is still really enjoyable. Today’s trip provided varied conditions for getting those lock down neglected kayaking muscles working again. Gentle swell and surf over the shallows on route to and from Hilbre enhanced by the south/southwest winds. The over-falls on the far side of Hilbre also provide us with plenty of opportunity to play and carry out rescue “practice”, before we stopped on the beach on the south end of the island for a snack and some socially distanced conversation. Thank you all for the company, it is good to see some real people, well members of LCC 🙂. Hopefully I will see you all again soon. LCC trip, Keith, Kris, Paul, Matt, Stephen, Catriona More photographs……… Randomers, Ian, Ruth, Mike, Nikki, Martin, Danny PS. did Ian Bell really say he wanted to use a sit on top for his next trip or was that Keith’s fake news?

Tale of Two Paddles – Trevor Strain and Jill Barlow We’ve enjoyed two paddling trips recently in contrasting locations, both with good weather. On May 27th we spent a day paddling almost 14 miles from Farndon to Sandy Lane (via Chester Weir) in an open boat on the River Dee. The other was an 8 mile trip on 1st June, organised by Ian Bell along with Sharon, Kris and Martin – up the River Mersey from New Brighton, returning with a loop round the lighthouse. The Heineken effect was experienced in both trips, affecting muscles not reached by any other form of exercise! It’s interesting to compare the trips – one of the rivers separates Liverpool and the Wirral and the other marks the boundary between England and Wales. We were aware that the English – Welsh border runs along the Dee and there are different lockdown arrangements for each. Just after setting off, we saw a guy waiting in a kayak on the English side of the river with a radio. We wondered whether he might be from ‘Border Control’, but he just waved and smiled as we passed. There were no such concerns on the Mersey – just the need to avoid the ferries and tankers that regularly travel up and down, whilst appreciating the resultant wash. (NB the River Mersey Estuary needs ideal conditions and is subject to extremely fast tides, few landing opportunities and many commercial piers and pontoons). Both trips included interesting buildings – on the Mersey, there’s the world-famous skyline of Liverpool’s waterfront plus the Wallasey promenade, and the Perch Rock lighthouse marking the transition of the Mersey into the sea.  On the Dee, there are some intriguing dwellings including log cabins and caravans with various outbuildings. Many had solar panels, wind turbines and […]

Paddling sessions at the Docks by Liz McCreery Out again at last! All safely distanced, boats & equipment cleaned afterwards. We got to see the lock at the end dock open and close (first time for me). The sun shone. First time out for our new member Jimmy in canoe. Thanks to Marty for organising this docks paddle and to Vic, Jimmy, Allan & Ben for the company too. More please! More photos…….. FAQ – Club promoted trips. What are the current guidelines:  Social distancing must take place at all times along with frequent hand washing or hand sanitising.  Currently no more than 6 people may meet for exercise at an outdoor venue. You MUST have your own supply of hand sanitiser with you at all times to paddle with the club How do I organise a club paddle:  Contact website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk to add the trip to the calendar.   Brief details are then sent around by google group email – Members are then free to reply confirming they would like to take part and give brief details of experience etc if not known to organiser. Coordinator then confirms place (or not) on the trip and time / meeting place etc What if someone brings a friend without confirming with the organiser meaning the group is now larger than 6 – both will be asked to go home and not paddle with the rest of the group. (absolute maximum of 6 people – including children). Only people booked on should attend and only people from the same household in the same car or boat. What if I do not have my own equipment – Some dock paddles are now being advertised as allowing members to borrow club equipment, but you CANNOT hire club equipment for trips away from the docks.  The only […]

“Constrains led approach in coaching” by Matt Giblin Tuesday at 7:30pm If you missed tonight’s excellent talk by Matt you can now watch it on the Club YouTube Link…. If anyone has any follow-up questions or would like to contact Matt Giblin about any coaching needs at Sea Kayak Essentials his email address is matt.giblin@icloud.com His contact details can also be found in the members contact details on the website (available to all current members). If you liked the zoom chat why not check out our new podcast where we discuss all areas of adventure sports including coaching and leadership https://theessentialadventuresportspodcast.podbean.com  There is also our Essential Membership programme which is aimed at all paddlesport participants, coaches, leaders and guides. Why not take a look here https://www.kayakessentials.co.uk/members-area/   We also have a YouTube page with some useful videos on too. https://www.youtube.com/user/Kayakessentials  Matt Giblin www.kayakessentials.co.uk  www.essentialcoachingconnection.co.uk Recent talks: 21st April Turner Tours Ltd Open Boat Expedition to Canada by Keith Steer 28th April Bowron Lakes by Ian Bell  Club YouTube Link…… 5th May Sea kayaking in East Greenland by Jim Krawiecki Club YouTube Link… 12th May Circumnavigation of Menorca by Pete Thomas Club YouTube Link… 19th May Hiking the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand by Hannah Bellamy Club YouTube Link…….  26th May Sun Khosi River of Gold by Jenny Brown and Chris Thompson Club YouTube Link…. 2nd June Greenland revisited by Jim Krawiecki Club YouTube Link… 9th June Walking through the Tobeatic with canoes on our heads by Roger Coleman Club YouTube Link…. 16th June Constrains led approach in coaching by Matt Giblin Club YouTube Link…. 23rd June Prince William Sound by kayak – Alison Moxley and Keith Steer 30th June Costa Brava Sea Kayaking Club Trip – Pete and Carol Thomas      7th July Hiking and sea kayaking on Vancouver Island by […]

The use of club equipment and the compound – An update to our Covid-19 Guidance The club is now moving to Stage 3, where some paddles at the docks are now promoting the use of club equipment. However, please be aware that some Dock paddles may still require the use of your own equipment – if the coordinator is not a key holder etc. Stage 1 – Promotion of club led trips on easy water currently with up to 5 others. Stage 2 – Club led trips allowed to launch from Coburg Dock (but paddlers must use their own equipment as the compound will not be opened).  Parking is available on the top car park if the barrier is not open (£1 per hour)! Stage 3 – If the named leader of these Coburg Dock trips is also a key holder and is willing, they can allow people in their group access to the compound to collect and sanitise a set of equipment. A full Covid-19 risk assessment will need to be consulted. LCC Covid-19 Risk Assessment Stage 4 – Allowing more than 6 on site at any one time but this will depend on Government advice for mass gatherings. The club has agreed the following protocols: The changing sheds should not be used at all. Only one group to use the docks / equipment from the compound at any one time. – timetabling of trips is via the club calendar (contact website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk for advice and to ask for it to be added to the calendar) Members should be encouraged to select the correct equipment without trying multiple sets and it is their own responsibility to ensure any equipment is sanitised.   (Eg wipe down any paddle shafts etc). The club will supply Spray for use on the padlocks and gate handles […]

First Polo Session after Lockdown by Josie Moss The first Polo session post lock down was done in the company of Dean, Craig, Aleksander, Josh and Josie on a rather grey looking Wednesday evening. After a quick catch up on dry land it was straight into our own boats and round to the polo pitches. Due to social distancing measures each player had their own ball and no contact was allowed and passing of the balls was only allowed within household groups. During a fun hour and half of polo a wide range of different dribbling and shooting drills were done, where we only managed to lose one ball over the dock wall. A number of fitness drills managed to knacker everyone so it was time to head back to compound. It was amazing to see people again and I can’t wait for the next session. Many thanks Josie

Sheltered Water Paddles, The Bridgewater Canal from the A56 – By Jim Krawiecki The Bridgwater Canal provides some great venues for an easy paddle. Between Dunham and Lymm there is a convenient Layby on the A56 next to a pub called Ye Olde Number 3 (postcode WA14 4TA). From the layby there is easy access to launch onto the canal by way of a wide grassy bank. There is a good amount of space for social distancing. Paddling north-east towards Altrincham is scenic and pretty, and after a kilometre the canal passes over the River Bolin Aqueduct with Dunham Massey beyond. After another 3 kilometres of winding through pleasant countryside the canal reaches urban sprawl and the outskirts of Altrincham. Returning to Ye Olde Number 3 from here is an enjoyable 8-kilometre round trip ideal for making the first few paddle strokes out of lockdown.

COVID 19 UPDATE – Liverpool Canoe Clubs Return to Paddling 7th June 2020 LCC Following yesterday’s Stewardship discussion where we reviewed the latest guidance and the club’s position, we have now moved to Stage 2. Many scenarios were discussed and evaluated. The club always operates totally within the British Canoeing and the Government guidance operating at the time. We have now moved to stage 2 (See below). Stage 1 – Promotion of club led trips on easy water currently with up to 5 others. Stage 2 – Club led trips allowed to launch from Coburg Dock (but paddlers must use their own equipment as the compound will not be opened).  Parking is available on the top car park if the barrier is not open (£1 per hour)! Stage 3 – If the named leader of these Coburg Dock trips is also a key holder and is willing, they can allow people in their group access to the compound to collect and sanitise one set of equipment. A full Covid-19 risk assessment will need to be consulted. Stage 4 – Allowing more than 6 on site at any one time but this will depend on Government advice for mass gatherings. We are now promoting club paddles on any sheltered or local water with up to 6 paddlers. This includes the Liverpool South Docks from the Coburg Slip, but we are NOT opening the club’s compound at this moment in time. This means that you will have to use your own equipment to paddle. Therefore, if you wanted to coordinate a paddle at the docks, or any other local venue, provided you are on the list of sheltered water Leaders or coordinators, you could ask for it to be put on the club calendar and then send an email to the google group […]

Crosby to River Alt and back – By Clare Brown We met at Crosby Coast Guard station – in the car park on the sea front. It was a little breezier than forecast with a N`ly 3-4 and quite a large swell. We soon got ourselves ready and headed down to the shore to meet the incoming tide. We paddled out and the front of the open had a few waves crash over the front. Brian was on his race board (This was very narrow and sleek) and proved a little much for the conditions. We slogged on and made it to the first breakwater and paddled past a couple of fisher persons. On the next breakwater we came across someone making a video of Yoga with the setting sun in the background. As we entered the River Alt Estuary conditions eased and we followed the line of stakes and buoys to find the deep water. Soon we came across High Town Sailing club and then Hightown itself. Now the reed covers sides led up to the pumping station at Altcar Training camp. We stopped a while and chatted before retracing our steps. The wind had dropped as the sun slowly set behind us. The return leg was incredibly easy with a gentle following wind. Thank you for a fantastic first paddle with LCC Last night 👍🛶 More Photos…………..