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…………..

River Weaver – Saltersford to Hunt’s Locks by John Vogler (8 miles for the return trip) This section of the Weaver combines substantial rural stretches with the Anderton Boat Lift, an ugly chemical works and a trip through Northwich with various interesting boats, swing bridges etc.   Access is available from the village of Barnton on the A533 upstream of Saltersford Locks (postcode CW8 4HP). Setting the post code into satnav will take you to Oakwood Lane (right turn off the A533 in Barnton). Then after about 200 yards do not follow the road round to the left but go straight on, almost immediately turning right on to a single-track road signed to the locks. Follow this passing over a canal tunnel and then along the side of the canal until there are parking places and narrow boat moorings. Turn left down a very steep single-track road marked ‘no entry’ (we were advised by a helpful Canal & River Trust employee that we could use this road for access). When the road descends to the river it turns right and there is a parking/overtaking space where you can unload and then retrace your steps to park at the side of the canal. There are a number of get on points close by with concrete ledges (pictured) and a C&RT signed portage point on the right nearer the locks. Currently this is overgrown by rushes but probably useable with determination! There are a number of get out points near Anderton Boat Lift, but it is probably easiest to go to the halfway point at Hunt’s Locks where there is an excellent and well-maintained portage landing stage (pictured). John Vogler

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk June 2020 Click here to see the photos and to vote for your favourite.

Escaping Lockdown by Sarah and Gareth Jones This post is written regarding our 1st paddle since lockdown on May 17th 2020. Whether we agree with the lockdown easing quite so early (I think we’re jumping the gun) or not I’m going to take advantage of the new rules allowing family members to paddle on sheltered water. Luckily where we live we have a slow meandering river whose flow is very well controlled; the River Weaver (although some sites warn about dangerous currents when it has rained, so beware). So on the 1st weekend of the eased lockdown restrictions, we set off to kayak a local stretch of river. One we often overlook because it’s not the sea. Sarah and I headed down to the Acton Bridge get-in. The Leigh Arms has, prior to the lockdown, allowed us to park at the far end of the car park, near a path that leads down to the get on (marked on the map below). We contacted the proprietor of the Leigh Arms when we first moved here and they were happy for us to use the facilities. Out of politeness I always frequent the establishment post paddle if they’re open. Sunshine Paddle The paddle itself is a short 6-mile trip. We headed down to Dutton Locks, admired the lack of social interaction available on the river. An interesting point, that we didn’t photo because we run and cycle around here so often it is just background noise, is a rotting boat on river right. This is the sunken boat ‘Chica’. More information on the ‘Chica’ and Dutton Locks can be found on the website belonging to the River Weaver Navigation Society (Dutton Locks). There are portage points to allow you to continue down to Runcorn. From Dutton Locks, we turned around and paddled back past […]

River Weaver Navigation 28th May 2020 by Ian Bibby & Paul Goetzee. On a very hot day, Paul Goetzee and myself, set off from Runcorn Rowing Club heading up to Dutton Locks. Paul had paddled this route last week with Roger Colman. So he was guide for the day. Finding the Rowing Club was relatively straight forward, especially after John Vogler had advised the postcode and potential Satnav issues in an earlier Club post……..Thanks John. We set off about 11.15 and by this time the temperature was over 20° would continue to rise over the day. We were relatively alone for most of the journey, both up to Dutton Locks and return, Apart from a couple of anglers, and a couple of members of the Rowing Club. Chatting to them it seems that they are having the same lockdown frustrations that we are all suffering and can only book two rowers on the water at any one time. Whilst paddling we encountered plenty of Mallard ducks with ducklings, wagtails and I believe a fleeting glimpse of a kingfisher. (Though no evidence). Heading up to the locks, we took a short diversion to look at the Sluices. Then continued to head up to the locks for lunch and well earnt rest in the shade. The return journey was very similar to the outward leg, albeit the temperature was now up into the mid 20’s. Total distance covered was around 11 miles. Overall a very pleasant day out and good to catch up with Paul. Runcorn Rowing Club. Dutton Locks Dutton Locks with Paul ‘Socially Distanced’.

Covid 19 update – how the club intends to respond Following tonight’s Stewardship meeting where we reviewed the latest guidance and the club’s position. Many scenarios were discussed and evaluated. The club always operates totally within the British Canoeing and Government guidance operating at the time. The docks and compound remain closed until further notice Club trips with less than 7 participants can now be promoted and will appear on the calendar but only if the guidance below is followed. While in theory, we could allow a small group of less than six to operate from our base at the docks we simply do not have the facilities to control the spread of the virus with shared club equipment. This would mean that only members with their own boats would be allowed and such restrictions would not fair to all. Sessions at the Marina have traditionally been for all with free use of the club boats. The clubs main aim is to promote paddling for all and it was felt that only an elite few would be able to use the facilities with the current guidelines. With this in mind, the Stewardship group felt we could not open the compound for club activities at this time. We intend to review the situation again on 15th June when some non-essential retail opens and possibly a further relaxing of the guidelines. However, from Monday people can meet outside in groups of no more than six provided full social distancing and frequent hand washing etc are maintained. Therefore, the club is now able to promote club paddles at local venues provided all current advice is followed. Local venues…… Therefore, if I wanted to coordinate a paddle on a local canal (or other local venue) provided I was on the list of Leaders or […]

Need to paddle. Can’t paddle due to Covid – Boo Need to paddle. Can’t paddle due to Covid – Boo Need to paddle. Can’t paddle due to Covid – Boo (It must have been awful living with me, like a child constantly asking if we are there yet) Gov says we can paddle! Need to paddle. Will go after work on Friday from Sandy Lane – Yay! Monday – Weather is great. Is it Friday yet? No. Boo Tuesday – Weather is great. Is it Friday yet? No. Boo Wednesday – Weather is great. Is it Friday yet? No. Boo Thursday – Weather is great. Is it Friday yet? No. Boo Friday – Yay! Boo, its blowing a hooley. Too windy to load the sea kayaks onto the car on my own? Hmmmm, but I need to paddle and its Friday. Therefore it is not too windy! (Quality logic, and after a few squeaky bum moments they were loaded) Collect Ruth from work. M53 is very blowy. 55mph, no 50mph, is plenty. Change of plan, Eccleston Ferry is more protected from the wind than Sandy Lane So with that decision made we headed to Eccleston ferry. This is a great place to launch from to paddle flatwater on the River Dee (more scenic than at Sandy Lane). Point to note is that the car park is reduced capacity to reduce Covid risk – not that that stopped the person who was obviously living there in a campervan. Anyway, a lovely paddle into the wind. A couple of sprints past the trees that were ominously creaking / depositing sections into the river and a decision made not to stop at the usual picnic spot at Crook of Dee ( a great little beach to land on – perfect for family picnics) […]

Paddle on the Leeds – Liverpool Canal by Lee Doyle Bridgewater Canal looks good, I have never paddled there before. I did take my two-year-old daughter, Eliza on the Leeds – Liverpool Canal today from the Eldonian centre to Bootle and back. What a great day for a paddle. Lots of geese, ducks and gosling’s. Click for map of the get on…… Please keep sending in all your ideas for local paddles, any photos etc Please feel free to ask for other paddlers to join you via Google group emails but please try to keep to the current guidelines (any number from a single household or a group of two (one other from another household and to keep at least 2m distance at all times). Lots of ideas and maps etc on our site……..

Paddle on the Bridgewater Canal by Carl leungsangnam and Mike Taylor Bridgewater canal from Slag Lane car park toward Marshland Green. This is the first time I have been on the Bridgewater canal, Leigh Branch. I arrived at the Slag Lane car park to meet Mike Taylor for a couple of hours of paddling to clear the cobwebs and get those muscle moving again. We set off from the Pennington Wharf Marina towards Marshland Green and back, a distance of around 5 miles. The canal was very quiet with the usual ducks and duckling and lots of walkers on the towpath. It was a nice gentle paddle. The put-in and egress were at the car park just by the Bridge, the car park is free but there is limited space. There is another car park further down the road, but it is closed at the moment. Please keep sending in all your ideas for local paddles, any photos etc Please feel free to ask for other paddlers to join you via Google group email but please try to keep to the rules (any number from a single household or to meet one other from another household and keep at least 2m distance at all times). Lots of ideas and maps etc on our site……..