Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk January 2020 # 1 Thursday Dock Paddle – Sharon Walters 17 votes (22%) # 2 Christrmas Paddle Conway Estuary – KS 15 votes (19%) # 3 Martin Aldridge poling in the Okavango Delta – Nikki 13 votes (17%) # 4 Steve Alcock on the Tees Barrage 12 votes (15%) # 5 Festive Docks Paddle – Steve Alcock 11 votes (14%) # 6 Trevor Roger Peter and Marty preparing for the Swellies on the Menai Straits – Paul Goetzee 10 votes (13%)

 BULL BAY PADDLE  19.01.2020 (Improvers Sea Kayak Trip) by Vic Leather On a cold foggy Sunday morning we descended on the Bull bay hotel car park in Anglesey. We unloaded the boats onto the slipway and then split into 3 groups. Our group consisted of Jim Krawiecki, Jon Dyson, Olivia Oldham, Andy Garland, Roger Colman, Martin Sinnott and me, Vic Leather.   SETTING OFF  Jim led our group along with Roger and Andy. As we paddled out of Bull Bay Jim gave us some pointers for the day using – Bow rudder Extended sweep stroke The box (for turning while protecting the shoulders) We rock hopped along trying the new tips we had picked up, weaving in between rock formations and paddling in and out of sea caves. We passed the Brickworks and made our way along the coast. We could see middle mouse island in the distance … MOUSE ISLAND  As we paddled up Jim let Andy and Roger lead the group as we reached the stopping point. It was from here we would paddle directly across to the island at its shortest route aiming off for wind and tide.  Following Jim, we paddled across in a tight group, there and back to then pull into a little cove for lunch. It was then Andy told us he had had a hip replacement 3 months ago so to be out on the water was a major achievement (Well done Andy).    AN EDGE TOO FAR  As we paddled back to Bull Bay, we were the last group in. As we pulled the boats up onto the beach, I could hear John Fay say “oh well at least there was no casualties “!  I soon found out that this was not the case … there in fact had been a casualty and […]

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

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk December 2019 # 1 Karl Tattum in the Crosby Surf by Dave Rawlinson 14 votes (20%) # 2 Spitfire Bridge on the River Tees by Hannah Bellamy 12 votes (17%) # 2 Llangollen Canal 2019 John Fay 12 votes (17%) # 2 Craig Ford on the River Wye by KS 12 votes (17%) # 5 Rescue sessions 2 at the docks 2019 John Fay 10 votes (14%) # 6 Paul Harwood at the Tees Barrage 9 votes (13%)

Canoe trip on the Afon Banwy Well we all met in Starbucks in Oswestry to top up before heading up to Lake Vyrnwy. It had rained a little during the night and past week so there was a little bit of water coming over the dam. The river was running through the trees and would probably have been a little challenging. We had run out of coffee by now so decided to run the river Banwy instead. This was a grade lower and proved to be an excellent choice. The River Banwy is a river about 30 km long in NW Powys in Wales. It is a tributary of the River Vyrnwy. The river rises in the hills near the pass which takes the A458 between Mallwyd and Welshpool. The river is called Nant Cerrig-y-groes at its source near Moel y Llyn PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Start at Llanerfyl. Access to the river in Llanerfyl was on the left bank by a (downstream) road bridge (Please do not park in front of the gate to the field opposite as the farmer is a little bit weary of paddlers blocking access to his land – he will be out like a shot if you do park there, even for a moment). Finish at Meifod on the River Vrynwy. Egress on the right bank at the road bridge (New Bridge). APPROX LENGTH: 26 km. TIME NEEDED: Three hours. WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Needs heavy rain. It stays up for a week or so after substantial rain. GRADING: Grade 1 – 2. MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Approx 1 metre high natural ‘weir’ at Castle mound just short of the River Vyrnwy confluence which can reach grade 3 in flood conditions. This is last rapid on the run as described below. Low branches. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: We use open boats so aim for grade 1 -2! The Banwy […]

Christmas Paddle on the Conway Estuary and Meal 15/12/2019 by John Rasquinha 31 paddlers met in Conwy on Sunday morning for a paddle along the estuary in a variety of sea and river kayaks. Though cold, the weather was in our favour and we were met with clear(ish) skies to start our journey. After a safety briefing, double counting and buddying up, we set off, guided by Ian Bell in his open canoe along the estuary. After successfully avoiding any contact with the many boats in the bay, we passed under the main road and were fortunate to see a different side to the castle to what most people see. We continued for 6km before a lunch and drink stop on the bank, with views of snow-capped Snowdonian mountains, though the weather had become slightly more overcast… As the tide turned for our return trip and the wind were behind us, it felt like we made the return trip much faster, though were hit by the rain for the last 10 minutes of paddling. Most of us then headed to Llandudno to be joined by a few non-paddlers for some drinks in the warmth and a well-earnt Christmas dinner. Thanks to Brian and Kirk for organising the paddle and meal, Ian and Keith for guiding/following the group and everyone else for a great day out! Merry Christmas! John Rasquinha More Christmas Paddle Photos……. More Christmas Meal Photos…….

Festive Docks Paddle (22/12/19) 43 Santa’s and naughty Elf’s arrived early at the docks on Sunday to decorate canoes and kayaks and paddle the 2km up to Albert Dock. The weather was great with little or no wind and a bit of sunshine. Most chatted along the way and caught up on news and stories. We landed on the slipway next to the Carousel playing Christmas music to enjoy homemade cake, sausage rolls and chocolates. More photos of the paddle……..

Christmas Rolling Competition (Leader board from 9/12/19) Why not try your hand at rolling at one of the pool sessions before Christmas? You can use the pool edge, paddle or hand etc. How many can you complete in 30 seconds. Why not try T rescues or an X rescue (fastest time with spray deck back on) https://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/venues/Kingsway%20Pool/index.php

LCC Menai Straits 30/11/2019 by Catriona Hare 12 intrepid paddlers braved the early morning cold to arrive at Gallows Point, parked up and got changed. However, by now the sun was out, and several of us had to get re-changed to avoid overheating. Even with this faffing, and the arrangement of the double buddy safety system, we were on the water in really good time. So, Ian’s first instruction of the day was to paddle slowly, so we didn’t get to the Swellies too soon. Our next instruction, I was pleased to hear, was to stay away from the roosting birds. At this time of year, many birds have limited energy reserves and they don’t need to be additionally stressed by thoughtless by paddlers. Not long after we came across a bijou residence in need of a little restoration, possibly an end to Trevor’s house hunting, it even came with a resident seal. Still way to early, we took a detour up Afon Cadant, where the residents of a holiday cottage were entertained by our presence, there was lots of excitable waving as our group paddled past and then again as we paddled back a few minutes later. I had very sensible conversations with Ian and Keith about property level flood protection. Back out in the Straits we made the most of the high tide and paddled close to the shore, paddling on the shore side of Inys Gaint, only some us got stuck on an invisible underwater wall, before we paddled past an abandoned and boat which had seen better days called The Mistress. We paddled on under the suspension bridge and headed towards our lunch stop which by now needed to be in the sun and out of the wind, and preferably goose poo free. After a relaxed lunch we […]

Christmas Rolling Competition (2/12/19) Every year we hold the Christmas rolling competition at our pool sessions. Why not give it a go, book a session and see how you get on.   Number of rolls in 30 seconds. https://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/venues/Kingsway%20Pool/index.php