France 2023 The Ardèche Day 5 – Vallon to Bivouac la Gournier (Grade 2(3)) by Andy Garland The day started with the car shuttle from our campsite at Vallon to the get-out at St Martin, where we would arrive after our two-day paddle. Access to the river from our campsite was straightforward, but it was mid-morning before we were on the water. The group were obviously in holiday mode, because… Read More »France 2023 The Ardèche Day 5 – Vallon to Bivouac la Gournier (Grade 2(3)) by Andy Garland

Saturday morning After a beautiful sunny week, the weather turned on Friday and it started to rain as we drove to Anglesey. Luckily it was dry when we arrived and were able to get our tents set up and chat about our plans for the following morning. As we went to sleep, it started to rain, and the downpour seemed to continue all night, but in the morning it was… Read More »Junior Club Weekend on Anglesey by Amy N

France 2023 Tarn Day 4 – Les Vignes to Le Rozier (10 km) Mike Disaster strikes again! Having spent three days tripping in boats that were carrying kit, today was a day for light boats as we were paddling a short section of river before driving over to the Ardèche. To that end we had broken camp and loaded the cars before doing the shuttle to Le Rozier. The Huttopia… Read More »France 2023 Tarn Day 4 – Les Vignes to Le Rozier (10 km) by Mike A

Anglesey Junior Club Weekend by Courtney

France 2023 Tarn Day 3- La Malène to Pas Du Souci (10km) grade 1 After eating out in La Malène the previous night we were up early to inspect the river which had risen a little following the thunderstorm the previous evening. We had carried the canoes down to the edge of the beach when some local guides started to prepare the punts (lightweight aluminium skiffs with a small petrol… Read More »France 2023 Tarn Day 3- La Malène to Pas Du Souci (10km) grade 1 by Keith

“With the continued great spell of weather we’ve been having – blue skies, sun and gentle breezes, three of us decided to try out some recently gained sea kayaking skills and planned our own trip off Ainsdale. Heavy down pours last week had resulted in sewage outflow off the coast, scuppering plans for a coached session. This week, we had been checking all the weather, tide and swell forecasts we’d… Read More »Ainsdale Paddle by Eamon Hanlon

Anglesey Junior Weekend – Marcus’ story… I really liked the Anglesey trip.  I enjoyed jumping off the bridge into water because there was lots of adults to help and make sure it was safe.  There was so much to do on this kayaking holiday for example, coastal steering and even BBQ’s on this holiday.  I would recommend this to other families because we go on many kayaking events and this… Read More »Anglesey Junior Weekend – Marcus’ story…

France 2023 Tarn Day 2 – Castelbouc Montbrun to La Malène (24km) grade 1-2 by Ian After having explored the hilltop village of Castelbouc the night before we were then to paddle below the high walls and buildings as the river wound its way in the gorge below. It had rained a little overnight and the river was now a little brown with runoff compared to the day before but… Read More »France 2023 Tarn Day 2 – Castelbouc Montbrun to La Malène (24km) grade 1-2 by Ian

My favourite activity was probably coasteering. On the last day, we went paddling on the sea. When we came back we went coasteering. We were at a sandy beach, so first we walked to the edge of the rocks. Courtney gave me a piggyback out to the rocks where I couldn’t stand up. Then we clambered along the rocks. It was really fun. Then we jumped off a rock into… Read More »Junior Club Weekend on Anglesey – By Clara Clews

Multiday Open Canoe Trip to Massif Central – France 2023 Le LCC Grand Tour of the Gorges of France (AKA – Herg’s Adventures of Spongy) The plan was born, Liverpool Canoe Club open boaters were going to France to paddle the Grand Tour of French gorges – the Gorge du Tarn, the Ardèche Gorge and the Allier Gorge. These are all fantastic rivers in the Central Massif and are described… Read More »Multiday Open Canoe Trip to Massif Central – France 2023 – The trip out and Day 1 (again)