Liverpool Canoe Club Talk “If you get into trouble, stay with your canoe and try to attract the attention of passing aircraft” by Roger Morgan Tonight – Monday 9th November – 7:30 to 8:10pm Invitation to join Roger with his talk about his Expedition on the Green River in Utah by Roger Morgan “If you get into trouble, stay with your canoe and try to attract the attention of passing aircraft” a week’s canoe expedition down the green river, Utah (You do not need a camera or microphone to watch the video stream, but you can ask questions if you do have them) Check your Google Group Email for zoom details to join us

Covid-19 update – how the club intends to respond to the 1-month National Lockdown The Stewardship group have reviewed all the latest guidance and agreed on the following. From 00:01 Thursday 5th November we will suspend all club paddles until either the national lockdown is lifted or further guidance allows. The club always operates within prevailing British Canoeing and Government guidance. The docks and compound will be closed from 00:01 on Thursday 5th November until further notice. We intend to reinstate the Monday evening zoom calls with club presentations and informal talks but this does mean we need volunteers to talk about any aspect of paddle sport. Please contact to volunteer. Please note that while all club group activity is prohibited, members are still free to exercise either alone, within their household group or to meet one other from outside of their household to exercise.  This means that if you have your own equipment, you can still paddle locally but please ensure that any paddling is well within your capabilities. There are many local venues within easy reach of Merseyside.  Example locations and access points can be found here https://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/venues/Local%20Paddles/  It would be great if members could post short trip reports of any paddling undertaken to inspire others (text and photos to ) You can still use this google group to ask for one other person to paddle with you, but you must ensure you keep within the rules. Please note than any such paddling will be a private paddle. No paddles will be put on the club calendar during this time. Many thanks for all you support over the summer. It has been great to see so much paddling by the club during these difficult times. LCC

Use of the beach area next to our compound at the docks We need members help to continue to run sessions at the docks smoothly: The barrier entrance must be kept closed when not actually being used for vehicle entry / exit. We need to ensure ONLY authorised vehicles access the area. All litter needs to be removed from around the compound (why not bring down a bin bag from time to time and have a little clean up to help out) Please zip up all buoyancy aids after use or they fall on the floor and store boats on their sides with 3 or 4 to a rack so they do not fill up with water or get damaged. In practice: Key holder or deputy unlocks the barrier and checks the “flood” of cars as they arrive and pass through the gate (Ideally only 15 minutes before the session). When there is a lull in arrivals, they will close the latching arm on the gate, with the gate providing a solid rigid barrier. {Note: Keep the padlock locked on the D ring below the gate latch.} Any late arrivals will drive up to gate, swing open the latching arm, and open the gate. They drive through a short distance, then close and relatch the gate. After all kayakers arrive, or all present are ready for the paddle, the key holder applies the padlock to already latched main gate, closes and locks the compound, then all paddle off into the sunset whistling “Happy days!” Please try not to turn up excessively early as the gate will generally only be unlocked 15 minutes before the start of the session. If you are early, remain inside your cars until called forward.

The Stewardship Group have reviewed all the emerging advice and guidance for the region’s Tier 3 (Very High) status and concluded that as an organised sport we can continue to paddle at the docks under our current Covid 19 guidelines. However, we do not advise travel outside of the region at this current time. In addition to our requirement for members to pre-book all places and to maintain a strict “rule of six” while paddling, members will be required to wear face coverings whist moving around the compound area (from their cars to the compound and only removing them when they are afloat). If you have any symptoms or are required to self-isolate, please stay at home.  If any member has any concerns over paddling in a group while maintaining two metres at all time, they should refrain from paddling with the club. The Government advice for this rationale is copied below.  Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-levels-what-you-need-to-know Local COVID alert level: very high This is for areas with a very high level of infections and where tighter restrictions are in place. The restrictions placed on areas with a very high level of infections can vary, and are based on discussions between central and local government. You should therefore check the specific rules in your area. At a minimum, this means: you must not socialise with anybody you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue pubs and bars must close. They can only remain open where they operate as if they were […]

If you missed last night’s talk St Kilda trip with Gordon Brown in 2018 by Kris D’Aout you can now watch it on the Club YouTube Link…. Upcoming talks Monday 9th November Expedition on the Green River in Utah by Roger Morgan Monday 2nd November ???? Monday 26th October ??? Monday 19th October Club Awards Evening, Talks and AGM Monday 12th October St Kilda trip with Gordon Brown in 2018 by, Kris D’Aout Club YouTube Link…. Monday 5th October Folding Kayaks and expeditions by Tim Haines Club YouTube Link…. Monday 28th September Skye by Jenny Brown and Chris Thompson Club YouTube Link…. Monday 21st September River Tweed by Brian Green Club YouTube Link….. Monday 14th September Outer Hebrides Caz and Pete Thomas Club YouTube Link…..

If you missed last night’s talk “Folding Kayaks and expeditions” by Tim Haines you can now watch it on the Club YouTube Link…. Upcoming talks Monday 9th November Expedition on the Green River in Utah by Roger Morgan Monday 2nd November ???? Monday 26th October ??? Monday 19th October Club Awards Evening, Talks and AGM Monday 12th October St Kilda trip with Gordon Brown in 2018 by, Kris D’Aout Monday 5th October Folding Kayaks and expeditions by Tim Haines Club YouTube Link…. Monday 28th September Skye by Jenny Brown and Chris Thompson Club YouTube Link…. Monday 21st September River Tweed by Brian Green Club YouTube Link….. Monday 14th September Outer Hebrides Caz and Pete Thomas Club YouTube Link…..

Oooh, Mersey mercy me! Here is a story of two guys going for a long paddle on the Mersey, but that’s only the superficial story. The Deeper Message is that the Mersey deserves to be paddled more. The river is good to us paddlers (with ifs and buts, keep reading). On 19 September 2020 we had one of the biggest spring tides of the year (10.04 m at Gladstone Lock) which gives a flood current of 6 knots in places. I thought this would be an ideal opportunity the see how far I’d get on the river – would it be possible to get from the mouth of the river to Warrington and back? The best way to find out is to try it and I found another crazy person (Brian Green) to team up with. I’d leave from New Brighton and he’d trolley from home in Waterloo, adding a few more miles (so in fact he’s crazier than me), with us communicating over VHF and meeting on the water. That worked well, but it’s striking how hard it is to spot each other even from quite close by. I had to paddle ¾ of the way to the other side to spot Brian. Apparently, it is easier to spot a very tall guy with ginger hair than a normal tall guy with, ermmm, no ginger hair. The flow was working well and we enjoyed a pleasant push past the Three Graces and on to Otterspool promenade. Once past there, the river widens to about 5 km but we still enjoyed good tidal assistance and often made 15 km/h (9 mph). This section also has sandbanks – they were covered but did generate medium-sized overfalls which kept us on our toes. All of this happened with an easterly headwind force […]

Sunday Morning Sessions 10:00am until 12:00 midday and Junior Club 1.00pm until 3:00pm These sessions have been running successfully with strict controls on numbers for some weeks now, but we have still been able to get 5 groups of up to six on the water.  Today the sessions took a step forward with the use of “ski school” numbers for group members to muster around with their equipment.  Strict social distancing and use of hand sanitiser are required at all times with no more than 6 allowed in or around the compound at any one time. How it works – members book on to a relevant session using the LCC booking page… (you need your website username and password).   Sheltered water leaders & key holders all need to book as well so that we have no more than 30 people on site at any one time.   People are allocated to groups of similar ability and craft (you can suggest these when you book).   Bookings close 24hrs before the paddle but the session does rely on at least 5 experienced group leaders volunteering to lead groups.  Everyone gets a list by email of who is in which group with a named leader.   When they arrive and the compound is uncrowded they can select equipment and carry it to their group number.  When everyone in a group is present they can launch and paddle off together.   On your return, you wait on the water for the group in front to vacate the compound and then you can land and put away your borrowed equipment, return to your car and then leave. More details of paddles on our club calendar with links to the LCC booking page… A reminder: Please stay at home if you have any Corona virus symptoms.  All paddling with […]

Liverpool Canoe Club and Local restrictions in our area from Tuesday 22nd September Many thanks for all who contributed to tonight`s Stewardship meeting to discuss the implications of the local restrictions due to be introduced in our area on Tuesday.   The consensus of the meeting was that the club already follows detailed Covid 19 guidance for members to take part in organised sporting activity at a club level and we do not need, at this stage, to take any further action to ensure that our members are kept as safe as possible. However, please read the guidance on the main page of the club website Covid 19 guidance and follow any instructions given by coordinators and paddle leaders and coaches.  There is lots of advice there but please pay special attention to the following: Please stay away if you have any symptoms or are self-isolating. Please use hand sanitiser immediately before and after paddling. Remain in your car until called forward to enter the compound and leave as soon as possible after you have finished. Do not chat or socialise with anyone else from another group while in or around the compound and maintain 2m distance at all times.

Congratulations to Ruth Edwards and Mike Alter who were married yesterday Unfortunately, the current restriction’s meant that numbers at both the wedding and reception (afternoon tea party) were restricted but there were several paddling friends and family there to mark the happy occasion. I particularly liked the pair of S6 playboats which guarded the entrance to the venue. We do like a “paddlers wedding”.

In memory of Alastair Randall Our friend Alastair Randall died suddenly at home on 11th August. He left behind a partner Vikki and two wonderful young children, Sophie aged 8 and Ethan aged 3. To lose your father at such a young age is tragic, so we’re organising a competition to raise some money for this young family after their tragic loss. It’s simple to enter, please just send £5 to paypal via friends and family (Elon Musk and his chums really don’t need any more money), to alastairrandallfamilyfund@gmail.com along with your answer to the following question: How many blades are there on a kayak paddle? A) Two B) Haddock c) Eleventy Three Alternatively, you can click the link at the bottom of this post or you can enter in store, with cold hard cash. All correct entries will be entered into a draw to win one of the following prizes: A North Shore Atlantic RM Sea Kayak, you can choose which size – generously donated by Valley Sea Kayaks A Peak UK Drysuit, you can choose the model and size – generously donated by Peak UK NRS Odyssey PFD NRSCo-pilot Titanium NRS Mamba Pogies WRSI Trident Carbon NRS Kayak Tow Line all generously donated by NRS Europe A £200 Gift Voucher from TNR Outdoors which can be spent on coaching courses, first aid training or just river fees at the mill. A days sea Kayak coaching for two generously donated by Adventure Elements A days coaching for two generously donated by Kayak Essentials A days coaching for two generously donated by Adam Harmer An HF Throw-Tow generously donated by System X Five x £100 gift vouchers to be spent in our store Summit to Sea, they can be used online or instore. There are some great prizes here and […]

If you missed last night’s talk by Caz and Pete Thomas you can now watch it on the Club YouTube Link…..   Outer Hebrides – North Uist and Isle of Lewis by Caz and Pete Thomas Carole and I were fortunate enough last year to be invited on Mark and Eileen Pawley’s Hebridean holiday and were so impressed with the place that we invited ourselves back this year. Hear all about our paddling adventures at tomorrow night’s virtual talk. (You do not need a camera or microphone to watch the video stream, but you can ask questions if you do have them) Upcoming talks Monday 19th Club Awards Evening, Talks and AGM Monday 12th October St Kilda trip with Gordon Brown in 2018 by, Kris D’Aout Monday 5th October Folding Kayaks and expeditions by Tim Haines Monday 28th September Skye by Jenny Brown and Chris Thompson Monday 21st September Sheffield or Bust by Brian Green Monday 14th September Outer Hebrides Caz and Pete Thomas Club YouTube Link…..

Outer Hebrides – North Uist and Isle of Lewis by Caz and Pete Thomas Carole and I were fortunate enough last year to be invited on Mark and Eileen Pawley’s Hebridean holiday and were so impressed with the place that we invited ourselves back this year. Hear all about our paddling adventures at tomorrow night’s virtual talk. (You do not need a camera or microphone to watch the video stream, but you can ask questions if you do have them) Username and password sent to member via google group Upcoming talks Monday 19th Club Awards Evening, Talks and AGM Monday 12th October ??? Monday 5th October ??? Monday 28th September Skye by Jenny Brown and Chris Thompson Monday 21st September Sheffield or Bust by Brian Green Monday 14th September Outer Hebrides Caz and Pete Thomas Summer break 21st July River Rottnan from Norway to Sweden by Debbie Hughes 14th July West coast of Scotland Oban to Jura by Ian Bell Club YouTube Link…. 7th July Hiking and sea kayaking on Vancouver Island by Catriona Hare Club YouTube Link…. 30th June Costa Brava Sea Kayaking Club Trip – Pete and Carol Thomas  Club YouTube Link….    23rd June Prince William Sound by kayak – Alison Moxley and Keith Steer Club YouTube Link…. 16th June Constrains led approach in coaching by Matt Giblin Club YouTube Link…. 9th June Walking through the Tobeatic with canoes on our heads by Roger Coleman Club YouTube Link…. 2nd June Greenland revisited by Jim Krawiecki Club YouTube Link… 26th May Sun Khosi River of Gold by Jenny Brown and Chris Thompson Club YouTube Link…. 19th May Hiking the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand by Hannah Bellamy Club YouTube Link……. 12th May Circumnavigation of Menorca by Pete Thomas Club YouTube Link… 5th May Sea kayaking in East Greenland by Jim Krawiecki […]

Club Expedition to Skye 2020 “Team Alaska go on a Skye #staycation!” Day 12 (Wednesday) 19th August – Camas na Geadaig (Scalpay) to Balmacara We were up and the forecast was for gale force winds coming in that night slightly ahead of schedule. It was a midge-tastic morning, so we raced onto the water in our head nets and quickly paddled offshore in hope of some wind – nothing! Once we had out paddled the midges we made a plan. There was a fog bank over the Crowlin Islands, it wasn’t that thick but with no wind it might not have been moving soon. We went with plan B to make sure we were safely off the water and not caught out crossing the sound in fog or high winds if they came in early. Getting storm bound for a couple of days only an hour from the cars wouldn’t have been much fun. We did 17.6 miles round the tree lined west and south of Scalpay and over to Pabay for a bite to eat before heading through the bridge back to the cars. The heat of the day increased, the fog lifted and atmospheric clouds were left hanging round the mountain tops. As we went under Skye bridge Jenny was melting in her midge safety suit (cool weather paddling kit). Just passed the jetty on the Skye side was a massive sand crab and another castle. We crossed back to the Scottish mainland – no naked Yoga man this time – then got to the cars at low water. Vic went for 10 victory rolls and we started to carry the kit over the seaweeds and rocks to the cars. Ian and Keith set off for home ahead of the wind while Vic, Chris and Jenny stopped for lunch […]

Club Expedition to Skye 2020 “Team Alaska go on a Skye #staycation!” Day 11 (Tuesday) 18th August – Manish Point to Camas na Geadaig (Scalpay) We launched at 7:30am (Keith was still in his tent!), packing the boats the night before knowing we would be setting off at high water where we’d left the boats tied up. There was a bit of a swell on the water surging up the rocks and making a splash. As we came south level with Portree the wind dropped, and the sea became flat. There was a  fab “Skye line” in front of us as we paddled. There were lots of caves and rock formations to potter around with seals and sea eagles. We had had 9’s on a beach with a stream to refill our bottles. We paddled on through huge swarms of jellyfish – oddly enough no one fancied doing any rolling practice! Next stop was lunch just round the west side of the Rassay Ferry terminal. We found a perfectly positioned bench with a grassy verge and watched the ferry come and go. Lots of Urchins and fish around the jetty. The breeze returned as we crossed to Scalpay to camp on a sandy beach with grass backing and 2 streams, one either side of the bay. The gravel on the upper beach had an orangey purple stripe. It was a slightly shorter day – covering 13.5 miles. Vic went out fishing again while Chris estimated that the circumnavigation of Skye would have been about 150miles – so we’d ended up doing a greater distance island hopping. The strong winds were still on the forecast for Thursday evening. Plan A was still an option, but the mornings forecast would have to be checked to make the final call. We went to bed […]