The excellent weather forecast continued over the Sunday – Very light winds and blue skies.  This meant we had to go on the sea but where?  Midday spring tides gave lots of opportunities around the region, River Alt from Crosby, River Mersey on the flood and return, Hilbre Island, Runcorn bridge to Fiddlers Ferry and Dee Sailing club to Heswall and Dee Sailing club to Mostyn shore (TSS Duke of Lancaster).  Well, we wanted to keep away from the crowds at Hilbre and West Kirby so fancied paddling across the Dee Estuary to the check out the Mostyn shoreline. Ian and I met at 10:00am at Dee Sailing Club (where run the Hilbre Island Sea Kayak Race) a couple of hours before high tide.   We readied our kayaks and as the tide came over the causeway, we launched heading SW towards Mostyn.   There was fog out in the middle and we were unable to see the Welsh coast but after about 45 mins we started to see the outline of the Flintshire shoreline.   As we drew closer, we could see the outline of beached TSS Duke of Lancaster.   As we approached, we spotted a small slipway and harbour masters office and decided to draw up to stretch our legs and have lunch. As we landed an official looking person approached and said, “where are you from”.   Not wanting a confrontation during these difficult times, I replied Flint and that we were just having a cuppa.  He relaxed a bit but said we were not to go up into the yard area by the harbour.   “no worries we will stay below the high tide line.” After about half an hour the tide began to change, and we got back on the water to return to Dee Sailing club.  As we closed […]

Leeds to Liverpool Canal – Halsall to Aintree and back The sunny weather was too good to miss so Graham and I decided to go for a paddle on the canal heading south through Lydiate and Maghull to Aintree Lane to where the canal goes over the River Alt. We passed under several very low bridges but the one at Aintree Lan is unpassable and a definite portage up and over the road. Once reaching Lydiate we passed 50 or so motorboats and canal barges, the Mersey Motorboat club! There were many houses which now backed onto the canal and it was clear that many had been busy last summer building numerous summer houses, decking and seating areas at the bottom of their gardens to while away the summer. The tow path was packed with walkers and bikes but we glided by taking in the surroundings. On the return journey Graham collected lots of fishing tackle from the trees and bushes. We saw loads of wildlife including a couple of kingfishers. This just indicates the good quality of the water on the canal. The numerous canals and waterways that surround the region give ample opportunity for all to get out on the water. Access is easy with the numerous small car parks and access points. Click the links below and plan your next outing. You obviously need your own boats at the moment but there is always someone to paddle with as a pair. Just suggest a trip via the googlegroups and provided there is a few days’ notice lots of members would be willing to get out on the water. More get ins and locations to paddle…… Leeds to Liverpool Canal – All the canoe access points and routes  Bridgewater Canal – All the canoe access points and routes 

Another great day paddling through the tunnels and being attacked by a mad swan. 14.9 miles in total. Great paddle today from Preston Brook, through the 3/4mile long Preston Brook Tunnel and out onto the Trent & Mersey canal. Through another tunnel and onwards to the Barton Tunnel. A stop for lunch and then back with the wind behind us. They are on the Trent & Mersey canal. If you went from Preston Brook on the Bridgewater canal and go towards the Anderton boat lift it joins the Trent & Mersey canal and you will go through 3 tunnels. there are times to enter the tunnels so just check before going through or you’ll meet a canal boat coming the other way. John Fay More get ins and locations to paddle…… Leeds to Liverpool Canal – All the canoe access points and routes  Bridgewater Canal – All the canoe access points and routes 

Hilbre Trip Pre-lockdown 2nd January The four of us met at West Kirby on a bright but cold day and waited for the tide to hit the slipway. Two other groups were also launching but took the inside passage inshore of the Little Eye. We headed out to find deeper water but had to fight the tide and the incoming swell. We eventually rounded Little Eye but large waves were breaking on one of the off-shore bars. We gingerly made our way to middle eye and squeezed through the channel with some large swells and made it to the beach on Hilbre. There was not much discussion about not going around the northern end. While on the beach we met a couple of other paddlers and swapped stories and chit-chat. After lunch we headed back but first had to pick our way through some large waves breaking on the reef on the Southern End of Hilbre. By picking the swells this was easily achieved. We were making good progress with the wind on our backs, but the tide was now ebbing quiet strongly and we had a little trouble punching through the breaking waves caused by swell against tide as it flowed over the shallows off Little Eye. We increased our cadence and surfed through the accelerated flow now against us. Once through, we had an easy paddle back to the Slipway.

Breaking Ice on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal today with Phil Edwards. Morris Lane to Lydiate and back. Just short of 12 miles John Fay More get ins and locations to paddle…… Leeds to Liverpool Canal – All the canoe access points and routes  Bridgewater Canal – All the canoe access points and routes 

New wicked winter issue 57 Break the ice and look forward to a warmer, better 2021… The International magazine for recreational paddlers Purchase the printed issue Free online HTML5 edition for mobiles Free online Joomag flip-page PDF issue

Crosby Surf in my repaired Surf Kayak by Karl Tattum Shakedown paddle today at Crosby to check if the Mega Neutron is now watertight. It started as I noticed each time I took to the water the boat would quickly become harder to paddle but I thought it was filling up through my spaydeck. After investigation, a small crack soon appeared to be a large crack and the rim tape had turned to dust exposing the joints. Filled with West System G Flex 655-k which is a Marine Grade Epoxy resin that is mixed 1 to 1 and can absorb stresses of expansion, contraction, shock and vibration. Easy to use, apply and finish. The result after today’s Surf is a fully watertight boat that paddles much easier now without the extra 5 gallons of water inside. Surf and weather was great as I had all the waves to myself.

Hi All, I think we all knew it was coming.  Tonight`s announcement of an alert level 5 means that we should suspend all club paddles until further notice. You are free to exercise alone or within any guidelines which are yet to be announced but all use of the docks and compound, club trips and events etc will be suspended with immediate effect. The Club Calendar and Bookwhen site has been changed to reflect this new level of alert. The new measures become law on Wednesday, but we are advised to follow the guidance immediately to protect all in the area. Coronavirus (COVID‑19) National lockdown: stay at home You must stay at home. This is the single most important action we can all take to protect the NHS and save lives. You must not leave your home unless necessary. Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household. LCC

Surfing since lockdown We are fortunate in where we live. Even though we have just been put into tier 3, and cannot travel out of our region, we are lucky to have the amazing coastline around us. In recent years I have been mainly a park n play paddler, but with everywhere closed to us, it is time to get back on the surf which I love. Crosby has always been a favourite spot. It’s close to home and gives a good beating when the wind is blowing. Even an hour on the water makes you ache the next day. With lockdown here for a while, whilst we are still allowed, it is a great time to explore the local coastline. In the last week we have been to Crosby Beach, Perch Rock New Brighton and Leasowe Bay, Wallasey. Crosby runs on Westerly winds of 15mph, looks like New Brighton and Leasowe run on Northerly winds of 10mph. If you get the opportunity to try the sea, give it a go. Even if you swim, it’s usually a short walk to the beach with your boat and paddle. Ask Karl Tattum about this, as he has been an expert it boat and paddle swimming recently. Hope to get out again soon. See you on the water. Paul Harwood

Plans to create 250m ‘surf beach’ in Merseyside There will also be a spa, 4 star hotel, and new restaurants and cafes. Ambitious plans have been put forward to create a ‘world-class’ surf beach destination in Southport. Residents and visitors alike can expect a 250m stretch of beach with a huge surf wave pool, and with a 360-degree boardwalk. Using what those behind the scheme say is “the next generation” of surf pool technology, ‘Southport Cove’ will make waves that can reach over 2 metres for accomplished surfers, to just 0.5 metres for those who prefer ‘fun’ waves. The spectacular seafront plan from Sefton Council and Go Surf is also proposed to include a water-based spa, 4-star accommodation, restaurant & cafés, and indoor leisure facilities. There will also be planted gardens so that non-water users can take in the pool’s surrounding landscape. Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: “Many people remember the much-loved open-air swimming bath on the seafront next to Princes Park closed its doors to the public for the very last time in 1989. “This project will bring back a viable facility, striking a balance between the memory of this well-loved former attraction and a new, modern, family-oriented offer that will be unique to the region.” Let us know what you think of the plans in our comments section below Southport Cove, the local authority says, will create up to 120 new jobs and bring more than £20 million per annum to the local economy with an expected 150,000 client visits a year. The £40 million project aligns well with Sefton Council’s vision for Southport’s visitor economy, increasing the number of reasons to visit and to stay, all year round. A spokesman for the founders of Go Surf said: “We’re taking a world class surf pool and building […]

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Previous year’s winners….. Photo of the Month Please send any photos to Congratulations to Colin Smith and his winning Autumn photograph Autumn 2020 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place 6th Place

If you missed Monday night’s talk “A sea kayak expedition to Thailand/ SE Asia” by Roger Morgan you can now watch it on the Club YouTube Link…. Past talks Monday 7th December Sea Kayaking in Thailand by Roger Morgan Club YouTube Link…. Monday 30th November Alpine Paddling Holiday – Escaping lockdown by Keith Steer Club YouTube Link…. Monday 23rd November Sea Kayaking in Broughton Strait, Vancouver Island by Debbie Hughes Club YouTube Link…. Monday 16th November Canoe Polo by Josh Cook Club YouTube Link…. Monday 9th November Expedition on the Green River in Utah by Roger Morgan Club YouTube Link…. Monday 19th October Club Awards Evening, Talks and AGM Club YouTube Link…. 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…..