Rescues Session 2 by John Fay Our second Rescues session started and ended in beautiful sunshine. Once again members new and old gathered together to learn or practice various rescue skills. Alex Peacock took charge of the several young members who attended, and it wasn’t long before screams of laughter could be heard across the water as Alex engaged them in several fun kayaking games. Others split into small groups and worked together on their skills and we could see our new members grow in confidence as each skill they attempted was successful. It was also great to see people who had never met before forging new friendships as they warmed themselves up with hot drinks and other goodies provided by our catering team of Irene Jackson and Chris Fay. Once again, the planned “two-hour session” concluded after some three and a half hours and a tired group reluctantly headed home. A massive thank you to everyone (too many to name) who turned up today and we look forward to seeing you on more dock’s sessions and paddles in the near future. More Photos…….. Report by John Fay

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Breaking News – World Premieres of two new paddling films for Thursday evenings show at the Marina French Alps 2019 – A 15 minute pre-release from Gille studios showing all the antics of the LCC Lilo race on the International Slalom Course at L’Argentière-la-Bessée together with all the best rivers over the two weeks. We also have presentations from the Lofoten Islands – Arctic Norway epic trip. At the last minute Never Again productions Ltd have just finalised the preview copy of “River of Gold” Sun Khosi expedition. This may be your only opportunity to see these once in a lifetime films and talks from our own club members. Make sure you get there early to ensure you get a seat. Thursday 10th October Arrive 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start.   We are in the Spinnaker suite of Liverpool Yacht Club / Marina L3 4BP – go past the bar and through the double doors.  Free parking but remember to put your car registration into the iPad on the wall that end of the bar.

The Rescues Session at the Docks by John Fay Over 30 members attended todays Rescues Session at the docks. Today’s session was run by Ian Bell who grabbed everyone’s attention with his focused introduction and his on the water rescue demonstrations With the foundation blocks laid everyone including brand new member Ian and little 9-year-old Lil were rescuing and being rescued. 9-year-old Lil showed that technique was the key as she confidently emptied and assisted John, an adult member, back into his sea kayak. After experiencing numerous immersions, the group kept the catering team (Irene & Chris) very busy as hot drinks and other goodies were served to warm up the chilly group. Thanks to everyone who attended to make it another successful session. Report by John Fay

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk October 2019 Click here to see the photos and to vote for your favourite. # 1 Sarah Gille in the Alps by Martin Aldridge 25 votes (25%) # 2 Olivia chose to go paddling for her 5th birthday and has since joined in a paddle with the kids club at the docks by Martin Eley 23 votes (23%) # 3 Julie Brookes dry rolling by John Fay 22 votes (22%) # 4 Poppy at the start of the West Kirby Race by Pete Thomas 12 votes (12%) # 5 Blow Hole by Dave Gentle 10 votes (10%) # 6 Rolling at the docks by Chris Fay 7 votes (7%)

The fourth rolling session at the Docks by John Fay The fourth rolling session started with a bang. Literally. Marty Sinnott arrived at the docks to find that the main compound barrier had been smashed open and the locking latch broken clean off. Worried that we wouldn’t be able to secure the compound on leaving we informed Keith of the situation and then proceeded to await the arrival of our group. At 10:30am a large group gathered for a brief introduction followed by an excellent discussion by Roger Colman about the purpose of the roll, the technique and the need to be able to fall back on an efficient rescue if/when the roll fails. The group welcomed comments by the senior club coaches Ian Bell and Dave Reynolds. Richie Burgess shared his observations on the “hand of God” rescue technique used by the coaches to right a paddler when their attempt at a roll failed and then everyone got on the water. There was almost a coach for each student this week and this resulted in some real progress. As well as members actually rolling paddlers were much more confident resulting in more time being spent under the water. The only downside to this was the number of very dizzy people staggering up the beach to the refreshment team for a warm drink and cake etc. As the session continued Keith arrived to inspect the broken barrier and after going off to purchase some long bolts a repair was carried out and the compound could once again be secured. Each session was due to last two hours but each week it had been around four hours later when people finally left. This last session was no exception. So, whilst most of us made the short distances home thoughts went out […]

White Water Skills Transfer session on The Dee at Llangollen by Dave Gentle LCC members Karen and Nic performing very well today on the White-Water Skills Transfer session on The Dee at Llangollen, followed by a sunny trip down from Serpent’s Tail into the River Active Park & Play site. A big thank you to Chris Marsden for assisting with the session today. Chris is always a joy to have on a session or trip. He has solid skills and loads of enthusiasm.

 Lofoten Islands Expedition 2019 “The Famous Five visit Lofoten” by Enid Blyton      LCC Home    Site Map   News items or reports on club activities should be sent to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk Archived Newsletters  Major Trip Reports.… Each year the club runs several major trips abroad. This year we paddled in the Lofoten Islands in Arctic Norway. The area has beautiful scenery, excellent wild campsites and iconic mountains and ridges. This year’s full account can be found in the trip reports section of the clubs website…..

Liverpool Canoe Club Supports Windermere One Way Swim. Report by Jim Duffy Liverpool Canoe Club Supports Windermere One Way Swim The Windermere One Way Swim took place on Sunday 2nd September at the beautiful and sheltered Fell Foot Park at the southern end of Windermere and some 202 swimmers took part. Swimmers were accompanied by a personal kayaker including eight from Liverpool Canoe Club. Many of the swimmers and kayakers had already completed the delayed Coniston ‘Chill’ the previous day! The epic 11.2 mile swim, the length of Windermere, ended near Ambleside at the iconic Brathay Hall. Every Windermere One Way swimmer also had a timing chip to accurately record their time. Wetsuits were widespread but a significant number of experienced swimmers completed the challenge without a wetsuit. The water temperature was 16.2 C. Significant crowds cheered the swimmers at the major viewing points and at the feed station just north of the Ferry House on the west side. They then swam to the west of Belle Island before heading north-west towards the finish. Windermere One Way was organised by T2 Events and Swim Safety directed and coordinated all aspects of water safety. The weather was occasionally wet and blustery for the first 9 miles before becoming bright as swimmers reacher the stunning Low Wood Bay. After that the weather improved significantly as swimmers completed the last stretch. Thomas Mills completed the swim in a wetsuit in 4:12:34. Steph Mcnally, from Bristol North Swimming Club, was the first wetsuit lady in a time of 5:13:27. Bristol North Swimming Club did particularly well with seven entries. The first ‘skins’ swimmers was Philip Duma of Blackwell Swimming Club, who completed the marathon course in 4:55:18. Nerys Pearce from Team True Spirit finished 2nd in a time of 5:38:31. One of the most […]

The initial open boat training in the docks had been done. Now the plan was to go on a river trip! For some, this was simply another river in another type of craft. But for others this was their first paddling adventure away from the docks – AWESOME! Canoes collected, spirits high, we headed to Farndon to paddle the river Dee. The chatter in the car was excited and loud, well it had to be to overcome the sudden cloudburst that we were driving through, but that didn’t dampen spirits. Everyone helped to unload the kit, subconsciously picking up tips about how to secure boats, and got ready. Food was packed into dry bags, dry kit left in appropriate vehicles and the plan was sorted: This is the river. We are paddling 10 miles that way to Eccleston ferry (no time restriction on car parking as there is at Sandy Lane). We are stopping for lunch, make sure you have food with you. Speak up if not feeling well / cold. Stay out of the trees. Watch out for the river wide tree that we have heard about but we can get through. If you get side onto an object, lean onto it. Have fun! After those rousing Churchillian words, the team lowered the boats to the river (using excellent manual handling techniques) and headed off on the adventure. It started well. It didn’t last! Keith decided that he would be chief child on the trip, so with a big grin he proceeded to pull the full length of my fluorescent pink swimline out. No reason why, just because he could. Thanks! Not perturbed, we carried on. The teams practicing their tandem team work as they glided down the river, using great communication to ensure they moved the boats where […]

We need your votes for Paddler, Junior and Volunteer of the Year – please give a name from each category by email before the AGM to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk To see the nominations and information on each nominee go to paddler of the year page on our website. https://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/members/poty/2019.htm

Club weekends and major events for the Club 2019 to 2020 – for more detail check the online Club Calendar……. You need to be a current member of the club to paddle with us (Insurance and emergency contact details etc) 27th September 29th to 2019 Anglesey Weekend #4 Click for more information and to reserve a discounted place based at Tyn Rhos Trearddur Bay – coordinator Peter Massey. 10th October 2019 Club AGM and Paddler of the Year Awards with Movies and talks on Alps, Nepal and Lofoten Trips Click for more 11th to 13th October 2019 Mid Wales White Water Weekend Coordinator John Cooke Click for more and to book a place. 12th to 15th October 2019 MAD Scottish Canoe Expedition (part 1 River Spey?) Coordinator Mike Alter and Ruth Edwards Contact the coordinator Mike Alter if interested 16th to 19th October 2019 MAD Scottish Canoe Expedition (part 2 River Tay) Coordinator Mike Alter and Ruth Edwards Contact the coordinator Mike Alter if interested 20th October 2019 Improvers WW River Trip (Grade 2-3 River Dee) Coordinator John Cooke Click for more and to book a place. 1st to 3rd November 2019 River Tees White Water Weekend Coordinator John Cooke Click for more and to book a place. 9th to 13th April 2020 Scottish Easter Paddling Holiday based at Kinlochleven Coordinator John Cooke Click for more and to book a place. First come first served 26th April 2020 Club Open Day Come and try it sessions / Go Kayaking Demo Fleet / rolling competition 1st to 3rd May 2020 Anglesey Weekend #1 Click for more information and to reserve a discounted place based at Tyn Rhos Trearddur Bay – coordinator Peter Massey. 22nd to 25th May 2020 Pembroke Bank holiday Paddling Weekend Click for more information and to reserve a discounted place […]

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk October 2019 Click here to see the photos and to vote for your favourite.

Lofoten Islands Expedition 2019 “The Famous Five visit Lofoten” by Enid Blyton Day 11 – Journey Home (19th August) by Julian “The Famous Five find their way home” “Gosh what is that dreadful smell?” said George. “Sorry about that” said Dick, “I think it is my shoes”. “Really” said Ann, “Can’t you pack them at the bottom of your case wrapped up in a carrier bag. People should not have to put up with that. How utterly disgusting”. “I am afraid they will have to” said Dick, “I am wearing them home”. This conversation was stopped by the early arrival of our taxi. This was not Anne’s fault, who had planned everything to perfection as usual, but that of the taxi firm. None the less the outcome was the same with everyone galvanised into action and a flurry of last-minute packing and checking of bedrooms etc. Fortunately, Dick had got up early to ensure he could eat any food items, irregular shaped or otherwise, that may have been left behind so he was virtually ready. Timmy, who was maybe the fastest camp breaker and case packer Norway has ever seen, was also ready in a trice. George was pleased to find that having eaten all her expedition food she could pack quickly and while her case was still heavy, she could actually lift it. Something she could not do on the journey out. Anyway, we were all soon in the taxi, joined by ‘Jo’ and ‘Tinker’ who would travel back with us, and off to the airport we went. Julian thought Svolvaer Airport was a lovely little airport, where the check in lady later becomes one of the baggage handlers and where they can take their time and search through bags to their hearts content as Dick found out. Poor […]

Lofoten Islands Expedition 2019 “The Famous Five visit Lofoten” by Enid Blyton Day 10 – Last day in Kabelvag (18th August) by Julian “The Famous Five take a day off” How snug and warm we had all been in proper beds in our cabin and although a little sad our Lofoten kayaking adventure really was over, it was another day and the chance for another adventure. But wait, it appears George, always the tomboy, had not slept in a bed at all. She had spent the night sleeping on the floor in the lounge. She really is as tough as old boots! It was decided we should hike out of Base Camp and find some proper entertainment in the nearby town of Kabelvag. Ann had been there once before and warned us there was little excitement to be found and explained, politely, as always, that she would stay in base camp to meet up later with the friends we had met at the start of our journey, “Jo the gypsy girl” and young “Tinker Hayling”. Once Dick had quickly demolished some cold pizza found at the back of the fridge, he, Timmy, Julian and George set of at a blistering pace eager to see the delights of Kabelvag. On the way Dick borrowed a little green scooter and ‘scooted’ up and down the road before returning it and running to catch us up. As for Kabelvag, for once it seems that Ann, who can be known to exaggerate, had not done so on this occasion. There was little excitement to be had and being a Sunday most of what little there was appeared shut. Undeterred however our intrepid quartet did find a pub on stilts, which clearly showed we were deep within the Article Circle (N68” 13’ S14” 30’) and a […]