Arisaig May 2019 A bit more by John Fay and Bob Hamilton Arisaig is about 350 miles from Liverpool and despite having booked a superb cottage with all Mod Cons, for our weeks stay, the original though of getting on the water on our arrival soon paled. Even though it was on the doorstep. A quick cuppa and a rest followed by emptying the van, was more needed than carrying kayaks over the beach. Our accommodation at Invercaimbe was, we had found, very popular and while trying to get optimum tide times for our week was not possible, that actually gave us no real problems. Our first few forays around the area where just great fun. The forecast was never for strong winds, but we always seemed to get more than anticipated and it gave us the chance to play close to “home”. There is a stream right past the farm, which looked to be a good place to put in>>>>>>>>>Errr, not so good as it was very shallow as we tried to paddle downstream Ha Ha. Anyway a few good sessions in varying conditions where had, including a visit to Arisaig Marina which proved to be a bit of a slog and with no suitable place to get out for a leg stretch. The beach here is most inhospitable with foul smelling mud, boulders and seaweed. A retreat to a crushed coral beach was made on our return for a break and some shelter from the breeze. Some seals found us of interest here. A favourite area of mine has been Loch Nan Uamh, putting in at an ideal location about ½ mile North of the railway viaduct featured in “Harry Potter” unfortunately we were advised by a local fisherman that the owner of the land had changed hands […]

The weather was ideal, stable high pressure and winds forecast to be less than force 4. The group decided to paddle from Porth Clais and take the remaining flood tide (Neaps) out and around the outside of Ramsey Island. There was always an option to bail and head down the inside of the sound if things looked a little rough. We ferried across to the end of Ynys Elun and surveyed Midland Gap. The tide was tailing off and we thought we could all slip through and then down the outside of the island. Although there was little wind, we did have a sizable swell running and this combined with the tide created a small race between the gap. We slipped through without any upset but it did give rise to some interesting water. The tide swept us along past some tall cliffs with waves breaking in places. Some considered making a landing on Aber Mawr (a large west facing beach with large cobbles). We decided against this as landing and launching would be a little challenging Next came several large caves with deep passages together with a few arches. The group worked its way around the north end of the island and once on the sheltered east side found several beaches – the sun was out, lunch started and stoves roared. We spent a little while in the sun waiting for the tide to swing round and ebb through the sound. Some overfalls started to run in the middle of the sound and discussion centered around horse rock and its subsequent overalls. Before long we took to the water again and explored the features around the landing / pier on the island. We even threaded the “bitches rocks”. Hardly any tide was running as we made our way back […]

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

Saturday from Porth Dafarch around the Stacks and back Nikki and Martin with South Stack in the distance. Parliament House Cave – Martin points at the roof. The Otter looking for food at Penryn Mawr Sunday from Church Bay out to the Skerries and back. Andy and Nikki with the Skerries Light in the Distance I didn’t get a picture of the puffins or the porpoise but I did get a picture of the otter  🙂

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk June 2019 # 1 Sun setting over Arisag by John Fay 35 votes (39%) # 2 Dee Bore on Good Friday by Colin Smith 16 votes (18%) # 3 Open Canoe trip on the Banwy Nikki Aldridge 12 votes (13%) # 4 Bow stall on the Tees WW Course by John Cooke 9 votes (10%) # 5 Its a dogs life by Christine Fay 9 votes (10%) # 6 Farndon to Chester paddle Nadezda Ford and Roger Colman by Neil Jones 8 votes (9%)

Rhoscolyn, around The Beacon to Porth Dafarch and return by Dave Gentle What a big day out on the sea. Due to a forecast of more wind later in the day we changed the route for today’s peer-group trip. Three of us did from Borth Wen, Rhoscolyn, around The Beacon to Porth Dafarch for an ice cream, but the ice cream van isn’t operating at Porth Dafarch so we went back to Borth Wen on the open water travelator. 11.5 kms there via nearly every cove, gully and rock garden in 3.5 hours, then straight back for 8kms in 1 & 3/4 hours (12 miles total). We got several rolls in, Leader practice and did a rescues session. We’re planning to do another soon. Good to be out with Martin Page again.

LCC Pembroke weekend – Chilled Sunday paddling by Frankie Annan Sunday dawned misty, wet and frankly chilly, with a wind forecast that meant sheltered paddling was the order of the day. Andy G had the perfect plan for a trip up the Estuary from Pembroke Dock. After Keith had told Ian that he wasn’t having a leisurely breakfast and going surfing, 5 LCC paddlers set off for a day on the water. Estuary – so obviously there would be mud, hopefully not smelly mud, but mud for sure. Getting on the water in the mist After a short drive we arrived a car park near the marina in Neyland. Keith quickly identified there was a road down to the slipway – no boat carrying for Keith. The rest of us parked up and unloaded and headed down to join him. After some consultation of the map, we set off into the misty murky weather, heading under the road bridge and up the mud less estuary. Yes, no mud on launching our boats. We had both wind and tidal assistance and enjoyed an exploration of the shoreline which seemed much more like anywhere than Pembroke dock. As we paddled along ever so gradually the mist cleared, revealing several grand design style houses and a white castle, as we all paddled, chilled and chatted. Apparently there are otters – we didn’t see any. Elevenses/lunch happened at Black tar – great lunch stop with picnic tables and toilets. As the tide had turned by the time we had eaten we meandered back alongside the opposite bank – with the tide against the wind, but we had enough tidal assistance that it was never a slog. What a difference sunshine makes Approaching the get out a pub was spotted and a plan hatched for […]

Late on Friday vans started to arrive and tents were pitched at Newgale campsite. The sun was shining and there was the sound of surf on the other side of the gravel barrier. A paddling plan was made as the sun set. A sea mist came in as we went to bed. Saturday morning saw some early arrivals. The sea kayakers headed to Port Clais to circumnavigate Ramsey Island. Another team of sea kayakers went along the coast for a few hours from Newgale towards Solva, weaving around rocks and arches. The little boats played in the clean surf. That evening everyone sat around the BBQ as the wind slowly started to increase and the sea mist returned. The rain came in Saturday night but was starting to clear as we got up on Sunday. A few went to catch the boat to Skoma to see the Puffins, the sea kayakers went for a paddle in the estuary near Neyland and the little boats went for ice cream in St David’s. The sea paddlers went with the tide and wind up estuary to enjoy some lovely views in the shelter of inland waters. As the tide turned the wind dropped and they returned to a perfectly positioned pub for a late lunch in the sun. As the clouds lifted the water was also dropping of the barrier at Newgale and the short boats went in. The surf was bigger with more white water to compete against to get out back. That evening the wind turned a little to the north so people headed off to the warmth of their camp beds after sitting round the BBQ for a few hours. On Monday morning a few headed home early, the little boats went back in the waves and the sea paddlers […]

Chris Fay contacted us in December to see if we were up for another trip there, this time in different accommodation.  It was a house owned by the farm / campsite owner and was very close to the beach.  We agreed that it would be a great location and the house was booked. John Fay posted the proposed trip on the club site and we ended up with seven intrepid paddlers, three chef’s / French maid (Chris) and a sea dog (Penny).  Our paddling numbers where Roger Colman, Anthony Vaccaro, Martin Sinnott, Irene Jackson, John Fay, Sue and Bob Hamilton. Speaking for myself, I was very happy to have the experience of Roger and Anthony on board.  The entire area is just an amazing place for paddling and to single anywhere out would be wrong.   Suffice to say there is more than enough to satisfy anyone’s needs, regardless of experience. We did the Skerries close to and in front of the campsite. The same trip but right into Arisaig on Loch nan Ceall. Loch nan Uamh where we located a brilliant cave and a Bothy that required mountaineering skills to access. (I stayed out) Loch Ailort right back to our campsite where I have to give Martin full marks as it was quite rough half way round and it was only his second time on the sea. The last day was to Castle Tioram on Loch Moidart.   We had fair conditions and great company. Couple that with a great location and it’s hard to fail. Here is a link to just one of the videos  https://youtu.be/Nc-Iy3HPjnE Bob Hamilton

Hilbre Island Sea Kayak Race. Sunday 7th July from Dee Sailing club.  Mass start 2:00pm – you will need to be there at 1pm if paddling. Click here for more information on the event……. Hilbre Island is the largest of a group of three islands at the mouth of the estuary of the River Dee, and lies about 1.6 km from Red Rocks, the nearest part of the mainland on the Wirral Peninsula. The Start is at Dee Sailing club (CH61 0HN) START TIME 2:00 pm  The start and finish will be a buoy on the water in line with the causeway. Prize giving and BBQ will be in the club house after the event. (BBQ items and drinks can be purchased from the club house) The main Hilbre Island Race goes clockwise around all three islands (13km) while a shorter race for General Purpose and touring boats goes clockwise around the first island (Little Eye). We also have a short junior and novice race along the shore to West Kirby and return. Conditions can be very rough on the northern end of Hilbre and anyone entering the Hilbre Island Race needs to be sure that they can cope with the conditions on the day. If conditions are too rough then modified courses may be used. We have a number of safety craft covering the race. Several kayak rescue teams will also be positioned on the end of Hilbre Island, Little Eye and along the route. Places are limited to the first 50 entrants. Hilbre Race (13Km) – Sea Kayaks, Ladies Sea Kayaks, Tandem Sea kayaks, Racing Surf Skis, High-performance Sea Kayaks. Little Eye Race (All Kayaks) 9km Paddle from the beach (causeway), clockwise around the Little Eye and back to the finish line. West Kirby Race (All Kayaks, under 16s and Open Canoes) […]

Club weekends and major events for the Club 2019 – 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) 17th – 19th May 2019 Anglesey Weekend #1 Click for more and to book a place – based at Tyn Rhos Trearddur Bay – coordinator Peter Massey. 19th May 2019 Sea Kayak Leaders Training as part of Anglesey Weekend To book a place – coordinator Ian Bell. 19th May 2019 Foundation Safety and Rescue Course To book a place – coordinator Anthony Brockway. 24th – 27th May 2019 Pembroke Bank Holiday Weekend Click for more information and to book a place – based at Newgale Campsite – coordinator Jenny Brown. 26 th May 2019 Liverpool Marathon – Sunday Docks paddle cancelled as no access to the Marina due to road closures Please arrange your own paddling 8 – 9th June 2019 River Trywern and camping Weekend – coordinator John Cook 14 – 16th June 2019 Anglesey Junior Club Weekend #2 Click for more and to book a place – based at Anglesey Outdoors LL65 2LP  coordinator Keith Steer. 15th June 2019 Different Strokes Course for Beginners (must have completed introductory Course or be paddling at the docks) To book a place 7th July 2019 Hilbre Island Race – Club event for all More information…….. Why not give one of the courses a go. 12th – 14th July 2019 Anglesey Weekend #3 Click for more and to book a place – based at Bodfan Farm, Rhosneigr  – coordinator Jenny Brown. 19th July to 4th August 2019 Alpine Holiday Alpine Rivers Holiday – Briancon France  Coordinator Keith Steer 8th to 18th August 2019 Lofoten Islands Sea Kayaking Click for more information – coordinator Andy Garland […]

Photo of the Month Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk June 2019 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 May 2019 # 1 Taken just before I started my early morning session on the Mersey at Rock Ferry Colin Smith 28 votes (25%) # 2 Steve Alcock running serpents by Allan Potts 24 votes (22%) # 3 Our very own ‘Nick of Arabia’ at our LCC coach’s 1st aid by Craig Ellingham 17 votes (15%) # 4 Greetings from Sunny Wales by Martin Eley 16 votes (14%) # 5 I have met this young lass a few times now, she rests on the dredging pipe just off shore from Bromborough Colin Smith 14 votes (13%) # 6 River Mersey Paddle 2019 Kristiaan D Aout 12 votes (11%)

Easter Saturday – Arisaig Sea Paddle Saturday saw the sea kayakers head to Arisaig for the day. After taking over the car park and launching we proceeded to follow the coast and explore all the dead end channels for a couple of hours. Along the way porpoise (or was that Friday?) and a sea eagle were spotted, along with heron and seals. It is quite likely that some gel coat was left behind on a few rocks as a few people with brave enough to follow Nikki A into some narrow/shallow gaps. Lunch was a short break that coincided with the sun hiding behind a cloud and the last of the ebb, so a longer carry to the water after lunch – who planned that? Some exploration of the main channel into Arisaig led us to the unusual sight of seals behaving more like dolphins – they were leaping out of the water and they definitely were seals – very entertaining. The paddle back to the get in saw the cloud gather and Eigg disappeared into the mist. The longer drive back to the hostel was the perfect excuse for a visit to the fish & chip shop in Kinlochleven for some.