Early Bird Surf Session. Just Karl and me at the beach at 0550hrs. Great to see some waves again. Not the biggies I was expecting ting but really good to be on the water. Camera ran out of memory.  

Introductory Course for new members / Novice Paddlers 1 x six hour session (Colin Muse + 1) Course 1 Saturday, 23 June, 2018   9am – 3pm Course 2 Sunday, 24 June, 2018   9am – 3pm Click here for more information and to book a place…….. You need to be a member The introductory course is designed to show you the basic strokes and give you the confidence to take a club boat during a club night and paddle with other club members to develop your skills further. The course is primarily for adult members of the club – juniors are encouraged to attend junior club (Tuesdays) where coaches are provided for free. Accompanying adults can also attend the session for free. Most people on the introductory courses gain their LCC 1 Star. We do not charge for coaching or the use of our equipment but there is a £10 booking fee to ensure the course runs. Please either use the changing rooms just inside the canoe compound or come changed ready for the water. You need warmish things etc old trainers, tracksuit bottoms and several warm layers on top. http://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/QandA/What%20to%20wear.html It really helps if you have a wind / waterproof jacket or cagoule. A simple walking type one will be fine. Any glasses should have a string or retainer cord on. Course may include 1 = Selecting gear, getting in / out, going straight, simple strokes 2 = recap / journey 3 = different boats, fun session and optional capsize practice More information and syllabus……

NOW SOLD Burn MkII, medium with factory fitted small seat (ideal for smaller paddlers who want the volume of medium). 4 years old, used but not abused, usual white water scrapes but nothing major. All outfitting in excellent condition with full original fitting kit/alternate footrest included. Boat is currently in North Wales, can view there or will bring to Tryweryn, Dee, Liverpool/Docks by arrangement. £300 Cheers, Kirk email:  captaink AT blueyonder.co.uk    

Firstly, an apology to anyone who would have liked to come on this trip but didn’t see the advertising email. It’s still in my drafts, which might explain why I got no responses. Anyway, with a great forecast for the weekend, a trip to the Skerries was planned and agreed. So on a glorious morning we set out from Cemlyn. At the first way point we turned our attention to the second way mark and distant Skerries, only to see them disappearing in a fog/haze bank. Oh well, good job we had the compass. Crossing some confused water tidal flow we arrived at our second way point (Victoria bank cardinal mark). Some quick photos in the eddy being formed behind the buoy and it was off to way point three (Coal rock south cardinal mark). NB, its amazing how far you drift when you stop to take a photo. The Skerries were still hazy But as we neared they became more visible. After a pleasant paddle, with quite a bit of tidal assistance, we arrived at the Skerries, where we were met by quite a few seals, puffins and a vast number of terns. Breaking for lunch we headed to the lighthouse. When I say we, I mean Ruth and Ian. They were ahead of me, and the shouts of “Ow!” that followed the mob attack by the diver bombing terns led me to decide that discretion was the better part of valour. In the spirit of true comradeship with my fellow paddlers, rather than offer assistance, I reached for the camera and waited for them to make the return dash! Top tip, at this time of year, bring helmets for the walk to the lighthouse!!!   Following a lazy lunch, it was back into the tide race and back […]

June 2018  Click here to see the photos and to vote for your favourite. Please send any photos to website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk May 2018 # 1 NWC Division 3 Polo Champions Liverpool CC U18 19 votes (40%) # 2 Julie Brookes – Photo by Neil Jones 9 votes (19%) # 3 Junior playboating at the Docks Photo by Neil Jones 6 votes (13%) April 2018 # 1 River Mersey Paddle – photo by Kristiaan D’Août 28 votes (36%) # 2 Surf Ski in Tarifa 2018 Julian Tod 27 votes (35%) # 3 Craig and Ian at the Burrs – Photo by Neil Jones 7 votes (9%) # 4 Sunday morning paddle at the docks 2018 John Allerton 6 votes (8%) # 5 Hilbre Island 2018 Pete Massey 5 votes (6%) # 6 Group at the Burrs – Submitted by John Allerton 4 votes (5%) March 2018 Top of Form # 1 Bonfire paddle River of Light on the Mersey by Kris D Aout 27 votes (34%) # 2 Craig surfing at Burrs Weir by Steve Stanford 16 votes (20%) # 3 Pete discovers he is a zen master somewhere near Glenuig by Kathy Morton 15 votes (19%) # 4 Late entry for paddler of the year, Olivia 3 years old by Martin Eley‎ 11 votes (14%) # 5 How stable is a sit-on-top by Chris Fay 9 votes (11%) # 6 Hilbre Island 2018 Phil and Isobel 2 votes (3%)

River Weaver paddle 02/06/18 by John Fay Over the past few weeks myself and Phil Edwards have been doing a few easy recreational paddles. We’ve done The Bridgewater canal from Lymm, through Stockton Heath and Walton Hall gardens down to GoKayaking. We’ve paddle from the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn again on the Bridgewater canal to GoKayaking from the other direction. We’ve met at the Runcorn rowing club for a familiar paddle to the Dutton locks and back on the Weaver Navigation. But on Saturday 2nd of June we headed to The Leigh Arms on Warrington Road where Phil had previously arranged parking with the landlady on the pub car park. From the car park it’s very easy access to the River Weaver next to the road bridge. So, we launched and went left heading towards the Anderton boat lift. After about half an hour we arrived at a lock which had we portaged around it would have kept us on the main river. Instead we decided to bear right and explore the little used narrow and overgrown sections of the river. Time and time again we thought we had come to a dead end has trees spread themselves over the water and blocked our view of the river ahead. As the river wound through the countryside we just didn’t know what was around the next bend. After a couple of hours, we arrived at what looked to me like a mini Niagara Falls. A large curved structure with water pouring over from the main river above. White foam floated on the surface of the water resembling snow. Unless we climbed over the sluice gate at the left side we could go no further. The banks were far too high and overgrown to attempt going around. So, after a lunch break […]

We have always had a good relationship with the Canal and River Trust and as a consequence have few restrictions on our access agreement.  We have always said that “WE WILL ALWAYS KEEP CLEAR OF OTHER WATER USERS”.   Please keep to this edict as there is plenty of space within the docks. Dukes dock is clearly out of bounds while the new inflatable adventure dock is in use (especially on a busy bank holiday weekend).   Just like if there were a swimming event on or a race we would always keep clear. Subject: Dukes Dock-Adventure Dock Hello All As you will now be aware Adventure Dock (floating obstacle course) is now operating in Dukes Dock. The operator has been granted permission to operate between May 1st and October 31st each year.  Because of the nature of the business (i.e. customers falling from the obstacles into water), please make sure, that as a water user, you do not come within 20 meters of the structure. This means that you will be unable to paddle/paddleboard/row/motor around the structure in Dukes Dock, between these dates.  There is concern from the operator that water users are ignoring the advice and instruction from the Adventure Dock lifeguards, which is unacceptable. Liverpool South Docks is a busy waterspace, so please consider the other users when enjoying your individual activity. As a control measure, the operator plans to place two lines of buoys, shown on the plan below. Please do not cross these buoys when they are put in place. Thanks for your co-operation.  

It was a late shout, but Ian Bell decided to join me for a leisurely paddle around the Great Orme. Launching at West Shore, close to high tide so as to avoid a carry in, we paddled around to Llandudno where Mr Punch appeared to be assaulting a policeman. Lunch enjoyed, it was back the way we came. Alas no seals on the way back A great LCC day on the sea. Mike Alter, Ian Bell

Short boats and long boats met at Newgale ready to enjoy the bank holiday on the Pembroke coast. Some had arrived early and spent Friday walking around the headland at Marloes Sands. No surf was forecast for the weekend. The short boats went for a paddle around the cliffs and caves going from Dale to Watwick Bay on Saturday, while the long boats went a little further to Dale West where there were a few little waves for them to play in. Lyn had got up early for a trip to Skomer and came back with reports of seeing Puffins close up and an Owl. Saturday evening the rain stayed away and the BBQ was lit before the wind picked up into the evening. Some of the group headed into Haverfordwest to grab a bite and watch the football. On Sunday a few went for a morning walk and scramble on the cliffs. The long boats went over the gravel barrier to paddle 30 km along St David’s Peninsula with a detour to the Green and Black Scar islands just offshore. The short boats went south to shelter from the morning’s wind under the cliffs. They paddled from Norton Haven to Druidston Haven, surfing the clean little waves that they found along the way and walking up the beach to explore some cave rock pools. A second BBQ was lit after an evening paddle/cliff walk from Abereiddy round the headland to the Blue Lagoon. Monday was an early start for some who fancied a trip to see the puffins and flowers on Skomer Island. Others went for a cycle to Solva, pottered on the beach at Newgale and had a paddle on the way home.  

Pembroke Bank Holiday Camping Trip Saturday 26th May St Ann`s Head Ten of us left on Saturday Morning for Dale. There was optimist dinghy racing on in the bay, so the car park was a little full. After unloading our kayaks some of use moved our cars to the free beach about a half a mile up the road where hopefully, the tide would be in on our return. We headed off around the point which had an old castle (now a field studies centre). After a couple of bays, we came across the light house and coast guard station on the end of St Ann`s Head. This marked the entrance to Pembroke dock and Milford Heaven (sheltered water for some very large oil tankers and ferries). We paddled on round the headland and passed several rocky cliffs and points. Eventually we came across Westdale bay. This had a beautiful sandy beach and a small wave which caught a few of us unaware. Nice hand roll Tony! After a relatively short lunch we headed back to Dale for ice cream and coffee. More photos…….  

Bank holiday Monday Float and boat by Martin Connolly‎ Sunshine, good company, three? Waves. Whats not to like at Crosby on bank holiday?  

We have been meeting at Sandy Lane and then paddling down to the weir at Chester for the past three Wednesdays now. The venue is ideal as an introduction to moving water with a number of small drops and ledges. It has an easy shoot at the bottom to practise break in and outs and ferry Glides. There are often number of other clubs there but just ask for Liverpool Canoe Club. Location and more information………. Ciaran, Dom and Nick playing on the weir  

Eighteen paddlers, in various kayaks and 2 open canoes, paddled the docks today hoping to see the Tall Ships Parade of Sail. After a leisurely paddle we entered the Albert Dock, which of course was rather empty, the tall ships etc. having now assembled in the River Mersey after exiting through the Hartley Bridge into Canning Half-Tide Dock and then into the river. We then paddled into the Salthouse Dock and stacked our boats neatly on the slipway by the bandstand and proceeded to walk around the dock complex to the Flagpole on the waterfront.  On arrival we were greeted by gun fire from HMS Suffolk who, I believe, was leading the parade with the water siphon tug boat just ahead.  The gun fire was to signal the start of the parade. H,M.S. Suffolk I couldn’t get all the photos I wanted as the crowds lining the waterfront were, in some place, 3 to 4 people deep.  The Parade of Sail then began and below are a small selection of the ships involved, many being sail training ships. After walking back to the bandstand slipway and a few “munchies” we set off for the return stopping by “Seal Island” for a bit of fun and games.  We had jumpers, seal launching, and very brave “swimmers”. We then made a slow return in the glorious sunshine via the Watersports to the slipway.  It had been a lovely day and I think we timed it just right for the Parade. Julie Brookes Liverpool Canoe Club  

29th Liverpool Waters international Canoe Polo Tournament A big congratulations to the Liverpool youth team for winning the 29th Liverpool Waters International Canoe Polo competitions class 4 division on the 26th and 27th of May over the bank holiday weekend starring Aaron, Callum, John, Luke, Dean and Myles. Winning all four games on the Saturday (with Deano Scoring two against his brother’s team Liverpool Coburg) and a further two wins on the Sunday to end the league format unbeaten in six and moving into the knockout stages of the competition. After a long wait with some false starts on the Sunday they won their semi-final 3-2 despite being 2-0 down and Deano being subbed after being struck with a paddle by one of his own team mates (Callum). Then to the final against Liverpool Coburg which then won 4-3 with a superb hattrick from Luke and hung on despite a late fightback by Coburg. Congratulations to both teams, first and second for a great weekend. Norman Cook (team coach) More Photos………