Please open it by clicking this link January Newsletter…….  or via the website   More Archived Newsletters….. To check your membership details go to Login button on website or click here….      If you have forgotten your password click here….. to have a new one emailed to you. (Please note that some ISP`s may block our automated system so please contact membership@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk if you have problems)

  Liverpool Canoe Club Photo Competition Winners – January 2017   Congratulations to John Fay for his winning photo: “Phils Hotdog” Runner up JohnPegram:  “Llandysul (mid Wales) along the slalom” Runner up Jenny Brown: “Tees weekend 2016”  Not found your photograph? – see all the entries for this month……….. Criteria for the photo of the month competition…. 25 % Quality and sharpness of the photograph, 25% Quirkiness and framing of the subject, 25% Diversity of the subject material (ie not all one discipline), 25% has LCC logo or clothing in the shot. Please send in your entries for next month now – website@liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk

Club weekends and major events for the Club 2017 – for more detail check the online Club Calendar…… 5th February 2017 Improvers River Trip (Grade 2-3) – Coordinator John Allerton and Keith Steer Click to book a place… 25 – 26th March 2017 River Wye Paddle from Hereford to Hoarwithy (Grade 1 flat water) – Coordinator Carl Yung Leungsangnam Click to book a place… 13 – 17th April 2017 Scottish Easter Paddling Holiday based at Kinlochleven – coordinator Roy McHale. Click to book a place… 12 – 14th May 2017 Anglesey Weekend #1  Click for more and to book a place – based at Tyn Rhos Trearddur Bay  – coordinator Peter Massey. 26 – 29th May 2017 Pembroke Bank Holiday Weekend Click for more and to book a place – based at Whitesands Camping coordinator Jenny Brown. 9 – 11th June 2017 Anglesey Junior Club Weekend #2 Click for more and to book a place – based at Pen-y-Bont Farm, 4 Mile Bridge  coordinator Keith Steer. 25th June 2017 Hilbre Island Race – Club event for all  More information…….. 7 – 9th July 2017 Anglesey Weekend #3 Click for more and to book a place – based at Bodfan Farm, Rhosneigr  – coordinator Jenny Brown. 21st July  – 6th Aug 2017 Alpine Holiday Alpine Rivers Holiday – Briancon France  Coordinator Keith Steer 22 – 24th Septmber 2017 Anglesey Weekend #4 Click for more and to book a place – based at Outdoor Alternative Rhoscolyn  – coordinator Peter Massey.

British Canoeing (BC) have launched an incident reporting system. Not only is this for accidents or near misses, but it is also for disputes re access, disputes with other water users, environmental concerns etc etc. Luckily problems are rare, but BC appears to be reinvigorating itself with a greater focus on paddlers, its members and their concerns. So, if there is a near miss, or a problem with someone on the bank, let them know! Its only by gathering facts can reasoned debates be made. NB, anyone can report an incident, you dont have to be a BC member. https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2017/incident-reporting-new-system-and-report-form/  

Well done all at keeping nicely to time last night, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and a big thank you to everyone who took a hand in looking after Jake, he very much appreciates it! as do we. Results are up: http://nwcpolo.leaguerepublic.com/l/fg/1_829455743.html It’s looking very tight at the top with 4 teams in with a shot of winning, keep up the hard work and good luck to all. For those teams that keep consistent BA no’s the current goalscorers tally is attached. Current top 3: (Names I think are correct) Welsh Warriors #9 (Al Pipe?) – 23 Goals Welsh Warriors #7 (Andy Evans) – 20 Goals Red Rose #7 (Matt Carter) – 19 Goals More Photos….

If you are wanting to launch on the canal in Llangollen most people do so a from the EIseddfod car park but the Canal and Waterways Trust have built two launch points one up by the Horseshoe Falls and one by the Marina in Llangollen. The one by the Marina is far better than getting on by the Eiseddfod car park – see photo. Access to this launch point is via the road that goes passed Dinas Bran school. Turn up the steep road by the bridge in town and then follow the road over the canal passed the school and when the road makes a sharp right go straight ahead through the gate passed the rugby pitch and the head left through another gate and down to the canal. Lots of parking.   This is the new get on at Llangollen canal Dave Manby If you are wanting to launch on the canal in Llangollen most people do so a from the EIseddfod car park but the Canal and Waterways Trust have built two launch points one up by the Horseshoe Falls and one by the Marina in Llangollen. The one by the Marina is far better than getting on by the Eiseddfod car park – see photo. Access to this launch point is via the road that goes passed Dinas Bran school. Turn up the steep road by the bridge in town and then follow the road over the canal passed the school and when the road makes a sharp right go straight ahead through the gate passed the rugby pitch and the head left through another gate and down to the canal. Lots of parking.

I think I might have a go at this. There’s 3 Stand up paddle boards at the club.  Paul Harwood FEB11 Interested Northern SUP Racing Winter Series Race 1 – SUP North, Southport Sat 11:00 · Southport

Nice and Crisp today on the Dee – thanks for those who turned up I understand its not to everyone’s taste paddling in this weather. Well done Ian in his new Machno and Chris after 1 hr at top end breaking in and out and ferry gliding we nailed next 3 rapids cleanly. Also thanks for the help John Cooke. We are all between swims – Middle Hole 1 – John A – 0  

Sea Kayak Improvers Course – Coordinator Gareth Jones and Alan Peachment 3 x Saturday mornings and 1 x Sunday trip To book a place please go to our online booking page……….  Club members only This course will look at the skills required to paddle a sea kayak safely and undertake a sheltered local trip. You should have the basic skills gained from at least 6 months paddling. Saturday 28th Jan 9-12pm Docks Saturday 11th Feb 9-12pm Docks Saturday 25th Feb 9-12pm Docks Sunday 26th Feb Local sea trip (eg Hilbre Island or River Alt sailing club or Perch Rock) You may use your own sea kayak or use one of the clubs plastic fleet. We do not charge for coaching but do charge a booking fee to ensure that the course runs. This cost includes any hire fee for a club boat for the local sea trip.

Thanks all who turned up today at 0.4m – at this level the Burrs has a fair few features that if you enter them rather than go through them can attract a few swimmers.  Good to pass on some information on the levels and how to get the best from the place.  The weir is good up to 0.5m – I measured the level at Bury Ground for future reference. https://www.riverlevels.uk/irwell-bury-bury-ground#.WHu4SmdvhD8 see here also the sudden increase – after rain. River has gone from 0.38 to 0.78m at this level stay out of the weir. See also most importantly this  I can emphasise enough the Importance of the levels and the weir. https://youtu.be/nRs_Alzo9sc I may paddle next week on Saturday (Burrs Dee or the full river Ramsbottom to Bury.) check your emails –  John Allterton More Photos……. Other Comments: Many thanks for encouragement I defiantly leaned a few techniques, also leaned about trying to roll with brain freeze. Good looking guy in a red boat on a couple of those piccys dave!  Thanks for organising John,  top trip mate! Good surfing in your narrow boat too Ste! Great paddle today with a great bunch. Already looking forward to the next one

Ladies Development North Tournament One The ladies team played their first tournament of the season at Cheadle Pool last night.  This year they have a large squad so the season looks good.  The six that played last night are: Laura Watkin, Rachel Smith, Leanne Murray, Rebecca Lawson, Emma Kirk and Charlie Threlfall.

Hi all A few of us are going to the Banff Mountain Film Festival UK Tour at the Plaza cinema in Crosby on Friday 17th Feb if anyone fancies it (also Friday 7th April, which is a different film programme)? Every year they show a great mix of 6-7 amazing films about adventure/ the outdoors (including some paddling) & there are competitions on the night & chance to have a beer. Check out the trailer here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=tiXqKu35zZc There’s more info on the website (http://www.banff-uk.com) & you can buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/banff-mountain-film-festival-liverpool-17-february-2017-tickets-29012509196 Hope to see you there

This looks great! Is anyone able to drive this forward? The Wye is a great river for kayaks or canoes, and 4 days paddling it sounds fantastic. Join The 100 Mile Canoe Test This Year! The 100 mile canoe test was conceived as a personal challenge for youngsters coming together in teams from youth clubs all over the country. Over four days the participants call on their skill, determination and stamina to complete the 100 mile route. The achievement brings a sense of personal fulfilment and team camaraderie that will remain with them for life. 2017 sees the event will running for its 55th year and it will take place on the River Wye over the late May bank holiday. The event was originally developed for the network of youth clubs who are part of what was the National Association of Boys’ Clubs. This year participation in the event has been opened up, through partnership with British Canoeing, to welcome all canoe clubs. The ‘Test’ alternates each year, between the Wye, Severn and Trent. In 2016 it was on a very windy Trent. One of the younger teams taking part struggled and was unable to complete the last day past Newark because of the waves being blown down the river towards them. Such is the determination of youngsters taking part, the team came back later in the year and completed their 100miles! How Does The Event Work? Teams will arrive at Fownhope on Friday evening (26th May) and set up base camp. On Saturday morning a procession of mini buses and trailers leave for the start at Glasbury and the first leg of paddling. Each day Safety Marshall’s set off first, scout the river for hazards and set up any necessary cover. The teams will paddle as a unit with, their own leaders, sometimes passing other groups and socialising. […]

Alpine Paddling Holiday River Durance – Briancon (France) Friday 21st July to 6th August 2017 Alps photos…..  LCC Home   Site Map  We stay at the French White Water Course Campsite (Camping Les Ecrins) Summer Holiday Alpine Rivers – Southern Alps (Trips daily for Grade 2 to 3 and 3 to 4+ paddlers) Contact Keith Steer if you would like more information or want to go. 12 places in the minibus or drive your family out and camp with us.  The cost for a place in the minibus and trailer is £400 for everything except food.. Please contact me for a place in the minibus as they are going fast…… Camping Les Ecrins campsite and maps of area…… ****** (How to book campsite if you are not travelling in the minibus…)Information Sheet a nd Kit List…….. Medical Consent Form……….. Chris Murphy`s Video of previous trips 2013…. 2014…. 2015…… Possible itinerary…….. Activities The Towns of Embrun and Briancon have many shops, children’s activities (Sailing, sailboarding, swimming, rock climbing, ropes courses, museums and historic sites). The region is a winter ski area and the valleys and mountains of the Ecrin surround the rivers. Families and club members are most welcome to join us. In 2016 we paddled, surfed, mountain biked, went horse riding, glacier walking, Via Ferrata, went shopping and sight-seeing. The Minibus and trailer leaves on Friday evening to Folkstone / Dover from Formby at around 6pm to arrive on the campsite Saturday afternoon. We travel back on the Saturday Evening / Night with a Ferry crossing about 4am on Sunday (two weeks later). Several club members drive out with their families for either one or two weeks. People have also gone by air to Geneva or Turnin and hired cars or vans.  

Photo of the Month Competition – Click here to vote for your favourite. Phils Hotdog – Photo by John Fay  Llandysul (mid Wales) along the slalom course – photo by John Pegram Tees weekend 2016 – Photo by K Steer Christmas Paddle 2016 –  Photo by John Cooke Tees Weekend 2016 Photo by Jenny Brown Halloween Paddle – Photo by Paul O`donnell Photo of the Month Competition – Click here to vote for your favourite.

I had wanted to paddle the river Eden for a long time, but had always been put off by the faffage associated with the booking in process. So it was great when Ian Bell told me that he also wanted to do an open boat run down the Eden and that the booking process appeared to have been abandoned. Project Eden was go!   So, on the new year bank holiday 4 LCC open boaters met at the easy put in (its a car park with canoe launching steps) at Lazonby. Due to the temperature being rather cold there was no faffing, or was it that Andy Garland wasnt with us, and we were soon on the river. Although cold, the water that splashed onto my airbag froze, it was a lovely crisp winters day – perfect open boating weather.   The river starts easy and allows paddlers to build up confidence as the rapids get slightly more challenging, at the level we paddled it is a superb improvers trip (it felt a step up from the Carrog to Horseshoe falls section of the Dee). We paddled away from the start and were amazed that for a lakeland river it was wide and had a remote feeling to it, quite similar to the Scottish Spey.     Past elegant fishing huts, sandstone cliffs and ancient carvings, we paddled on. Enjoying the easy rapids and chilling on the flatter sections we made our way down to the weir which we portaged over the rocks mid river. A final flatish section down to Armathwaite where we exited the river on river right just below the bridge – easy egress onto a public footpath with steps out of the field onto the main road.   Thanks to Ian for organising, I am sure we […]