Sunday afternoon 16th April Sunday afternoon turned out sunny, perfect for a quick walk out the back of the hostel to Blackwater reservoir. A 13 mile round trip, with 3 deer in the valley, a big bird circling over head and a rainbow or two. The Navvies Graveyard, Blackwater Dam, Kinlochleven Excellent views of Kilnlochleven below us between the snowy peaks and the mountains around. This walk is a suitable choice for a day when the tops are in cloud, offering a lower level route along one side of the Glen Leven valley, and back along the other side, to complete a circular route. The only minus point is that since the dam of the reservoir is closed to the public, connecting the two sides of the valley involves negotiating a not so pleasant pathless section through undergrowth roughly in parallel to the dam. However it is worth the effort to enable a different return route. The eight mile long Blackwater Reservoir, which was created for hydroelectric power purposes, can be a bleak and desolate place though the walk generally features some waterfalls, a river and a couple of small lochans by way of variety from the woodland trail. Formerly two smaller villages, modern day Kinlochleven owes its existence to the aluminium works for which it is well-known. From the car park at Kinloch Road, follow the road parallel to the River Leven and cross the first footbridge on the right, signposted for the West Highland Way. Large pipes appear on the right, which connect with a building on top of a wooded hill far off to the left. This landmark seems a long way off at this stage, but it is passed later on in the walk at a key turning point where the route departs from the West […]

Friday 14th April This is a favourite first day paddle of mine to get into the swing of things.  10 of us set off from our put in on the shore below the lay-by on the A828 at Polanach Conditions at this point light wind and calm sea so off to the north tip of and around the outside to the south tip of Shuna Island By now the wind and Sea had picked up and was directly at us for the second leg to the North West end of Lismore Island a more exposed crossing of one and a half hours via the skerries of Eilean Glas and Eilean Gainimh All of us happy now we could see our landing beach and lunch spot now in the lea of the island the sea was calm again and we where greeted by three seals Soon off the water we had our half hour lunch stop and much needed rest after paddling into wind for over an hour A short leg three about 15 minutes now the weather had eased a little we headed round the north tip of Lismore past the ferry pier and back to the ferry terminal at Port Appin onto the beach and into the hotel for tea and coffee We had a few looks from the diners as we dripped our way to the bar and a few moor looks when we seated ourselves on the patio outside in the light rain I can recommend the Pierhouse hotel even after dripping all over the place we where made welcome and looked after The final leg shortly after leaving Port Appin we had a squall come through as we where very near the shore we had to take care not to get blown on to the boulders […]

Saturday Afternoon 15th April After a morning session on the River Roy I felt warmed up and ready to see what the Spean Gorge had to offer for the afternoon’s paddle. It had been a few years since I last paddled the Spean Gorge and my memory of the main features was patchy.  Once on the river, we gathered just underneath the bridge and split in equal groups of five.  I split with the boys from the Cadets Will and Tom as they had been a good omen during the mornings paddle also Sarah and Miguel and I made the five. In our groups, we set off into the Spean Gorge.  The water levels where high so creating lots of wave trains getting into the Gorge.  Paddling onwards, we viewed the first main feature in the near distance and gathered in the top eddy whilst the leaders went to scout the line down.  When the leaders found the best route, we we’re given the signal and guided successfully down one by one.  The next couple of rapids came upon us within quick succession and proved challenging but with great guidance we all managed to get down whilst staying the right way up. Further into the Spean Gorge, we hit a tight corner and it was difficult to see the line down.  Miguel bravely offered to go down first, unfortunately for him he hit the rock face, causing him to lose his balance and his paddle and a speedy recovery of Miguel and his paddling gear quickly ensued.  Following this hiccup, it was decided that a Portage was the best option for the rest of the group.  This was followed by more scrambles up the next couple of rock face’s past the ‘head banger’ a tricky grade 4 section. Back in […]

All the photos of Scottish Easter Holiday at Blackwater Hostel in Kinlochleven  click here……. River Etive  

Was raining the water was low the setting not spectacular but still a fun day out. Its just what you make of it at times.

In February and March this year I was one of a group on a club run course for ‘sea kayak improvers’. This was led by Gareth Jones, with Alan Peachment and John Fay. I am a novice sea kayaker, having only started kayaking last spring. Having achieved my one star with the club (and can I thank my coaches for ‘wet week’), I’ve continued my learning by doing several beginner and intromediate courses on Anglesey, and some one to one coaching. I know from talking to other novice kayakers that it can feel frustrating that you don’t feel confident enough to join in club trips, for fear that you will be the least able or will hold the group back – so having a course that was aimed at improvers was a great opportunity, and everyone got a lot out of it. We spent three mornings in the dock looking at technique and then had a trip out to the River Dee on 26 February 2017. A report and photos of that trip by me are here http://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/news/?p=355 and also by Hannah Bellamy here http://liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/news/?p=360 Gareth and the LCC leaders and coaches organised another trip aimed at us improvers, this time to Anglesey. This was offered first to the improvers who’d done the course, and then to the whole club. It was very well attended – there were 15 ‘improvers’ and 9 ‘helpers’ on the final list. We all arrived at our start point for the day – Bull Bay in north Anglesey – around 9.30am on the Sunday morning. Some of us had stayed or camped the night before, others had met up at Llanfairpwllgwyngyll train station car park having driven over that morning. It was a sunny morning, and there was a reluctance to don our cags and drysuits too […]

After picking up a flyer in NWK back in December seven members of LCC decided to book a paddling trip to Lanzarote. We were picked up from our hotel by Juan Valencia and headed off to catch the ferry from Orzola to the island of La Graciosa. The plan was to paddle from the port to Playa Montana Amarilla. However, the windy conditions and big swell prevented us from paddling around the headland and so we landed at Playa La Francesca. After chilling out on the beach for a while and watching some surfers on a huge wave we paddled back to the port in some fairly challenging conditions. Day 2 was a more serene affair. Staying closer to our base in Playa Blanca we paddled the area around Papagayo, stopping for lunch and some snorkelling. Juan was a fantastic guide and a pleasure to paddle with. All the equipment was excellent (NDK and P&H kayaks, Celtic paddles etc), as was lunch prepared by Juan! We would recommend other LCC members check out Sea Kayaking Lanzarote. Paddlers: Elle Jackson, Steve Bond, Ann Hopper, Don Brooks, Gerard, Mike & Rosie Jackson.       

Just wanted to say thanks for yesterday. Even though my nerves and anxiety got the best of me, I enjoyed the day.  Hopefully we can make this a regular occurrence.  Quick question though, how can you check the water levels for the weir? The weir is tidal, so it comes and goes with the tide.  High tide at Chester,  when there is no weir, is approximately 1hr 5 min after high tide in Liverpool.  So if you get there at high tide there is little or nothing to play on.   Additionally, we are requested not to go there a few hours either side of high tide due to migrating fish. That’s fair enough.   As the tide falls then the steps and weir main face become more and more visible. The more it falls the more steps to play on.  Similarly as the tide begins to rise the weir and steps disappear. Obviously the flow coming down the river will have an affect as well, but the info above is best to work out if there is going to be anything to play on. Here are 28 days tide tables. Updated daily. Change the last word in the link to get different tide tables. http://www.ntslf.org/tides/tidepred?port=Liverpool http://www.ntslf.org/tides/tidepred?port=Holyhead

A very detailed analysis of kayaking (canoeing) technique by Ivan Lawler, seven times world champion. The masterclass was held at Richmond Canoe Club in January 2017.

Liverpool Canoe Club Newsletter Published Please open it by clicking this link March 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)

Club weekends and major events for the Club 2017 – for more detail check the online Club Calendar……. 9th  April 2017 Improvers Sea Kayak Trip coordinator Gareth Jones Click to book a place… 13 – 17th April 2017 Scottish Easter Paddling Holiday based at Kinlochleven – coordinator Roy McHale. Click to book a place… 22nd April 2017 Introductory Course for new members / Novice Paddlers 1 x six hour session Click to book a place… 30th April 2017 Club Open Day at the Compound at the Docks.  Try different  disciplines, junior session, come and try it session for non-members, Sunday tour of the docks. Bring and buy sale for any canoe or kayaking gear. 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 September 2017 Anglesey Weekend #4 Click for more and to book a place – based at Outdoor Alternative Rhoscolyn  – coordinator Peter Massey. 11th October 2017 Club AGM and paddler of the year Awards (Talk from the Alps trip) 8th November 2017 Real Paddling Film Festival […]

Liverpool Canoe Club Photo Competition Winners Congratulations to Dave Gentle for his winning photo: “Craig and Steve at the Burrs” Runner up Keith Steer:  “Richard Reeves on the Tees Weekend” Runner up Emma Kirk: “LCC Ladies Canoe Polo Team”  Not found your photograph? – see all the entries for this month……….. Criteria for the photo of the month competition…. 2 5 % 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

Kari-Tek Easy Load Roof Rack System To fit VW Transporter T5, possibly other makes of van with modification. This is the newer roof rail system which bolts down to van roof. Complete with one set of J cradles and straps and tie down eyes if you need to get anything like sheet materials from B&Q etc. List price  £772 new with J cradles. A bargain at £450. PM or call Andy 07786026091. If you come and get it, (Im in Doncaster by Robin Hood Airport) I will fit it for you, VW T5 only. If you need more photos, speak now, it is coming off the van tomorrow afternoon.

I was keen to try out a new sea boat, luckily several paddlers were happy to accompany me on the trip.   To be honest, I hadn’t really looked at the details for the trip other than watching the BBC forecast that said there was a big high pressure over the Irish sea (light winds) and seeing that the tides worked for this trip in such a way that there would not be much of a carry at either start or finish. So i sold the trip as sunny and light winds. The trip worked to launch 1hr before high tide, paddle easily (use backeddy) against the tide for that hour before taking the tidal conveyor all the way around the Ormes.  As it was, the wind was slightly choppier than expected, so we launched into the protected harbour at Rhos, and enjoyed getting used to the lumpy stuff. The Aries I was trying was really enjoying the conditons and didn’t appear too slow (my worry). Little Orme was as awe inspiring as ususal, but with the added bonus of a decent little chop. Entering Llandudno bay we picked up our fourth compadre and said hello to the very generous shuttle bunny. After that it was off round the main event – Great Orme. The conditions were perfect, a following sea so the trip was not boringly flat, but equally not super scary.  Just enough to allow us to get close in to the cliffs whilst still having to actually think about paddling. Unfortunately we didnt see too many seals, but we saw loads of puffins and other sea birds. This was added too by some cheekly little surfs as well – fantastic. Rounding the Orme it was paddle hard into the strengthening wind back to West Shore, where we only had a […]