Michael Quinn – Page 7 – Nomad Kayak Club

05Apr 2021 by Michael Quinn No Comments

First 2021 Recreational Session

On Easter Monday eight enthusiastic Nomad members met at the Aquadrome for the club's first post second lockdown recreational paddling session. We were mostly a bit rusty and the weather, though sunny, threatened snow for later. After a quick discussion we split into two groups with four members including Mike heading for Bury lake and four others including Matt heading up the Grand Union to the river Chess. Mike's group on Bury lake reportedly did three or four laps of the lake buffeted by an arctic wind and snow flurries before retiring around 11.30, while Matt's group got to the top of the navigable Chess and returned via a play stop on the W shaped weir on the Chess, which was flowing the best we'd seen it - enough to…

13Dec 2020 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

St Patrick’s Stream trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports

On Sunday December 13th five Nomads led by Matt travelled to Wargrave through teeming rain to get some paddling in after the November lockdown. All of us were keen just for being there in the first place with the weather forecast being continuous rain all day. When we arrived however the rain started to let up and by the time we were ready to put in was only a very light drizzle - maybe even a heavy mist. The river was a little high so Dan chose caution over valour and didn't seal launch his newly purchased Axiom, which he was finding a bit tippy compared to the bus of a club boat he used to paddle. Martyn was very ambitious bringing his Necky Vibe and indeed was to have…

12Oct 2020 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Cam Trip Report

News, Trip, Trip Reports

On Sunday 11th October 6 Nomads and 2 friends led by Simon drove north to Cambridge to paddle the scenic Cam from near Grantchester through the centre of historic Cambridge and back. The weather was as good as the forecast had promised as we prepared ourselves, safety briefed and put in to an idyllic pool below the mill bridge on the outskirts of Grantchester. Due to coronavirus precautions we stayed in two separate 'pods' as we paddled through tree lined meadows toward to Cambridge and after the first quarter mile met up with Andy from Chiswick club recently moved to Cambridge, who was our local knowledge and tourist guide for the day. River traffic was light when we started out with the odd open canoe and a half dozen K1s…

13Sep 2020 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Lea at Hoddesden trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports

On Sunday 13th September eight Nomads led by Matt met by Dobb's weir on the Lea for a circular tour down the Lea to Broxbourne and back via the Lea navigation. It was a beautiful sunny day so sun hats rather than helmets were the order of the day as we put in to the rather duckweedy pool below Dobbs weir and formed into two COVID friendly (or should that be unfriendly?) pods as per BCU guidance. Martyn achieved a tiny bit of side surfing on the weir's miniscule wave, watched intently by two fishermen on whose fishing spot he was surfing. Once assembled we headed off south under the road bridge and along the edge of the campsite where we were greeted by a member of the public exclaiming…

09Aug 2020 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Cherwell trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports

On Sunday 9th of August Simon Pettifer led 6 Nomads on a scenic trip to the Thames and Cherwell at Oxford. The day was forecast to be a scorcher, but it was pleasantly cool when we arrived at meadow lane car park in time to get parking spaces, get changed and wait for David to arrive. Once we'd all arrived it was over to the Thames for a short safety and COVID procedures briefing before putting onto the water avoiding all the passing skulls. The stretch up the Thames was short and pleasant before turning into the Cherwell on the right, just before several very fancy and expensive looking rowing club boathouses without a soul using them. We made good speed up the tree lined Cherwell against a very slight…

13Jul 2020 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

Henley trip report

News, Trip Reports

On Sunday 12th July seven Nomads and a friend led by Matt and Martyn in two socially isolated 'pods' met at Aston slip on the Thames below Henley for a leisurely paddle and picnic. It was an idyllic day with glorious sunshine, barely any wind and not too much flow on the river to hamper our upstream progress. After a short safety briefing we put on to the water, forming our two pods, before starting gently upstream toward Hambleden weir, our first and only portage and possible play spot. With the low flow the weir was a trickle over most of its width, but one gate was open and three local playboaters advised us on its safety (safe as you get). Having satisfied themselves they either weren't going to come…

28Jun 2020 by Michael Quinn No Comments

New Sunday sessions well subscribed!

News, Polo, Recreational, Uncategorized

Nomads practicing social distancing The second Sunday since Nomad's return to paddling was well subscribed with the first recreational session and the polo session both full and the second recreational session half full.As Chilly and the junior squad practiced on the polo pitch, the recreational groups paddled round Bury lake getting used to the feel of their boats (and themselves!) again before venturing further afield. This may not sound too exciting, but some games and high brace and skulling support practice livened it up considerably.The first opportunity for river paddling for confident paddlers will be on Sunday the 12th of July on the Thames trip at Henley.Please do renew your membership and sign up for the Sunday and Wednesday sessions and trips, which will run as much as possible depending…

17Jun 2020 by Michael Quinn No Comments

A Return to Club Paddling

Uncategorized

NKC will resume Club activities on Sunday 21st June, in accordance with Government and British Canoeing guidelines. Session sizes on Sunday morning will be limited to 6 members per session (session leader + 5) and sessions will run with the following staggered start and finish times. 09:30 – 11:30 Polo session10:00 – 12:00 Recreational session10:30 – 12:30 Polo session11:00 – 13:00 Recreational session Any member wishing to paddle will have renewed their membership. For those yet to renew, please visit our updated website and renew online https://nomadkayakclub.co.uk/members/join/. Members will also need to sign up for the session they wish to attend a minimum of 24hrs in advance of the session. Please note that members no longer need to log into the website to sign up for a session. To sign up for a…

13May 2020 by Michael Quinn No Comments

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

News

Following publication of the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Strategy on Monday 11th May and receipt of updated British Canoeing advice issued throughout the week, we can confirm that the NKC Club facility remains closed and that all NKC activities remain suspended for the time being. The Committee will continue to follow both Government and British Canoeing advice and hopefully there will be a return to Club paddling albeit in a socially distanced form in the not too distant future. In the meantime we will continue to plan for what a safe return to paddling may look like for NKC including addressing the following: How often and where we can meet?How and where we change?How and where we paddle?How we clean and store equipment at the end of each session? We are all going…

21Mar 2020 by Michael Quinn No Comments

IMPORTANT NOTICE – Impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) on Nomad Kayak Club Activities

News

In light of the current Coronavirus pandemic and advice received from the Government, British Canoeing and BLYM, all club sessions and trips are suspended until further notice. It’s difficult to put a timescale to the suspension of activities, but as an indication BLYM have informed us that the site will be closed until at least 30th April. We will monitor the situation, follow the Government advice and assess how best to resume activities safely. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank for your continued support, Nomad Kayak Club Committee

Author: Michael Quinn