28Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Section 8 – Pangbourne to Reading

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Participants were myself (Dave Hiller), Sue and Pierre Leon, Conrad Chambers, Chris Harper, Phillip Gent, Hannah Smith and John Murray. It’s often said ‘It’s not all about the water you're paddling on, but who you’re paddling with’, well today was just that. This write up is from me, as I saw it (and with the lack of a volunteer to do it, it has landed on my lap). So here goes (sorry to bore you). Section 8, of the River Thames, Pangbourne to Reading, the shortest section yet but the hardest so far to sort out. At this point I must say a massive thank you to Pierre who went above and beyond and sorted our parking from a building he was once shackled to. Eight of us on the…
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23Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

River Dart Trip Report

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Trip report by Nigel Atkinson. On Friday 21 October evening we met at the Dartbridge Inn in Buckfastleigh to plan the weekend's activity with a hefty meal. With more non paddlers than paddlers (5 kayakers, 2 cameramen, and 4 support personnel (wives)) logistics were simple and we arranged to meet the following morning at 9:30 (after a hefty breakfast) in the hotel car park in kayak kit ready to depart for Newbridge our put in for both days. After a quick safety briefing and a warmup enjoyed by all bar the oldest and grumpiest in the group we launched onto this beautiful river Dart with the water at a perfect height (just touching the slab at Newbridge). Considering the time of year, the forecast and the possible water levels the…
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09Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Nomads visit the River Ivel, Bedfordshire

Event, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday the 9th October 7 Nomads arrived nice and bright and early on a glorious crisp bright autumn morning in Sandy. Everyone arrived in good time, for fear of reprimand from the ‘lay-in’ police (Dave Hillier). It was really great to see the lift sharing coordination which meant all vehicles were fully occupied minimising our environmental impact! 😊 Ian Walker led the trip with Dave Hillier assisting. We covered roughly a 5 mile stretch of the River Ivel with intermediate waters and several weirs. Although water levels were quite low giving some challenges, some areas gave the feeling of paddling through a thick soup and less water coming over the weirs meant less fun for the paddlers! As always lots of fun and laughter was had by all! After…
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11Sep 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Wey Trip Report

Event, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
On Sunday 11th September, 8 Nomads arrived at the Rowbarge pub near Guildford in Surrey for a day’s paddling and exploring of the River Wey and a sidewater. Led by Dave Hillier and ably assisted by Graham Summers this was a placid water paddle of 9 miles upstream and back, with a looping backwater just before our planned lunch stop. We arrived in good time, well I say we, I mean six of us did, two turned up a little later in a convertible beetle with the roof down looking a bit windswept but pointing out they were not as late as Amie last time. We were aiming to be on the water for 10am, so at 10.15am we started our safety briefing, we also felt the need to take…
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22Aug 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

River Tryweryn Trip Report

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Friday 19th August, 5 Nomad paddlers (Conrad, Ian, Martin, Nick and Nigel) set off for Wales to paddle the Tryweryn over the next couple of days. For those who left early on the Friday there was the opportunity for a quick warm up at Mill End Falls on the river Dee which also also gave Nigel a chance to try his new kayak. In the evening we all met up to eat and plan Saturday’s paddle on the Tryweryn. The Tryweryn is split into 2 sections, the Upper River and the Lower River. The Upper River is roughly 2km of grade 3 rapids and runs alongside the National White Water Centre. The Lower section begins below the centre alongside Tyn Cornel campsite and continues with grade 2-3 rapids for…
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14Aug 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Cow Roast to Wendover via the Grand Union Canal Trip Report

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday 14th August, 11 Nomads ably led by Dave set off on a sunny Sunday paddle from Berkhamsted to Wendover, covering roughly 8 miles. Temperatures were once again in the high 20's and everyone was well armed with hydration and a tasty packed lunch (apart from Jai who barely had a morsel). The majority of the group rocking the new Ainsworth paddles and loving them!! We set off a behind schedule, all thanks to Amie arriving nearly 30 minutes late and delaying the start of the safety briefing and warm up. We eventually hit the water just after 10.30am and set off with the Wendover arm as our stopping point. The trip saw John hit the water in his snazzy new kayak and new Nomad's Hannah and Alexa paddle…
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17Jul 2022 by Michael Quinn 2 Comments

River Medway Trip Report

Event, News, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
Well he promised us a good trip and he delivered. Well done Dave Hillier! On Sunday 17th July, nine Club members (and two associate dogs) set set off early from Rickmansworth to head to Teapot Island on the River Medway for an eight-mile round trip along a non-tidal section.  Planned to start at 10:00, some had logistical and site location issues which coupled with equipment preparations, delayed the set off for the whole team.  Suitably prepared by Dave’s briefing presentation we set off from a purpose built get-in at 10:50. The stretch of water was beautiful with several scenic views including an oast house, a variety of bridges, some locks, a thrown together ‘diving’ platform and a few pill boxes to count!  The water was quite busy with other craft…
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12Jun 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

The Big Paddle Clean Up on the River Colne

Event, News
Co-ordinated by Ian Walker, regular NKC trip leader & Colne Valley River Ranger, during the Big Paddle Clean Up Week, twelve Nomads gathered at 1000hrs on Sunday 12th June to carry out a clean up of the River Colne.   Armed with gloves, sacks, litter pickers provided by the British Canoeing ‘Clear Access Clear Waters' campaign. Nine kayaks accompanied by two large Open canoes set off from the NKC Clubhouse in Rickmansworth Aquadrome and paddled along the Grand Union Canal joining the Colne near Tesco’s store at Frogmore wharf. The Open Canoes, crewed by Ian and Nigel in one with Rafael in the other, were used to store the accumulated rubbish collected by the Kayaks, which could flit in and out of overhanging trees in shallower water. It was an…
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22May 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Rickmansworth Festival

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A lovely weekend at the Club alongside a very busy Canal Festival. Some late activity saw the fence and a gate completed to restrict goose entry to the Nomad site; well done Chilly and Darren, it is looking really good. Four excellent Come & Try sessions led by Mike with some able assistants (two on Saturday morning and two on Sunday morning), put forty four on the water (and only three in it!) and we will undoubtedly get a few new members from this judging by the smiling faces and feedback. Dave and Darren BBQ-ed Sausages, Bacon and Burgers greatly appreciated by Club members and visitors who were either watching, enquiring or just resting under our parasols. There were Club members fun sessions during which some tried alternative craft on…
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20Mar 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Colne Clean Up

Event, News
Article from My Ricky News by Bryn Holmes DIRTY RIVER: Rickmansworth kayak club cleans up Colne river for conservation - My Local News (mynewsmag.co.uk) A team of Rickmansworth kayakers gathered together at on Sunday, March 20 to clean up the beloved River Colne, collecting more than 20 bin bags worth of rubbish. Locally based Nomad Kayak Club (NKC) are affiliated to British Canoeing, who have pledged to protect and improve the health of the country’s rivers and waterways, as part of it’s ‘Clear Access, Clear Waters’ initiative. Led by Ian Walker, the team scoured the part of the river from the Batchworth Canal and the Springwell Lock, managing to fill two canoes worth of rubbish. Paddlers went into the water in dry suits to provide easy access in and out…
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