12Dec 2017 by Michael Quinn

Abbey Stream trip report

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On the 10th of December arctic weather conditions and a heavy snow fall conspired to reduce the 13 people signed up on the trip to just 2 at the Thames at Laleham. Undeterred, Matt and Andy elected to be responsible for their own safety and paddled anyway on a quiet and slack Thames literally steaming in the freezing air. The water was low as we paddled down the Abbey Stream past the caravan site into woodland. From a mile in there was even more choking weed than usual requiring us to pull our boats along with our hands in places. A gentle snowfall started as we arrived at the lunch stop for welcome cups of hot  tea, but despite the beauty of the scene we didn't delay in eating our…
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20Nov 2017 by Michael Quinn

Ivel Trip Report

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On Sunday 15 Nomads led by Ian Walker traveled to Sandy in Bedfordshire to paddle the beautiful river Ivel. It was a cold but sunny morning as we started off through bright green fields and split up above the first weir with some more experienced paddlers following a side cut to run a chute and the rest following the main channel over the first weir. Regrouping in the pool below the chute everyone had a chance to enjoy the faster moving water and practice their ferry glides with Anthony showing how it should be done.   After a little play we moved on through pretty countryside against a growing headwind with only those who'd paddled the river before knowing what was in store. Little did the first timers on this…
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12Sep 2017 by Michael Quinn

Symonds Yat Trip Report

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On the 9th and 10th of September 17 Nomads and two guests led by Matt and Peter spent  the weekend, or part of it, on the Wye at Symonds Yat. Based at Symonds Yat West Leisure Park campsite, on the Saturday we descended from Kerne Bridge back to the campsite through stunning Welsh marches scenery with kingfishers accompanied by various stag parties and team building hire groups, two of who's sunken canadian canoes we rescued mid river as an impromptu display of Nomads' skill. We couldn't ask for more as the sun came out for our lunch stop, after which everyone completed the nine miles back to the campsite. Well done especially to Maria on her first club trip, who paddled in fine style. After the day's 'warm up' the…
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18Aug 2017 by Michael Quinn

Tryweryn Trip Report

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At 11 a.m. on Saturday 12th August 3 Nomads assembled at Mile End Mill for a weekend of white water adventure.  This began with a warm up session under the watchful eye of Trip Leader Nick Moore, who was keen to assess the ability of the group before we ventured onto the Tryweryn.  He wasn’t kept waiting long, as Ian soon discovered that the back deck of his Prijon Kaituna had not been designed for swift escape from the bottom stopper.  Fortunately, Nigel was on hand to tow him out and a seemingly inevitable swim was thus avoided.  Thereafter, the bottom wave provided ample opportunity for further practice and a combination of rolls and stabbing off the bottom kept everyone safely in their boats.  After a couple of seal launches…
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09Jul 2017 by Michael Quinn

St Patrick’s stream Trip Report

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Twelve Nomads, two on their first club trip, had a glorious, sunny paddle and picnic in the Oxfordshire countryside above Wargrave. Water birds were abundant, and though we managed to avoid being attacked by swans, Pier was attacked by a fisherman and only narrowly slipped away aided by a water like coating on his body. Everyone had a good time and got good experience of moving water away from the aquadrome. Well done to Sarah and Pier on their first trip and thanks to Peter and Anthony.  
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12Jun 2017 by Michael Quinn

Lea Trip Report

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On Sunday 13 Nomads, some on their first trip with the club, went to Hertford to paddle the beautiful river Lea loop. Led by Peter and Matt and ably assisted by Anthony and Chris, everybody had an enjoyable and varied paddle taking in an introduction to moving water at the two step weir, a scrape up the crystal clear river bean and lunch on the bank before touring the picturesque town and returning via a very long tunnel. Well done to everyone on their first trip and thanks to Peter for his expert local knowledge. Some video from Anthony to follow shortly ...
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23May 2017 by Michael Quinn

Tryweryn Trip Report

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Eight Nomads spent the weekend of 13th-14th May in North Wales, concentrating on paddling the River Tryweryn. We were lucky as the weather was excellent. So Peter Scott, Ian Walker, Ian Williams, Anthony Vecchio, Ben Varnals, Martin Edwards, Richard Hilson and Chris Fabb, with Chris choosing not to paddle due to a neck injury received 2 days earlier. We stayed in the Bala Backpackers Bunkhouse which everyone agreed was good accommodation and was excellent for walking out in the evening to get food and drink. On the Saturday morning some people paddled the high grade rapids of the Top Tryweryn. The highlight was watching Ian Walker surfing a recirculating rapid / stopper. He put his paddle down for support but it slipped between 2 rocks and would not come out.…
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24Apr 2017 by Michael Quinn

Ivel Trip Report

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15 of us had a fantastic day on this river. Well actually Spelthorne Canoe Club asked if they could join us, so there were 7 of them and 8 from Nomads. We had a sunny day and some people got sunburned at the end of the day . We caught the water levels perfectly allowing us to have a lot of fun. We got on the water for 11am and finished at 3:30pm taking in a 1/2 hour lunch break. There will be another trip to the Ivel suitable for confident 1* paddlers on the 12th of November.
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20Mar 2017 by Michael Quinn

Wey Trip Report

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Three Nomads braved 12 miles of flat Surrey water on sunday to enjoy beautiful, leafy stockbroker belt countryside, the industrial architecture of the Wey Navigation and the remains of Brooklands racing circuit. The natives were friendly and when portaging a weir on a farm we were approached by the owners not to tell us to get off their land, but to invite us to go through a field with their horses to use the shingle beach there to launch. Happy days! The was  barely a play wave to be seen (a few kingfishers though) but we were tired and happy at the end.
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22Feb 2017 by Michael Quinn

Dee Trip Report

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This was advertised as an introduction / intermediates white water trip. We had a mixture of abilities which complimented each other well. There were 6 of us with 3 guest appearances. Myself Peter Scott, Anthony Vecchio, Ben Varnals, Ian Williams and John Grout. Guest appearances were ex members, Anthony Sterling, Beth James plus their welsh friend Tom (these 3 helped and added their knowledge experience of this river). Most of us travelled up Friday afternoon and stayed in the Goat Inn near Llangollen. The pub was cosy and confortable but alas had heating problems; there was not any hot water. Showers were refreshing and reinvigorating. For both days of paddling we had gorgeous weather likened to mild summer days, which enhanced the beautiful scenery. Saturday morning was spent around Mile…
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