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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
05Jun 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Hertford Lea Loop Trip Report

News, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
On Sunday 5th June, eight Nomad paddlers met in a Hertford at 10am to paddle the Hertford Lea loop. All were prepared for wet weather but fortunately we escaped the rain. Prior to launching, Ian and Chris spoke to some paddlers at the nearby Herts Canoe Club to try and gain some local knowledge from local paddlers who were also just about to paddle the same route. We then launched right outside Herts Canoe Club, all except Tony & Rafael who decided to paddle the lead in and launched a bit further upstream. After launching, we headed downstream on the River Lea towards the River Beane and played in Hartham Weir along the way, the first and easiest two step weir of the day. Although, whilst arsing about Rafael did…
Read More
11Jan 2022 by Michael Quinn 3 Comments
Middle Wye trip report

Middle Wye trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
On the weekend of the 8th and 9th of January seven negatively COVID tested Nomads led by Matt travelled to Wales to paddle the middle Wye. In the end only three of us made it to our lovely self catering accommodation at Trefecca farm near Talgarth on the Friday night with the remaining four joining us on the Saturday morning at the put in in Builth. An unfortunate brush with a dodgy Burger King double cheeseburger the night before also meant Amie was unfit to join us for the first day's paddling. We needed some water in the river, with the level at Erwood having fallen from 2m to 1.5m over the past couple of days, but we could all have done without the grey overcast and continuous rain at…
Read More
14Dec 2021 by Michael Quinn No Comments
St Patrick’s Stream trip report

St Patrick’s Stream trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday 12th of December 9 Nomads, 3 of them on their first trip with the club travelled to Wargrave to paddle the Thames and St Patrick's stream led by Matt. We were to have been 10 but unfortunately Pierre's COVID booster had knocked him out for paddling, so he helped launch and took photos and videos. Unlike previous weekends the weather could have been generously described as bordering on warm and though cloudy no rain was forecast, so the paddle could be looked forward to. There had been some rain and the Thames had a good flow without being in flood, so a good bit of exercise was to be had on the upstream leg. Matt gave a quick safety briefing then, according to our confidence, we either seal…
Read More
16Nov 2021 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment
River Ivel trip report

River Ivel trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday 14th of November 15 Nomad members and a friend travelled to Sandy in Bedfordshire to paddle the river Ivel, famous for its weirs and fishermen. A trip report will follow, but in the mean time here are some photo and video highlights of the trip. Well done to everyone for getting down the high weir without a single swimmer!Thanks Ian for organising and leading this great trip. Martin showing us how it's done on the high weir Simon was unusually restrained on the trip. Too long at the 19th hole the suspected cause! Tony's paddling had come on a million miles since he was last on the Ivel, his first club trip and this time he was going for everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Nc-EZRY0o
Read More
18Oct 2021 by Michael Quinn 3 Comments
Grand Union Canal and Gade trip report

Grand Union Canal and Gade trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
On Sunday the 17th of October 12 nomads led by Matt and Mike met at the Club for a local trip towards Watford to explore the canal and river Gade. Despite a good forecast the weather didn't look too promising with a light drizzle as, after a safety and introductory trip briefing from Matt, we made our way to the canal to put in. The high bank was a challenge to our newer paddlers who acquitted themselves well, but we had our first swimmer of the trip as Sue attempted to get into her new boat. She may have been wet, but was undaunted, as she declared herself warm enough to continue and we headed slowly toward Batchworth lock mindful of the longer distance we'd be paddling today. A large…
Read More
19Sep 2021 by Michael Quinn No Comments
Symonds Yat trip report

Symonds Yat trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
On the weekend of the 11th and 12th of September 8 Nomads and a friend travelled to the river Wye at Symonds Yat in Herefordshire for a camping weekend and two days of kayaking led by Matt. About half of us arrived on the friday afternoon and pitched camp at the River Wye Caravan and Camping park in good time for the following day then retired to the nearby Old Court pub for dinner and drinks to await Martyn who arrived later. A pleasant evening was had before turning in to a sound night's sleep. Getting up was leisurely and breakfast very hearty for some (well done Darren!) and our remaining members arrived in time to allow us to depart almost on schedule to the Kern Bridge put in, where…
Read More