Category: Reports

 Between the 3rd and the 10th of June 7 Nomads travelled to Campo in Aragon, Spain for 4 days Pyrenean white water paddling guided and transported by Eduard and the excellent guys at Kayak Campo. We had a whale of a time paddling 3 big volume, continuous and long (24km!) grade 3/4 rivers, hiking in the snow and even rafted on the last day. There will be more photos and individual reports to come, but for the moment you can enjoy Ben's great video, his report (below) and a couple of choice snaps. Matt, trip organiser Ben: What an amazing trip. The contrast of different rivers was great - from the big rolling waves on the Esera to the bolder fields on the Cinca. Had a impressive hike, the…

On Sunday 13th of May 7 Nomads, 2 family members and a friend traveled to Wargrave to paddle the beautiful Thames and Abbey Stream and picnic in the sunshine, led by Peter and Matt. Notwithstanding a couple of late comers (you know who you are) we got on the water by 11am and set off up the Thames in glorious sunshine. Despite some rain earlier in the week, the current in the Thames was only moderate, so getting to the lock and the first portage was not too arduous. From the lock the Thames opened out above the weir and past the island to Shiplake College, where some of us were starting to feel hungry already and were keeping an eye out for a picnic spot. We took a detour…

8 Nomads and a friend enjoyed a mainly sunny circular paddle up the Thames from Laleham, down the Abbey Stream to Chertsey weir and returning under the M3 to the start. The Thames was flowing well, so it was a bit of a slog upstream dodging the rowing fours to Penton hook lock, where we paused on the inside of the 'hook' for a breather and to look at Steve's old house on the opposite bank. Anthony led us off down the Abbey Stream through dense vegetation like Humphrey Bogart (without the leeches) and across country to stop at the site of the old Abbey for lunch and a mutual admiration of new kayaking gear. Suitably refreshed, we continued down the Abbey Stream to the punting rollers onto the Thames,…

Five Nomads enjoyed pretty mild January weather to paddle the beautiful upper Wye between Builth and Glasbury on saturday and Newbridge and Builth on sunday led by Peter and Matt. We were ably assisted, encouraged and chauffered by Fane, who'd unfortunately injured his shoulder and so couldn't paddle. Saturday's paddle of nearly 20 miles was Charlotte's first taste of proper white water and not only did she make the distance, she also paddled all the rapids without problem in very good style. Well done! Everyone enjoyed the mixture of fantastic Welsh scenery interspersed with grade 2 and the odd grade 2-3 rapid every few miles and we arrive just as dusk was falling for hot showers and good food, drink and strained landlord's humour at the local pub. Sunday's paddle…

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…