12Jul 2024 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

River Dee and Tryweryn 12th-14th July

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We arrived about 12:30pm at Mile End Mill (formally JJ’s) on the river Dee for a warm up session on the Friday so we could all get use to moving water before tackling the Tryweryn. Break ins, break outs, ferry glides along with a couple of rolls and a bit of swimming practice were all perfected with Nick’s standard coaching of a loud “paddle, not backwards” being deployed. Waves were surfed and stoppers negotiated and everyone found their sea legs (or river arms!) On Friday evening we had dinner in the White Lion pub and planned the next day's paddle on the river Tryweryn. It was decided to meet at the Welsh National White Water Centre in Café Wave car park to sign in followed by an inspection of the…
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02Jul 2024 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Matlock Weekend 29-30 June

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This was a great weekend run in conjunction with ICC (Ipswich Canoe Club). Although the weather wasn’t hot it remained dry and little wind and the River Derwent provided a great location for those new to moving/white water or for those who just wanting to improve their moving water skills and have a great time. We arrived on Friday and met up with ICC at Barn Farm Campsite (DE4 2BL) to arrange times and places for the weekend’s paddles. In total there were 16 paddlers of all abilities. Sat meet at 10:00 & on water for 10:30am, (6-7 Km trip)Ingress: Near Darley Bridge, Station Rd, Matlock DE4 2EQEgress: Tor Mill House, 204 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PT Sun (short paddle, on water 1000am)Ingress: 146 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PSEngress: Tor…
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04Jun 2024 by Michael Quinn No Comments

The Big Paddle Clean Up 2024

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Where: Rickmansworth - River Colne/Grand Union Canal & Bury Lake When: Sunday 2nd June 2024 Volunteers: 14 Bags Filled: 9 Distance cleaned: 4.9km As part of British Canoeing’s Clear Access Clear Waters, ‘Big Paddle Clean-up’ Campaign. Nomad Kayak Club members paddled the River Colne & Grand Union Canal in Rickmansworth on Sunday 2nd June 2024. The event was lead by our Clear Access Clear Water Champion Ian Walker Ian and Nigel paddled the large red canoe which acted as the refuse (and rescue) vehicle. A further 10 kayakers (Dan, Darrell, Anton, Robert, Philip, Sue, Annette) , Hannah & Rachael cleaning the River & Canal banks by foot. This main group set off from the club house along the Grand Union Canal. A sub group led by Graham Summers assisted by…
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14Apr 2024 by Nigel Atkinson 2 Comments

River Dart – Friday 12th – Sunday 14th April

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On Friday 12th April evening seven intrepid Nomads met at the Dartbridge Inn in Buckfastleigh to plan the weekend’s activity over a meal and an enjoyable glass of wine, beer or mineral water. With a driver prepared to do the shuttle run (thanks to my wife Sue) the  logistics were simple and we arranged to meet the following morning at 9:30 after breakfast in the hotel car park in kayak kit ready to depart for Newbridge, our put in for both days and then shuttle the cars and dry kit to the takeout at Strawberry Fields Farm Shop and Café in Buckfastleigh The weather was being kind and the safety briefing, warm up and launch were all done  in beautiful sunshine. The river was at an ideal hight (just touching…
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23Dec 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Lee at Hoddesdon Trip Report

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When: Saturday 23rd December 2023 Where: Dobbs Weir Car Park - River Lee to Broxbourne Mill returning along the River Lee Navigation Paddlers: Michael Quinn (Trip Leader/Organiser), Nigel Atkinson, Chris Brown, John Murray and Dan Wickham After a week of persistent rain we arrived at Dobbs Weir car park to be met with blue-ish skies and brilliant sunshine, perfect weather conditions for the Nomad pre-Christmas paddle. After an obligatory mince pie whilst getting changed we made the short walk across Dobbs Road bridge to the launch site below Dobbs Weir. The customary safety briefing and warm up ensued before we took to the water and headed south under the road bridge along the first section of the river. Whilst one of Santa's not so little helpers assisting with launching, the…
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25Nov 2023 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

St Patrick’s Stream Trip Report

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When: Saturday 25th November Where: Reading Wokingham Water Centre (RG6 1PQ) to St George and Dragon, Wargrave (RG10 8HY), via St Patricks Stream approx. 5.5 miles Paddlers: Nigel Atkinson (Trip Leader/Organiser), Ian Walker (Organiser), Mike Quinn, Chris Brown, Britta New, Thomas Carrick, Conrad Chambers, Dan Wickham, Pierre Leon and Sue Leon (Report writer) We arrived at Wokingham Water Centre on a bright and sunny but very cold morning and unloaded just outside the locked gates (we were not going to be staying here and so it wasn’t worth paying £5 per person for entry and, in any case, the barrier height is such that those carrying kayaks on their roofs would have had to unload first). Cars were driven to the end point and Nigel acted as shuttle driver bringing…
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14Oct 2023 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

River Nene White Water Centre

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When: Saturday 24TH October 2023 Where: Nene Whitewater Centre Paddlers: Tony McKenzie (Organiser), Nigel Atkinson (lead coach), Graham Summers, Chris Brown, Conrad Chambers, Ian Walker, Martin Edwards, Aled Johnson, Paul Childerhouse (coach), Lleyton Fiordelisi, and Andy Slatford. On a bright October afternoon eleven Nomads made the trek up to the Nene White Water centre in Northampton for some Grade 2 white water shenanigans. It was a mixed bunch ranging from seasoned white-water paddlers to paddlers that had never previously paddled white-water. Not an issue as in true Nomad style there was plenty of help at hand in the form of both formal and informal coaching. The group split into two groups with the less experienced paddlers starting at the lower pools and slowly working their way up the course with coaching support provided by…
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08Oct 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Ivel Trip Report

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When: Sunday 8th October Where: The River Ivel, Bedfordshire - 'Put in' Sandy to 'Get out' Tempsford where the Ivel joins the Great River Ouse Who: The Paddlers - Ian Walker (Trip Organiser and Report Writer), Tony McKenzie, Conrad Chambers, Sue Leon, Chris Harper, Sue Sleeman, Andy Slatford, Jason McNulty & Martin Edwards The section of the River Ivel that was paddled is generally Grade 1 to 2 with several different types of weir along the route, making it good for intermediate paddlers looking to get used to moving water.  The route running approximately 6 miles downstream, took about 4 to 5 hours paddle including a lunch stop. The trip gave paddlers the opportunity to shoot a few weirs and practice some ferry gliding however the tallest weir (approx. 2…
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25Aug 2023 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

River Tees 26th-28th August- Cancelled

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Unfortunately there were no takers for this trip to the river Tees in County Durham so Nick and I decided to cancel. The river level goes up and down with the rain and dam releases but levels looked ideal earlier in the week so here are a couple of pictures of Low and High Force to tempt our white water paddlers to join us next time. PS: We don’t paddle the High Force!!!
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