31Mar 2026 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

Dart Loop & River Exe Weekend, 2026

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Saturday – The Dart Loop A cosy Friday night was spent at the Dartbridge Inn and on Saturday morning Alex made heroic work of the full English breakfast plus continental buffet. We gathered our gear together to organise shuttles, ably orchestrated by Nigel, our trip leader, with the type of precision only granted through many years of previous experience. By 10:30, boats were on the water at Newbridge; spirits were high, even though the water level was not. The Dart’s sparkling waters greeted us with moss‑draped oaks, grey wagtails flitting along the banks and plenty of rocks just under the surface. We had some fun in the play wave just beyond the bridge, with the novices testing out their white water skills. The early rapids - the washing machine and…
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21Dec 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Nomad Christmas Paddle – St Patrick’s Stream & the Thames

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Nomad’s Christmas paddle began at Wokingham Waterside Centre, where we arrived full of festive spirit and an impressive assortment of boats, buoyancy aids, and Santa hats. Kit was sorted, vehicles were shuffled in a well-organised shuttle to the get-out point, and the younger members debated one of the day’s most important questions: whether their Yule log should be consumed on the river or saved for later. We set off down the Thames in conditions that were far better than expected, fuelled by jelly babies and seasonal optimism. Nigel and Tony made the most of the moving water, demonstrating ferry gliding and breaking in and out for those newer to flowing rivers, while giving others a chance to practise and refine their skills. Meanwhile, some of the polo players, clearly suffering…
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08Nov 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

River Tees 2025

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Only two Nomads ventured to county Durham near the frozen North where the White Walkers rule for three days of paddling on the River Tees. We joined ICC on the water and all enjoyed a great weekend paddling. The weather was surprisingly warm for the time of year and the river levels relatively low, which I for one is was grateful for, as in flood the Tees looks particularly scary! On the Friday we paddled from Barnard Castle down to Eggleston Abbey rapids as a warmup. This feature being easily portaged but a fun bit of grade 3. On the Saturday We paddled the stretch from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Cotherston relaxing paddle (and a bit of a scrape) on grade 2 water. All the above was a warm up for the…
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13Sep 2025 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

River Wye Weekend 2025

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A Saturday and Sunday visit to Symonds Yat saw 9 Nomads enjoy a weekend of paddling in sunshine, showers and bouts of heavy rain. Saturday saw a paddle from Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat with two Nomads on their first river trip, Stanley and Ankit. Well done to both who enjoyed the day and were smiling throughout, even when running through Nigel’s warm up routine - open the door, shut the door - with stretching actions to mimic. After some Health and Safety pointers we were off - paddling 5k lazily down the river to a lunch stop of sandwiches and fruit midway. Arriving at the rapids there was some trepidation amongst the new guys but all tackled the rapids well with some of the more experienced paddlers keeping an…
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12Jul 2025 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

Tryweryn and Dee 2025

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Four nomads arrived about 1:30pm at Mile End Mill (formally JJ’s) on the river Dee for a warm up session on the Friday so we could all get used to moving water before tackling the Tryweryn. Break ins, break outs, ferry glides along with a couple of rolls. 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 as we had all signed up to paddle the Tryweryn on the Saturday It was decided to meet at the Welsh National White Water Centre top car park. Simon, Ian, Martin, Nick and myself all paddled the upper (2km of grade 3-4 rapids) rerunning the Grave Yard a few times stopping at the Cafe for…
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15Jun 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

The Big Paddle Clean Up 2025

News, Recreational, Trip Reports
A huge Thank You goes out to all those who helped with the big paddle clean up of the river Colne on Sunday 15th June. This was, as always, organised and run by our resident Clear Access Clear Water Champion Ian Walker. Along the way Club members, in Kayaks and Open Canoes and armed with gloves, litter pickers and sacks provided by British Canoeing ‘Clear Access Clear Waters' campaign, scoured the river and banks for every bit of rubbish they could find. The good news is we are now finding less rubbish on the river Colne around the Ricky Loop section. After 3 years of cleanups Nomads have made a difference to the local River Colne. 👍 Even so 6 bags of rubbish were collected and taken to the dump!…
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07Jun 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Matlock 7-8th June

News, Recreational, Trip, Trip Reports
This was a great weekend run in conjunction with ICC (Ipswich Canoe Club). Weather was great and despite the weather warnings of thunderstorms 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 14 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…
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27Apr 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

River Ivel

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On a sunny Sunday afternoon in late April a small group paddled the River Ivel from Sandy to Tempsford in Bedfordshire. Ian Walker led the trip as he has done several times before. It was a small group of 4 this time with Chris, Anton, Rob & Ian. We set off to get to the first sloping weir, this only after 20 mins paddling in the sun, we took the old mill stream river, which a right fork instead of going down the sloping weir. This was pretty paddle with no blockages at this time of year and then ran the old mill race fast at the end back into the main river, Fun! After an hour or so paddling, then it is the big high drop of nearly 2 metres in height. After an off water inspection, 3 of us ran it, with Anton deciding not to tempt his luck and did a high seal launch portage around instead.  After yet…
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09Mar 2025 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

River Dart Weekend 7-9th March

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Seven intrepid Nomads paddled the Dart over the weekend. We met up on Friday evening at the Dartbridge Inn to plan Saturday’s paddling and to wine and dine. We decided to paddle the Loop from New Bridge to Holne Weir and then continue down to Buckfastleigh water permitting. After all these years of paddling and with so many experienced paddlers you would not have thought it so difficult to organise the shuttles, but, with some cars without roof racks, someone’s wife taking a car, some without spare straps, wanting to leave a car half way ((Holne Weir) in case of emergencies or conditions not being conducive to paddling all the way) and a certain amount of taking the Michael the normal fun a games was had deciding who should go…
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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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