13Nov 2022 by Chris Harper No Comments

Basingstoke Canal Trip Report & Video

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Basingstoke Canal 13-11-22This was a round trip, 7km each way, starting at the Mytchett Canal Centre and turning around at Ash Lock. Paddlers Dave Hillier (Leader), Pierre and Sue Leon, Nathan, Jai, John Murray, Phill Gent and Coco and Fifi. This stretch of the Basingstoke Canal is more like a river than a canal; as it morphs into lakes and slowly meanders its way through the Surrey and Hampshire countryside. It was a most picturesque paddle especially with the autumnal colours, as leaves of yellow, red, brown and black fell from the trees onto the water like rain. The put in point was the Mytchett Canal Centre where Dave did his safety talk and we all limbered up by mimicking chickens; fortunately, we were more or less alone. The weather…
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28Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Section 8 – Pangbourne to Reading

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Participants were myself (Dave Hiller), Sue and Pierre Leon, Conrad Chambers, Chris Harper, Phillip Gent, Hannah Smith and John Murray. It’s often said ‘It’s not all about the water you're paddling on, but who you’re paddling with’, well today was just that. This write up is from me, as I saw it (and with the lack of a volunteer to do it, it has landed on my lap). So here goes (sorry to bore you). Section 8, of the River Thames, Pangbourne to Reading, the shortest section yet but the hardest so far to sort out. At this point I must say a massive thank you to Pierre who went above and beyond and sorted our parking from a building he was once shackled to. Eight of us on the…
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23Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

River Dart Trip Report

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Trip report by Nigel Atkinson. On Friday 21 October evening we met at the Dartbridge Inn in Buckfastleigh to plan the weekend's activity with a hefty meal. With more non paddlers than paddlers (5 kayakers, 2 cameramen, and 4 support personnel (wives)) logistics were simple and we arranged to meet the following morning at 9:30 (after a hefty breakfast) in the hotel car park in kayak kit ready to depart for Newbridge our put in for both days. After a quick safety briefing and a warmup enjoyed by all bar the oldest and grumpiest in the group we launched onto this beautiful river Dart with the water at a perfect height (just touching the slab at Newbridge). Considering the time of year, the forecast and the possible water levels the…
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09Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Nomads visit the River Ivel, Bedfordshire

Event, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday the 9th October 7 Nomads arrived nice and bright and early on a glorious crisp bright autumn morning in Sandy. Everyone arrived in good time, for fear of reprimand from the ‘lay-in’ police (Dave Hillier). It was really great to see the lift sharing coordination which meant all vehicles were fully occupied minimising our environmental impact! 😊 Ian Walker led the trip with Dave Hillier assisting. We covered roughly a 5 mile stretch of the River Ivel with intermediate waters and several weirs. Although water levels were quite low giving some challenges, some areas gave the feeling of paddling through a thick soup and less water coming over the weirs meant less fun for the paddlers! As always lots of fun and laughter was had by all! After…
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30Sep 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Trip – Section 7 – Wallingford to Pangbourne

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On Friday 30th September 2022, seven Nomads (Pierre, Dave, Sue, Philip (Coco and Fifi), John, Hannah & Jai) continued paddling the River Thames as part of “The Thames Quest”. Hannah and Jai were joining us for the first time; they both booked the day off work to attend. This section was just over 10 miles downstream, heading south as usual. The weather forecast was awful so we had to be careful - forecast for heavy rain and strong winds from 2pm and we were planning to be on the water at 10.30am and hoping to be off by 4pm-ish; therefore the later part was still something to be mindful of. (There was an evacuation plan if it was too bad to continue past Goring lock with our shuttle driver Graham,…
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11Sep 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Wey Trip Report

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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…
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22Aug 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

River Tryweryn Trip Report

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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…
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14Aug 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Cow Roast to Wendover via the Grand Union Canal Trip Report

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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…
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17Jul 2022 by Michael Quinn 2 Comments

River Medway Trip Report

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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…
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05Jun 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Hertford Lea Loop Trip Report

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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…
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