28Jan 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Nomads Paddle In All Conditions

News, Recreational, Uncategorized
Some would say a few brave hearted members continue to paddle throughout the winter months. Others may say some mad member with no concept of the cold venture out in all conditions! Colne Loop paddle (Sun 2/2/2025) having fun around 2nd(Money-Hill) weir: A different rec session on Sunday 14/1/25. About 2/3rds of the lake was covered in ice, but despite this and the sub-zero temperatures a few hardy members had great fun playing at being icebreakers!
Read More
18Aug 2024 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Nomad Interclub Polo Event

Event, News, Polo, Uncategorized
Nomads Hosted an in club polo event run and organised by our very own Chilly (Paul Childerhouse). Feed back from the days event was excellent and something we must try and do more of in the future. I’ll chase Chilly for a report! Feed back: Thanks you Nomad for today. Brilliantly run and everyone had a great day including the food (possibly had one too many burgers). What a great day, watching players of all ages and abilities having fun playing together whilst looking after younger players even when they were on the opposite team. A real example of how sportsmanship should be. A few pictures from the day:
Read More
14Oct 2023 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

River Nene White Water Centre

News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
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…
Read More
01Aug 2023 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

River Dee and Tryweryn 28th-30th July

News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
Just returned from a great weekend Nomad trip on the river Tryweryn. Three paddlers from Nomads and two from Suffolk canoe club enjoyed higher than normal release on the Saturday and Sunday.Weekend started on the Friday with a warmup at JJ’s on the Dee where Tony decided to practice his roll a few times. All survived the Tryweryn and we had no swimmers! Thanks for a great weekend to all.
Read More
08May 2023 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

Paddle the Thames, Videos

Uncategorized
Many thanks to Pierre and Sue Leon for all the efforts they have put in to this epic adventure paddling the whole (137 Miles) of the non-Tidal river Thames. From the Videos (below} to the research and way points maps etc, as well as their company. I (Dave Hillier) feel blessed to have led such a nice group of people on this journey, Many many hours of paddling in each others company are moments I will never forget, and almost everyday was not raining. :-)) Not forgetting those who have paddled some sections and kept us company, in no particular order. Andy S, Hannah S, Jai A, Ian W, Phil G, Conrad C, Nigel A, John M, Chris H, Dean, (space for anyone I may have missed :-)) Also a MASSIVE thank you to our shuttle driver,…
Read More
05May 2023 by Michael Quinn 2 Comments

River Thames, Section 13, Chertsey to Teddington

Event, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
The final paddle of the non-tidal section of the Thames started just outside Chertsey Lock (KT16 8LF) and ended just before Teddington Lock (TW10 7YE) on a lovely sunny day. Our get-in was a convenient slide-in between the lock and Chertsey Bridge on the left bank of the river. There’s enough space alongside the road to unload and kit up before shuttling vehicles to the get-out. Shepperton Lock was the first of three to negotiate and was the only one we passed through without a portage.  The lock keeper had seen us coming and filled the lock ahead of our arrival, so we were soon in and out. During the first half of the trip there were showers of “condensation”, some very heavy. This obviously wasn’t rain according to Dave…
Read More
23Apr 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Kayak Camping Trip

Event, News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
22-23rd April 2023 Paddlers Dave H, (Organiser, Leader, Weather Expert and Report writer). Graham  S, (Leader and Bat Expert). Conrad C. (Historian and Harmonica Expert). Jai A. (Comedian, Bug out/in and anti moan Expert). Hannah S. (Nutrition, Breakfast, Snacks, Brunch, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner, More Snacks, Evening meal, Supper and more Snacks Expert). On 22nd April 2023 five Nomads with fully loaded kayaks set out on journey down the River Thames that involved an overnight camp. About 10 miles in total as the crow flies split into 2 x 5 mile sections. We wanted to pay respects at Sandford Lasher and explore Sutton Pools along the way. We initially met up at the McDonalds for a chat, breakfast and coffee. After the usual safety briefing, warm up and discussions we were ready to…
Read More
02Apr 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments
Bury Lake Clean Up

Bury Lake Clean Up

Event, News, Recreational, Reports, Uncategorized
This one needed a plan A, B and C. (A) was the Grand Union Canal and the River Colne loop, (B) was the Grand Union and backwaters, and (C) was the Club (Bury) Lake. Plan A, due to the weather and rain last week all the water levels had risen massively, making the River Colne a grade 3 water. Due to having to keep both hands on the paddle in grade 3, litter picking was out of the question, so plan A was dismissed. Plan B, the Canal and possibly some backwaters. This became a no no on the morning of the clean up, due to high water levels and a fast flowing current of flood water across the Canal at the Junction near Tesco. Also It seemed some pollution…
Read More
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