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…
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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.
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08May 2023 by Dave Hillier 1 Comment

Paddle the Thames, Videos

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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,…
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05May 2023 by Dave Hillier 1 Comment

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…
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23Apr 2023 by Dave Hillier 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…
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02Apr 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments
Bury Lake Clean Up

Bury Lake Clean Up

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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…
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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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26Aug 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Private Paddle Report – River Thames: Culham Lock to Wallingford

News, Non-Club Activity, Uncategorized
River Thames: Section 6 - Culham Lock to Wallingford On Friday 26th August, 5 Nomads - Dave, Phillip, John, Chris, Sue, and not forgetting Coco and Fifi,  continued Paddling the Thames. This leg of our adventure took us to Culham and we would be paddling 11 miles downstream on the river to Wallingford. The weather was in the low to mid 20’s, and although the water levels were down about a foot, all the gauges for our section reported no problems. Our get in was just above Culham lock, and our plan was to wait for a boat to use the lock and we would share, as getting in below would have been difficult  for some due to the pontoon being quite high. Our plan was to be on the…
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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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11Jan 2022 by Michael Quinn 3 Comments
Middle Wye trip report

Middle Wye trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
On the weekend of the 8th and 9th of January seven negatively COVID tested Nomads led by Matt travelled to Wales to paddle the middle Wye. In the end only three of us made it to our lovely self catering accommodation at Trefecca farm near Talgarth on the Friday night with the remaining four joining us on the Saturday morning at the put in in Builth. An unfortunate brush with a dodgy Burger King double cheeseburger the night before also meant Amie was unfit to join us for the first day's paddling. We needed some water in the river, with the level at Erwood having fallen from 2m to 1.5m over the past couple of days, but we could all have done without the grey overcast and continuous rain at…
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