PLEASE SIGN UP FOR TRIPS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, TO GIVE THE TRIP LEADER TIME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS – THANK YOU!
Nomad Kayak Club runs a trip usually on the second Sunday or weekend of every month for Nomad members to enjoy paddling on different waters and develop their skills. The trips are free to club members with their own equipment and are led by coaches and experienced paddlers, who specify the skill level needed. A minimum standard of the Paddle Discover award is needed to start participating in Club trips. If you’re not yet a Nomad member, please first take the appropriate route to joining the Club according to your experience then, if you don’t already have the Paddle Discover award, sign up and take the Nomad Paddle Discover Course.
For questions about individual trips please contact the trip leader, whose email address is given on the sign up page. A big thank you to all trip leaders for giving your time for free for the benefit of Club members.
Club boats and equipment can be hired for Club trips away from the Aquadrome at a cost of £8 per day from the Equipment Officer. If you need a Club boat please arrange to pick it up yourself from the club during the previous recreation session (Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings) and return it the following one. If you have a hatchback or estate car you may find a kayak will fit inside, else a roof rack will be needed. If you don’t have a car, others going on the trip may be able to transport your boat and give you a lift. The trip leader may be able to help you arrange this.
Nomads Encourage Car Sharing For Trips, This also reduces our impact on the environment, and keeps costs down, i.e. Fuel and Parking.
Nomads aim to make our trips as accessible as possible to all members subject to paddling safely, so if you’re in doubt whether your paddling ability is sufficient for a particular trip please do contact the trip leader who will advise you.
There are a number of trips in the planning stage for 2025. Further information to be added soon.
27th April – River Ivel
Ian Walker will lead a trip of 5-6 miles taking 3-4 hours on the river Ivel in Bedfordshire. The section of the River Ivel that will be 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, will take about 4 to 5 hours to paddle including a lunch stop. The trip will give paddlers the opportunity to shoot a few weirs and practice some ferry gliding.
11th May – Nene Whitewater Centre
This man-made course is an excellent introduction to white water and the trip is being run by Graham. If you would like to join you will need to book a space on the course for yourself and we will meet there.
7th/8th June – River Derwent at Matlock Weekend
the River Derwent provides 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.
July 12th&13th – River Tryweryn Weekend
This is a white water trip being lead by Nigel for experienced paddlers
August 1st – River Cherwell
This is a gentle and beautiful paddle through historic Oxford. Past Christchurch and Magdalene colleges. There is some lovely scenery and some interesting paddling past amateur punt pilots. There’s even a weir you can shoot if you’re feeling adventurous or portage if you’re keen to stay dry
September 13th&14th – Symonds Yat Weekend
Nigel will be leading a trip paddling picturesque Symonds Yat the second weekend of September. Symonds Yat is a great place for a gentle introduction to whitewater for all skill levels and equally good if you like flat water trips and beautiful scenery – we’ll be doing both! The weekend is suitable for 1* level paddlers and above and can be a great family weekend away with Goodrich Castle and walking in the Forest of Dean both within a mile.
If you’re coming for both days, please arrange your own accommodation at River Wye Caravan and Camping Park (https://riverwyecamping.com), the Saracen’s Head Inn (https://www.saracensheadinn.co.uk) or the many B&Bs in the area. Alternatively you can come down just for the day on either day.
October 11th – River Cam
This is a flat water trip that is open to anyone able to paddle for five and a half miles on flat water and can portage some locks. The trip itself is broken into 3 sections: The first, up to Jesus Green Lock is suburban but quite pretty. The second, through the heart of historic Cambridge, past the colleges and crazy people in punts. The third is almost wilderness and it’s hard to believe you are so close to the city. All-in-all it’s a very nice day’s paddling
November 22th – River Lee & Lee Navigation
This is a flat water paddle starting on the Lee Navigation canal but then branching off along the Lee River on what seems like a proper voyage of discovery. It has an exploratory feel to it which is a bit different
December 21st – St. Patrick’s Stream
Christmas paddle. A round trip of 4-5 miles taking about 3 hours (plus lunch stop) on the Thames and St Patrick’s stream, a lovely backwater with a good flow. Suitable for 1*+ paddlers comfortable with some upstream paddling