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 British Canoeing 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. Please save the date if you wish to attend and sign up sheets will be added soon.
River Lee at Hoddesdon 23/12/23
This is a short trip down picturesque River Lee backwaters returning via the Lee Navigation. There will be an opportunity for a stop half way and, for those interested, there’s a good cafe for lunch at the end. Bring a snack and a hot drink for this pre Christmas paddle . Expected finish time 1pm. Suitable for those who can paddle 3 miles and rescue themselves by swimming to the side.
River Dart Sat/Sun 13th-14th April
Nigel and Nick plan to paddle the Dart Loop over the weekend of 13-14th April 2023.
The Loop is a classic SW paddle and as you would expect the River Dart rises on Dartmoor. We will be paddling from Newbridge to near Buckfastleigh and stopping half way round (probably near Lovers’ Leap) for a packed lunch. The Loop is Grade 2 for most of the rapids on the river with possibly a few at Grade 3. The river gets more continuous at higher levels but does not really exceed Grade 3.
The trip is suitable for paddlers who are comfortable on moving water and have a solid support stroke.
We will be staying at the Dartbridge Inn from the Friday. Hope to see a few of you on this beautiful river.
Matlock – River Derwent Sat/Sun 22nd-23rd June (Dates provisional and subject to change)
Nigel and Nick plan to paddle the river Derwent over the weekend of 22nd-23rd July, and are happy to lead paddlers who are competent on grade 2 water. This will be run in conjunction with ICC Canoe club (Ipswich Canoe Club). We will probably be camping at Barn Farm Campsite.
This is an easy white water trip suitable for those coming up to Explore (2-Star) ability and above. It is a brilliant place to start learning about moving water or just come along to improve your skills and have a great time!
Sat on water for 1000, maybe be delayed depending on the shuttle. (6-7 Km trip)
Ingress: Near Darley Bridge, Station Rd, Matlock DE4 2EQ
Egress: Tor Mill House, 204 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PT
Sun (short paddle, on water 1000)
Ingress: 146 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PS
Engress: Tor Mill House, 204 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PT.
We will probably be staying at Barn Farm Camping (DE4 2BL).
River Tryweryn (and possibly the Dee) Sat/Sun 13th-14th July
We plan to paddle the Tryweryn (and possibly the Dee) over the weekend of 13th-14thJuly, and are happy to lead paddlers who are competent on grade 2/3 water.
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 6km down to Bala car park. There is one grade 4 rapid near the end of this section which is easily portaged.
Accommodation – Nick and Nigel are booked into the Gwesty’r Plas Coch in Bala, which can be cancelled at short notice (if no dam release), but there are lots of other places around.