08May 2023 by Michael Quinn 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 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…
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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…
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09Apr 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Cherwell

Event, News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
“The Fellowship of the Spring” or Nomad Kayak Club’s River Cherwell 2023 Trip Report. On a fine Easter Sunday morning an intrepid band of a dozen adventurers assembled on the bank of the Thames near the Riverside centre in Oxford (OX4 4BJ). As had long been foretold the sun would shine, no rain would fall and temperatures would reach a balmy high of 15 degrees, making for very pleasant paddle conditions. After our merry band had assembled the necessary craft, equipment and provisions, our leader Dave H the Dauntless briefed us for the journey ahead. River levels were high however the anticipated dangers were only a few passages of fast-moving water and the possibly variable ability of passing amateur punt pilots. Paddling upstream on the Thames we passed “The Kidneys”…
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02Apr 2023 by Michael Quinn 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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31Mar 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames: Section 12 – Windsor to Chertsey

Event, News, Recreational, Trip, Trip Reports
Distance: 13 miles downstream Date: Friday 31st March 2023 Start: Windsor Leisure Centre Slipway, Stovell Road, Windsor SL4 5BZEnd: The Kingfisher Pub, Chertsey Bridge Rd, Chertsey KT16 8LF Paddlers:Dave Hillier (organiser)Chris HarperSue LeonConrad Chambers (trip report) Non-paddlers:Pierre Leon (researcher)Graham (shuttle driver) Dave, as usual, issued a completed risk assessment in advance of the scheduled date for the paddle.Pierre, also as usual, provided an excellent map, along with a detailed breakdown of the route.This one included multiple optional get-out points in case it was decided to split the 13 mile trip into smaller sections.Despite Dave’s empty promises of good weather, we met up on a blustery and rain-soaked morning at the Windsor slipway. As we got changed under the conveniently dry arch of the A332 bridge over the river, Pierre told…
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12Mar 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Basingstoke Canal Mixed Craft Trip

Event, News, Recreational, Trip, Trip Reports
(Dave, Nigel, Sue, Pierre, Jai, Nathan, Phillip, Hannah, Conrad, Andy.)(Ana + 6 Paddle boarding with Ana) On Sunday March 12th 2023, 10 Nomads from Rickmansworth and 7 Paddle boarders from Stand up paddle boarding with Ana from Tonbridge met at the Mytchett centre for a 10 mile paddle along the Basingstoke canal, 5 miles up and return. Once prepped, dressed and ready to get on the water we gathered for the usual safety brief (given by Dave) and who carefully passed the warm up on to Nigel. There was also a group of ramblers gathering at the nearby campsite who gave a bit of an audience for 17 paddlers acting out their normal morning routine with some running up and downstairs, brushing teeth and doing all sorts of things in…
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03Mar 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames section 10b and 11. Marlow to Windsor

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Thames Sections 10b and 11 Trip Report – Friday 3rd March, 2023 13 miles/21 km downstream, Marlow to Windsor. Lighter days meant we could finish off Section 10 and complete Section 11 (Paddle the Thames, Mark Rainsley), Paddlers: Dave Hillier (Trip Leader), Pierre Leon, Sue Leon, Phill Gent (with doggie guests Fifi and CoCo We assembled and unloaded at Marlow slipway in St Peter’s Street in good time for a long day’s paddling. We had become used to short ½ section Friday trips whilst daylight hours were reduced and were now set to do 1½ sections – a long day ahead. The weather was cold and overcast and stayed that way all day but at least there was no rain.  As usual Dave’s friend Graham came along to help with shuttling…
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26Feb 2023 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

River Dart

News, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
A few intrepid paddlers (Nigel, Nick, Dave and Graham) from Nomads met up on the Friday evening to plan the next days paddling, or maybe it was to check out the food and drink at the local hostelry. Either way the plan for Saturday was to meet at New Bridge and paddle down to Holne Bridge along a stretch more commonly known as the Dart Loop. The water in the river was rather low so a bit of a scrape but ideal conditions for all of us to practice our break ins, break outs and ferry gliding along with a few surfs on small waves. We met at Newbridge and sorted the shuttle and set off at about 10:30am. This was a rather emotional trip for Dave as he had spent many happy…
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12Feb 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Stort (Canalised) – Sawbridgeworth to Harlow – or Vice Versa!

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Sunday 12th Februrary This Trip is no 16 In the “Pub Paddles book – The best Short Canoe Trips in the South of England” by Peter Knowles. We had to change the start. Fortunately, Dave had done his normal excellent checks the previous day and discovered that there was no available parking at the proposed Sawbridgeworth start. Therefore, the round-trip journey had to be started at the other end, Harlow Station. This was in a large pub car park, adjacent to the river, so at least it provided good free parking and a location for a finishing debrief over a beer. This trip was a bit like an Agatha Christie novel as the six expected paddlers reduced steadily down to three in the last few days. But no murders, just…
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