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

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…
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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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24Dec 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Section 9b – Wargrave to Aston – Trip Report & Video

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Saturday 24th December 2022 5.9 miles/9.5 km downstream, Wargrave to Aston. The reduced daylight hours resulted in the Section 9 trip, Reading to Aston (Paddle the Thames, Mark Rainsley), into two and this is the second part. Paddlers: Dave Hillier (Trip Leader), Pierre Leon, Chris Harper, John Murray, Phill Gent (with doggie guests Fifi and Coco), Jai, Sue Leon (Report Writer) We gathered at the St George and Dragon pub which has a kayak-friendly platform onto the river. Dave had previously sent out the lock status report as shown below (we were to traverse Marsh and Hambledon locks) and so we were expecting a faster flow and this was immediately obvious on looking at the river. We were travelling downstream although a few tandem kayakers seemed to be coping easily with upstream…
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22Sep 2014 by Webmaster No Comments
Mid-Week Recreational Sessions

Mid-Week Recreational Sessions

News, Recreational
As of 1st October the Aquadrome car park closes daily at 6pm; this coupled with coach availability and ever decreasing daylight means that this Wednesday (24th September) will be the last mid-week recreational session of the year. Over the last 5 months, Wednesday evening recreational sessions have run continuously. Thanks to all members who attended the sessions particularly the coaches/experienced paddlers who ran/supervised the sessions. Mid-week sessions will restart again in April/May next year. Sunday recreational sessions (10am till 12pm) will continue as normal throughout the winter months.
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12Aug 2014 by Webmaster No Comments
August Bank Holiday Special

August Bank Holiday Special

Event
Fun in Boats/Club Social When - 3pm to Dusk on Bank Holiday Monday (25th August) Where - Meet at the Club House to collect a boat, all the fun will take place at the sheltered teaching facility. Who's Invited - All Club Members - Let us know if you can make it, the more the merrier! (If you don't fancy a paddle, come along for the Social). Water based activities include: - The Cross Stream Slalom Challenge - Novice Polo - Testing of the Prototype Launch Slide - Playboating - Open Canoeing - Rafting - 1 & 2 Star Assessments (Instructors required to supervise water based activities) Land based activities include: - Club Social - Bank and pathway works - Update on Club move Barbeque food and drinks will be…
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19Aug 2013 by Webmaster No Comments
August Bank Holiday Recreational Kayaking

August Bank Holiday Recreational Kayaking

News
Due to coach availability this weekend, there will not be a regular Sunday morning recreational session. However there may be the opportunity to run recreational sessions on Saturday or Monday if there is sufficient interest from club members. The options are either a Saturday afternoon session from 14:00 until 16:00 or a Monday morning session from 10:00 until 12:00 or maybe even both. So, if you are interested in paddling at either or both of these sessions please let me know asap by email coaching@nomadkayakclub.co.uk. I will confirm later in the week whether either of these sessions will run. Mike
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