12Jul 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Tryweryn and Dee 2025

News, Recreational, Trip, Trip Reports
Four nomads arrived about 1:30pm at Mile End Mill (formally JJ’s) on the river Dee for a warm up session on the Friday so we could all get used to moving water before tackling the Tryweryn. Break ins, break outs, ferry glides along with a couple of rolls. Waves were surfed and stoppers negotiated and everyone found their sea legs (or river arms!) On Friday evening we had dinner in the White Lion pub and as we had all signed up to paddle the Tryweryn on the Saturday It was decided to meet at the Welsh National White Water Centre top car park. Simon, Ian, Martin, Nick and myself all paddled the upper (2km of grade 3-4 rapids) rerunning the Grave Yard a few times stopping at the Cafe for…
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07Jun 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Matlock 7-8th June

News, Recreational, Trip, Trip Reports
This was a great weekend run in conjunction with ICC (Ipswich Canoe Club). Weather was great and despite the weather warnings of thunderstorms it remained dry and little wind and the River Derwent provided 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. We arrived on Friday and met up with ICC at Barn Farm Campsite (DE4 2BL) to arrange times and places for the weekend’s paddles. In total there were 14 paddlers of all abilities. Sat meet at 10:00 & on water for 10:30am, (6-7 Km trip)Ingress: Near Darley Bridge, Station Rd, Matlock DE4 2EQEgress: Tor Mill House, 204 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PT Sun (short paddle, on water 1000am)Ingress: 146 Dale Rd, Matlock…
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27Apr 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

River Ivel

News, Recreational, Trip, Trip Reports
On a sunny Sunday afternoon in late April a small group paddled the River Ivel from Sandy to Tempsford in Bedfordshire. Ian Walker led the trip as he has done several times before. It was a small group of 4 this time with Chris, Anton, Rob & Ian. We set off to get to the first sloping weir, this only after 20 mins paddling in the sun, we took the old mill stream river, which a right fork instead of going down the sloping weir. This was pretty paddle with no blockages at this time of year and then ran the old mill race fast at the end back into the main river, Fun! After an hour or so paddling, then it is the big high drop of nearly 2 metres in height. After an off water inspection, 3 of us ran it, with Anton deciding not to tempt his luck and did a high seal launch portage around instead.  After yet…
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23Mar 2025 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Nomad River Clean-Up Sunday 23/3/2025

News, Recreational
Thanks to the awesome six (Graham, Dan, Anton, Martin, Hannah & Rachael) who joined up with Ian to help collect loads of rubbish up today . We cleaned the Canal up to Tesco's, Upper river Colne Loop down & Hannah & Rachael scoured the Canal & river banks and filled 3 big bags full. The paddlers collected another 5 big bags bin bags full. So 8 bags in total. The plan was to paddle & clean the whole river loop, but this was shortened to just cleaning the top Colne loop for three reasons: We found lot more waste than I expected 😒 Anton had a small incident at the 2nd weir: he played in stopper went in and then did well to roll up, but then went over again…
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09Mar 2025 by Nigel Atkinson 1 Comment

River Dart Weekend 7-9th March

News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
Seven intrepid Nomads paddled the Dart over the weekend. We met up on Friday evening at the Dartbridge Inn to plan Saturday’s paddling and to wine and dine. We decided to paddle the Loop from New Bridge to Holne Weir and then continue down to Buckfastleigh water permitting. After all these years of paddling and with so many experienced paddlers you would not have thought it so difficult to organise the shuttles, but, with some cars without roof racks, someone’s wife taking a car, some without spare straps, wanting to leave a car half way ((Holne Weir) in case of emergencies or conditions not being conducive to paddling all the way) and a certain amount of taking the Michael the normal fun a games was had deciding who should go…
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21Sep 2024 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Grand Union Canal and Wendover Arm Trip Report:

News, Recreational, Trip
Seven of us met up at about 10am on Saturday 21st September at Cow Roast between Berkhamsted and Tring. There had been a yellow weather warning during the week for rain and lightning during the day on Saturday which we had monitored closely. The weather gods must have been shining on us because as we arrived the clouds parted and it remained fair and warm all day with no rain! We were all parked up and ready to paddle by 10:15 and after a short safety briefIng and bit of individual warming up we were on the water at 10:30. The water quality was surprisingly good and the bottom of the canal could be seen. We paddled down the Grand Union Canal towards Tring for about two and a half…
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12Jul 2024 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

River Dee and Tryweryn 12th-14th July

News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
We arrived about 12:30pm at Mile End Mill (formally JJ’s) on the river Dee for a warm up session on the Friday so we could all get use to moving water before tackling the Tryweryn. Break ins, break outs, ferry glides along with a couple of rolls and a bit of swimming practice were all perfected with Nick’s standard coaching of a loud “paddle, not backwards” being deployed. Waves were surfed and stoppers negotiated and everyone found their sea legs (or river arms!) On Friday evening we had dinner in the White Lion pub and planned the next day's paddle on the river Tryweryn. It was decided to meet at the Welsh National White Water Centre in Café Wave car park to sign in followed by an inspection of the…
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02Jul 2024 by Nigel Atkinson No Comments

Matlock Weekend 29-30 June

News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
This was a great weekend run in conjunction with ICC (Ipswich Canoe Club). Although the weather wasn’t hot it remained dry and little wind and the River Derwent provided 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. We arrived on Friday and met up with ICC at Barn Farm Campsite (DE4 2BL) to arrange times and places for the weekend’s paddles. In total there were 16 paddlers of all abilities. Sat meet at 10:00 & on water for 10:30am, (6-7 Km trip)Ingress: Near Darley Bridge, Station Rd, Matlock DE4 2EQEgress: Tor Mill House, 204 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PT Sun (short paddle, on water 1000am)Ingress: 146 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PSEngress: Tor…
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04Jun 2024 by Michael Quinn No Comments

The Big Paddle Clean Up 2024

News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
Where: Rickmansworth - River Colne/Grand Union Canal & Bury Lake When: Sunday 2nd June 2024 Volunteers: 14 Bags Filled: 9 Distance cleaned: 4.9km As part of British Canoeing’s Clear Access Clear Waters, ‘Big Paddle Clean-up’ Campaign. Nomad Kayak Club members paddled the River Colne & Grand Union Canal in Rickmansworth on Sunday 2nd June 2024. The event was lead by our Clear Access Clear Water Champion Ian Walker Ian and Nigel paddled the large red canoe which acted as the refuse (and rescue) vehicle. A further 10 kayakers (Dan, Darrell, Anton, Robert, Philip, Sue, Annette) , Hannah & Rachael cleaning the River & Canal banks by foot. This main group set off from the club house along the Grand Union Canal. A sub group led by Graham Summers assisted by…
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12May 2024 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Colne Clean-Up Sunday 2nd June

Event, News, Recreational, Trip
As part of Paddle UK’s ‘The Big Paddle Clean Up’, Nomads plan to meet at the Clubhouse at 10am on Sunday 2nd June to once again paddle the Colne loop removing rubbish from our much loved river & canal preventing harm to the river and local wildlife. The main clean up will be on the River Colne between Batchworth and Springwell lock. Members will be armed with gloves, sacks, litter pickers provided by Paddle UK’s ‘Clear Access Clear Waters' campaign and will scour the river and banks from kayaks for every bit of rubbish they can find, that is not too big or too dangerous to pick-up. Open canoes will be used as bulk carriers for collected rubbish which will be transferred to Ian’s car at Springwell Lock and disposed…
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