28Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Section 8 – Pangbourne to Reading

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Participants were myself (Dave Hiller), Sue and Pierre Leon, Conrad Chambers, Chris Harper, Phillip Gent, Hannah Smith and John Murray. It’s often said ‘It’s not all about the water you're paddling on, but who you’re paddling with’, well today was just that. This write up is from me, as I saw it (and with the lack of a volunteer to do it, it has landed on my lap). So here goes (sorry to bore you). Section 8, of the River Thames, Pangbourne to Reading, the shortest section yet but the hardest so far to sort out. At this point I must say a massive thank you to Pierre who went above and beyond and sorted our parking from a building he was once shackled to. Eight of us on the…
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23Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

River Dart Trip Report

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Trip report by Nigel Atkinson. On Friday 21 October evening we met at the Dartbridge Inn in Buckfastleigh to plan the weekend's activity with a hefty meal. With more non paddlers than paddlers (5 kayakers, 2 cameramen, and 4 support personnel (wives)) logistics were simple and we arranged to meet the following morning at 9:30 (after a hefty breakfast) in the hotel car park in kayak kit ready to depart for Newbridge our put in for both days. After a quick safety briefing and a warmup enjoyed by all bar the oldest and grumpiest in the group we launched onto this beautiful river Dart with the water at a perfect height (just touching the slab at Newbridge). Considering the time of year, the forecast and the possible water levels the…
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09Oct 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Nomads visit the River Ivel, Bedfordshire

Event, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday the 9th October 7 Nomads arrived nice and bright and early on a glorious crisp bright autumn morning in Sandy. Everyone arrived in good time, for fear of reprimand from the ‘lay-in’ police (Dave Hillier). It was really great to see the lift sharing coordination which meant all vehicles were fully occupied minimising our environmental impact! 😊 Ian Walker led the trip with Dave Hillier assisting. We covered roughly a 5 mile stretch of the River Ivel with intermediate waters and several weirs. Although water levels were quite low giving some challenges, some areas gave the feeling of paddling through a thick soup and less water coming over the weirs meant less fun for the paddlers! As always lots of fun and laughter was had by all! After…
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30Sep 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Trip – Section 7 – Wallingford to Pangbourne

News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Friday 30th September 2022, seven Nomads (Pierre, Dave, Sue, Philip (Coco and Fifi), John, Hannah & Jai) continued paddling the River Thames as part of “The Thames Quest”. Hannah and Jai were joining us for the first time; they both booked the day off work to attend. This section was just over 10 miles downstream, heading south as usual. The weather forecast was awful so we had to be careful - forecast for heavy rain and strong winds from 2pm and we were planning to be on the water at 10.30am and hoping to be off by 4pm-ish; therefore the later part was still something to be mindful of. (There was an evacuation plan if it was too bad to continue past Goring lock with our shuttle driver Graham,…
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22Aug 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

River Tryweryn Trip Report

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Friday 19th August, 5 Nomad paddlers (Conrad, Ian, Martin, Nick and Nigel) set off for Wales to paddle the Tryweryn over the next couple of days. For those who left early on the Friday there was the opportunity for a quick warm up at Mill End Falls on the river Dee which also also gave Nigel a chance to try his new kayak. In the evening we all met up to eat and plan Saturday’s paddle on the Tryweryn. 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 for…
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17Jul 2022 by Michael Quinn 2 Comments

River Medway Trip Report

Event, News, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
Well he promised us a good trip and he delivered. Well done Dave Hillier! On Sunday 17th July, nine Club members (and two associate dogs) set set off early from Rickmansworth to head to Teapot Island on the River Medway for an eight-mile round trip along a non-tidal section.  Planned to start at 10:00, some had logistical and site location issues which coupled with equipment preparations, delayed the set off for the whole team.  Suitably prepared by Dave’s briefing presentation we set off from a purpose built get-in at 10:50. The stretch of water was beautiful with several scenic views including an oast house, a variety of bridges, some locks, a thrown together ‘diving’ platform and a few pill boxes to count!  The water was quite busy with other craft…
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15May 2015 by Michael Quinn No Comments
Middle Wye Trip Report

Middle Wye Trip Report

Trip, Trip Reports
On the last weekend in February, braving the low temperatures, three members and an ex-member of Nomads set off to mid Wales to run the middle section of the Wye from Builth Wells down to Glasbury, including the infamous 'Hell Hole' rapid at Erwood. Arriving late friday afternoon we went straight to the Hell Hole to inspect river conditions, before checking into the luxury River Cafe B&B at Glasbury, which was also our get out. The river level was just about perfect  (an inch over the bases of the bridge piers at Glasbury) high enough to make the Hell Hole a grade 3 rapid and cover the slabs the whole width of the river, but not spate levels, which make a dangerous river wide stopper. Satisfied with the prospects for…
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14Aug 2014 by Webmaster No Comments
Alps Trip 2015

Alps Trip 2015

Trip
Hi All As you probably know the club have reserved a French Alps trip with Fluid Skills from 11th July - 18th July 2015. In order to ensure that we do not loose our places we need to put down a 10% deposit (£65 each). So far preference will be given to the following who have put their names down already. I will be sending out account details and booking forms over the weekend; if anyone else wants to join us, please speak to me at the club or drop me an email. Thanks Arthur trips@nomadkayakclub.co.uk
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03Oct 2012 by Webmaster No Comments
River Ivel Trip 14th October

River Ivel Trip 14th October

Trip
We’re running a trip to the River Ivel in Bedfordshire on Sunday 14th October.  This gentle river trip is suitable for members who can paddle for about 3 hours and are happy to shoot small rapids.  As our last day trip before the water starts getting cold, we hope as many members as possible will be able to join us. BOAT COLLECTION: Either Sunday 7th or Wednesday 10th October at the club session and don’t forget to take a helmet, buoyancy aid and spray deck if you need them MEET:  10am at the put in (52.119921, -0.283445) - see map to River Ivel put-in. TAKE OUT:  Layby on the A1 just before the gates for Tempsford Village Hall SG19 2AW - see map to River Ivel take-out. FINISH:  About 3pm Please bring lunch, drinks, and some spare layers in a…
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