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…
Read More
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”…
Read More
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…
Read More
31Dec 2022 by Michael Quinn 1 Comment

River Thames Section 1a – Cricklade to Castle Eaton – Trip Report

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
31st December 2022 4.1 miles/6.6 km downstream, Cricklade to Castle Eaton. The reduced daylight hours resulted in the Section 1 trip (Paddle the Thames, Mark Rainsley) being split into two and this is the first part. Paddlers: Dave Hillier (Trip Leader), Andy (Assistant), Pierre Leon, John Murray, Phillip Gent (with doggie guests Fifi and Coco), Jai, Sue Leon (Report Writer) We gathered on the last day of 2022 at a small parking area near the Cricklade slipway and the weather was set to be gloomy and wet most of the day, Cricklade is approximately 15 miles/24 km from the source of the Thames at Kemble and so it was more of a stream than a river. As we waited for the others to arrive a few dog walkers passed by on…
Read More
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…
Read More
11Dec 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

St Patrick’s Stream Trip Report & Video

News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday 11th December, 8 slightly insane Nomads arrived at the St George and Dragon Pub in Wargrave on a frosty & foggy morning, with Pierre having negotiated the use of their car park and launch area.  The air temperature was around -2°C and the water temperature approx. 0.000001°C above freezing.  Participants were Dave Hillier, Chris Harper, Nigel Atkinson, Graham Summers, Sue & Pierre Leon, Hannah Smith (aka Santa) and Nathan Ashford. After everyone kitting up in as many layers as possible Dave provided the safety briefing and Graham a brisk warm-up on the bank.  We then keenly got on the water to start our journey, heading upstream along the Thames in the direction of Reading.  Santa had a few “glove issues” but after a few rounds of glove swapping…
Read More
25Nov 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Thames Section 9a – Reading to Wargrave – Trip Report & Video

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Thames Section 9a Trip Report - Friday 25th November 2022 6.2 miles/10 km downstream, Reading to Wargrave with a side paddle along St. Patrick’s stream. Because of the reduced daylight it was decided to split the Section 9 trip Reading to Aston (Paddle the Thames, Mark Rainsley) into two trips with a break at Wargrave. We also took the option to paddle St. Patrick’s Stream.Paddlers: Dave Hillier (Trip Leader), Pierre Leon (Route Planner), Chris Harper (Consultant), John Murray, Phill Gent (with doggie guests FiFi and Coco), Nigel Atkinson, Dean Edwards, Conrad, Sue Leon (Report Writer)We gathered and unloaded on the road outside the Wokingham Waterside Centre (RG6 1PQ) which had been the get-out point of our Section 8 trip. Although there are restrictions for parking here before 10 am we…
Read More
13Nov 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Basingstoke Canal Trip Report & Video

Event, News, Trip, Trip Reports
Basingstoke Canal 13-11-22This was a round trip, 7km each way, starting at the Mytchett Canal Centre and turning around at Ash Lock. Paddlers Dave Hillier (Leader), Pierre and Sue Leon, Nathan, Jai, John Murray, Phill Gent and Coco and Fifi. This stretch of the Basingstoke Canal is more like a river than a canal; as it morphs into lakes and slowly meanders its way through the Surrey and Hampshire countryside. It was a most picturesque paddle especially with the autumnal colours, as leaves of yellow, red, brown and black fell from the trees onto the water like rain. The put in point was the Mytchett Canal Centre where Dave did his safety talk and we all limbered up by mimicking chickens; fortunately, we were more or less alone. The weather…
Read More
11Sep 2022 by Michael Quinn No Comments

River Wey Trip Report

Event, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
On Sunday 11th September, 8 Nomads arrived at the Rowbarge pub near Guildford in Surrey for a day’s paddling and exploring of the River Wey and a sidewater. Led by Dave Hillier and ably assisted by Graham Summers this was a placid water paddle of 9 miles upstream and back, with a looping backwater just before our planned lunch stop. We arrived in good time, well I say we, I mean six of us did, two turned up a little later in a convertible beetle with the roof down looking a bit windswept but pointing out they were not as late as Amie last time. We were aiming to be on the water for 10am, so at 10.15am we started our safety briefing, we also felt the need to take…
Read More
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…
Read More