River paddle. Meeting at 10.00. On the water at 10.30. Get in touch with Rick if you want to find out more.

River paddle. Meeting at 10.30. Get in touch with Rick if you want to find out more.

The Southampton canoe race takes place on the River Itchen where it runs through Southampton City. The section of river used for the race is where the fresh water meets the estuary at Woodmill Activity Centre, down stream to St Mary’s football stadium. The course travels through contrasting sentry from green tree line areas, parks, marinas and some industrial landscapes. The race starts at Riverside Park with all divisions covering two laps of varying distances to achieve they required divisional race distance. Due to the nature of the river banks in this area there are no portages at this event. The spectating areas are limited but we do have very good view of the start and finish area, with competitor going passed a few times. Good facilities from Bitterne Park Social Club with good parking.

This trip has proved very popular.  Brian is working on finding another coach to cope with the demand.  Do still let him know that you are interested if you already haven’t done so.  Also, let Brian know if you are (or know of) a coach that may be willing to assist.  In the event that a coach cannot be found, then sadly the trip will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

From Brian Biffin…

At last I have been able to put together a plan for a sea trip off the Gower Peninsula.

Details below:

The campsite, Skysea – Port Eynon. You will note that they do not accept groups. The rule will be waived in our case! Feel free to book yourself in but add the letters “KC” after your name (denotes kayak club).
Cost / night: Tent + 2 : £25 Really big tent : £30. EHU available at extra cost.  Indoor accommodation available right next door at the Youth Hostel.  There is more luxurious accommodation available, such as The Rickyard B&B.  Hearty evening meals available at the Ship Inn.

So here is the plan:
Saturday 22 June: Have a good shakedown paddle in the afternoon: Paddle out to Port Eynon Point. Surfing / rock dodging, depending on conditions. Observe the strength of the tidal stream at Port Eynon point! Option to arrive Friday if you wish.

Sunday 23 June: launch 9am, arrive Oxwich Bay 11am, option to paddle on a bit before turning back and landing by hotel. Perhaps some folk would prefer to be self contained and not have lunch in the hotel. This would save having to hike all the boats off the beach and park them in the hotel garden for security. We would have all afternoon to enjoy the overfalls off Oxwich point and return to Port Eynon. (7Km each way).

If the weather conditions/sea state are poor on the day, it should be possible to just explore Port Eynon Bay itself.  If weather is really bad, there is an excellent coastal path to Oxwich Bay.  Paddling standard: Confident 2* and above, please.

Full size sea kayaks only.

Please contact me directly if interested.

The race will be part of the 2018/2019 racing season. It is run on the River Thames near Marlow and depending on river conditions, is suitable for paddlers of all abilities. It is a ‘standard’ Hasler race with laps of approximately 6 kms. Divisions 1-3 will do 3 laps and 3 beach portages, Divisions 4-6 will do 2 laps and 2 portages and Divisions 7-9 will do 1 lap and no portages. Lightnings and Hody races will consist of a partial lap and no portages.

Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a trip on the famous St Patrick’s Stream on the Thames. This would be a great first real off-canal trip for those who recently gained their Explore awards. You’ll meet at the clubhouse in Frimley at 10h00 and get on the Thames at 11h00. Rick aims to have you back at Wargrave for 14h00. Contact Rick for more info.

Race for Divisions 1-10 and Lightning on the River Thames. For Div 1-6 the portage is at Hambleden Lock. The race is suitable for all competitors, advise using spray decks in windy conditions, the Henley reach can become choppy.

Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a trip around the Guildford loop on the river Wey and Wey navigation. You’ll meet at the clubhouse in Mytchett at 10h00 and launch from Dapdune wharf, up the navigation to Riff Raff weir and back down the river to the launch point.  Contact Rick for more info.

Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a trip on St Patrick’s Stream on the Thames. This would be a great first real off-canal trip for those who recently gained their Discover awards. Meet up at the clubhouse in Mytchett at 10h00 and get on the Thames at 11h00. Rick aims to have you back at Wargrave for 14h00. Contact Rick for more info. (The original 1st October date  was postponed due to bad weather.)

Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a paddle on the Basingstoke Canal from Mytchett (Canal Centre) to the Fox and Hounds in Fleet.  Meet on the water at 09h30 and paddle to Fleet arriving in time for last orders at 13h00. Just over 9 miles. Rick will use the trailer to return kayaks to Mytchett. Contact Rick at Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more info.

Join Rick Covell, our Paddlesport Leader, for a paddle on the Basingstoke Canal from Mytchett (Canal Centre) to the Fox and Hounds in Fleet.  Meet on the water at 09h30 and paddle to Fleet arriving in time for last orders at 13h00. Just over 9 miles. Rick will use the trailer to return kayaks to Mytchett. Contact Rick at Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more info.

https://www.watersideseries.org.uk/

Watersides A – Great Bedwyn to Newbury. 13.5 miles and 21 portages

Aldermaston > Reading
22 miles 12 portages

http://reading-canoe.org.uk/thamesides/

Newbury to Aldermaston & back. 17½ miles including 19 portages

https://www.watersideseries.org.uk/

Reading to Marlow
19 miles 8 portages

http://reading-canoe.org.uk/thamesides/

Pewsey to Newbury 23 miles 35 portages

https://www.watersideseries.org.uk/

Devizes to Newbury 34 miles 35 portages

https://www.watersideseries.org.uk/

http://www.weykayak.co.uk

Generally on the sheltered water of the River Wey. There are many portages, so spray decks are not required. The Wey is a winding river and navigation. Very good for tactical racing.

http://www.weykayak.co.uk/

he Richmond Hasler Marathon is held from Ham House Car Park, and not from Richmond Canoe Club due to lack of parking at the club. The river is semi Tidal. Due to the time of year there usually is not much flow. RIC provide safety cover BUT paddlers should be competent at rescuing themselves in moving water. http://www.richmondcanoeclub.com

https://elmbridgecanoeclub.com/our-club

The race is held on the Dart Estuary starting from Totnes Rowing Club. The Estuary is wide and open with gently banking sides. No portages. It will be held at high tide so any flows will be gentle.

Run by Exeter Canoe Club

Ocean Race – Not a Marathon Race Entry Level – depending on Conditions Running from Porth Eirias Watersports Centre, Colwyn Bay (see map below), there is ample parking, changing facilities, showers & onsite restaurant café & bar as well as safety cover on the water throughout the event.

15km upstream race or tour on the incoming tide from Conwy to Dolgarrog. This is an open estuary race where the current is strong and the conditions can be rough. All paddlers must wear a buoyancy aid and all boats must have adequate buoyancy for the conditions. We recommend an ability cut off level at Division 7 but experience of similar conditions is more important:

http://www.dcpaddlers.co.uk/conwy_ascent/

Join Anne and Brian Biffin for this river trip. Minimum Discover standard or equivalent. Contact Brian for more info and to reserve your place.

Join Anne and Brian Biffin for this river trip. Minimum Discover standard or equivalent. Contact Brian for more info and to reserve your place.

Sea Kayak race around Hilbre Island on the mouth of the River Dee Estuary

West Kirby Race (4Km) – Any class of craft, novice padders and Juniors (under 16), SUPs.
Little Eye Race (9Km) – Fast touring boats, Doubles and racing SUPs
Hilbre Race (13Km) – Sea Kayaks, Ladies Sea Kayaks, Tandem Sea kayaks, Racing Surf Skis, High-performance Sea Kayaks and new for this year team of 3 sea kayaks (Must paddle and finish together)

https://www.liverpoolcanoeclub.co.uk/hilbre/

Join Anne and Brian Biffin for this inland kayak or open-boat trip. Minimum Explore standard or equivalent. Contact Brian for more info and to reserve your place.

2019 saw the inaugural Tewkesbury Hasler draw a large turnout of nearly 200 paddlers, half of whom came from out of region. The River Severn is a good width and mainly straight with minimal flow so is suitable for all paddlers.

http://www.gloucestercanoeclub.co.uk

St Patrick’s stream off the River Thames, launching from Wargrave. A good starter for getting away from the canal.

Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.

Wargrave to Henley return using the Hennerton Backwater. Another good starter for getting away from the canal.

Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.

Launching from Lower Swanwick a paddle up the picturesque River Hamble to Botley Mill and then to the Horse and Jockey at Curbridge. A good introduction to some gentle tidal water.

The trip distance is approx 8 miles you should be able to paddle at 3mph or better (Mytchett to Ash Lock and back is 6.5 miles to give a clue)  You should be able to get back into your kayak with assistance and  carry out an assisted rescue

Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.

The challenge covers the 56miles from the centre of Glasgow to the centre of Edinburgh over 2 days with an overnight stop in Falkirk. Day 1 is on the Forth & Clyde Canal whilst Day 2 is on the Union Canal.

Entry is available for singles and doubles completing the whole course as well as a range of different relay and team options so the challenge can be completed by most levels of experience and ability.

This event is also recognised as satisfying the standard required to be allowed to enter the Devizes to Westminster Race.

mhckayaking@aol.com

Cancelled due to River Conditions – Yellow boards

St Patrick’s stream off the River Thames, launching from Wargrave. A good starter for getting away from the canal.

Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.

Rick will be running this trip within BC and club covid guidelines but will still make it fun. We also have a short list of covid do’s and don’ts to help keep everyone safe.

St Patrick’s stream off the River Thames, launching from Wargrave. A good starter for getting away from the canal.

Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.

Rick will be running this trip within BC and club covid guidelines but will still make it fun. We also have a short list of covid do’s and don’ts to help keep everyone safe.

A touring trip on the River Wey launching from Guildford and going via St Catherines Lock. A good starter for getting away from the canal.

Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail. I can only take 5, and you should be able to transport yourself and equipment, I may be able to help with the odd kayak but car sharing is not yet allowed.

Rick will be running this trip within BC and club covid guidelines but will still make it fun. We also have a short list of covid do’s and don’ts to help keep everyone safe.

A touring trip on the River Wey launching from Bowers Lock. A good starter for getting away from the canal.

Interested? contact Rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail.

Hopefully Rick will be able to run this trip without special covid precautions.

Launching from the Wokingham Water Centre ( or Marsport) heading up the River Thames to the Kennet and Avon. Paddling up the Kennet and Avon though Reading center to Fobney lock If conditions and people are in good form we may continue to the Cunning Man and return. Distance approx 10 miles, 3 portages. email Rick.covell@ntlworld.com if you want to go or for more info

Meander along the Thames from Wargrave  through Henley to Hurley. approx 8.5 miles all with the flow.  This will be a one way paddle and a shuttle so car sharing to get people and kit in the right place.

Launching from Lower Swanwick paddling up to Botley and across to the Horse and Jockey at  Currbridge and then let the tide bring us home.

Distance approx 8 miles. must be competent in using a spray deck and be able to do an assisted deep water re-entry.

Launching from Lower Swanwick paddling up to Botley and across to the Horse and Jockey at  Currbridge and then let the tide bring us home.

Distance approx 8 miles. must be competent in using a spray deck and be able to do an assisted deep water re-entry.

Nice gentle cruise along the across Poole harbour and up the River Frome and return approx 10 mile round trip. let me know if you’re interested

This will be a peer paddle to see the London sites from Putney Embankment to Tower Bridge and return. This is a busy tidal section of the River Thames therefore paddlers must be of Explore or 2* standard and be able to carry out deep water assisted rescues. The distance is approx 17 miles and there will be some tidal flow potentially up to a max of 6knt. The trip is timed to low water at Tower Bridge. Paddlers should be confident in messy water as the wake from fast/big boats bounces off the river walled embankments and can be confusing. got questions ask me, want to go tell me. group size will be limited to 8 on a first come first served basis. Rick rick.covell@ntlworld.com (and yes I know its Fathers Day but you’ll be back in time for tea – hopefully)