A Kayak Tester Session Saturday and An open Canoe training Session on Sunday

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A very brief review of CPCC’s Taster Training Session with Andy Course Leader and Tudor and myself (Steve). Six people were signed up for the course and on Saturday they each arrived at the pier house some more apprehensive than others. but all willing to give this kayaking malarkey a try. We all gathered outside the pierhouse and chatted about what experience our attendees had. We were very pleased to hear the several had paddled … Read more

You can’t beat Fish and Chips on the foreshore at Richmond.

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A simple Sunday paddle with Hammersmith Bridge closed indefinitely, our only option is to paddle in the Richmond direction. So looking forwards to some tough paddles in that direction for the future. It was a flood tide as we got on the water, so a float and boat Sunday. Our pod of two MJ and myself bobbled into the middle of the river, leaving a suitably large gap such as the rowers could approach and … Read more

Hammersmith Bridge Closed

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Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to all traffic including boat and pedestrian traffic after cracks in the structure have worsened following the recent hot weather. BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53767214 TFL: https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/hammersmith-bridge-closure

A Canoe Teaching Session on a low tide at Chiswick Pier

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The lesson plan was to teach poling, however when the flow is right as it was on this day then a quick practice of S turns on the wave. We followed this up with canoe poling and then how to sharpen our turns. It was then a quite paddle and a bit of larking about and then a sail back to the pontoon. With a low tide at the get on for the club’s Sunday … Read more

Two Kingfishers and a New river to explore!

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Another Lovely day on the river Thames. Whilst the club went in the direction of Putney Julius and I headed in the opposite direction with goal of reaching Richmond. An easy paddle out with the tide, so were paddling towards the Surrey Bank to keep out of the way of the Rowers. We very quickly made Chiswick Bridge and recrossed to the Middlesex side. In passing under Chiswick Bridge we had a nice conversation with … Read more

A Tidy, a Float, an explore and finally the tough Bit, Paddling back against the tide.

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Sunshine and a welcoming tide well who could resist. Two intrepid coaches and with our our Mr Fix it, we three headed out for a midweek gentle paddle on a very calm ebb tide River Thames. We had one sea kayak, one day cruiser and one canoe. Yes, I was in the club’s Novacraft again. Now I know what you are thinking how can a canoe the slowest boat keep pace with the fastest a … Read more

– Future Water –

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The Thames is a fantastic spring board to do training, trips, planning, checking ideas, equipment and group dynamics. We always aimed to test our skills at sea – with a little wind, a few waves, sun and salt.After studying weather and sea state, we called it a ‘rough water handling session’ and went to Lulworth Cove where the sea was rough, the wind blowy and the water salty. Unfortunately, my sea co-workers consisting of Jules, … Read more

Sunday 2 August Members Paddle

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Hey guys weather looks grand and some of the coaches are itching for a longer paddle so don’t forget to sign up if you want to come out. There will be a gentle normal length paddle as well.

Paddle to Isleworth Ait

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Isleworth Ait  with Igor and Colin. We started at a civilized 10.00 am Though this meant we were soon paddling against the tide which hit us around Chiswick Bridge. Around Kew Bridge we bumped into Belinda who was swimming merrily in the water in a fetching pink ensemble. (Well hat and buoyancy bag). I did not recognize her but she shouted out to me. I approached wearily as frankly anyone swimming in this part of … Read more

What a Great Day to Paddle the Mighty River Thames

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Sunday paddle with CPCC was another epic affair. Having lead and coached for such a long time, my colleagues and fellow coaches are sharing the load and allowing me the opportunity to paddle as I wish. This week’s paddle was into the ebbing tide from Chiswick Pier in the direction of Kew Bridge. An easy paddle in variable conditions, rain sunshine and occasionally a degree of wind. Oh! Forgot to mention at one point lack of … Read more