A fun canoe and kayaking club based at Chiswick Pier
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
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.
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
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
Went on a kayak paddle from Chiswick Pier to Hampton Court Palace and back (Molesey lock) with Kiki. We set off at a leisurely 11.20 came back around 9.20pm. 28.5 miles round trip (probably more like 29-30 miles as following edge of river not central fairway) Might be useful to use a gps: https://gb.mapometer.com/canoeing Could try this for planning and plotting: We thought we would catch the incoming tide which gave us a minor help … Read more
Went on a kayak paddle from Chiswick Pier to Twickenham and back with Kiki and Julius . We set off at a leisurely 9.20. We used Ventures and fusion boats. The weather was overcast with low predictions of rain. Our journey with the incoming tide was smooth, we went at an unusual leisurely pace via all the roundabout routes to look at the moored boats. There was strangely one rusting barge with graffiti paintings supporting … Read more
During the week or more likely last thing, the procedure from the club is the coaches who have made themselves available are issued with their paddling groups. This Sunday was no exception, however with the particular tide forecast for this specific Sunday it was a high tide paddle I had advised one of my group that it would be a tough paddle and not suitable for someone of their skills level. Harsh maybe, but safety … Read more
The club was contacted by English Heritage following an assessment of a historic bridge over the ornamental lake in the grounds of Chiswick House. The bridge had lost a couple of facing stones on the underside of the arch and to be sure that it was safe, needed to be assessed by a structural surveyor. Luckily he was a 2 star canoeist but health and safety required a safety boat – enter Dean stage left! … Read more
Greenwich paddle to see Cutty Sark. The pontoon had been hijacked by a family of swans with their four new babies, (cygnets) did anyone know that a male swan is a cob and a female a pen! In fact they seemed to be treating us like squatters and almost seemed to be ignoring us, unperturbed by our two sea kayaks being made ready to launch. We headed off with the tide around 9.20am for a … Read more
Another Sunday where although fewer club members than the previous week, despite the sun shining and the water level being low. We thus did have sufficient coach cover to take all those that pre booked out on to the river as it was a very low tide which made for an easy paddle towards Kew. Before I write about what we got up to its a welcome back to Coach Elaine who has been self … Read more
