Leven Estuary

Sunday, 25th February 2024

My first sea kayak trip with LCC – yay! After plans for skiing in Scotland were abandoned due to lack of snow, I spotted on WhatsApp that Rob had arranged a last-minute sea kayak trip for Sunday. I duly signed up then spent a frantic couple of hours the night before digging out all my sadly-neglected sea kayak gear.

I met the others (Rob, Tom and John) at 9 am at Canal Foot and got ready. My first faux pas, I discovered, was bringing two halves of similar-looking but different paddles – doh! Luckily, I’d got another set of blades with me. My second cause for concern was the state of my hatch covers. I’d not been in my Valley Avocet for a couple of years at least and hadn’t realised how much they’d perished. Luckily, I’d brought some airbags with me in case of implosion. I’m not sure what Rob, Tom and John made of these amateurish-looking antics!

Anyway, we were on the water by 9.30 am, waited for the incoming tidal bore, which arrived with a roar about 9.45 am. Rob reckoned that you need to wait until the water is just lapping the foot of the old posts (that delineate what was once a bathing pool) at Canal Foot for there to be enough water to get under the railway viaduct. We had some fun ferry gliding across the jets of water below the multiple arches of the viaduct then it was time to run with the flood tide up towards Greenodd. We were actually paddling a bit too quickly and had to stop for a coffee break while the tide did its work covering the sandbanks. The secret, Rob explained, is to hug the shore river left to find the channel. More ferry-gliding fun was had under the footbridge at Greenodd before we continued up the Leven, reaching Haverthwaite about 12.30 pm. Here we met fellow LCC boaters Mark, Rachel and Brian who were just egressing after a trip down the Leven – ha ha!

The return journey was uneventful. We did manage to get under the old railway bridge a mile or so downstream of Haverthwaite; with very high tides there can be insufficient headroom. There was still enough water to be able to straight line some of the meanders and we got back to Canal Foot about 2.30 pm. We’d clocked 17 miles in 5 hours 10 mins, according to my GPS. A thoroughly-enjoyable trip. Thanks very much for organising it, Rob. I look forward to joining you all on the water again soon.

John Wootton

Lune. Low Gill to Killington. Assessment Day.

Saturday 24/2/24.

It was the big day! Neil and Ian were doing their Whitewater Leader Assessment. 

Conditions were perfect, a calm, sunny Spring day and a river level of 0.68 at 10a.m. dropping to 0.66 at 4p.m., which also brought out about a large number of other paddlers putting in at Low Gill at the same time.

  Ian led the first section from Low Gill to the Viaduct. Steady away, down to first gorge and along the way there were plenty of opportunities to practice crossing eddy lines and surfing playwaves. We were all successfully through the first gorge, watched on by a large team who had arrived behind us. I added to the entertainment with an involuntary pirouette halfway along the gorge.

A bite to eat at the Viaduct and then it was Neil’s stint at leading. We put a bit of a spurt on to get warmed up and soon arrived at John’s Stone. Neil made an inspection and we were good to go, heading down on the right in pairs. My turn came, my line was good but at the last moment I tipped over. So close yet so far. I wasn’t alone swimming and a good team effort collected boats and paddles together.

Onward and upward toward the Strid where an inspection was made with Neil pointing out the features of the rapid and a choice of route. Some of us chose to walk around and we watched Neil’s successful descent and John’s valiant effort.

Downstream of the Strid, Dan set up some scenarios for Neil and Ian. Neil then led us down a lively gorge, crashing through successive wave trains, keeping an eye out for malevolent boils and dodging boulders. Dan introduced a couple more scenarios to wrap up Neil and Ian’s Assessment and all done, we floated down to Killington Bridge.

It had been another great river adventure, some valuable learning points for me and a great achievement for Ian and Neil!

Nick Jones.

Paddlers; Neil Gill, Ian McCrerie, Dan Wilkinson (Assessor), John Speakman,      Deb Bucknell, Julian Cruikshank.

Border Esk Estuary

A conundrum.

Vague reports of a tidal bore wave, found us bore hunting.

Paddle down river from Metal bring to Torduff point and back with the tide. Easy eh!

There is no tidal data for Metal Bridge

The incoming tide only flows for 2 hours, so the return journey can only last 2 hours get there by then or paddle against the river flow .

For Monday 26th Feb LW at Torduff point 11.03 HW 4.85m at 13.30

At Redkirk point LW 11.55. HW 3.7m at 13.37

So It was estimated HW at Metal bridge to be about 13.50 but would the spring tide be high enough reach metal bridge. Only one way to find out.

The plan: set off at 9.30 , then paddled 10km or so to near Torduff, catch the incoming tide at 11.30 arriving back at Metal bridge at 13.30. Sorted!

So we did set off at 9.30, the wind blowing 2 gusting 3 froth NE. having spotted an otter midstream we passed Gretna river entrance after an hour, almost 2 hours by the time we reached Browhouses. Here the wind was blowing a chilly consistent force 4. So we decided to stop and wait, and wait and wait.

Torduff point

Supposedly the incoming did should have reach due just as we arrived. However it finally relented and we spotted the incoming flow at 12.10

Chris got excited as a small breaking bore started to form on the south side of the channel. But as it reached us, the wave obliged by melding with the flow.

We floated back on the incoming water and paddled more efficiently when into the wind. Our return journey today 100minutes. It seems, as we passed under the railway bridge 200m from our egress the incoming flow was just helping, however at the motorway bridge at the egress the river flow was greater. We surmised that HW must have been at 13.50

What we learnt today:

HW at metal bridge is Redkirk point +0.20

At Redkirk point, the tide reaches 3.7 meters, which is the tide height at the metal bridge.

Maybe setting off at Redkirk point -3.30 might be better ( or was the tide just late today)

You can also start at the Lochmaben stone GR 316.661, from where you can paddle upstream, downstream, or both ways!

Mike H

Leven

Sunday 25th February: Leven

Just three takers today for a run down the Leven. It was the top end of medium at 1.22 and the sluice was open. We started the play there.

Things felt quite chunky (to me!) and the brickchute had a go at eating all of us: but it didn’t like how we tasted and spat us out. Some waves were washed out a bit and some were working well. Backbarrow felt powerful as I struggled to discover which way up I was: the wrong way, but pleased I did finally roll when it calmed down enough. Brian and Mark made far cleaner descents and topped it off with running the next weir, while I volunteered to take some photos (and walk round: obviously).

More play until the take out where we met the other club trip: the sea kayakers coming upstream from Ulverston to their lunch spot. Perfect timing. 

Thanks to Mark McG for putting on the trip and Brian too. 

Rachel P

Beginners River paddling group

Beginners River paddling group 24/1/24

River Kent Kendal.

This was the 2^nd in a series of meets for this new group. The 1^st session had been based at kendal leisure centre, with a dry then wet session in the pool.

The group was split in 2, with am and pm starts and was led by Mike H, Mark W and Mark Mc.

Morning group.

We met at Kendal rugby club and after sorting boats we then did a quick shuttle to the start at Sandybottoms on the River Kent. The wide pool was perfect for practising some basic skills and utilising where the Kent and Mint rivers flow into each other.

Ferry glides, boat control and breaking in/out were a few of the things taught and practised. We didn’t see any otters as reported by a passing dog walker but it was a lovely spot. This was followed by a trip further down the Kent to the egress point just before Victoria bridge for Mike and Clare. Plenty of opportunity to practice and start to recognise river features and what to avoid! The temperature of the water wasn’t tested, as it didn’t look too toasty -leaving that for another day… 

A really good morning, lots learnt and much more to build on! With many thanks to the leaders. 

Ann-Marie, Clare and Andrea with Ray as chief photographer.

Clare

Afternoon session Giles Wilson.

4 paddlers assembled at Sandy Bottoms at the gravelly confluence of the Rivers Mint and Kent. Giles Wilson, Sally Soady, Megan Green & Judith Neaves. We are a mix of novices, sea kayakers and returning river boaters, putting into practice the previous week’s theory and pool sessions.

Coaches Mike Hayward Mark Mcguire & Mark Webster were able to give us near one-to-one tuition which is great for communication and asking questions.

After a safety briefing, the first unofficial lesson was : don’t get in your boat when it’s too shallow! We began by holding position in the flow and then progressed to breaking in & out over the all-important eddy line. River boats spin very readily and  it’s easy to get transfixed on the front of your boat and forget to look up at your direction of travel. 

Ferry gliding: maintaining a constant angle, lifting the flow sided edge and only using forward strokes is definitely easier when you fixate on the bank where you’re heading.

Next, combining entering the flow with a couple of 360° spins: Turning is even more effective when the paddle is sighted all the way around the front and reverse stroke. 

Moving downstream, the lesson was to plan our course and obtain a better view of potential hazards ahead either by breaking out into available eddies or moving to the outside of the bend to get a better view. 

However even a small dip in the river level ahead can hide details. In the first rapid section, avoiding “Vs” : tell-tale signs of submerged rocks makes sense. But it’s going to take some practice for a novice like me to interpret the myriad lumps of water, foam and chunks. My take-home from this, as I scored a hatrick of hefty thuds, was my river boat is a lot better than me!

We were now all getting confidence in moving around the river. Kent Viaduct has some decent eddies created by the stanchions and opportunities for breaking in/out. One of us decided it was time to check that the coaching team were able to deal with a capsize at this point! They did, and the paddler got to the bank quickly and was shortly reunited with her boat.

Scrambling out at the egress at Beezon Fields, we all felt we had a decent brain and body workout and we’re all looking forward to the next session in the series.

Giles

Sea kayak Navigation

Andy Murphy shared his great wisdom of all things sea kayak navigation related.

Start with 3 things, a map, tides table and tidal stream info. Then apply the correct techniques and off we go. Yes it is MY trip I am planning for. At first were intrigued, then mystified before clarity emerged on a wide range of factors. Why we get 2 high tides a day. It really is worth padding with the tidal flow. It comes down to paddling effort required and what time to set off.

Thanks to Andy for sharing his expertise and the time he took to prepare the graphics.

All we need to do now is go and put it all into practice.

Sea kayak gear night.

19 February – Kendal Leisure Centre.

A chance for a sneak peek inside the hatches of your sea kayak leaders. What do they carry and why? Items for carrying out repairs to boats or camping kit, spares of various sorts, tips on improvising if things go wrong…come along and find out more! 

This was the brief for leaders Pete, John and Robin, and they came in droves for that sneak peek. “Wow, you don’t know what you don’t know! ” seemed to be the consensus after the session from the eager audience of 22 club members who scribbled down ideas, scratched their heads and asked lots of questions about the different items and different approaches taken by leaders to ensure group safety and to deal with the unexpected. 

Haemostatic granules, a Leatherman, P-Tex, Sylglass, Scotty clips, Vet tape, Eurosplint and Steripen  – who knew? These were things I’d personally never heard of, let alone knowing what I might do with them should I be able to crowbar them into my available hatch space. All very enlightening as to the things that could possibly go wrong on a trip but thankfully rarely do. 

The session was to show what leaders carry, and it was emphasised that there is no need for every trip member to buy and carry anywhere near that much equipment, this being the leader’s role, however we all went away with the message that we are all responsible for the main elements of safety which are to keep ourselves warm, fed and hydrated , with the ability to take shelter and keep our gear dry. 

Thanks to Pete, John and Robin

NicolaH

River Wyre: sea kayak trip up with the tide

14 February 2024

Trip leader: Mike Hayward and Chris Wade

This was a day of two halves. The windswept wide estuary mouth and the battle against the tide in the river channel. 

We started in light rain and gusty winds. Spirits were high and we set off at a good pace (14-16km/hr) on the fast tidal current picking our route round the sandbanks and buoys. Our brightly coloured clothing and kayaks contrasted with the bleak grey February day. The wind dropped as the river banks closed in, only to reappear in unexpected bursts as we rounded each bend. Embankments blocked out most of the scenery but we were assured that there is normally good bird life to be seen.  

We took a break for a late lunch. The vegetation we thought would help us scramble out of our kayaks.. didn’t… and we were soon plastered in river mud which gave our leader, great merriment.  After lunch, paddling was an uphill task. The high river level meant that the flow turned before the predicted time. The last hour was really challenging. As the flow increased, so paddling became harder (around 6km/hr) Reading the river was essential, we hugged the inside of the meanders to find the slower flow. It was a relief to reach the get out; nobody even cared that the pub was closed. A memorable and challenging paddle in an area new to most of us.

24km in 3.45hrs (total)

Sue R

D(Duddon) Day

What started out as a morning play on the Leven changed with the promise of overnight rain.

A quick scan at 7am gave us options but the peak had passed and levels were on the way down. With that said the ground was sodden so I decided on the Duddon as it should hold.

Three met at the egress and made the shuttle up the valley to our put in. Putting on at Tarn Beck about a kilometre up from Hall bridge this small trib was running well.

On the water by 10am we picked our way down river, spooning and spinning of part covered rocks and catching lots of eddies. We soon found ourselves at Ulpha Bridge by the hour mark. Chatting to a group that had travelled two and a half hours to get here made you appreciate how lucky we are to have this gem of a river on our doorstep.

Drifting on down we enjoyed another hour of class grade three, albeit with a strong low sun in our eyes. No drama’s just a lovely Sunday Duddon day.

Back home by early afternoon even gained me some extra brownie points.

Thanks for joining me, John H and Steve Ed

0.73 to start the level held at 0.71 at the finish so a low medium.

MarkM

Cald Beck and Caldew

Mike H and Tom P decided to go take a look at Cald Beck, not that there is any information about padding it available. It is not often that we get to try something new. We started a bit later to allow teh scent rain time to fill the becks. Here is what we found oN Wednesday 21st Feb 2024.

Sebergham gauge on Caldew read 0.76 when we started at 11.45 and 0.97 when we finished at 2.45.

Cald beck, seems to start where Whelpo beck and Gill beck join, just below the bridge in Caldbeck.  It is 2.3 km and drops 30 m giving a gradient of 13‰. Grade  2+ with some 3. Trees are passable with little difficulty. We had one very short portage around a fallen tree today.

After the Caldew is joined there are continuous gated 2/ 2+ raids down to Sebergham bridge. Most raids are caused by shingle beads but a some by shallow bedrock slabs.

After Sebergham bridge , more of the same. with some very large trees caught shallow gravel especially at S meanders. Something to keep you entertained all the way. Just upstart of Dalston is 4 m weir, considering of 4 steep angle slabs which paddles easily. Below a short grade 3 before more flowing grade 2 taking you to the egress at a white metal bridge

Ingres at Caldebck

Bouldery at the mill

A typical section

Upstream from the footbridge

Downstream from the footbridge

Mike H