Croydon Active Paddlers Blog

Happy Paddling New Year

2012-01-01T15:42:00.002Z

Here's to a New Year and another chance for us to do the right thing in 2012... have some fun on the river!

Links section

2011-10-25T17:50:00.001+01:00

A new link has been added (below right) for the rainchasers.com site which has had a recent makeover and is looking very tidy.

THE GOAT WHISPERER

2011-07-23T18:51:00.019+01:00

Disco Museum

Leaving Italy and our empty espresso cups behind, back into France just in time to set up camp at Freissinières ; pizza, wine and early to bed nestled between the sweet smelling mountain pines.

A woodpecker's wake up call; Ticking off a somewhat lower than last year Ubaye Racecourse, Gyronde and Lower Guisane onto the various Guil sections which were all holding up.

The Upper Guil remained playful and without so much as an eddy out we continued straight into the Château Queyras Gorge, a section most notable by the guidebook description of:
"just like being flushed down the toilet!"

Château Queyras Put In

Middle Section

Take Out

So much fun in so few minutes, was it three or maybe even four?

On a group high we moved onto the more punishing Middle Guil before ending the week on the Durance, playing the Rabouix wave and finishing back on a very low Gyronde.

Triple Step Curtain

Le Tunnel

Team France even flew by... bet these ladies won't be smiling when they see the state of the roads on Box Hill come the London Olympics!

Allez vous en

So was it worth it?

The Goat Whisperer

Yes, I really could have stayed until the cows came home....
or is that a goat...? Do they even have goats in Austria ?
.... and pizza !?!

We'll just have to wait for next year's trip to find out.

Rivers paddled: Ubaye Racecourse, Gyronde, Lwr Guisane, Upper Guil, Château Queyras, Middle Guil, Durance.

Photo's Glyn & Chas.

RIGHT TO RHÔNE

2011-07-22T13:29:00.009+01:00

The 2011 farewell tour rolled over the English Channel for summer's visit to the French Alps.

With dubious river levels forecast we first headed for the Rhône Alps and Bourg St Maurice with it's guaranteed releases on the Isère river. After setting up camp we hit the lovely old town and enjoyed our first taste of French cuisine of the week... Pizza!

Menu looking good

The following morning we arrived at the Isère and were suitably impressed by the put in:

400m of Class IV gradient on the International Slalom site, fast and grabby, immediately followed by 500m of Class III National Slalom site; a stiff introduction.

Good to go, we unloaded and ran a quick shuttle but to our surprise this was the same moment they had decided to turn off the release leaving us high and dry!

Fortunately this was only a two hour shut down and gave a chance for some throw line practise, sun worshipping and a laid back lunch.

Much needed practise

So when it came to eventually getting on we were perhaps a little too keen and hadn't inspected the top course carefully enough; one by one we launched and into the first drop... a no warning diagonal... quelle surprise! Everybody made the last gasp line down the centre slot and r/h eddy but the next 100 metres passed very quickly with Dolby ™ surround sound and an HD visual experience both above and below the waves.

Phwoar!

Eat it

So onto the river proper, where we added paragliding/paddler German Georg to the group. The Isère really was worth the visit, 9k of class III followed by 9k of class IV with some notable rapids, big long wavetrains and even a lovely gorge towards the end.

Isère Gorge

Not knowing when the taps were being turned off we blasted down at break-neck speed completing 20k in just two hours. So much fun that we went back the following day with Georg and repeated the run. Once again at high speed before making the 4 hour scenic drive over the mountains through Italy and our next seven day camp in Hautes Alps.

Italia bound

Bellisima!

Rivers paddled: Isère International Slalom Site, Isère National Slalom site, Isère to Gothard and Centron.

To be continued......

Who is Number One?

2011-06-11T20:35:00.007+01:00

Be seeing you!

Today the Lee Valley Olympic Whitewater Centre began assessments for park n'play kayakers by introducing a members only policy for all those wishing to embrace the waters.

As part of the very first group to be assessed I got to claim the Number One membership badge, how cool is that? ( ...for any Prisoner fans).

If Stenna made whitewater parks...

The hour and half assessment started with a flatwater paddle through slalom gates with a roll, before moving on to mainlining the Legacy Course (this is similar in grade to The Nene excepting that it's maybe four times wider so a really nice introduction to eddy hopping, wave, hole and river running skills). We ran this again, making nominated slalom gates and eddies, before moving on to bottom drops of The Olympic course for more of the same. Watching from the eddy as the first candidate dropped over the horizon and pulled three massive enders (in a H3) before being exiting the hole.... and all this was happening in London! Then we ran the entire course showing various pilot skills as per examiner.

This course is said to hold possibly the best artificial whitewater in the world and it really is pretty damn funky; Nice horizon lines, alpine wave trains, surging eddy lines and generally powerful class IV whitewater from top to tail, add in large rubber buses and it makes for a challenging but funtastic way to spend an hour or two in the sun; in fact once the test was over our group stayed on for an additional hour of pay per play before getting off and having the obligatory mug-shot taken for our new members passes.

If only Boris could bring out assessments for drivers on the M25, we might all get home a little quicker next time!

Marathon Man

2011-04-27T20:57:00.001+01:00

Is it safe..? Is what safe?

Getting into a two man marathon kayak and racing 125 miles from Devizes Wiltshire to Westminster Bridge in just 26 hours!

Former CAP stalwart Nobby Clark (left) fulfilled a lifetime's ambition when he actually found someone foolish enough to partner him in his elusive dream of chasing fame, fortune and a walk on part in ITV2's drama-doc "The only was is Essex".

In an exclusive interview with the CAP blog he said afterwards..
" Every one should try it once, flat water can be harder than it looks."

Whatever tickles your vagazzle!

Lord Of The Rings

2011-04-12T22:24:00.001+01:00

Today I was passing close to the Lee Valley Whitewater Course and payed them a 'surprise inspection' visit primarily to check if they've been pulling their socks up to just above the knee and also because I'm a nosy bleeder who can't wait to see the water we'll be visiting over the summer months.

As the centre is still officially 'in construction' with no public access permitted, Security asked for my credentials before admitting me..

It's amazing what a quick flash of 'The Cardiff Challenge' kayak medallion can do. When I informed them that only three have ever been minted; the red carpet was rolled out and 'access all areas' status granted with my very own eager to please tour guide who took me by request straight to the deep end...

The Olympic Course...

The 300 metre competition course has a drop of 5.5 metres, for an average slope of 1.8% (18 m/km) and a pump-powered streamflow of 15 cumecs per second , 4 out of 5 pumps were working and the Slovenian National Team were practising as well as some rafts.

The crystal clear green water runs deep and powerful with small confused eddys, multiple pourover drops and a mother of a hole 3/4 way down. Ideal for playboats. High concrete walls on either side with only an occasional take out opportunity for swimmers and rafting evacuees. An open plan conveyor belt effortlessly takes rafts and boaters from the lake to the start point. Photography was prohibited so you'll have to imagine the scene below with freshly laid turf.

The centre boasts an excellent viewing gallery with lots of party room, the cafeteria was small, unimpressive and not up to the CIWW standard, the same can also be said of the changing rooms
(who really needs fancy digital lockers)?

The reception staff were friendly and welcoming, despite having a morbid fixation that when the doors are thrown open to the thrill seeking park n'play brigade next weekend an air-ambulance will be permanently shuttling casualties to A&E; perhaps they've been tipped off by Cardiff that Mike is planning another club trip?

Can I get off now please?

Happy Anniversary

2011-03-21T21:53:00.000Z

As this weekend's G4 whitewater trip was 'pencilled out' of the programme, those of us who were available to paddle joined up with kindred spirits to make up a small "select" group of two cars and one van max!

Can I play?

Sufficient water levels not having risen to the occasion,

Cardiff International White Water Centre guaranteed...

The usual fantastic CIWW friendly welcome.
An 8 cumec release.
The first weekend of their Summer timetable.
One year Anniversary since opening back in March 2010.

Move over Darling

This was probably our first "real" whitewater trip of the Summer...
it certainly won't be the last!

The early birds caught balmy temperatures, blue skies, blazing sunshine... and daylight driving all the way home.

A hands on experience

We weren't alone as 30 rafts had also taken advantage of the fine weather and filled the centres ledger book to the max, add all the random day-tripping paddlers and hot-doggers to the mix, this guaranteed smiles all around.

Raft man standing

Happy Hardcore

2010-10-03T22:37:00.000+01:00

A weekend spent going mostly down things in South Wales.

Friday evening 12 cumec release on the Cardiff Whitewater course ( that's the usual flow +33%), amazing purple sunset... and then the floodlights kicked in.

Full flow here we go.

..followed by a night out in Swansea Town ... (as seen on many a Police, Camera, Action show)!

Saturday at the Afan mountain bike centre singletracking on the the red and black trails, (think grade four paddling) with more painful thrills and spills.

Saturday night out in Cardiff City, Sunday morning regression at the Cardiff International Pool whizzing down the water slides, easing the aches and pains away before heading home.

French Polish

2010-07-12T22:05:00.005+01:00

Third time lucky visiting the Hautes Alpes over the last 5 years, finally catching some cracking runs at cracking levels.

2,000 miles on the road, 10 sections of river bagged over 7 days of continuous paddling class 3 to 4+. French Polishing

Following on from the previous week's heavy evening rains, a dryer, warmer front moved in and our daytime temperatures settled to 35- 39 degrees, melting the remaining snow and giving consistent river levels, even tan lines and a most pleasing camping experience. Late afternoon Al fresco lunch always popular, especially as the locals thought we were 'taking' afternoon tea!

Our evening aperitif ... 'on the rocks.'

Rivers paddled:

Durance, Upper Ubaye, Upper Guisane, Lower Guisane, Ubaye Racecourse, Middle Guil,
Chateau Queyras Gorge, Upper Guil, Gyronde.

Back Of The Net

2010-06-13T22:59:00.005+01:00

Maybe it was the lure of England's opening World Cup match which kept the paddling nation at home in front of their TV screens and away from the rivers.

Chipper moustache.

Maybe it was the club program listing a certain cycling event on the same day as the 2010 London Naked Cycle Ride which kept other Croydon paddlers at home, who knows?

All I'm saying is that in Wales, on the Tryweryn this weekend, nobody could hear you scream...

Cafe wave, nil nil crowds at half time

because evidently, nobody else was there!

Silence is golden

What a golden opportunity to break out the shorty cag, shorty shorts and even shorter (read zero) queues for the playwaves and enjoy a river all to ourselves.

Own goal on the NRA wave

Some people are on the Lower Tryweryn, they think it's all over... it is now!

Extra time for the Lower Tryweryn

A fantastic result at full time and a good bit of pre match bonding for the up and coming Alps trip
which will coincide with the World Cup Final. Get in!

Park n' play in Cardiff Bay

2010-05-31T23:42:00.009+01:00

Dwr Gwyn Rhyngwladol Caerdydd or Cardiff International White Water..

built on the same Cardiff Bay barrage, which turned 400 acres of Tiger Bay into a lake burying the notorious red light district and gambling dens between the city centre and it's docks; what would Dame Shirley Bassey make of her birthplace today?

" Spend a little time with me " .......... (that's if she were a kayaker looking for a day out on the all new Olympic whitewater course).

On yet another gloriously hot sunny day we made the three hour trip and reconnoitred for the club and soon ran out of superlatives as we claimed a first descent for Croydon.

It's all so new, so sparkly, so squeaky clean, an almost alpine iridescent flow never before experienced in South Wales, filtered and pumped directly from the River Ely.. and really warm too.

Underfloor heating in the changing rooms, local Welsh produce in the cafeteria, every known playboat available to demo from the shop. (I loved the Molan).

No need to even get out of our kayaks as the conveyor belt whisked us back to the top after each run.

Proper eddy's, a phenomenon previously unknown on any artificial whitewater course in the UK, all made possible with the clever omni-flot system.

Once the herds of slalom boaters and departed and taken their pesky gates with them, we could settle down and enjoy the surprisingly fast flow... you had to be there to know just how warm the water really was. But don't worry we shall soon be returning in greater numbers on official club business.

Of course, no day would be complete without addressing the urge to muscle in unexpectedly on someone else's play wave.

What better way to sign off than in true Croydon fashion?

http://www.ciww.com/

The future's bright, the future's Orange

2010-05-23T20:30:00.000+01:00

Farewell Tour of The Highlands Spring 2010

2010-05-01T19:55:00.008+01:00

Back from my 4th and possibly final Scottish paddling trip in as many years. Yes, just like the Rolling Stones I'm commencing a farewell tour with the odd 'comeback' thrown in at selected venues.

Will let these images tell their own tale, especially for those unfamiliar with long distance paddling ...

On a plus point, the sleeping arrangements were spacious...

and while our accommodation may appear basic...

... the car park was a breeze.

...a welcome breeze!

Curiously Glen Etive's micro climate remains a stranger to global warming!

Not that the locals seemed bothered.

On the rivers; despite inspecting...

and good use of hand signals...

we still managed some interesting lines...

but great teamwork pulled us through.

So do I look forward to a comeback?

As the Stones would say:

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes, you might find you get what you need."

Or perhaps more appropriately:

" We piss anywhere man "

all images by Robocam

AGM 19th April 2010

2010-04-13T19:50:00.001+01:00

A reminder that the clubs AGM is on Monday 19th April, once again it's time for the Committee to stand down and all positions are up for election... New blood is most welcome.

We have nothing to lose but our paddles!

As I shall be in the Highlands by then will look forward hearing all about it when we return.

Notts. Landing

2010-02-22T14:03:00.002Z

Nottingham. Once reputed to have had "the worst slums in the British Empire outside India".

Birthplace of Raleigh Bicycles, Sturmey Archer Gears, many a Scab Miner and host to our weekend destination, The National (Frigid) Whitewater Centre viz Holme Pierrepont.

Robocam

The synchronised arrival of both groups at Pam's Cafe provided a 'rush' on the local bacon co-operative before we embraced the cold and walked the course with one eye on the features and the other on the icy patches of concrete footpath.

Croydon took the lead with an early swim on the first descent but come lunchtime everyone had settled in to a relaxed but cautious approach mindful of the extreme consequences of an ice-cream head. Our sister club fully revived by the al fresco lunch stop dominated the afternoons swims by pulling one back on the first run and grabbing a last gasp winner at the end of 90 minutes.

Taking it on the chin for Putney

A final scoreline of Good Fairies 1 Ugly Sisters 2 showing that you can take an experienced paddler to water but you can't make him sink; despite his very best efforts to touch bottom.

Essential reading for trip leaders & coaches.

Image: LadyBird Prints

Not a Happy Pool Bunny

2010-02-15T12:41:00.001Z

Just like some of the folk we have to share the pool with, being CAP's Pool Liason Officer can also have it's ups and downs. Please remember the 'No Heavy Petting' rule.

Business as usual this Wednesday.

The Fifth Gate at Hurley

2010-02-13T21:54:00.003Z

I couldn't take it any longer (waiting for the weather to warm up a bit, that is); so was very glad Ivan decided to join me in our first visit to Hurley in almost a calendar year. Sure enough it tried to snow just as I left home but once we were both booted & suited and on the water it wasn't so bad at all.

We arranged a very late start out of courtesy to 'Team GB Juniors' who were having a team practise from 10.30 am; however when we arrived at 3.30pm they were still playing the weir so not only made us both feel very old but very inferior too! I do wish them all the best in the future and it was great to share a session with such talent, especially with our up and coming HPP showdown with ugly sister canoe-club ('Putney') next weekend.

Was really nice to pop into the Red Lyon (aka the Fifth Gate) afterwards for a pint of bitter and a warm up by the blazing log fire. Can't be waiting another year before next time so hope to return soon.

A Cavalier attitude to rescue

2010-02-07T14:31:00.004Z

Whilst painstakingly archiving the club library of 'Ladybird Books' I may have unwittingly stumbled across the first reference to throw lines and their usage on an English river. Long forgotton since the book was last loaned out in the 1960's!

Note the rescuer's 'dynamic belay' stance, his correct use of objects, in this case 'rock' to minimise the shock to both victim and rescuer as well as incorporating the buddy-system with back-up by the anchor-man to his rear.

A good choice of positioning; downstream of eddy formed by rushes, the entire group's suitable footwear for the terrain, both significant factors in a swift rescue must surely have impressed the watching Level 5 coaches complete with subjugated lacky to be seen in the middle ground.

Image: Ladybird Prints

Have you come across an earlier instance of throw-lines or river rescue? Perhaps in the Tudor or Roman times?

I'd be fascinated to compare notes if you can help.

bag yourself the latest bespoke pfd

2010-01-05T22:35:00.000Z

"No sky no land -- just snow falling" KAJIWARA Hashin

2010-01-05T21:59:00.000Z

CAP committee battle to ensure this weekend's trip will happen.

2009 Gallery

2009-12-29T14:02:00.001Z

A Merry Christmas to our followers and friends.

2009-12-18T13:54:00.006Z

It's hard to continue my denial of winter, especially after last nights snowfall; looking forward to some warmer, wetter weather for our Jan 8th trip to South Wales and will leave you with this prize winning and totally gorgeous photograph (by Steve Mundy) of 'Virginia Water' in Surrey where the Queen has her very own hidden gem of a rapid in the back garden.

photo Steve Mundy

I've also added a link to Nookie's River Dart camera which is a really useful resource for anyone heading to Dartmoor and hoping to catch a nice level.

Hope everyone who turned up to the Christmas social night out and pool session this week had a fabulous time.

See you all in 2010. Have a great Christmas & New Year.

Adventure Paddlers Weekend '09

2009-12-06T23:35:00.004Z

It's the first weekend in December and heavy rainfall on Dartmoor can mean only one thing...

Time for Croydon Active Paddlers to go south for the Gene 17 APWE where solid whitewater kayaking and foot-loose free partying are both on the menu for another year.

Chas drops Pandorra's Box Upper Dart.

Lower Dart warm up on Friday followed by more rain overnight; Upper Dart Saturday morning at an 'oh so sweet level' continuing down the Loop one more time before the evening's entertainment and lucky prize raffle with Brucie bonus of rain, rain, rain.

Ivan ready for Surprise Surprise Upper Dart

Sunday morning leisurely breakfast and onto the Lower Walkham / Tavy once again at a perfect level, bouncing down the wave trains and wrapping up a fantastic weekend of what CAP does best.

Stuart slots the Lower Walkham.

cap.com

2009-11-01T20:40:00.003Z

www.croydonactivepaddlers.org

*Events*Pool Bookings*News*About Us*Gallery*

The Club's official website has been overhauled and redesigned for our members delectation; please visit often.

The 'Exe' Factor

2009-10-20T00:00:00.004+01:00

We spent Sunday scouting Exmoor for something to paddle and spotted this lovely old relic, a 1942 Morris Eight the owner told us he was still driving it just twenty years ago.

....... and here's how it would have looked in 1942

How low can you go?

2009-10-19T23:33:00.005+01:00

.........without any water in the rivers?

First new run bagged this season; Middle Walkham on Dartmoor.

No pool like an old pool

2009-09-29T22:11:00.004+01:00

So after last night's committee meeting it looks like I am to be the Club's new Pool Bunny as well as continuing with our blog! Hugh Heffner eat your heart out!

I will of course be enforcing the usual "No-heavy petting" rule.

A resolution was passed that all future pool sessions will have 15 spaces available on a first come first served basis by booking at the club's official website whose link appears on the right of your screen.

Our three web-monkeys are busy working on this in time for next week's session. So we might even get an update on the 2004 gallery next!

Highland Spring montage

2009-09-27T11:24:00.001+01:00

...late arrival from Fort William

2009-09-20T07:50:00.007+01:00

River Gary playwave

I have just received a DVD containing all of our Highland Spring photo's and video from six months ago, will bring it along to the next social evening or show and tell day.

50th Liffey Descent

2009-09-12T20:04:00.001+01:00

50th Liffey Descent
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

50th Liffey Descent

2009-09-12T19:56:00.003+01:00

All the best action captured in Lindie Naughton's gallery,
please visit the slide show to see more.

50th Liffey Descent
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

2009-09-12T19:55:00.001+01:00

IMG_9466.jpg
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

2009-09-12T19:50:00.003+01:00

IMG_9636.jpg
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

2009-09-12T19:49:00.001+01:00

IMG_9613.jpg
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

2009-09-12T19:48:00.003+01:00

IMG_9589.jpg
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

2009-09-12T19:48:00.001+01:00

IMG_9579.jpg
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

2009-09-12T19:44:00.001+01:00

IMG_9449.jpg
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

50th Liffey Descent

2009-09-12T18:08:00.002+01:00

50th Liffey Descent
Originally uploaded by lindie_naughton

Photo's by Lindie Naughton

Down the Liffey in a jiffy

2009-09-07T20:44:00.004+01:00

What a fantastic weekend in Dublin that was, we managed to complete the Descent and only capsized (and swam) on the final weir when an octopus sucked John right out of his seat!

Finishing time of 3hours 21minutes, 6th out of the 14 topo-duos in our class...and we took all the harder lines!

My thanks to my pilot and rear gunner John from our ugly sister club.. Putney C C.

A few figures:

This year saw the largest entry to date.

Total number of competitors	1020
Number of boats	721
Number of boats finished	656
Boats failed to finish	65

Will add more pictures soon.

Liffey Descent 2009

2009-08-10T21:59:00.002+01:00

Liffey Descent 2008 - 2
Originally uploaded by Ballyman

My pal John and I have been up at the Tryweryn doing our only day of whitewater training before taking the club's topo-duo over to Ireland for the Liffey Descent in just over three weeks time.

We managed good runs down the Upper & Lower Sections and our roll rate was 100%.

I can't wait for our first paddling trip to Ireland; bring on the 10 weirs, 2 rapids, 1 portage and 18miles of River Liffey...

did you know the water ends up in the Guinness factory?

Dynamic Duo

2009-07-05T22:10:00.003+01:00

Anorak Alert:
First sighting of Jackson's Dynamic Duo at the National Whitewater Centre today, yes it has made it to the UK! Can we buy one for the club? Please??

Dover

2009-05-16T22:37:00.007+01:00

This time last year CAP were in Dover boarding a P&O ferry to the Alps.

Today. We never even made it out of the harbour, thanks to Rob, Annie and the good people at Folkestone's Seapoint Centre who gave us an introduction into sea-kayaking, bilge pumping , how to avoid swimmers and... seal-spotting.

Highland Spring

2009-04-26T21:10:00.007+01:00

A week's paddling in the Highlands without the promised heavy rain, nevertheless we paddled and bashed down some lovely gradients thanks mostly to the dam's releasing and a day of rain.

Thanks to the sunshine, the commando in me came out too.

No damage sustained, some carnage (of course) and the only thing we lost all week was an exhaust pipe... our cares and worries.

Rivers paddled: Spean Gorge (x2), Upper Tummel, Pattack, Meig, Gary(x2), Middle Etive.

Pictures & video to follow

CAP ANTHEM

2009-04-07T17:26:00.006+01:00

"We Know You're From Croydon"

Adopted as the club's theme tune and officially sanctioned by Joan Coffey. Learn the words and steps by clicking here:

Hi Chas,

I'm touched. I've never been adopted as an anthem before.
Hope all you boys have got the dance moves down...

Joan
x

http://www.joancoffey.com

Clocking On At Tryweryn

2009-03-29T21:55:00.010+01:00

Summer time arrived this morning, mercifully giving me one hour less to chill my bones as I slept in the back of the van in a paddler-friendly North Wales Pub car-park... How those new-born lambs make it through such chilly nights I really don't know, at least I'd had a G&T nightcap!

Brilliant sunshine followed throughout the day, burning the winter brown off the trees and penetrating deep into the Welsh vales, a much more pleasing aspect for the drive home than the usual monotone of grey we usually get to see, in fact the sunglasses only came off as I crossed the border into Surrey.

Yes it was a harbinger of a weekend and so good to grab a piece of whitewater again. Thank goodness for Canolfan Tryweryn... a welcome escape from flat-water.

Space Invaders

2009-03-16T21:38:00.007Z

What is it about the River Mole that invasive species find so appealing? Emerald green rose-parakeets raucously chattering on Surrey's Oak trees are now commonplace.

Yesterday we saw another invader up close when a solitary mammal swam right across our path before jumping onto the bank and peering back at us. A stoat? An otter? Think Mink actually.

The Antidote to Relaxation

2009-03-02T00:12:00.006Z

Seven hours to paddle six miles of this!!!

Returning to the get-on car park at the end of a long day to find it locked shut with shuttle vehicle still inside...(it's still there)

Falling in and being waist deep in an obnoxious cess pit early in the day.. and wearing day clothes with no spare trousers?

A co-pilot who jumped ship shortly after this photo was taken... (they still shoot deserters in some countries).

Impassable strainers composed of televison sets, computer monitors, dead dogs, suitcases, motor cycles, shopping trolleys, early kayaks, tractor tyres and of course trees!

Trees. Where would we be without them? Deciduous, coniferous, poisonous... this obscure ditch had it all and is probably the reason why obscure London ditches remain so.

Why spend the weekend relaxing when you can explore new and challenging possibilities for club trips which will obviously never come to fruition?

Can you guess which river we stressed out on?

Clue: That is a British Airways Hanger in the background, that is.. So you can also add aromatic hydrocarbons to the cocktail of unpleasantness.

Victims of the cold spell

2009-02-02T18:26:00.007Z

With 310mm of snow on the North Downs today ( worst in UK ?); it looks like we won't be getting away paddling this weekend.

I built a snowman instead, using the theme 'Victims'.

We are not innocent children victimized by a big bad world;
if our world is big and bad, we made it that way.

This is what the Buddha taught.

Badlands

2009-01-18T21:34:00.004Z

Essex.

Hidden between The badlands of the A11 and the A12 lies the River Chelmer & Navigation where we spent a sunny Sunday bashing down several weirs and generally having fun on the first trip of 2009.

2008 Gallery

2008-12-30T21:02:00.000Z

APWE 2008

2008-12-07T20:13:00.003Z

Just the three of us shared a faff-free Friday & Saturday on the chilly Upper Dart & Dart Loop under clear blue skies and glorious sunshine before joining the annual festivities at the Gene 17 party.

Photo: Mark Rainsley

Last Man Standing

2008-11-17T10:34:00.005Z

Who said it would be just like
"re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic" ?

We are proud to announce the late arrival of your 2008/9 Committee.. and don't they scrub up well?

Thank you to all those who supported, attended and voted on the night.

The State of the Nation

2008-11-04T19:03:00.010Z

Forget Obama v McCain. Now YOU get to cast your vote,
or even run your very own small country...

Our Supreme Leader and his minions will be standing down,
as all the club offices are up for election.

The 2008 CAP AGM to be held at CAP HQ on Sunday 16th November at 4pm.

I vote we go paddling!

Friends Re-united?

2008-10-26T19:18:00.007Z

In one of those cruel twists that fate sometimes likes to poke us
Croydon Active Paddlers met with Purley Canoe Club while sharing the same car park on an exceedingly flat River Medway trip today.

This interbred feuding pre-dates my own associations; to keep our members informed of one the darkest annuals of the Croydon civil war.... here's where it all started....

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

It is a period of civil war. Rebel
spaceships, striking from a hidden
base, have won their first victory
against the evil Galactic Empire.

During the battle, Rebel spies managed
to steal secret plans to the Empire's
ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an
armoured space station with enough
power to destroy an entire planet.

Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents,
Princess Leia races home aboard her
starship, custodian of the stolen plans
that can save her people and restore
freedom to the galaxy....

Welcome To The Jungle

2008-10-05T21:22:00.010+01:00

...that is Wilderness First Aid Training.

Holland Park is widely regarded as one of the most romantic parks in London, due to its abundant wildlife and secluded hideaways....

Sunday morning laying prostate on the sodden grassy lawn, steely eyes gazed unblinking into the grey October sky, the raindrops fell playfully upon well defined cheek bones as fingertips clenched nostrils tightly shut, our lips pressed together and the chest heaved upwards as warm breath penetrated deep inside flacid lungs.

Leaning forward my locked hands repeatedly compressed the rain soaked slippery chest while the little dial on her mid-rift quickly changed from red to green and back again.

As I quietly hummed the theme tune from 'The Archers' she audibly clicked again and again at a pace of exactly one hundred beats per minute........ "Tum-ti-tum-ti-tum-ti-tum.. tum-ti-tum-ti-taa-tum".

Resuscitating Annie

I bet you never knew that administering chest compressions to a heart attack victim can be accurately metered by singing along to the Archers theme tune? Our Wilderness First Aid Training weekend course was peppered with a plethora of practical procedures such as this.

A pain in the neck.. not with the miracle that is gaffa tape!

Our thanks go out to 'Regents Canoe Club' for reaching across the Metropolis with a bandaged hand bearing two spare places for myself and Adrian to take up. When the time comes, the time and money spent could be one of the best investments of your life.

2008-09-25T09:26:00.003+01:00

Drop in clinic

Gene17's Flickr photo gallery of this summer's trip to Norway has now been uploaded..

Please click on the image to see more.

Pyranha Festival

2008-09-22T17:48:00.005+01:00

This weekend in the Bala Backpackers...... Stella took on a whole new meaning......

unpalatable!!!!

At the put in the party mood was getting infectious!

A humping good time was had by (mostly) anyone lucky enough to paddle the mighty topo duo,

and while the club's young guns earned their spurs on the graveyard and ski-slope sections.....

Ivan in seventh heaven.

down at the NRA wave, Ivan and Chas unwittingly entered a freestyle Jam Session.....

Team Jackson tango.

....the judges failed to spot Ivan's last gasp shudder rudder and he dropped into 7th place
(out of 7) while Chas squeezed into joint 5th proving there really is someone equally bad out there!

Key Strokes

2008-08-31T17:27:00.002+01:00

Amusing ways to avoid joining the queue out of West Wittering car park.

Make It Snappy

2008-08-12T19:37:00.004+01:00

Lost your newsletter? Don't get mad... get clicking!

How's My Paddling? #13 is now available to read online by clicking the newsletter link below.

BIG FUN Norway style.

2008-07-31T21:33:00.005+01:00

Three days of big volume, mixed with three days of technical gradient and with big walk in's like the Ulla Slides, a black dry-suit mixed with 30degrees Scandinavian sunshine meant free sauna's were included too. I won't mention the big hole that appeared in the back of my kayak after day 5!

Smuggled into Heathrow alongside my paddles was a virtual hit-list of top tips and techniques to keep practising. Gene 17. Now that's what I call coaching!

Slim Pickings

2008-07-16T20:31:00.005+01:00

Paddling has been very lean this month, despite the Upper Dart & Hurley being on form I'm wasting away and not getting any;
the blog itself hungers!

IT put's the lotion on IT'S skin.

In a Gene 17's controlled experiment I'll be seeing what changes the NORWAY DIET of candle heated blubber, 8 day old herring-bones, no moonlight and zero alcohol will do for a kayaker's konstitooshun. Just don't try kicking sand in my face when I get back.

Oh Bollards!

2008-06-01T16:43:00.003+01:00

Old Skool

Boulogne ferry terminal; this time it was Ivan's turn to leave his mark on the continent by quite literally taking out one of the bollards at the quayside check in! France 0 CAP 2

Twenty Year High

2008-05-28T13:49:00.007+01:00

So the levels here are confirmed at a 20 year high!!

The rivers have all been officially closed to kayakers and a Gendarme ordered us not to paddle.. "OR YOU WILL DIE"

Romanche in spate

With the closures still in place, we finally found a section of the Veneon which still had an operational rafting centre. A quick whizz down in the big rubber thingy was a great way to scout the river for hazards whilst blowing the cobwebs away before taking the kayaks down again and again.. over the next two days!

Roll on Roll off

2008-05-27T08:54:00.004+01:00

Rolled onto the ferry in Dover, rolled off in Calais.

Stuart's car wanted more... off to the nearest French petrol station where he absent mindedly left his handbrake off before going for walkies, and rolled back into a van parked behind him...
while Darren & Vicky slept blisfully in the back seat..!
France 0 CAP 1
Around 12 hours later we finally arrived at the Evil Lair in darkness.

"I've been expecting you Mr. Bond"

2008-05-15T20:58:00.008+01:00

Dr. Ivan has invited a lucky few hench-men and indeed hench-women to his 'Evil Lair' ... impenetrably situated high up in the Southern Alps.

As the snow melts we will have our very own Licence to Kayak , be sure to blog in and find out who has been swimming with the Octopussy's...

Making a Thunderball's up! Or even getting Shaken not stirred... as we paddle our way through the week.

Commencing 24.05.08

'CAP go ALP'

Just bookmark this page for live updates!

www.chilledmountain.com

Scorchio

2008-05-11T00:34:00.004+01:00

It's Saturday, twelve o'clock and a hot and sticky twenty-five degrees...

mmm, where's the best place to cool down?

CAP's official summer residence at Chertsey pourover of course!

We'll be back again soon, why not join us over the long hot summer?

Open Season

2008-05-02T21:06:00.004+01:00

7pm The evening sun tries and fails to penetrate the muddy brown river as they chase each other westward... which one will get down first following the week of heavy showers?

They both put up a good fight.

Passing trees reach eagerly out with green limbs in an attempt to pull and poke us off guard, Triffid's every one of them.

Day of the Triffids?

The 16ft Black Pig carries us down river to Mickleham before darkness finally arrives, threading our way through strainer after gentle strainer.

This is open boating on the Mole; Please Sir, I wan't some more!

Trailer trash

2008-04-21T19:59:00.001+01:00

Yes We Can

2008-04-21T11:09:00.010+01:00

Too weak? Too tired? Too busy?

Have an old injury..?

Stop the excuses.

Stop dreaming of what you could have been, stop telling the same old stories.

Stop listening to people who say you should never do it.

It's your life; take control ! Get up. Get out. Sell your t.v.

Only you can say "you can't" and you know you don't always have to listen.

So what exactly did you do this weekend..? You didn't did you !?!

CAP that'll do nicely!

2008-03-11T10:28:00.004Z

Our new 'CAP Calling Cards' have hit the streets , spreading the gospel of CAP and thanking anyone and everyone who has given us good service along the way.

Recipients from last weekend included, pubs, hotels, cafes, truck-stops, fellow paddlers and even toll-booth operators..... all with 100% interest.

They may not remember who you are but they will certainly remember what you gave them.

The CAP card.... don't leave home without one!

From 'A Passage to India' by E.M Forster

2008-01-30T19:33:00.000Z

"Life rarely gives us what we want at the moment we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually."

Return of the Dragon

2008-01-14T19:34:00.000Z

Destination: North Wales.
Mission: To chase rain, seek out Grade IV rivers and paddle them.
Location: Glaslyn Gorge, Ogwen & Lower Ogwen.
Outcome: 100% Success.

Chasing the Dragon

2008-01-01T10:25:00.000Z

Feeling tired...? Shoulders aching ...?
Lungs expanded beyond normal capacity....?

Sounds like you spent the last weekend of the year ticking off new sections and associated tributaries among the North Wales classics too.

Wishing everyone a CAP-Happy New Year and looking forward to good vibrations along the motorways for 2008's adventures.

Oke on the water

2007-12-10T00:26:00.000Z

West Okemont. Three days of heavy rain, five-hundred miles of driving, one river of adventure... great to be back on whitewater for our visit to the Gene17 APWE .

A30 Not the official take-out.

In Safe Hands

2007-11-06T21:02:00.000Z

Our thanks go out to Gene 17 Kayaking for providing our Advanced Whitewater Safety & Rescue weekend's training on Dartmoor. As a result we now have eleven Croydon Active Paddlers who simply just can't wait to assist any unfortunate victims they may stumble across in the near future.

Images provided by Gene 17 Kayaking

To a cruel war I sent him, from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak.

2007-10-22T00:05:00.001+01:00

The Tragedy of Coriolanus Act 1 Scene 3

As always Shakespeare got there first:

Seven of us plus boats, all caught in the same strainer and the only casualty was a missing drain plug as some cheeky Welsh whitewater made for an intimate experience on our novice's whitewater weekend. A reminder to all of us that when things do go wrong they can go wrong very quickly. With our WWSR weekend coming up next trip this was truly an interesting scenario to have experienced.

October Newsletter

2007-10-17T22:32:00.001+01:00

How's My Paddling? The latest issue of the club newsletter is now available for download by clicking on the link to your right.

The Mighty Pully

2007-10-07T21:31:00.000+01:00

October?

It could have been August as the Rodeo played out in the warm sunshine.

Thank you to all who attended today's event... for getting stuck in and exhibiting such fair play, gentlemanly conduct and exceptional roping skills during the fun and games.

Self Contained

2007-09-15T19:47:00.000+01:00

It may have been a long time coming but a midweek working party that Chairman Mao would have been proud of managed to get the container down at CAP HQ ship-shape and ready for the coming season. That's boats over-hauled, all kit marked up and repaired, rust removed and even air conditioning installed! Thank you for doing your bit.

How long will it stay like this? Well at least until the next time the door is opened.

Caption Competition

2007-09-02T21:34:00.000+01:00

Open boating is the flavour of the month in September with our first ever canoe trips on the Medway & Thames. Send your captions to me and I'll publish the best in the next newsletter.

BIG AIR

2007-08-27T20:02:00.000+01:00

Mike, Gary and myself spent the Bank Holiday marking the course out for the first ever ~ CAP RODEO ~ Yes we've breathed life into the old girl once more even though she's had more proposals than a heavily pregnant woman waiting at the bus stop outside the adoption clinic.

So this time let's have no lame excuses such as ....

"I would love to come but I can't find my helmet" or
"mmm Real Ale, isn't that kind of dangerous?"

When the invitation arrives just tick the "YES I CAN'T WAIT TO ATTEND" box... and start working on your game plan.

God save Ronald Biggs

2007-08-23T17:30:00.000+01:00

And you thought South London's greatest ever train robber was finishing his porridge in Belmarsh? Just goes to show, don't believe everything you read in The Sun .

Biggsy was recently spotted enjoying the vida loca wearing his CAP-CAP, and YES that is Lord Lucan and bare-backed friend in the background.

Ronnie there will always be a kayak ready down at the container for a quick getaway, just say the word.

Jam Donut

2007-08-18T16:24:00.000+01:00

Let us continue banging the Hurley drum after August turned out to be yet another wonderful month in the valley. Friday's afternoon session providing a very theraputic end to the working week.

Until... The Jam Donut decided to play up on the way home!

Surely the M25 motorway is the curse of CAP? Why oh why can't people seem to drive through this section without bumping into each other? It's been a recurring theme over most of my visits this summer. This evening's instalment providing cars on fire, rubberneckers and eventually a scenic detour via Hampton Court to miss even more lane closures.

"Super smashing lovely"...

2007-07-18T21:49:00.000+01:00

Cries of "Super.. Smashing.. Lovely" could be heard across Sheffield last week as Bullseye's prize winning speedboat owners finally got a chance to use them after the recent floods.

Super, smashing, lovely would also sum up levels at Hurley in July. Four, three and two gates providing a high scoring treble!

Game on.

July Newsletter

2007-07-06T16:47:00.001+01:00

How's My Paddling? Croydon Active Paddlers latest newsletter is available for download by clicking the link opposite.

Piedmont May 2007

2007-06-05T21:15:00.000+01:00

Add to my blog

Derby Day

2007-06-02T20:09:00.000+01:00

First Saturday in June, it's hot and sunny, the going is good...
The Epsom Downs are busy by 6am; So off to Hurley where the going is even better. Unseasonal four gates and a nice sticky playwave prove a clear winner with the runners and riders!
Stuart has his new Jackson and matching bling paddle.....

Frankie who?

The River Is My Catwalk

2007-05-31T21:22:00.000+01:00

Our new club tee-shirts, nighties and CAP-caps are now on sale.
Be safe, be seen. No one will kick sand in your face... ever again.

AGM Wednesday 30th May 8pm

2007-05-22T21:19:00.000+01:00

Four more years, four more years....
yer pay's yer membership, yer gets ta vote.
Who will you be toppling next week?

Is italy shaped like a boof?

2007-05-22T21:02:00.000+01:00

Just back from a fantastic week of steep creeeking in Val Sesia with Gene17.

Three is the magic number

2007-04-29T09:00:00.000+01:00

The best things in April continued to happen in three's, finishing with three hours exclusive use of the Nene Whitewater Centre. Saturday's dawn raid was judged a huge success by all, perfectly timed for an alfresco pub-lunch afterwards. Sunshine... it's happening again.

Hello Auntie

2007-04-25T09:15:00.000+01:00

Croydon Active Paddlers are currently in negotiations with BBC TV with a view to video footage of the Club's Welsh trips being included in a BBC TV Wales programme on the subject of Kayaking in Wales and the associated river access problems.

Further details will follow in due course.

Mike

Spring has sprung

2007-04-22T21:52:00.000+01:00

'The world turns flat' trip on the River Arun certainly wasn't a black and white affair for some of us. Tee-shirts, shorts, sunny's and factor 8 were enough to brighten up the day.

Laughing until the cows came home.

Twice the power that be.

Newsletter gets even better!

2007-03-25T16:45:00.000+01:00

How's My Paddling?

The Croydon Active Paddlers Newsletter is now available for download and can be accessed by hitting the NEWSLETTER link to your right.

River Mole

2007-03-25T12:55:00.000+01:00

Ivan's brand new boat as you will never ever see it again.....
(without a mark on it).

Nine miles of Surrey's finest river including three playful weirs provided the perfect debut. I'm not really sure how far the Jackson will take Ivan, but for the time being he's just scratched the surface!

Thames R Us

2006-10-10T20:07:00.000+01:00

Photo: Pam Farmer

Shuttle by tube, river by kayak, shampoo by L'Oreal.
Croydon Active Paddlers... Because you're worth it!

Seasons to be cheerful

2006-09-18T17:19:00.000+01:00

Reflections from Ash Aquaduct

A good turn out for possibly the last flatwater paddle of the season. Passing through the lukewarm waters of Frimley's Basingstoke Canal.

Welcome

2006-09-09T21:59:00.003+01:00

Chilling on the Findhorn

Hello and welcome to my blog; Whitewater kayaking, all year round playboating with Croydon Active Paddlers a BCU affiliated canoe club.

Our members come from in and around Surrey, South London and beyond...if you've never been to Croydon, count yourself lucky!

New to the area? No one to paddle with? Experience not essential
but it will get you out on whitewater much faster.

If you like what you see then get in touch via the Chairman at the official site (see links).

Chertsey Sunset