Author: Tony Clarke

Thought whilst the sun was finally out I'd take full advantage ;o)...

Balmaha Trip 16/11/2014 Joe,Barry,Ross,Ian,Dave,Richard,Kevin,Iain,Andy,Ron and myself headed to Balmaha for 9:30am. With thick fog covering most of the Loch we set out heading along the fault-line using Inchcailoch as a guide till the fog lifted. Still lying quite heavily we passed the small Isle of Torrinch, then rounding Creinch in the hope by that time the fog would finally be gone! It lifted enough for us to head to the "Geggles" (narrow passage between Inchmoan and Inchcruin) The clearing fog brought a sunny pictorial Loch Lomond and a few jokes from new paddler Dave! (not repeating them anytime soon!). Having spun Jo around 360 degrees (Again) I thought enough fun/bullying lets have lunch. We opted for the southerly tip of Inchconnachan (Wallabieless Island) with the sun in our faces and bellies full headed through the Narrows known as the jewel of the Loch! It was so beautiful Barry and Benny decided to have a swim. Been in some rough waters with barry and...

Loch Awe Trip – Saturday 8th November By Geraldine O’Sullivan   This is my first time writing up one of these reports so... bear with me.   This trip was one of the options available during the Loch Awe weekend.  After a late start out (slow puncture in my old banger)  Vicky and I headed up to the Village Hall after stopping off at the chippy in Inverary.  The rain was bouncing off the road and didn’t bode well for the weekend ahead.  However, we arrived to a warm welcome and some amazing stinky cheeses courtesy of Janice.   We all bedded down and made a brave attempt at shut eye amid the cacophony of snores and grunts.  Well done Andrew for bringing along the ear plugs.   The morning started well, albeit waking up with a crick in the neck and bags under the eyes from lack of sleep (my fault – only had yoga mats to sleep on unlike Tony – with his four poster).  Thanks...

Myself, Anne and Alf  headed out with the intentions of rounding the Isle of May however after a mile we turned towards creel due to the blustery conditions which were making life a tad more interesting than predicted. We followed the Fife Coastal path which runs the length of East Neuk. Once we reached Creel the wind dropped and even though we were further away from out intended paddle we decide Isle of May it was! With a reasonable size swell and the sun at our backs we were looking up at the tall cliffs at Alterstanes  watching the waves crashing of the rocks with quite a force, we paddled in and around the caves and stacks which are spectacular for such a small island. The name of the island comes from old Norse meaning Island of seagulls to which there is plenty ( where a hat and don't look up!) Other species on the Island are 14 diferant kinds of...

Myself with Ron and Barry boarded the Shetland ferry with sleeping bags and big grins,after 14 and a half hours and sleeping between seats (which was more comfortable than the "sleeper seats" ) we had still not lost our grins :) Having collected our flares we were soon heading to Bridge End outdoor center,pitching our tents and meeting other eager kayaker's we soon settled in the Symposium and had out two days mapped out with what we wanted to do. A pre -symposium paddle to Westerwick took place on the Friday,rock hopping is kinda new to me so I nearly drowned when I got caught out in a washing machine of a narrow gap ! losing my Go-pro and pride :( The deep caves and Barry's humor soon cheered me up ! Back at our tents we realized camping under the biggest wind turbine might not have been the brightest idea!! (nightmare) Saturday was spent rolling and rescues,I went with Kim...

04/06 11/06 18/06 25/06 09/07 16/07 23/07 30/07 13/08 20/08 Flat water times 7:30 to 8:00. AWWC times 20:00 to 21:30. Pinkston Paddlesports centre is a community watersports centre, based on the canal, close to the city centre, with potential to have access to other outdoor sports. Located in the Pinkston Basin on the Forth & Clyde Canal, opposite the former Diageo plant at Port Dundas. Take a look at the DCKC  newsletter and our FaceBook page  for updates....

Myself (Tony) with Barry and Ron are heading to Shetland for 9 days from the 9th to the 18th to join up with the Shetland Canoe Club who are hosting a symposium, it’s an event for sea kayakers and the next one is over the weekend of 11th to 14th July 2014 and held at Bridge End Outdoor Centre, Burra. Over Saturday and Sunday there are training sessions to support personal skills development from basic to advanced levels, plus guided trips to some of the best paddling venues around the isle. Accommodation is available on site for those that wish it (dormitory, camping and caravaning), there are sit down meals Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and to make it just a little easier if you’re coming up on the ferry or flying up, Shetland Canoe Club is offering temporary membership to give you access to club kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids and spraydecks. Pick up from the ferry can be arranged....

Facebook page can be used to upload all your trip photo's and anything you want to say about your trip day. So feel free to like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DCKayakclub?hc_location=timeline and leave your comments. You will find trip details and lots of whats happening within our club keeping up to date and involved with whats happening,If you need help with anything about this page please feel free to contact me on 07833596456 and I will be only to happy to help.   Tony Clarke...

The club AGM is going to take place on Monday 28th October at 7.30pm in the Playdrome. Hope to see regular and new members present to take part in electing the committee members and sharing in discussions about our club’s business....