Janice

By Misha Comment Closed
Name?Janice Gow How long have you been a member of the club?Goodness , I've been a club member for 17 years! Where do you stay?I stay in Scotstoun. What made you start kayaking or canoeing?I was with my son who came along to club nights in the old Playdrome when he was 9yrs. We went to a Mince Pie Paddle and I couldn't paddle at all. I ended up in an open canoe with Sandy, who said, ' aye you're no much good at this either '. And I have never let him forget that!  What do you enjoy about the sport?I love getting to see beautiful places and kayaking allows us to visit so many of them. I enjoy challenging trips too, much more since I've improved my skills. Is it different to what you expected?I think DCKC is a very special club. I have had wonderful training within the club. Been on amazing trips. I have loved it since I joined. I have made...
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Matt

By Misha Comment Closed
Name?Matt Mears (39) How long have you been a club member?Club member 4 years Where do you stay ? I live in Renfrew What made you start kayaking or canoeing?Started kayaking as a different way of  seeing countries whilst travelling  What do you enjoy about the sport?I enjoy the places/cultures you get to see from being on a river and the mental side of the sport e.g overcoming nervousness by attempting a rapid/river you were initially apprehensive about and the feeling of accomplishment from doing it.  Is it different to what you expected?I  didn't realise how much you had to keep your skills current when paddling. You can't just take months off then expect to step back into it at the same level you were paddling before  Where all have you been kayaking?I have kayaked in UK, Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia What’s been your favorite trip so far and why?Favourite trip would be kayaking the Kali Sarda on the border of Nepal and...
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Celia

By Misha Comment Closed
Name?Celia Gray How long have you been a club member?I’ve been a member of the club for around 6 years Where do you stay?I live in Strathaven South Lanarkshire What made you start kayaking or canoeing?My first time in a sea kayak was when I was cycling to Applecross and had a half day's introduction to sea kayaking. I loved it and was instantly hooked! I love being able to access areas with my kayak that you couldn’t get to normally i.e. caves, and small secluded beaches. I also love the wildlife having had amazing opportunities to see sea eagles, shear waters, dolphins, minkie whale, otters and more recently I seen an Orca up close! What do you enjoy about the sport?Kayaking can offer very different experiences. One minute you can be paddling along enjoying the view, the next being tossed around on a confused sea. The challenges it brings are immense and always keep you alert and...
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Stuart

By Misha Comment Closed
NameStewart Rattray (38) How long have you been a club member 2 years Where do you stay ? East Dunbartonshire What made you start kayaking or canoeing? So I’m a returnee to kayaking and canoeing … I came back to it after a long time away.  We had kayaks and canoes and sailing dinghies as kids - my father was a keen boater but I stopped ~17/18. I came back to kayaking in the autumn of Covid during the periods of limited movement simply because it was one of the few things we were still allowed to do. I was very lucky to get landed with Sandy Johnston as a coach who quickly put me to work (there was a LOT of work to do!). It went from there. What do you enjoy about the sport? I like to be challenged and I need some excitement to get my kicks. Whitewater paddling gives me that.  Big & scary or sedate & calm .. you make Kayaking into whatever...
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Andrew

By Misha Comment Closed
Andrew enjoying some evening sunshine on DCKC's 'Introduction to Expeditioning' trip to Lismore Name Andrew MacColl, 53 Where do you stay? Denny What made you start kayaking/ Canoeing? After a kayak excursion in Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, realising that it would be good way of interacting with Scottish lochs rather than just driving past them. What do you enjoy about the sport? Getting to see places in a more connected, up close and personal way. Is it different to what you expected?! It pushes me beyond my comfort zone. In the words of Dr. Seuss: “When something bad happens [Stonehaven] you have three choices: you can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.” Where all have you been kayaking? All over Scotland including Barra, St Kilda, Skye and Orkney. And further afield including Anglesey, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Sardinia, Fuerteventura, Greece, British Columbia, the Galapagos and Antarctica. What's been your favourite trip so far? British Columbia because it was during orca and humpback whale...
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Wow, we got there to St Kilda!

By graham Comment Closed
A trip report by Janice Gow. MV Cuma Kayak Store Saturday 13th August Arrived at Miavaig Pier, West Loch Roag and MV Cuma at 4pm today. (Some of us, Bev, Marcus, Joe, Graham, Hannah and I, had travelled through the night from Glasgow before the ferry from Ullapool at 10am – thanks Hannah and Graham for all that driving.) Met everyone else there – Pat, Alan, Misha, Angus, Danny and Geoff. Got kayaks on, tied to side of boat with our roof straps, got all our bags on and got our cabins. Murdo, our skipper, had said we were going to Scarp, that St Kilda wasn’t possible, and we’d known it wasn’t likely given the forecast. BUT as we travelled, we became aware we were going away from the coast and going west? A big cheer went up. We were going to St Kilda! St Kilda is 45 miles west of Harris, an archipelago of five islands, the biggest one being Hirta, the one that...
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Fairy Isles & Loch Sween Trip Report

By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed
By Martin Kendall Friday 8th July saw a group of ten take to the roads and head to Tayvallich, Argyll & Bute for a three-day kayak/camping expedition. Everyone arrived at the campsite Friday lunchtime with the idea of fitting in an afternoon paddle up Caol Scotnish and round to the Fairy Isles. Tents were set up in the campsite and the kayaks were deployed from the shore at Tayvallich where we headed north into Caol Scotnish which is a narrow stretch of water approximately 4km to the bay end. En route the group stopped on one of the very small islands (Eilean na Circe) which has the remnants of a fortified dwelling on it. The group kept an eye out for interesting wild and marine life and a pair of Ospreys were spotted with one carrying a large fish it had just caught. We then tracked back down this stretch of water and headed northeast to the Fairy Isles. As it...
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Summer Isles – Trip Report

By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed
By Paul Gardener Thanks to both Bev (for organizing) and the Queen (for conveniently having a 4-day jubilee holiday), 11 members of the club had a trip to remember around the Summer Isles.  A lot of caves, varying sea states around the cliffs and rocky shores, and the weather just kept getting better… On the Thursday afternoon, we left the beach just north of Achiltibuie and crossed to Tanera Mor.  There was no obvious campsite to aim for, so we traversed around the south of the island and then west across to Tanera Beg, looking in at possible beaches.  All looked bouldery and slippy.  Eventually after going round Tanera Beg we found an adequate landing spot on Eilean Fada Mor, where the boats with some difficulty could be unloaded and lifted up to safety.  Tidal range was close to maximum, and conveniently the morning high tide was around 10 am, resulting in civilized start times on all days.  On Eilean Fada Mor...
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Equipment Sale June 2022

By graham Comment Closed
We are offering a number of items of equipment for sale to members. These are items that were generously donated to the club by retiring kayakers (some of whom weren't club members but were looking for a good home). Most items donated have become part of the club equipment for all members however some items weren't quite right for club equipment. All funds will go towards club activities, helping coaches and trip leaders with their training and key safety equipment. Items for sale include dry bags, BA's, dry tops, v-bars for roof racks and more. We are proposing to do as a mini-auction and are able to take maximum bids in advance. Please email graham (graham.m.swanson@gmail.com ) with the item(s) you are interested in. We aim to have items that people might want to try on available at the June 28th Loch Lomond session. Closing bids by 5pm Monday 4th July! Important: The equipment is only for sale to club members - please do...
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Amazing Lottery Award from Awards for All

By graham Comment Closed
We have been awarded £6500 from the National Lottery Awards for All to allow us to purchase new sea kayaks for use by all our members. This will make a huge difference to how many people can go paddling and we have managed to source a range of kayaks including ones suitable for a range of paddler sizes. Last year we had organised and been supported by club members to run a number of community events including for youth groups, litter picks and for a disadvantaged groups. As well as being great fun at the events they helped us to show the funder the ways the club contributes to our wider community....
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Paddling Opportunities next week October 12 – 17.

By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed
Sandy has a few Paddling opportunities next week which may interest you. Tuesday 12 October – Paddlesport Touring Leader Assessment I am looking for canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders to be led as part of this assessment. The environment for this includes open water in windy conditions and also rivers with mostly grade 1 and short rapids of grade 2. Don’t worry if you have not been on a river before as you will be well looked after. We will meet at the Balloch container to make sure we have all the equipment need and then travel from there to the location to be used on the day. The only cost to you will be travel which we will hopefully share and of course you need to bring your own lunch. Wednesday 13 October – Paddlesport Leader Assessment This one will be held at Loch Lomond. Again I need canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders to be led during the assessment. No costs other than your lunch! Thursday 14 October – Foundation Safety and Rescue Training I have two people signed up...
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Sea Kayaking trip report, Skye 18 to 23 August 2021

By graham Comment Closed
by Gianni Filippi ably assisted on Day 1 by Danny This trip, Plan E, was organised at short notice to take advantage of a favourable weather window after a strong winds forecast delayed our start by a few days. The location was Skye, the great playground for sea kayakers. The launch point was the working harbour at Meanish Pier and ended at Elgol, a focal point for tourists taking advantage of the varied boat trips on offer. This trip involved setting up a shuttle between Elgol and Meanish Pier. Day 1 - Spar Cave With great anticipation we met at 12.00 noon at Elgol. Before setting up the shuttle, we took advantage of the time allowed to have a short paddle from Elgol which was of course all carefully planned. The aim of the day’s paddle was to discover and investigate Spar Cave. The tide was high which meant we would not be sharing our experience with walkers who can...
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Bute Camping Trip (or “The 19!”)

By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed
28-30 August 2021 Over Etrrick low tide sands,The 19 pack their crafts A three-day trip requires bulk: The 19 puff, stuff hatches stern and aft Then launch, once briefed and photographed Go west, go west and west a little more Just past Ardlamont point: a pause Unpack a spot of lunch An onshore opportunity to start and to recharge 19 friendships.  This group is just so large! Yet more west the 19 paddleFlotilla pattern, set to Roddy’s stampA course to Kintyre – the Skipness Castle strandBy sliver sands, set up the campRefreshing swims, meals and fire lights Next morning breaks damp, grey, a little windyAgainst the forecast waves do more than danceRethink the plan, Lochranza is abandoned Aim for the crowing Cock of ArranSofter seas, and eastwards to Inchmarnoch West coast, the island hosts a second night19 tents face Arran’s Sleeping Warrior *Tired but more confident A team of 19 chatter, banterLater turn to bed, and join the soldier. Unlike the warrior, 19 early...
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Awesome DCKC Expedition August 2019

By graham Comment Closed
A group of fourteen paddlers signed up for a week’s sea kayaking in the North East of Scotland, we were holding off making decisions about the final destination in the hope that the winds would ease sufficiently for us to head for Orkney or Shetland. We conceded a night or two ahead of departure and converged instead on the Old Brewery Hostel in Cromarty on the Black Isle. The Hostel was a treat – and we nearly had it all to ourselves. Day 1 Saturday : Rosemarkie to Cromarty 25km 5 hours Conditions: Dry, light wind, flat calm initially F2 later in day Oil rigs in Cromarty Firth We launched from the beach at Rosemarkie Bay tucked in behind Chanonry Pont, and paddled out to the Point then directly across to Fort George. We had a lunch stop at the atmospheric Eathie salmon station – and learned a thing or two about the salmon fishing industry over the past 2 centuries. As we...
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