News

Whatsapp Groups, short notice trips and club communciation

20/09/202220/09/2022 By Misha Comment Closed

The club has used various Whatsapp groups in recent years for communicating between club members and while on trips. In order to make it easier for club members to identify which groups might be relevant to them, we have published a list of Whatsapp groups and moderators which will be revised and updated over time. These can be found of this page....

Wow, we got there to St Kilda!

12/09/202221/09/2022 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...

Fairy Isles & Loch Sween Trip Report

18/07/202221/09/2022 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...

Summer Isles – Trip Report

18/07/202221/09/2022 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...

Equipment Sale June 2022

23/06/202223/06/2022 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...

Amazing Lottery Award from Awards for All

03/05/202203/03/2023 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....

Paddling Opportunities next week October 12 – 17.

06/10/202106/10/2021 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...

Sea Kayaking trip report, Skye 18 to 23 August 2021

22/09/202121/09/2022 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...

Bute Camping Trip (or “The 19!”)

13/09/202121/09/2022 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...

Awesome DCKC Expedition August 2019

06/09/202121/09/2022 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...

Beginner Paddle – Loch Lomond Islands – 7th August 2021

31/08/202131/08/2021 By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed

After collecting kit, boats and people at the Miller Street store, we all met up at Milarrochy Bay. There were 14 of us, and with nearly as many different weather forecasts - none of them very good, with many including thunder and lightning 😱⛈⚡️ The day started bright enough as we launched our boats, some a with little trepidation. Would we be up to a full day out? Would we be able to keep up? What if the wind picks up? What happens if there is thunderstorm? Any misgivings were soon eased by the reassurance and support from Bev, Hannah and Janice. We started paddling gently north towards Strathcashell Point, then west to skirt around the north shore of Inchlonaig, before heading south through the beautiful channel between Inchtavannach and Inchconnachan. I had previously paddled through here in April and was amazed at what a difference a few months makes to the water temperature, flora and fauna. The water was warm, at the surface at least, the ospreys had just returned...

Wonderful Donation to Club

24/07/202106/09/2021 By graham Comment Closed

In May 2021 the club was contacted by a retiring Kayaker looking to pass his much loved equipment to the club. Read more about history and adventures below. I am glad to donate 2 Nordkapp kayaks and kit to the club, and I applaud the club members who give of their time to coach and encourage people to participate in this activity. I trust that others will find the recreation that we experienced in them. Ian Smith and I were long time friends, kayaking blood brothers and business partners. Our kayaks gave us privileged access to one of the best kayaking venues in the world - Scotland. From the Mull of Galloway to Muckle Flugga on Shetland, and everything in between, we had the best of times over more than 30 years on the water. 3 tours to Orkney and 4 to Shetland are imprinted on our kayaking souls. Unforgettable the first time we experienced the hugh rhythmic swell around Noss headland, the pleasure of...

SUP

29/05/202129/05/2021 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

Stand-Up Paddleboarding. The club owns four iSUP paddleboards which are there for the use of club members. Sandy is currently working towards the SUP Open Water Coach qualification and has put together a series of dates through June/July to allow him to get some coaching practice in prior to going for assessment. If you would likke some coaching in this new branch of paddlesport, have a look at the dates and get in touch with Sandy....

Paddlers Wanted

02/04/202102/04/2021 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

Sandy is organising Paddlesport Leader Assessments on Sunday 2 May and Friday 7 May 2021. He needs volunteers who are willing to be led by our prospective leaders during the assessment. He needs beginner kayakers, canoeists and paddleboarders who can attend at Balloch on these dates. It should be stressed that these are authorised British Canoeing Courses that have been deemed essential for the participants so travel between local authority areas is permitted to allow you to attend although you should avoid car sharing and avoid using public transport. If you are available on either of these dates and would like to be led in a sheltered water environment, please contact Sandy on sandy.johnston@sky.com...

Ocean Racing (without getting your feet wet?)

04/08/202004/08/2020 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

The Ocean racing season has been cancelled this year due to Covid-19 however the SCA have provided the opportunity to race in a virtual manner and to raise funds for the RNLI who like all charities are suffering through the lack of normal fund-raising opportunities. More information can be found at..... https://sites.google.com/canoescotland.org/oceanracing/virtual-ocean-race-2020?fbclid=IwAR2SZihM1dGEa2Bh3ue3xY7QoGYqz5kgl22o-spahc7bludE34aloF_wSt8...