News

SCA Tour 29/07/2018

13/07/2018 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

Sandy Johnston is running an SCA Tour on 29/07/2018 entitled Loch Lomond Canoe and SUP. If anyone is interested in either craft and fancies a day out on the Loch contact Sandy on sandy.johnston@sky.com We can arrange the use of club canoes however you will need your own SUP if that is your preference. Sandy...

Glenuig Weekend May 2018

30/05/201830/05/2018 By Pat Smith Comment Closed

Keywords: settee, swim, perfect calm, view of Small Isles, 'someone's taken my kayak', otter, 'how much for a go in your canoe Mister' Who was there: Janice, Anne, Bev, Marcus, Alan, Pat Special guests: Morven who brought her parents Jo and Michael, and Liz (sister of Janice) Conditions each day Weather: perfect calm Sea state: perfect calm Views: fabulous over to Small Isles, Skye, Coll Friday night we were down at the settee on the shore watching one of several fabulous sunsets Saturday Loch Moidart 25km Put in Samalaman by Glenuig with carry out over sand. Paddled out round Smirisary to first stop at Silver Sands. Then on to lagoon formed by low tide at SW corner of Eilean Shona for lunch. Continued on through South Channel to explore Castle Tioram then through North Channel to arrive back at Samalaman. On the way, a few of us gals went swimming from Eilean Shona beach - it was Baltic but don't let that put you off. It was a lovely spot...

Ganavan Sands to Kerrerra

29/04/2018 By Gerry oSullivan Comment Closed

This was an excellent day trip led by Rab. There were 11 of us in total. Myself, Rab, Danny, Grant, Janice, Anne, Pat, Bev, Jim, Marcus and Iain. We all planned to meet on Ganavan Sands for 10:00 am. Myself, Janice and Anne decided to hostel it on Friday evening. A great plan we thought, a good night’s sleep in Oban before our paddle. As they say, all the best laid plans... and all that jazz. (Note to self...Remember when staying in a hostel to bring ear plugs and eye mask). Lights and hair dryers being used in the same room as you are trying to sleep are not particularly welcome at 4:30 or 6:00 in the morning. However, we all survived and headed out of Oban to the put in point. It was a perfect morning. Sun shining and pan flat sea. Ganavan Sands was a perfect put in spot. Sandy beach and no rocks or slip on yer bahuckie...

Sea Kayak Leadership Training, aka 4 Star Training

17/04/2018 By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed

Four of us (Alan, Bev, Colin and Danny) gathered at Tayvallich, more specifically The Tayvallich Inn, on the Friday night having duly parked vans or pitched tents, and nervously discussed weather forecasts and tides, in between sipping beer and eating excellent food – despite the lack of Beef Madras. Lori and Antje texted to say that they were heading straight to their luxury accommodation of a B&B and such was the quality of the internet connection that some of us received the text the following night and others on Sunday. An early night and off to bed, the campsite just a short walk through the rain on a cloudy night. Morning was dry, but overcast. Calum, our trainer for the weekend, arrived promptly at 9am just shortly after Lori and Antje had arrived, and we were straight into planning the trip for the day, and being quizzed on tides, forecasts, and options. A suitable plan was finally agreed upon and we...

Bothy Adventures

14/03/2018 By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed

Saturday dawned grey, but dry. Arriving first (or so they thought) Bev and Geri set out to search Plockton for coffee, only to see a sea kayak being carried down to the beach. Closer inspection revealed Leigh under the kayak, girl-handling it over the seaweed like a pro. Take-away coffees in hand, the three of us set about the mammoth task of trying to fit all the kit and food and more kit into the kayaks. There was some re-packing and some re-jigging of which kit was actually going and which had been brought along just to be stored in the car. In the midst of this chaos, Misha and Andy (Misha's pal, who lives on Skye) paddled into the bay. Finally, all kit was duly stowed, hatch covers battered down and boats slid (slowly) over the last bit of seaweed into the water. Only an hour or so late... We paddled out into Loch Carron from Plockton, aiming to cross...

The River Teith – Mighty Again

26/02/2018 By Bev Ouzman Comment Closed

With some trepidation I signed up to Leigh's River Teith trip - she helpfully texted me the night before to let me know the water would be "pretty cold" so we would need drysuits, warm clothes and soup. We met at the container to sort out what must surely be the smallest boat ever for me - and headed up in convoy to Callander. Snow was lying all around as we sorted the kit in the car park and I'm sure that it was just the frozen ground that was giving me cold feet! We warmed up by practising some ferry gliding near the car park, with Leigh and Bernie offering encouragement and I soon found out the the smallest boat ever had a mind of its own and turned at right angles even if I so much as thought of putting the paddle in. Heading off down the river, careful to avoid the fishermen, we practised breaking in and...

Easter Open Canoe trip 30/03/2018 – 01/04/2018

12/02/201812/02/2018 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

Hi As usual we are planning to run an open canoe trip over the Easter weekend. Possible venues include The Great Glen, The River Tay from Killin to Perth, The River Spey from Loch Inch to the sea, the River Dee or the River Tweed. The plan would be to paddle the route, wild camping overnight and be self sufficient. The final choice of venue will be dependent on weather/participants/river levels and the aspirations of those taking part. If doing this type of trip with a commercial provider you would be looking at £400 per head. We will manage it for a lot less. If interested please contact Sandy on sandy.johnston@sky.com Keep an eye out for the training days when open canoeing wisdom can be obtained!...

Boofing Resources

14/11/2017 By graham Comment Closed

Some pre-reading for a Pinkston boofing session. If you like to read then follow the first link. Otherwise some videos embedded can help. Different authors will give slightly different views! https://www.canoekayak.com/skills/how-to-boof/ https://paddling.com/learn/boofing/ http://blistergearreview.com/recommended/pro-panel-boofing-technique Videos: If you have lots of time then:...

Tesco Bag Fund Nov & Dec 2017

02/11/201702/11/2017 By graham Comment Closed

We have been chosen as one of three Tesco "Bag fund" good causes and we need you to vote using a token in store for us during November and December.The award will makea real differnce by helping fund new boats and coach and trip leader training. 1st Place recieves £4000, 2nd place £2000 and 3rd place £1000. You can vote at: Hardgate Tesco Express, Place Hardgate Clydebank Helensburgh Tesco Express, Clyde St Helensburgh. Helensburgh Tesco Metro, Sinclair St Helensburgh Milngavie Tesco Superstore, Milngavie More info Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – raised fromcarrier bag sales in Tesco stores - being awarded to local communityprojects. greenspace scotland is working with Groundwork to provide support to communities in Scotland Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant. DRUMCHAPEL AND CLYDEBANK KAYAK CLUB...

August 26 2017 – Great Scottish Swim – And should we do other events?

30/10/2017 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

Thanks to all 22 kayakers who took part in the Great Scottish Swim and raised £2200 for the Club funds. This was a long day for all that took part. The initial briefing was described by one participant as occurring at an ungodly hour and everyone had to be there changed and ready to go! However everyone was kept busy and the day went without incident. (Or at least that was what I was told - any stories can be added below in the comments section below). We are approached from time to time asking for safety kayakers for various swim events with the normal payment being around £40 to £50 per kayaker. I haven't used these for fundraising in the past as I felt that this payment was insufficient compensation to people to give up their days off. However after discussing it with several club members who took part in the Great Scottish Swim these additional relatively local events could...

Autumn Winter River Trips 2017

Autumn Winter River Trips 2017

08/09/201727/10/2017 By graham Comment Closed

We have started adding some new river trips for the Autumn 2017 season. You can download our planning sheet at https://www.dropbox.com/s/72rha9et50m38cx/DCKC%20Autumn%20Winter%20River%20Series.docx?dl=0 but the calendar has the only current/live view. You can find out more by asking Sandy, Graham, Misha or any of the coaches at the pool session. If you are thinking about leading or seconding one of the trips please get in touch. Pinkston sessions are also a great way to develop some river skills. Some info on Grades is shown below. Rivers Although there is an International River Grading System (see below), we have a useful description to help you know which river trips you could consider attending. Easy (River) Trip – Suitable for beginners who have done forward paddling, capsize drill etc. E.g. someone working towards 2* standard and covered the basics. Easy rivers are typically Grade 1. May also suit anyone who fancies a nice paddle! Improver River Trips – A trip on moving water where you can learn breaking in and out, ferry gliding etc. You...

Eight New Canoe Polo Paddles – with help from Sports Council for Glasgow

07/09/2017 By graham Comment Closed

Our new canoe polo paddles have been in action. These were bought with the help of the Sports Council for Glasgow to help us run open canoe polo sessions over the summer. These have been a great success (no Donald Trump irony in the phrasing) and over 40 new people have tried polo and a good number of people have been hooked. We have committed to running Autumn/Winter sessions (see link for how to get involved) and are getting close to needing a second team for the national leagues. ...

Islay Sea and Surf Kayaking Weekend August 2017

Islay Sea and Surf Kayaking Weekend August 2017

10/08/201727/10/2017 By graham Comment Closed

Allegedly, Misha had suggested to Graham a couple of days paddling on Islay. Ever enthusiastic, Graham’s response led to the pair of them organising and leading a full-on club trip to the island. Thus, on the evening of Friday 4th August, a number of club members and their vehicles joined the queue at Kennacraig ferry terminal on West Loch Tarbert to board the 6pm sailing to Port Askaig on Islay. After a two hour crossing that included a meal on board we disembarked for a quick drive across the island to the scenic Machir bay on the west coast where wild camping behind the sand dunes had been proposed as our luxury accommodation for the weekend. On arriving in the Bay we were met by the advance party consisting of Pat, Graham and the Starship Enterprise, aka Pat’s motorhome, who’d all caught the earlier ferry to Port Ellen on the south of the island. After pitching tents, a camp fire...

The Mighty Teith – June 17th 2017

26/06/201728/06/2017 By Leigh Murray Comment Closed

On a calm overcast morning, 4 of us set off from Miller St all kitted up – Leigh (our trip leader), Marcus, Clive and myself. We met up with Graham Roy at Callander car park with his open boat. After leaving some cars at the Torrie lay-by some miles downriver, Leigh gave us an excellent pre-trip brief of the day ahead of us, safety checks, signals, etc. and we all showed off our individual kayak experience (or lack of). It was a busy car park. It looked like we were sharing the river Teith with a big group of kayakers from the Stirling Kayak Club. To get us warmed up we went upriver a bit to practice ferry gliding and breaking in and out of the current, which allowed the Stirling group to go on ahead. Leigh went to the front of the group to show us the correct lines, with Graham bringing up the rear in...

Beginners Trip – Loch Lubnaig – Sunday 7th May

10/05/2017 By Sandy Johnston Comment Closed

The weather has been glorious over the last few days and that was no exception this Sunday when Sandy, Paul, Alison, Ellen, Jim, Connor, Paul, David, Clive, me (Geri) and Matthew met at the Miller Street container for what looked like a positive start to the day. It was a fairly straight forward drive up to the Loch although it was fairly clear that traffic might be an issue at some point in the day. Significantly smaller than the major lakes of the area, but easily accessible along the A84, Loch Lubnaig is popular with picnicker, walkers and cyclists. There are two car parks providing easy access to the southern end of the loch, both close to pleasant beaches. A parking fee applied of £4 for the day but the new pound coin didn’t work, neither apparently did a card, so for some, parking was free. In all we were 11 paddlers (with two junior kayakers joining us). It was the...