Nevis Canoe Club...On the Nevis!

What will happen next? We might even paddle Canoes. Judging by the river level gauge Alan and Graham thought there would be more water in the Nevis than there actually was. They still had an interesting time.



Alan Patterson on the Dead Sheep Falls

Upper Roy

Some of the guys braved the cold water today and hit the Upper Roy. The original plan was to go to the Orchy and meet up with the Oban Canoe Club. But with so much water around the guys decided to stay local and head to the Roy.

Edinburgh Kayak Club were providing the safety

Keith in the Roy

All Go Next Weekend

Lots going on next weekend on Saturday the 17th. Hopefully this will break it down.

River Kayaking

You may already know we have a river trip planned on the Lower Orchy where we will try and meet up with the Oban Canoe Club. This is a grade 3 river so it will be for intermediate paddlers.
However if people are up for it and if there is enough interest then we can run a separate trip on the Upper Orchy (grade 2). Which ends at the bridge of Orchy Hotel. This all depends on the amount of water in the river on Saturday. If there isn't enough water then we will change venue.

Get in touch via here or Facebook and let us know if you are up for the Lower Orchy or Upper Orchy.

Sea Kayaking

We also have Sea trips organised for Saturday and Sunday. This will all be depending on the weather in terms of venue. If you are interested please get in touch with

Chris Webster chris.webster.984786@facebook.com

and/or

John Jenkins JohnRichardJenkins@Gmail.com

Christmas Night Out

Finally our last pool session is on the 30th of November so I was thinking that we could head to Cobbs afterwards for a social pint. Another option would be to meet at the Tavern before hand because they have a beat the clock offer on at the moment (get there at 5.30 you pay £5.30).

It you want to come to either/or or all three (the Tavern, the Pool and the Pub) then let us know. Would love to know your thoughts.

If you could pass this onto anyone that you think might be interested then please do.

Small Print - http://neviscc.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/OUR%20CONDITIONS

In Search of Water

There was lots going on in the club this Sunday river and sea paddlers were out. Even though there is a distinct lack of water around the Fort the river paddlers where able to find some fun in the Spean Gorge. 

Craig and Suzy on the Spean Gorge
Photos: Boistelle

The sea paddlers didn't have any problem finding the water and had a great paddle from Arisaig to Mallaig with a stop at a small beach at Camus Darach for lunch. Force 3 tailwind and sunshine!

Back in Mallaig
Photos: Brian Morrison

Not a Lot of Water

There wasn't much water around today however that didn't stop some of the guys heading to the Upper Roy. The fact that there wasn't much water was rather useful because most of the paddlers were looking for an easy day to dust off the cob webs.

 

 

Craig and Alistair having some fun

This tree was spotted under the Roy Bridge looks new and might move in high flows. 

Exploring Arisaig

Some of the instructors from Outward Bound were looking for some volunteers to go out sea kayaking with them. This was in preperation for their moderate water endorsement.  

The weather was really kind to us, offering fantastic views of the isles. They also reported seeing loads of wild life including a stag on one of the islands and plenty of seals.

Just about to set off

Heading out towards Eigg and Rum

Spot of lunch

Saw this chap on one of the islands

Anne getting followed by the seals

Left to Right: John, Sean ad Chris our coaches for the day

photos by Boistelle

River Oich

We had a big gang out for the Oich trip today. Roger, Fiona, Erika, Keith, Allan, Lyndsay, Andrew, Briget and Graham all had a nice gentle day on the river. Only two swims and some of the group saw an Otter. The day was finished off at the Invergarry Hotel for a much needed warm drink.

A big thanks to all those who joined us and to Bridget for leading the trip lets hope that there is many more after this.

Getting ready 

Andew heading down the weir

Roger was also able to take some footage of the trip for us.

Plenty of Water

Tthere is plenty water everywhere at the moment. Some of the guys were fortunate enough to make some use of it today when Ron, Dave, Ali and Graham hit the Upper Roy. When this is high it is a really enjoyable and steady Grade 3 with one wee hard bit at the end.
Dave was also able to try out his new helmet camera.

 

Latest News and Updates

This is just a quick update to inform you of what is going on with regards to the club.

Affiliation With Lochaber Yacht Club

As of Tuesday the 18th of September we have become affiliated with the Yacht club. This means we have a meeting and launching area with access to showers and a brew. Hopefully it will also allow us to join forces with regards to social events and other fun things.

Pool Sessions

The adult pool sessions will be starting up in November. These will be held on Fridays from 8pm - 9pm Members Only £3. There will be another reminder nearer the time. We also have kid sessions starting soon also just wait for the e-mail.

Sea Kayak

If you missed/deleted the last email that went round. You might have missed the news that John Jenkins is going to be leading some sea kayaking trips this has seen some interest already. So if your interested then get in touch with him - JohnRichardJenkins@gmail.com Also check the small print http://neviscc.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/OUR%20CONDITIONS

Led River Trips
The Garry is running on Saturday the 29th of September (next week) and Saturday the 13th of October. We are organising trips on these dates for anyone that would like to come along.

Sunday the 13th of October we will have two separate trips on to the Garry (Grade 3) and a trip to the Oich (Grade 2 beginner friendly) on the same day. To give those with less experience a chance to try something a bit easier.

Both Saturdays have the option of afternoon tea at the Invergarry Hotel for those that want to come along to these please get in touch asap. All we ask is a £3 for drivers, to keep them sweet.

Usual Garry Trips

The Garry also has some Thursdays left as well however the days are getting shorter but we still want to get as many days on this as possible. We can't guarantee the wo/manpower so if you would like to come along do so if you are happy to walk round scary things and give £3 to drivers - the small print applies http://neviscc.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/OUR%20CONDITIONS

Boat Storage

We are looking for a different way to store some of the boats and we were wondering if anyone knew of any storage containers that people would be looking to sell/get rid of (the cheaper the better). If so we would appreciate you getting in touch.

The Arkaig

The club was out on a Thursday and they didn't go to the Garry!! Instead they met up and had a good time on the Garry. Briget, Ali, Oscar, Ron and Graham reported that it wasn't that high however it did make for a really pleasant paddle. with everyone having a successful descent.

No Trees in the Spean Gorge

Henry and Graham were on the Spean Gorge yesterday. They ran it when it was quite low and didn't find any trees at the bottom of the fairy steps or further in the gorge. I think this is due to some people chopping them and them getting flushed out.

Henry on the Spean Gorge, Headbanger

Garry Sessions

We had our first taster on the Garry this Thursday, which went really well. Aeleen and Allan played around on some flat water then went down a very gentle grade 2 rapid.
While we pottered around the rest of the our members played at the usual spot.

Paddler: Dave P

The Garry Bites Back

As usual a few of us headed to the Garry this Thursday. The weather was pretty miserable but luckily that doesn't matter too much when paddling.
Johann had a little accident that he shrugged off at the time but a couple of days later the doctors confirmed he broke his hand. Hopefully he will return to full strength soon and it doesn't affect his climbing too much.

Paddler: Dave P
Photo: Boistelle

No Longer Beginners

Our beginner sessions ended this week with Craig taking our new members on a journey around Loch Eil. The weather was truly scottish but this didn't stop anyone having a good time. We have more people looking for begginer courses so hopefully we will get some more planned in the near future.

Attack Of The Weekend Warriors

It was the first Saturday Release on the Garry today and the Club had 7 of our members on the river. That plus the Oban club, Vertical Descents and Highland Activities. It looks like summer has started!

Paddler: Alan Paterson
Photo: Graham Boistelle

Loch Eilt

Out of all the fearless paddlers in the Nevis Canoe Club Paul Biggin and Ken Stevenson were the only ones brave enough to face the weather. They a quick paddle on Loch Eilt missed the steam train but caught the diesel!

In The Wrong Boat

A few of us accepted Lochaber Yacht Clubs invite to come and try sailing for an evening. This was for the regatta they are holding at the moment, which will finish tomorrow with a race, booze and grub, all for the very low price of £5.

Keith pretending he's a sailor

Beginners/Improvers Sessions

It was our second of four beginner/improver sessions that we are running from Loch Eil. So Craig and Graham were out with some locals for a nice paddle up Loch Eil. The weather was much nicer than planned and they even had some deliberate swimmers!

Thursday Session on the Garry

Ron, Bridget, Oscar and Dave hit the Garry tonight for the evening session. The report from them was that the Garry as as good as it always is and that the midges weren't out in force.

Paddler: Ron Cameron
Photo: Bridget Thomas

Paddler: Oscar
Photo Bridget Thomas

Paddler: Bridget Thomas (?)
Photo: Dave Parfitt

Beginner and Improvers

We started the first of three beginner and improver courses this week, as usual these courses are for anyone to come along and try. The courses will be running for the next two wednesdays so please contact Dave Parfitt (d_parfitt@yahoo.com) if you want to come and join us.
Tonight we had ten wannabe paddlers join Lee and Mike at Loch Eil for a shot in the sea Kayaks. They had lovely calm weather and conditions lets hope they get this next week also.

Lambs to the Slaughter

Thursday Can Only Mean One Thing

This time it was just Dave, Alan, Oscar and Graham up for a run on the Garry. After being eaten alive by midges, which is becoming a weekly tradition of post paddle torture, they jumped on the river and had good play.



Paddler: Dave Parfitt
Photo:Graham Boistelle

Paddler: Oscar
Photo: Graham Boistelle

The Beginner Courses

It was the last of our beginner courses organised by the Lochaber Leisure centre. Today Graham was joined by Ann, Lauren, Brady, Eleanor, Leanne and Aileen. We paddled across Loch Eil and back looked at some artwork or graffiti depending on your opinion.

Smiles all round

Brady on the Loch

Fun in the Sun

Sun on Loch Eil

Today the club had two schools come to Loch Eil to have some fun with boats. The water was nice and warm and like always the kids had more fun jumping in the water at the end, than playing with the boats.

River Garry Time

Dave, Oscar, Henry and Graham were out for the weekly trip to the Garry. The mainreport back was that you need to watch out for the clouds of midgies. Appart from that the river was busy with a lot of paddlers from Inverness but there was plenty of river for all of us.

Paddler: Graham Boistelle
Photographer: Dave Parfitt

Paddler: Dave Parfitt
Photographer: Graham Boistelle

Paddler: Alan Paterson
Photo: Heather Penmann

Eilean Balnagowan from Cuil Bay

Last night our small group of 4 went out to Eilean Balnagowan from Cuil Bay. Paddling out we had a southwest wind in our face so we soon warmed up. Out around the island we saw some black guillemot and lots of gulls - nesting time. With incoming tide and wind at our back it was an easy paddle back.

Leven on a Kayak

A few club members got together for one of our Tuesday night paddles. They headed to Loch Leven and enjoyed some of Lochaber's nicer weather.

Don't know when he'll be back again

The group passing the now famous statue of Leven