Over the years we have had many a club trips to Thirlmere. The conditions are always unpredictable and can change in the blink of an eye. This was a good day to circumnavigate the lake. It was calm and sunny most of the day but a stiff breeze built up as we reached the dam wall near the end of the trip - just to let us know we had been lucky this time!! 
John organises these weekday tours once or twice a month on lakes or canal - if you would like to join his contact list for these outings send him your details. Pictures by Fran and John

At 1.30 pm on Saturday afternoon 11 novice paddlers and 3 coaches started to get boats on the water at between the 2 bridges at Greenodd. There was a lot of water coming down the Crake - especially over the weir! High tide at Barrow was at 2.00 so about 2.45 at Greenodd. There was a good sized tide at 9 .08 M and by the time we were all on the water the waves had calmed and the weir was no more.
It was a hard paddle up the river with the tide as there was a fair flow to push up against - the younger members of the team found this hard work but managed it well. Due to the volume of water we were able to paddle a good way up past Penny Bridge and practice a few moving water skills. 
On the way back down the beginners soon realized that it is more difficult controlling your direction when going with the flow - some low hanging trees had unexpected visitors but all survived the run back to Greenodd. 
At this point some tired youngsters (and mothers) landed while other went out into the Levens estuary where there was a fast ebbing tide and waves to practice ferry gliding on. Powerful eddies behind the foot bridge pillars proved a bit tricky for some.
We returned to the Crake where the weir was beginning to reappear and so some real keen souls went for a play on it.
All did really well and a couple pushed the envelop so far that they fell out of it!! (we like to see this as it's the fasted way to learn)
A comment from one of the beginners is, I suppose, what we all get from working together in a family club.
 
“Thanks for organising the trip today. It was just the right conditions and right level of challenge for us. Some of us and I am speaking for myself would have never dreamt of doing it had it not been for such good support available. 
All the three coaches were amazing- it all worked out well, I am sure it was just because it was thoroughly planned and meticulously executed.”
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John and several DCC members travelled north to circumnavigate Wastwater.  Lovely pictures of the days paddle by David Kyles

“Friday 31st July, we set off North to Mains Farm Campsite at Kirkoswald, near Penrith. On a lovely sunny afternoon, we all set up camp, a variety of tents a van and a caravan. After everyone was settled in and the toilets and showers were located, we all headed down to the river, just down a field from the campsite for a white-water safety training session. Although the water was very cold no one minded too much because the day was so warm. After a session of practice rescues, we headed back to camp for warm showers and to eat our evening meal.  We celebrated Julies Birthday after our meal, then headed into the field for a game of rounders. The teams were oldies verses youngsters (2 boys from the campsite joined in to make up the numbers). After our game (the youngsters won) we headed back to camp, after it got dark, we all retired to bed.
On Saturday, a car shuttle was put in, prior to the start of the days paddle at Brougham Castle. We paddled nearly 24 km on the River Eamont and Eden, mostly on flat water, with a little bit of white water. We stopped for lunch and then again at Lacy caves for a look around. Then back into the boats for the final paddle back to camp.  On-route we saw several fish jumping, buzzards, and herons. Arriving back at camp everyone was tired, so a shower and evening meal was followed by sitting and talking until darkness moved us all off to bed.
An early start Sunday, all the tents were taken down. It had rained overnight so it was all a bit wet.  All the drivers then took the loaded-up cars to the finish of todays paddle at Armathwaite bridge after everyone had arrived back at the campsite, we carried the boats down the field and back onto the river for the paddle. The last feature on the river was Armathwaite weir. A few of the paddlers attempted the weir while others took the less daunting (Chicken Shoot) route down.  Then down to the bridge for lunch, loading boats onto cars and trailer, then onward home for a well earned shower and a rest. “ By Coach Andy Longstaff. Great pictures by Sue, Vicky and Emily Longstaff. Visit the gallery to see the weekends full album.
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On Tuesday evening dock session Jack & Phoebe were launched onto the water by use of the seal launch built by John and Ray. They had a great time with it all being caught on video ( Click this link) by Penny.

The sessions at the docks, led by Head Coach John, have been well attended. I have grouped pictures together from two separate dock paddles as I feel you could be witnessing the birth of the new lightning team as pointed out by John when he wrote
“Abdallah has really missed seeing us all and having a good time at the pool sessions so it was great to see him on his first visit to the docks with dad Aban. He seems to have grown a lot since I last saw him at the pool - we will soon have him in our junior race team!!” By John
Aban, Geoff and their families enjoyed their time at the docks and will no doubt book in again.
Keep checking the calendar for dock sessions that you and your family can book on. Don’t forget that Covid 19 rules apply so numbers will be restricted to 6 at a time and  social distancing means John will not be rescuing anyone. So you need to be able to self-rescue / swim ashore or be in a household group that can rescue each other.
 

The sea paddle set off from Coopers Lane, Bardsea on Sunday afternoon. They paddled up the Leven Estuary and then across to Chapel Island to explore before making the return journey. Conditions made for a great padddle. To find out a bit more on Chapel Island, check out Johns Trivia.(scroll further down)

Thursday aftenoon saw a group of DCC members back on the water. Following covid 19 rules and keeping thier distance, all had a pleasant paddle and chat.
"I hope to start week day paddling tours again soon - these were originally aimed at retired / not at work/ shift work members who are reasonable paddlers able to look after themselves. This will need to be the case now as I will not be getting close up to rescue you!! or using a trailer to move boats about. Just to get into the swing of things again I am starting by running a session on the docks.  . These sessions will run for about 1 1/2 hr. and can cover some coaching of basics if you wish. check emails or calendar for days and times.
Numbers will be limited.Please let me know:-
1) if you are interested joining us for future weekday paddling.
 2) would like to attend the dock session
contact me directly at johnsherwen@hotmail.com    or    01229462905
club kit is available to use but the changing rooms and kitchen will not be open. 
SORRY to those less experienced members not able to join club activities at the present time. We will open activities up to you all as soon as restrictions permit and club coaches/ leaders feel it is safe for them to run activities."
john

Wednesday 1st july
Sea Paddle
"With a calm evening forecast we met up at Roa Island. 
Parking was a bit sparce as there had been a distress call and the life boat crew were attending. 
With a short carry we were soon on the water. 
It was 3 hours before High water and even on the neap tide there was quite a run on the channel. 
Once accross the channel the sea became calmer. 
We had a leisurely paddle round piel island and on to see the seals. 
As we reached the south end of walney we were joined be the inquisitive seals. 
With heads popping up all around us. 
There was a young seal enjoying basking in the evening sun on channel marker bouy. 
We then headed into bass pool. 
Then after the mandatory brew stop, we completed the circumnavigation of piel. 
Before heading back accross the channel we gave way to 2 large ships heading out to sea.
We were too soon back to were we started and an even shorter carry back to the cars
Another great evening with good company. "
Rob Hitchmough