Helensburgh CC

Double click on photos to view full screen. Especially recommended for two photos; “North beach, Inchmurrin” and “Inchmurrin, Creinch, Torrisnch and Clouds”

Paddlers: Geoff, Lee, Tim and John R.

Weather: Brilliant. Bright sun all day.

Route:

Report: South Loch Lomond is a familiar patch of water for training so this trip we aimed to do something different by looking and photographing the castles and mansions of the area. As will be obvious from the following, the incredible natural beauty of the Loch still completely dominated the trip.

Left about 10.30, leisurely paddle with prolonged coffee and lunch stops, 20km and back by 4. A wonderful day.

Paddlers: Neil, Grant, Moose(?) [Leaders], Adele, Stewart, Mark, Vee, Boo, Geoff, Brian, Steven

Weather: Fine, bright, Mostly sunny

Route: River Teith; Callendar to exit point on left bank 800m past the Torrie Rapid

Report: After normal delays involving car transfers we finally got on the river  at the Callendar Car Park at about 11.15.

We then paddled the canoes up to the junction of the Leny and the Teith for some introductory instruction on Ferry Gliding and to get used to canoes and particularly tandem canoeing. From there we headed down river through increasingly difficult water with various much appreciated stops for instruction and coaching.

 

The importance of using eddies became increasingly obvious.  Afetr an excellent lunch we then headed further down through various Grade 1 rapids until we reached the crux; the Grade 2 Torrie Rapid. All decided to run the rapid and all did succesfully.

We arrived at our exit point around 3.30pm. To get to the cars we had a short steep climb up from the river to the road and then a crossing of the A84 to the lay-by, probably the most dangerous activity of the day. The usual delays in changing, tying on and collecting cars resluted in a 5pm arrival in Helensburgh.

All in all an excellent day, with many thanks to Neil for arranging it and Grant and Moose for coaching. Our thanks to Grant for illustrating that not only novices go swimming. Trip much appreciated. Still have a way to go though, albeit not so far, to convince me to use a canoe rather than a kayak.

Paddlers: David, Damien, Geoff, Charlotte, John R

Weather: Dry, bright in morning. Got greyer and colder with a noticeable breeze from SW
in afternoon.

Route: 

Report: Charlotte had gained permission to launch at the slip at the Cove Sailing Club but thiswas slippier than ice and so we had a difficult clamber to get to/from beach. The traditonal launch point at the public car park is actually easier. From Cove (at around 1030) we paddled across to Blairmore Pier. The NW breeze made for some difficulties in the paddling for the least experienced.

We then headed north against wind and tide. It is not the most interesting or impressive scenery; the only item worth noting is that the Ardentinny Hotel is currently being rebuilt and presumably will re-open in the near future. However good conversation helped pass the time

We stopped at the beach at Ardentinny where there were picnic tables and toilets above the best sand beach in the area. It did not take long for the cold to become obvious.

From Ardentinny we headed across the Loch to Coulport then south against a strongish tide and stiffish cold breeze, which had swung round 120 degrees. The breeze generated a small chop. Not hard but toughish for the inexperienced. Probably the most interesting feature of the trip were the large, unique Victorian houses/mansions found on both sides of Loch Long. Arrived back around 3.30.

 

 

In some ways a disappointing trip, with the promise of sun not fulfilled. Crossing Loch Long is a good evening trip but other destinations (e.g Holy Loch or Dunoon) offer more for a day trip.

Paddlers: Dave, Tim, Geoff

Weather: Wonderful. Sunny for 99% and very little breeze.

Route: 

Report: The forecast was excellent so we hastily arranged a local trip. Although the club has doe this trip many, many times it is still an absolute pleasure with dramatic scenery and the forlorn village of Carrick Castle. We left from the normal place at the car park at about 10.15. Access to the beach is notably more difficult after the storms. The views north and south were breathtaking with a topping of snow to really impress.

The paddle was going so well we decided to head further up Loch Goil to a beach by Cormorochan, a collection of smart holiday homes. On the point a community of about 12 grey seals came to visit.

The return journey was equally outstanding scenically. A short break to visit and report on the MBA bothy at Mark was aborted, as the very high tide made the landing difficult. This same diffiuclty was experienced when landing at the car park.  Gel coat filler is definitely on the shopping list. We got back around 2.45 after a truly excellent day out.

 

Paddlers: Geoff, Pete, Rosie and Tim (castlecraigs)

Route: Tarbet-Pulpit Rock;Island-I-Vow; Inversnaid; Tarbet

Weather: Bright and Sunny hazing over in the afternoon. Light breeze but cold.

Report: After weeks of rain and storms this was THE DAY when it all stopped and the sun came out. For just one day there was an opportunity to run a postponed SSKEG (Scottish Sea Kayak Electronic Group) to the north of the loch. It was a wonderful day.

Paddlers: Stewart, Adele, Vee, Boo, Geoff, Robin, Chris (Lomond) and Colin

Weather: Cold and Grey. Little wind.

Report: At last the weather relented and a dry, wind free morning was promised. The cold however, was an ever present making gloves essential and even then still freezing fingers and toes. A gentle paddle from Luss took us over to  Inchvannach where an attempt to fix Boo’s right footrest was made.

From there some of us pushed on to Inchmoan and the big sand beach.

However, given the possibility of significant wind, others decided that a trip round Inchconnachan was a better plan. As a result the lead group was summoned back from Inchmoan and we all eventually met up on a beach on Inchconnachan for a hot drink and mince pie.

 

During the break the forecast strong wind got up briefly and then completely disappeared, leaving and almost windless return trip via the narows.

For unknown reasons (or alternatively because of the great company) the final paddle along the shore was extremely enjoyable. Overall, allowing for the pain in the toes, it was a really good trip.

Paddlers: Tim, Francis, Geoff and Allan (for a time)

Route : Craigendoran-Kilcreggan and not back

Weather: Cold, wet and windy

Report:

With a calm wind forecast this was intended to be a practice trip to gain experience. As it turned out this proved to be an experience for all the participants with some valuable lessons learnt without any real problems.

Despite the forecast the wind was actually F3/4 and the sea was quite lumpy, possibly partly the result of a high wind the previous night. After a short uncomfortable time on the water, Allan decided to go back to shore. For the remaining three the paddle round to Kilcreggan was problem free, the weather improved slightly and overall it was a pleasant morning.

 

After coffee and cake at Kilcreggan we decided to cross to Gourock for lunch but 100m out we  hit the main channel and a brisk wind. Given the tide had just changed and we were going to experience an increase in the sea state due to “wind against tide” this was quickly revised to a paddle back close to shore. Running downwind is not comfortable for the less experienced and after about half a mile we experienced our first capsize. This was quickly dealt with by righting the boat, popping in the paddler and pumping out. It was then decided that the best action was to paddle swiftly on in order to warm up. Lesson 1: After a capsize check the boat as well as the paddler and if necessary get to shore to empty the boat completely. We believe a hatch cover was not on properly and during the capsize a quantity of water had got into the forward compartment. Coupled with the inevitable quantity in the cockpit left after the pump out, this caused increasing instability and led to a second capsize.

The method used for the second capsize was a Scoop i.e floating the paddler into the boat, righting it and pumping out. Lesson 2. The scoop should only be used in the unlikely event that a casualty is injured or unconscious because the capsized paddler is in the water longer and the boat can get waterlogged. With water entering the front compartment this is what happened and the only solution was a swim to shore towing the capsized boat.  Inevitably the paddler, without a wet or dry suit, got chilled. After a change into dry clothes (standard requirement) and some jogging about, the escape route identified in the risk assessment was implemented. This involved a phone call to get transport (in this case Allan was thankfully available) and a short paddle back into the wind (much more stable) to a beach just east of Kilcreggan with easy access for a car. By 3pm we were back in Helensburgh reminiscing on an eventful day.

 

 

Paddlers: Hugh, Geoff, Tim, Sheila and John M

Weather: Bright with little wind. Getting misty and damp in afternoon.Cold

Route: Crinan to Ardrishaig!

Report: Forecast strong winds and a desire to fill in the last bit of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail led to the choice of fresh water and the Crinan Canal. Within these limitations it is a lovely paddle but with restricted landscapes and little of paddling interest.

We put in at the swing bridge at Crinan Ferry where there is space for 3 parked cars.

The low pontoons provided by Scottish Canals are excellent and the paddle to the first of the loch flights at Dunardry calm and attractive.

There are two loch flights between Crinan and Ardrishaig; Dunardry with 5 going up and Cairbaan with 4 going down. There is about 1 km between the two and it is a toss up whether you walk or paddle it.  Portage Trolleys are essential and can be borrowed free of charge from the Canals Office in Ardrishaig. Contact them before you go as they are shut at weekends in winter, although the canals officer will come down to give them out. The two we borrowed were brand new.

One problem was that one wheel on a brand new Decathlon trolley completely disintegrated and the kayak had to be carried. We have since established that a wheel on another Decathlon Trolley is splitting and close to disintegration. It appears that unlike pneumatic tyres, the solid plastic sand wheels fitted cannot take the vibrations of a track or tow path.  Seriously Not Recommended.

The path down from the pontoon to the Car Park is quite lengthy and again requires a trolley. We are very grateful to Tim and Sheila for moving all the boats down whilst we went back up to get the cars.

The timings were exactly as expected for the 9 miles. Allow 3 hours plus 1 hour for breaks and portage. A very pleasant trip; excellent for Beginners and as a tranquil interlude from “The Breakers that give one the shakers” on the wide open sea (as described in the classic song The Crinan for Me).