Flatwater trip ideas

This page lists suggestions and resources for flatwater trips. Members of the club are likely to have some of the offline resources mentioned - please ask on the forums.

General resources for flat water trips

• BCU 100 Paddles book - online, like
• Canoe focus has an archive of suggested paddles.
• http://www.canoedaysout.com/ has lots of good recommendations

Suggested paddles

River Wey and Godalming Navigations.

• fairly short flatwater paddles
• canoes can be hired: http://www.farncombeboats.co.uk/rowing.htm

Resources:

• National trust has book/map of the navigations (only sold at the site - no isbn)
• http://weyriver.co.uk/theriver/wey_nav_1.htm (and a map)
• Nicholson Guide ISBN 0-7028-3302-9

Lee Navigation

Generally the Lee offers easy flat water paddles - some are pretty, some are a little grim. Griff Rhys Jones' book & TV series 'Rivers' has a chapter/episode on the Lee Navigation and tells its history.

from limehouse basin (limehouse loop)

• near to the club (still need to drive the boats over)
• can do a loop though the navigation and the river
• lunch in Victoria park is an option

from Tottenham Hale

• canoes and kayaks can be hired from Stonebridge lock
• well connected to public transport - no cars needed
• high portages when going south
• not that pretty
• a number of riverside pubs exist

north of Enfield

• much prettier section of the Navigation, some beautiful scenery with lots of options for trips
• looping trips still possible
• a longer drive is needed
• put ins / car parking / bathroom stops need to be identified.

General Resources:

• lots of maps/leaflets of the navigation available

Non-tidal Thames including backwaters: St Patrick's stream, The Loddon

• the non-tidal Thames offers many paddling opertunites and trips.
• using the various backwaters you can make looping trips
• the club had a trip there in 2009
• Canoe focus covers part of the same area: [1]

Upper reaches of the Tidal Thames

• good put in at Kew Bridge (ramp + parking + old skool caff)
• tidal, so needs planning
• lots of potential stops down stream
• central London traffic can slow down journey to and from put in.
• upstream towards Richmond is a nice simple paddle with a little tidal flow

The River Medway

• there is loads of information about the Medway online. Get Googling.
• for starters see : http://medwaycanoetrail.co.uk/