Liverpool University Canoe Club

Words: Andy Brammel Pictures Various 

Another awesome trip to the Alps took place in June, a big thanks to everyone that helped put it together; Ade and Will. The drivers; Dom, Chris and Ade, and the river gods for giving us Big Rivers, Lots of Water and Plenty of Beer, provided by the swimmers (cheers Will).
 

We left the pool on 8th June picking a few guys up near London on the way, 24 hours later tents were up in the valley and we were on the Lower Durance having a seal launch on the way, the rab wave claimed a few victims and 2 on the roll count for me.

Sunday we hit the Middle Guisane, everybody ran the top section, nice run with everybody dropping into the S bend rapid at the same time and some how no carnage, some guys ran the Lower Guisane too.

Monday we started with the Briancon Gorge, an awesome river, followed by the Claree. Some guys ran the top section, it looked good but a little out of my league. We all ran the bottom in the rain and it claimed a few swims.

Tuesday we all ran the Onde, a steep, fast and furiouse boulder garden river! It was like a game of pinball wizard! Later a few of us played pinball again down the Gironde, while some of the group ran the Durance Gorge. It looked pretty good after doing the Via Ferrata above it that night, one for next year!

Wednesday we hit the Ubaye, everybody ran the upper 2 sections, pretty uneventful. I joined the hardcore group and ran the Ubaye Racecourse, got to be the best river I did all week and another 2 on my roll count, PLF seemed to work well!

Thursday, a good day for swimmers, the Upper Giel claiming 5 I think followed by Chateaux Q claiming the first big fish, Will and Chris. A few of us the shot the Middle Giel from Letterbox down, hole dodging and another 1 on my roll count. A good night for beer, 14 crates I think

Friday, I hit the pub with Kev, Andy Ince and team Oz, chilled with a few beers for the afternoon while some guys rafted Chateaux Q and Guardian Angel in VERY high water!

Saturday we ran the Guisane again I shot both section but pulled out halfway down the lower after getting a beating while rolling, awesome river though and a deamon to beat next year!! Left the valley at about 2 getting in back in the pool for 9:30 Sunday morning a member of team no swim along with Lloyd, Lindsey, Aussie Dave, Cath, Ade, Dinny, Menzies, Matt C, James T, Andy I, Martin, Ben, Celia, and Wigan Andy. Respect to all and a big up to the swimmers and donkeys, you guys know who you are.

Great paddling trip, good group of people and lots of beer, awesome, will be back next year.

Cheers Andy

Hi just posting to remind you that the two biggest trips of the year are coming up - if you haven’t booked your place yet, then do it now - collar Will and Ade at the AGM or mail them

Scotland is Thurs 5th Apr-Mon 9th April with scottish burns, scary easter bunny (will), bunkhouse madness and swim-whiskies. You need to see Will, pretty much now, or sooner!

Alps (France contingent, minibus trip) is Friday June 8th - Sun June 17th and you need to see Ade. This trip to France is aimed in general at everyone, and involves paddling silvery water in the french alps in continuous sunshine - a somewhat different experience to blighty! (NB The subsequent “peaches trip to austria”, in individual cars, is just for the more capable people, chat to Will if you are interested in that extra week, but note that places are very limited.)

Both these trips are going to be great. If you are an, er, less confident paddler, then to get the most out of these trips, do try to go on as many weekend paddling trips beforehand as you can fit in. There will be rivers of various grades to suit all abilities, and the main aim is to get you paddling.

Note that Will is running a safety day in preparation for these trips, and in general for all of us to get/keep our safety skills up-to-date.

happy paddling

As of now, (Jan 2007), preparations are in hand for another best-trip-ever to the Alps

“What’s happening?

A canoeing trip to the Alps leaving on the 8th June 2007  there are 2 trips that may be possible either 1 week or 2.

How good to you have to be?

Well in the past we have taken some, ahem, paddlers with a high enthusiasm to skill ratio! Even if you’re quite a novice now, if you apply yourself between now and then and go on a few trips you should be fine. You will improve a lot while we’re there.

How much will it cost?

Approx £150 for the 1 week version, probably £250ish for the 2 week.

How much canoeing will I get for my money?

As much as you can shake a stick at at least 2 sections a day, with the possibility of evening sessions thrown in for those with abs of steel.

So let me know if you’e interested (and haven’talready).

Ade

Huddesfield-on-Cannes is the scene of the daring debut of….. “Underwater Europe”. Never before has a video contained such muppetage, watch it and wince. Contact Ade to get directions and to order sizzling dead pig products. Bring beverages. BBQ time! Hooray for summer! (Also, bring a boat if you wish to do the Washburn beforehand).

These are some of Sara’s photos (more here).