Huntingdon Figure of Eight

Huntingdon Figure of Eight

Huntingdon Riverside Long Stay Car Park. PE29 3RP  ///signs.outgoing.elephant.There is a height restriction-2.25m
Sunday 12th Febuary
Maldon Canoe Club
Organiser: Peter Ward 07841014366
On Water Leader: Del & Ade
Route: Huntingdon Riverside – Brampton Mill – Marina Backwater – Cooks Backwater –
Huntingdon Riverside
Distance: 7.25 miles
Note: This trip follows on from our Medway paddle and provides interesting features and
wildlife along its route. We will paddle on both sections of wide navigation water that can
be exposed in strong westerly winds, and narrow backwater that can only be paddled
easily, early in the season before the reeds grow back.
Water: Flat moving water on the River Great Ouse and its Backwaters.
On Route: One lock with a simple portage. Four weirs to play in for those with suitable
skill levels, but dependent on water levels.
Boat Types: Open Canoes. Kayaks; touring, cross-over, white water.
Paddlers: If you are a new paddler and are unsure of whether your skill level, stamina or
equipment is suitable for this paddle, then please contact organizers to check in advance.
Personal Prep: This is an early spring paddle,Dress appropriately for the day,the water is still cold, layer up under those dry suits and don’t
forget those pogies! A Buoyancy Aid is essential for all and if you intend to play close to
the weirs, you should bring a helmet if you intend to play on the weirs. If you have a First Aid kit then pack it in your boat.
Lunch: Bring your lunch to eat on the go. There are some sheltered wooded areas suitable
for a short picnic stop on this route, but to keep warm, it will be a brief stop. Bring a flask
of your preferred hot drink.

Licences: You need to be either a BCU member (please display your Number) or purchase
a licence for £10.50 from Anglian Waterways. More details can be found here
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anglian-waterways-registrationcharges/anglian-boat-registration-charges-1-april-2020-to-31-march-2021
The Travel Details.
Meet at 10am at Huntingdon Riverside Long Stay Car Park. PE29 3RP

Note: Travel time from Chelmsford will be approximately 70 mins
Toilets: There is a Café at our car park which controls access to the public toilets but
these might not be open when we arrive. It is recommended therefore to make your prepaddle toilet stop at the Cambridge Services just before joining the A1307
Use the old A14 (now A1307) and pass around the Huntingdon ring road to the car park.
Parking is free on Sundays. There is a height restriction barrier of 2.25 metres

On entering the Car Park, park as close to the Huntingdon Boat Clubs building as space
allows.
• This Figure of Eight Paddle provides us with the luxury of not having to do a
shuttle.
• Get yourselves kitted up and ready to paddle.
• When moving your boats to the launch area be careful as the pontoon can be slippy
underfoot because it is frequented by ducks and swans.

10:45am Launch from the riverside pontoon.
Paddle Route:
Stage 1 (10:45) – 2 miles – Paddle up river, under the Huntingdon old bridge towards
Godmanchester and portage the lock. Just before the lock, keep a look out on river left
for a cut to a small weir. If it’s running, there’ll be the opportunity for a little play.
Continue up river to the Brampton Mill. If the earlier weir was running, then leave
Brampton Mill on the right and follow the upstream navigation to play in a weir on river
right, before then returning to the mill.

10:45am Launch from the riverside pontoon.
Paddle Route:
Stage 1 (10:45) – 2 miles – Paddle up river, under the Huntingdon old bridge towards
Godmanchester and portage the lock. Just before the lock, keep a look out on river left
for a cut to a small weir. If it’s running, there’ll be the opportunity for a little play.
Continue up river to the Brampton Mill. If the earlier weir was running, then leave
Brampton Mill on the right and follow the upstream navigation to play in a weir on river
right, before then returning to the mill.

Stage 3 (12:20pm) – 2 miles – Leave the main navigation and take a left to pass under
Cooks bridge and paddle under the A1307 down Cooks Backwater, once again paddling
downstream. At the first fork in the river, take the right channel. (The left channel can
also be taken to reduce the distance of this loop should it be required although it hasn’t
been recced) Pass under the low farmers bridge and continue downstream passing a weir
on river right, that might be worth exploring if the river levels are high, until exiting into
the main River Great Ouse Navigation.

Stage 4 (13:45pm) – 1.5 miles -Take a left turn on exiting Cooks Backwater to paddle
upstream back towards Huntingdon. If the wind is westerly, choose the side of the river
that provides you with most wind protection to paddle back to the ‘Get In’ point

Finish (14:15pm) – Take Out