Medway Paddle Postponed

Medway Paddle 

Sunday 15^th January

Maldon Canoe Club

Organiser: Peter Ward 07841014366

On Water Leaders: Matthew, Del, Ade

Route: Yalding Landing  – East Farleigh (one way with Shuttle run)

Distance: 6 miles

Note: This trip paddles on water similar to our own Chelmer and is scheduled to fit into our winter programme as a follow on from our coaching weekend of 22-23^rd January at Paper Mill Lock.

Water: Flat moving water on River Medway Navigation.

On Route: One lock with canoe slides and moving water to play in. Portages around the slides for those that prefer. White Water playground at the start for those with suitable skill 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 Matthew, Del or Ade, to check in advance

Personal Prep: This is a mid-winter paddle,Helmets are mandatory if shooting weirs layer up under those dry suits and don’t forget those pogies!

Licences: You need to be either a BCU member (please display your Number) or purchase a licence from the following places:  Allington Lock (01622 752864), Bow Bridge Marina (01622 812802), Medway Wharf Marina (01622 813927), Allington Marina (01622 752057), Tonbridge Tourist Information Centre (01732 770929) and the Environment Agency Kent and East Sussex Area Office (01732 223222).

The Travel Details.

Meet at 10am at Yalding Landing. ME18 6HG What-3-words ///logbook.search.storming

Note: Travel time from Chelmsford will be approximately 70 mins

Park on the main road next to the canal and be prepared. This means:

• Drop your boat and paddle kit off your roof rack and put them on the grass next to the landing (picture above)
• Be dressed ready to paddle.
• Leave your ‘end of paddle’ kit in your car and be ready to drive to the ‘Get Out’ point.
• Car passengers will stay at Yalding to mind the kit.
• Car drivers will drive in convoy to the ‘Get Out’ at 10:20am.

10:35am Park in the East Farleigh Train Station Car Park. (Parking is free at the weekends) Location of parking for your SatNAv is ME15 0JH What-3-Words: ///punt.weep.fees

10:40am Drivers make the return journey back to the ‘Get In’ in minimum number of cars.

11:10am Launch

There are two options and depending upon conditions and the decisions of the on water leaders, the launch site will be determined on inspection of the flow of water through the sluice gate.

Paddle Route:

For those intending to paddle in the White Water Playground, or if the flow of water is slow and suitable for all paddlers – Walk across the weir (not the road bridge) to Tea Pot Island and down the grass bank immediately in front of you to enter the river below the weir via the River Teise.

For those intending to paddle only Flat Water when the flow over the weir is too rapid – Launch from the landing stage on the same side of the river as the cars are parked. Paddle to the right, down the canal to Hampstead lock and portage around it. On re-joining the river paddle up stream to regroup with the White Water Paddlers who will come down stream to meet you.

Regroup by 12:15pm – The whole paddle group will re-join and continue their paddle downstream.

Halfway point – At nearly 3 miles – The marina on river right at Wateringbury just before the bridge has a launch ramp for exit where the Rambler Café can be found. (We don’t intend to stop but it could be used if we need an emergency exit point)

Teston Lock – Double Canoe Slide ( 3.75 mile)

Enter the slide on river left. On re-joining the river, if we have sufficient time the White Water Paddlers can paddle up stream to explore the weir flow.

East Farleigh – Get Out (6 miles)

Portage point on river left having passed under the bridge. Short walk up the road to the Station Car Park to re-join the cars.

The Victory– Immediately opposite the Station Car Park

A potential end point for a drink (Hot or Cold) before our onward journey.