Medway Paddle

Paddling on the River Medway

Medway Paddle (Yalding – Malta Inn)

Sunday 3rd December

Maldon Canoe Club

Organiser: Peter Ward 07841014366

On Water Leaders: Judy

Route: Yalding Landing  – Allington Lock (one way with Shuttle run)

Distance: 9.4 miles

Note: This trip paddles on water similar to our own Chelmer (but wider) and is scheduled to follow on from our earlier trip that completed the upper half of the nontidal navigable river Medway.

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 Judy, to check in advance.

Personal Prep: This is an early winter paddle, so chose your kit to match the weather conditions forecast. If you plan to shoot the canoe slides or play in the weir run off, then bring a helmet.

Lunch:Bring lunch & snacks, hot drinks.

Santa Hats: Or other festive season head gear is positively recommended! A prize for the best headgear?

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. Update

To avoid a traffic problem, we need to change the way we setup the shuttle service on Sunday morning.

ALL PADDLERS should now meet at 09:30am at Allington Lock.
Do NOT go straight to the ‘Get in’ at Yalding.

09:30am Allington Lock
Transfer some Kayaks onto vehicles with carrying space
Leave dry kit in cars that will stay at Allington

09:50am Drive cars with kayaks to ‘Get In’ at Yalding

10: 10am Launch

On water plan remains the same.
Only difference is that the shuttling of cars will occur at the end of the paddle. Those not shuttling will have the comfort of the Malta Inn.

Note: We will see the lock keeper. He may ask for proof of your licence so make sure you take your BC membership card with you. If you are not a BC member then please purchase a licence to paddle the Medway, in advance, by calling 01622 752057

Meet at 09:30 am at Yalding Landing. ME18 6HG What-3-words ///logbook.search.storming

Note: Travel time from Chelmsford will be approximately 70 mins

The fewer cars we have, the easier it will be to get free parking at the get out. They have a XMAS event happening and it is going to be really busy. CAR SHARE please.

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 09:45am or sooner.
• 10:15am Park in the Kent Life Car Park. MCC have an agreement to use the car park free.
• Location of parking for your SatNAv is ME14 3AU What-3-Words: ///correctly.arrow.armrests11:00am LaunchThere 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.10:15am Drivers make the return journey back to the ‘Get In’ in minimum number of cars.

  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: The whole paddle group will re-join and continue their paddle downstream.

  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 – (6 miles)

  Portage point on river left having passed under the bridge. This could be another emergency get out and we’ll use this as a possible lunch stop.

  Continue through Maidstone (Watch out for the rowers).

   

  Allington Lock – (9.4 miles)

• Look out for the Malta Inn on river right just before the lock. This is our get out pint (subliminal typo).