Margaret Ranken

This photo from ten days ago shows the group who paddled round Coquet Island on a nice calm Sunday afternoon when the tide made afternoon the sensible time to go. Now that the sea is getting warmer we’re all practising our rescues. After paddling round the island we landed on Hauxley beach for coffee and … Read more

The club trip to Arran in the first week of June was very enjoyable but didn’t include quite so much paddling as we’d hoped because it was too windy. On the first day a group paddled from Lamlash Bay around Holy Island – which started out easy but got to be harder work on the … Read more

The regular weekly paddles upriver from Shorebase don’t get much coverage here, but last week there were some photos taken. It’s a nice easy relaxing paddle and a great opportunity for beginners to have a go.

The sea kayak group went to Newbiggin Bay to practise skills and rescues for the club Sunday outing on June 2nd. The weather was good with very little wind and the group had loads of practice getting wet: rescues, being rescued, capsizes, paddle float self-rescues, towing, re-entry rolls. The group got to show off their … Read more

On the Mayday bank holiday a group of sea kayakers met for the annual circumnavigation of Holy Island. This is a rare treat because you need a calm day with a big high tide in the middle of the day. We launched at the harbour and paddled past the castle and round Castle Point and … Read more

On Easter Saturday some river runners did the club’s favourite run from Haydon Bridge to Hexham and Michael Riley made a couple of videos. It looks as though they had plenty of water that day. Click on the title or picture to see them.

On Sunday the Club’s more intrepid surfers thought it was a great day for surfing in the wave basin. This was in a strong breeze with near gale gusts and quite large waves. It was only a small group – five people.

Thanks to Linda’s hard work documenting club polices and risk assessments the club has received the accolade of Quality Club from British Canoeing. It means that new people paddling with the club can be confident they will be properly looked after. Phil Scowcroft came to Shorebase on Sunday to present the award. The weather was … Read more

Last Sunday there was a Club meeting and before it a group, including a complete beginner, got to paddle round Coquet Island in absolutely flat calm seas with next to no wind – and even sunshine. The seal pups are growing up and the rocks close to the shore of the island are crowded with … Read more

Finally some decent weather on a Sunday and there was a river run on the Tyne from Haydon Bridge to Hexham (see below for more pictures) as well as a sea trip from Boulmer and the regular estuary paddle at Amble. The sea kayakers found that it was a bit windier and rougher than we’d … Read more