Go Canoeing River Trip 2022

Sunday 2^nd October 2022 was the day chosen for the qualifying River Trip for the five “Go Canoeing 2022” participants, who had already attended a Pool session and a day at Ardingly Reservoir, in September 2022, as part of this course. We were also joined by three cub members on this trip on the Basingstoke canal from Mychett Canal Centre to the Aquaduct & return. 

Although it was raining at the store, it was dry at Mytchett and later got warm and sunny. Mytchett Centre with toilets and café was open and all looked great until we checked the canal launch point. Water level was 2 foot down. This gave us an immediate challenge of getting into the boats.

We lowered an open, one at a time, got its paddlers embarked and moved on to the next. Sam supervised the launching of the kayaks next to the final open and eased their paddlers safely in.

By 11.00 am we were off.  A fine, gentle paddle for around 90 minutes to the Aquaduct, through a fairly overgrown Basingstoke Canal. We were ready for lunch so we returned to Ash where we found a beach and pic-nicked in the sun, enjoying some home made “brownies”

Much revived, we headed back to Mytchett, which we seemed to make in double quick time. There were a few walkers along the tow-path to whom we greeted.  We saw 2 other kayakers, and 2 SUP boards on the canal. 

We disembarked in good order, everyone looking remarkably agile with just a little help, apart from one of the “Go Canoeing” participants who decided to do his own thing via a moored rowing boat and successfully manhandled himself and his kayak on his own – an unnecessary but pleasing achievement.

We obviously had to support the café which had assured us they’d be open until 4.00pm.

Congratulations to everyone. A most enjoyable autumn paddle.

Coaches for the day were Sam & Robin

Photos and Article by Robin