River Ure Loop by Canoe

This is another little journey that I had wanted to do for a while, we had completed most of the Ure in parts but I'd never paddled this little stretch. Quite convenient as you can come down the river and then make your way back up the canal head where there is nice parking and a pub, perfect as Fiona set across town on her walk to retrieve the car from the BCU Field entrance...

Levels on the Ure where quite low (0.44 at Ripon), just enough water for it not to be a complete scrape...

Club Trip on the Derwent - Kirkham to Howsham

Another journey for the juniors of the club with just a very small amount of white water thrown in too. We where blessed with fine weather and it really didn't seem that cold. This used to be a classic club trip before the problem of access issues,, Anyway, it gave some of the old timers something to reminisce about..

River Idle in Canoe

I'd wanted to tick this trip off for a while so on a crisp cold, Sunday morning at the end of November we made our way down towards our put in. After what seemed an age to shuttle cars we where ready. The river is mainly a green flow but does have a few places to have a little fun on the way.

Dave's Introduction to White Water Canoeing

As Dave is now making great progress in canoeing we thought it was time to introduce him to a slightly more dynamic environment. We headed to Howsham Weir on the Derwent which still had quite a good level of water pushing through it.

Excellent fun having him discover how the canoe reacts in flow using different amounts of angle, edge and trim.  And of course, we couldn't leave Howsham without a run down the fish shoot :-)

Introducing Juniors to White Water Kayaking - Howsham Weir

With the Yorkshire Derwent at a nice level the junior members of KKC made their way to Howsham. It was a real pleasure assisting with the delivery of this little session, really rewarding watching the young people make great progress in this dynamic environment..

Ripon to Boroughbridge in Canoe

Dave has been making great progression in the canoe so I thought it would be a great idea to have him journeying on a few styles of water. We made our way down the Ripon canal and headed down towards the River Ure. This section of the Ure is mainly flat water but there is a nice little section just below the weir which allows for simple white water skills such as using the flow, breaking in and out and general confidence building.

Further down the river and as it widens the environment lends itself to paddling in a more exposed area where thought has to be given to paddling in winds coming from various angles. On the whole, nothing too challenging but I'm sure the group quite enjoyed the journey..

Autumn on the SUP Boards

With a lovely weather window Ant and myself  headed up to Wilfolme and launched the SUPs up river towards Hempholme Weir. The forecast came good and it turned out to be one of those golden crisp Autumn days...

Introducing Dave to Canoeing

So my dear friend Dave has always looked down at canoes as a nice little past time to bimble down the river in with maybe a nice picnic and maybe a bottle of something fizzy. Having now started his progression onto the coaching ladder it was now time to introduce him to some real boating..

Dave is a very capable sea paddler and as I introduced him to the fundamental skills he made quick and efficient progress. In no time we where looking at power transfer and the lovely art of edge and trim.... Do you know, I think he may have even enjoyed it..

Italy By SUP Board

An amazing two weeks, Cinque Terra, Sorrento and the Almalfi Coast. So very hot, lots of boat traffic but just an amazing adventure..

Semerwater with the SUP Boards

Fiona's birthday so we shot across to Hawes for a few beers and a night camping, great fun. Then to clear our heads we had a simple little journey around this quite beautiful lake.

Filey to Horse Rock in the Sea Boats

A lovely day, little wind and just enough swell to make it fun, this was most definitely going to be a great day. And we of course will never mention Daves little swim...he he...

SUP Specific Introductory Session

On a lovely evening at the beginning of August it was a real pleasure to introduce a couple of lovely people to stand up paddle boarding. Brilliant fun and everyone was soon standing up and enjoying a journey around the lake, we must do much more of this....

SUP Boards Around Filey Bay

Another little adventure around the bay, it was the RNLI fun day which made it interesting....I thought we where going to be blown away by the downdraught of the helicopter :-)

Ants Birthday - Happy Birthday Son

So for his birthday we thought a bit of fooling about on the boards and then to Berts Restaurant for food, great fun, I think he enjoyed it....

A Run up the River in the Taran

A quick blast up the river to blow away the cobwebs and a bit of Tomfoolery too :-)

SUP Boards on the River at Tickton

A quick run out on the boards after work,,

Flamborough Head on the SUP Boards

A very special day around a very special place. Tides where good with very minimal swell which meant we could get in very close and through the cave systems.

Flamborough Head - A Stand Up Paddle Board Journey from Ken Oliver on Vimeo.

Whitby to Scarborough in the Sea Boats

One of our fave and classic trips, a little blustery but still a warm and sunny day. A quick beer at Robin Hoods Bay and then onwards towards Scarborough. Nice to be back in a sea kayak.

KKC Howsham Slalom

Another excellently organised event by Kingston Kayak Club. I entered the C2 with Scott again, we may not have broke any records and where a little robbed on our second run but excellent fun non the less.

Tootega / Silverbirch Demo Day

The weather was organised and a brilliant day was had by all. A lovely day with many, many people having fun on the water.

KKC International Polo

After a couple of days hard graft laying out all the pitches - very interesting hammering in all the 20ft posts with a petrol post tamper while balancing on a couple of rafted canoes. But all went well and a brilliant event it was. Time to relax and a bit of fun on the water with family and friends.

British Canoeing Kayak Angling Safety Module

Yet again it was a great pleasure to assist in the delivery of this special little course with Kim Bull. Lots of very enthusiastic new fisherman now prepared with the fundamental skills to stay safe on the sea.

KKC Derwent Marathon

So it was lovely to bring the SUP boards to this event, We had our very own little section within the race and then after all the official racing it was great to let all the kids unwind with a play on the boards.

Beverley to Home on SUP

Another beautiful evening and what better way to travel home after work - by SUP