River Clough after work run!

Well talk about good times, the rain came again today and filled up the local rivers so me and the guys (Atty, Pilky and Little Tom) headed up to the River Clough. A run that I have done many times before at all different levels, but today it was good to get on it again at a medium low level. We had a good after work run and even managed to get off before it got dark. Unfortunately no boating after work tomorrow as I have organised a discount and film screening evening at the shop for anyone to attend (details in the previous posts) but hey maybe get some more boating done at the weekend.

Little Tom on the big weir on the lower Clough

Pilky at the bottom of the weir River Clough



Me (Craig) on the final drop of the Clough

Exploring the North Lakes

Well today we went exploring a new river up in the North of the Lake District, the day started well, my first day off in ages where i have woken up to heavy rain and the very real chance that I might get a new river done. Me and Atty headed up to look at a river not paddled very often called Troutbeck North, not to be mistaken with the very popular Troutbeck that runs into windermere. Well we found out very quickly why it isn't run very often, one because its hard to judge the water levels and the numerous fence and tree portages not to mention the sharp boulders that took great pleasure in eating the plastic off the bottom of my boat...however the main event was a nice two meter drop which even came out quite well in the picture. This will not be a river I would recommend neither will I be returning here in the future. On a plus we managed to get a run down Tebay Gorge on the very upper lune on the way home that was at a stonking level, so not all bad.

Me (Craig) running the drop on Troutbeck North...

Sunday Paddle on the River Leven

Well its been quite a good week for boating, with a couple of after work runs, a day off with water in the rivers and even managed to fit in a before work run of the Kent on Saturday. So at the moment a very happy paddler. As for today the Leven was at a real good level and me and the guys got out for a good run down and even got Tom along our youngest member of staff, our dedicated Saturday boy. With the rain returning were hoping that over the next week the becks will start coming back up and we can hit the steep stuff. :)

Check out the VIDEO of Little Tom running Backbarrow Bridge on the Leven, impressive considering hes only 13!

Me (Craig) on Fisherman's Island Rapid, River Leven

A quicky after work paddle!

Well the daylight is lasting longer and the days are getting wetter, life is getting better every day. The rain has returned and the rivers are filling up and I even managed to get out on the water after work today with friend and local boater Anthony Shaw. It was a lowish medium level on the Kent but felt great to be on the water again. And were due even more rain before my next day off so bring on the boating.

Have a little look at our video of boating on the Kent from today....

Kent Video

Discount and Film screening evening at Lancaster Shop!

Information for all North West Boater's

My name is Craig Jones and I have recently taken over as manager (from laurence who has moved on within the group to a new managerial roll) of the kayaking shop at Lancaster, for those who don't know it, it is called Brookbank Lancaster. As a local boater I am keen to get other local white water boaters involved in events at the shop. I have decided to hold an discount evening at the shop on

THURSDAY 1st APRIL 2010

this is to introduce myself to those of you that don't know me and also make up some good links with you guys the local boaters.

However the main reason for the evening is, as many of you may know recently there was a new KAYAK PORN DVD release called DREAM RESULT and I will be screening (ON BIG SCREEN) this at the Lancaster shop on the discount evening for all those who attend to view. The screening will be FREE OF CHARGE and will run from 7:30pm until 8:30pm with a chance for discount products to be purchased before the screening from 6:30 pm until 7:30pm.

When people attend they are advised to bring there own refreshments such as drinks (BEER!) and chocolate biscuits for me, also if everyone could bring a small chair of some kind to save sitting on the floor or standing.

I am keen to get a good turn out of as many of the North West and Lake District boaters as possible. In the hope that if this event is successful, and in the future we can start getting some more planned and make a stronger local paddling scene.

If you are interested in attending the evening all I ask is that you can email to advise me of your attendance, so I can make preparations for numbers etc...

please email: craigjones@brookbank.co.uk

Discounts will be on selective items and vary from 10% to 20% on the evening.....

A day off in the hills.......and not on the water!

Today another day off with out water, so me (Craig) and another boater Jonny decided to sack off trying to go boating and headed up into the hills for a walk. Nothing special just an amble up Wansfell Baystones and Wansfell Pike, lovely views and clear skies a real nice day out also a great view of a very empty Troutbeck a sad sight......maybe some day soon the rain will return but untill then the hills may become my new past time (who knows).

Craig on Wansfell Baystones Summit

Craig On the Summit of Wansfell Pike (Windermere in background)

One word.............. Desperate!

Ok I am not going to go on about the lack of water on another day off as the last few post have detailed how bad things have got. However I will say that times are desperate and a play Halton is the best a north west boater can hope for at the moment.

Here's a little video of me (Craig) playing at Halton today, not very exciting I know, but this is all that's going!

Oh my God, when will the rain return?

Today I had another day off from work with no rain in the lakes, depressed by lack of kayaking and desperate to get out. Me (Craig), Jonny and Pilky all decided to go and run again the Upper Lune as it was the only thing that had any water in it, however only just. Today was the lowest levels I have ever done that or any river (bad times!).

Today, I also checked on my Facebook when was the last time I ran a river at a good level in the Lakes. I was horrified to discover that it was 18th January which means we're not far off two months without good boating levels. Sometimes I wonder if there is a better way to spend your days off, rather than praying for rain. But then I realise that there is not and boating is awesome even if you do have to be patient.

Although a low day on the water, it's always good to be out with friends having a laugh and getting up to mischief.

Jonny on the Strid (Very, Very, Very LOW!)



Craig practicing his best boating moves



Pilky tucking up for the drops.....Ha Ha