Friends Trips — Exeter Canoe Club

Rescue practice Wed 19th Aug

Christina_Levick — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 21:04:24 +0000

I'm planning some rescue practice meeting at Teignmouth back beach at 6:30 pm this Wednesday with an aspirant sea kayak leader from another club. We hope to practice rescues and scenarios in the F4-5 wind. If you'd like to join this friends trip, please sign up. I plan to pick up a boat from the club at about 5:40.

Sea Kayak Sunday 16th August Exercise Paddle Exmouth

OwenMichaelson — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:49:14 +0000

The plan is to Launch from Belshers slipway at 9.00 am and then depending on the conditions to either paddle up to Salmon Pool Weir on the rising tide and back with the tide or round to Budleigh and back. Off the water by 12.00 and packed up by 12.30. Just bring a snack and drink. Drop boats at Belshers slipway then park at Camperdown Terrace car park.

Sea Kayaking - Thursday 13th August

OwenMichaelson — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:34:57 +0000

I am planning to go out for a bit of an exercise paddle and explore tomorrow. If anyone is free to go paddling tomorrow please either message me or leave a message in the chain below. I am flexible on timing and location.

Kayak polo Friday 14th August - Cancelled

Christina_Levick — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:46:11 +0000

Come and play!

Anyone who has completed a beginner's kayak course or is at least at that standard and has practised a capsize can take part. No prior polo experience is needed. Be prepared to get wet and ensure that shoes and other items on your person are firmly attached. Play will stop if anyone capsizes, so there’s no need to be able to roll to take part.

Helmets are required and can be borrowed from the club.

We’ll aim to play in the canal basin and be ready at the club for 6:30.

Please sign up below if you’d like to take part - minimum of 4 people to run. If there are more than 12 people, we'll rotate who plays.

Thanks

Christina

Kayak polo - Friday 7th Aug

Christina_Levick — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:58:35 +0000

Friday evening's seem to be working well, so let's play again, but with a slightly later start time of 6:30.

Helmets are required and can be borrowed from the club.

We’ll aim to play in the canal basin and be ready at the club for 6:30.

Please sign up below if you’d like to take part - minimum of 4 people to run, maximum of 12 people.

Thanks

Christina

Surf kayak friends trio Sunday 26th

Dave Turner — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:14:55 +0000

Hello,

The plan is to go surf kayaking at Bantham this Sunday meeting in the car park at 10:00 This is a friends trip for people with at least some experience on the sea/white water without necessarily having been in the surf before.

Take a look at the photos on the forum/Facebook from the last trip if this is new to you and you want to see what it's about. The surf forecast is for at 2-3 ft, 10 s and offshore breeze.

Helmets and gear to get wet in are a must.

I'll be picking up a boat from the club and can offer a lift for two more boats and paddlers.

Please post if you're planning to come, Sunday is also an option of that's better for ppl.

Dave

PAUSED Sun 26 canal/estuary, easy progression paddle for women

Maggie_Watson — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:45:26 +0000

PAUSED - this might now need to be a different location.

This isn't a sure thing yet!
I may be taking a beginner on out on the canal on Sunday. In addition, some of the Bideford CC women may join us, or may split off and do more of a river / estuary paddle.
I can't make this a club paddle because the beginner isn't an ECC member.
It's also not a club paddle if Exeter paddlers were to join the Bideford group without an Exeter leader.

But, complications aside, it's an opportunity to get out, without too much pressure.

I'd be very happy to spend some time developing anything you want some support with, including ROLLING near blue bridge if you're keen (and warm).

You'd need your own insurance - peer paddle rules.

If you're interested, comment or contact me.

If the beginner drops out, it might be possible to make this a club activity, but unless everyone from Bideford drops out it will remain women only.

Kayak polo Tues 23rd Sept

Christina_Levick — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:27:32 +0000

The nights are drawing in, so this might be the last (or almost last) Tuesday night polo session this season. It's open to anyone who has completed a beginner's kayak course or is at least at that standard. Be prepared to get wet and ensure that shoes and other items on your person are firmly attached. Play will stop if anyone capsizes, so there’s no need to be able to roll to take part.

Helmets are required and can be borrowed from the club.

We’ll aim to play in the canal basin in front of the club at 6:30.

Please sign up below if you’d like to take part - minimum of 4 people to run.

Thanks

Christina

Surfing in short boats - Sat 20th Sept - Cancelled due to wind

Christina_Levick — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:58:04 +0000

This is a friends trip to go surf kayaking on Widemouth Beach this Saturday, meeting by Widemouth Bay Cafe at 09:30. You should have at least some experience on the sea/white water without necessarily having been in the surf before. I'm still a beginner, but can offer some pointers if this is your first time and it's a good way to improve your sea kayaking in surf as per Maggie's recent thread. The surf should be about 3 ft at 9 s intervals in the morning and dies down a bit later on. Wind will be about F3, gusting F4-5.

I'll be using a white water paddle and a Dagger Axiom short boat. I suggest you also use something with a flat bottom and sharp edges e.g. a GTX or perhaps RPM and ensure it has blown up airbags. Helmets are a must and a wetsuit and cag work well to keep you warm.

I'll be going straight there and picking up a boat from the club on Friday, so you'll need to provide/coordinate your own transport.

Please post if you're planning to come.

Update - Trip now cancelled due to strong wind forecast

Kayak polo Friday 1st August - Cancelled

Christina_Levick — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 21:46:34 +0000

Another game is planned for this Friday in front of the club at 6:15. Please wear a helmet and come dressed to get wet. Anyone can join who's been in a kayak and is at the standard of having completed a beginner's kayak course.

Please sign up if you'd like to come - we need at least 4 people to play.

Saturday 12 July - sea kayak - Boscastle to Tintagel

Nigel_Sharpe — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:48:55 +0000

The forecast is far too hot to be onland this weekend. I am planning a friends trip out of Boscastle to paddle to Tintagel. Paddling standard required is those nearing sea kayak award. It is a fantastic bit of coast with lots of rock hopping opportunities, so usual sea kayak kit including helmets is essential.

My plan is to meet at Boscastle at 10.30. I will travel direct, so others travelling from the Club would need to organise travel between themselves.

Max 6 people unless other leaders sign up.

Signed up...
Nigel
Christina

Eddystone 2025

Maggie_Watson — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 08:54:25 +0000

I am happy to try to facilitate an Eddystone paddle this July/August. It's a trip I've done twice before.

UP TO FOUR ON THE DAY, more are welcome to join practice paddles.
Peer trip only.

You must be paddling a fast boat designed for covering distance (I'd be taking an NDK explorer).

You must be paddling 25km with ease.

Actual paddle is up to 35-40km, and you need to have done a comparable distance without getting out of the boat at least once, within the past 3 months. Put another way, you must be happy paddling your boat for 7hrs plus without getting out. There is no landing at the lighthouse.

Therefore, you must be happy peeing in/from the boat. Not drinking and winging it is not an acceptable solution.

You need to have a team player approach. We try to make the trip work, but we are prepared to leave it for a better day if necessary.

This is a long meditative paddle in the open sea. Don't sign up if that's not your thing. It's not technically demanding because we won't go in anything other than good conditions.

If I'm nominally organising then I need to know you - sorry, but no new faces on the day.

Of course you can go without me if the group is ready and there's a window I can't make. You'll need to do the tidal planning and be entirely responsible for yourselves.

It needs to be a neap (well, it certainly helps) with fine weather. Some time in the first week of August, from Sunday 3 Aug is looking good for tides, or from Sunday 17 August. Obviously, if we aim for the first window we have the second as a fall back.

That's a long list of constraints, so it may not work. It certainly won't happen unless we make it happen. If you're paddling in preparation, comment on this thread (one possibly is this coming Sunday, 29 June).

Interested:
Maggie
Rich
Theresa
Possibly Martin L
Possibly Owen
Maria Morgan (BCC)

Monday 7 July SK trip from Club via canal and estuary to Turf and then back on the canal

JaneEvans — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:23:20 +0000

This is a friends trip as I have a couple of friends visiting who will be joining the paddle.

Distance is 11 miles. Club sea kayakers are welcome, the speed will be regular club pace so not particularly slow. This trip doesn't require any transport.

Meet at the club at 4pm.

Booked
Jane

Trip to topsham via club 31st May

Evelyn Gawen — Mon, 26 May 2025 15:52:30 +0000

The tide times look good for a trip to topsham on Saturday meet at club for 9.30 am on the water by around 10. High water is 1045 topsham so gives us a bit of flexibility time if running late.

This is a friends trip so you will need your own insurance for the trip. Bring usual gear such as wet stuff encase of an accidental capsize. You also need to have capsized and completed one of the beginners courses. And feel comfortable paddling to double locks and back. Pack lunch and water and money encase we stop at turf or double locks for drinks or snacks.

If fluid with time and end up at pub- will be back by 4ish. If people want shorter day could probably get back to club by around 2.

Winds up to 1-3 on Beaufort scale. but should have a bit of shelter in the estuary, but should feel comfortable paddling for about 3 hours total 👍

Will keep you posted on the forum if things change.

Surf kayaking friends trip Sun 18th May

Christina_Levick — Wed, 14 May 2025 19:31:03 +0000

The plan is to go surf kayaking on Bude Crooklets Beach this Sunday, meeting in Rosie's Kitchen car park at 10:15. This is a friends trip for people with at least some experience on the sea/white water without necessarily having been in the surf before. I'm still a beginner, but can offer some pointers if this is your first time. Take a look at the photos on the forum/Facebook from the last trip if this is new to you and you want to see what it's about. The surf should be beginner friendly at 2 ft, 10 s intervals and gentle breeze.

I'll be using a white water paddle and a Dagger Axiom short boat. I suggest you also pick something with a flat bottom and sharp edges e.g. a GTX or perhaps RPM and ensure it has blown up airbags. Helmets and gear to get wet in are a must.

I'll be going straight there and probably picking up a boat from the club on Friday. I might be able to pick up a boat for one other person, but you'll have to transport yourselves to the beach and back and I'd recommend lift sharing if possible.

Please post if you're planning to come.

Surf kayaking friends trip Sat 3rd May

Christina_Levick — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:17:10 +0000

Catherine and I are going surf kayaking on Widemouth Beach this Saturday, meeting there at 10:30 by the cafe if anyone else wants to join? This is a friends trip just to play in the surf using short boats and hopefully catch a few waves. The surf is due to be pretty small (1-2 ft at 12 s), so very beginner friendly.

I'll be going straight to Widemouth and taking a boat for Catherine with me, so if you'd like to come, you'll need to transport your own boat. We'll be using white water paddles and Dagger Axiom short boats, which should work well for having sharp edges/rails and flat bottoms. I suggest to pick something similar or perhaps a GTX boat to work well on the waves. Helmets and gear to get wet in are a must.

Please post if you're planning to come. I'm no expert, but can offer a bit of theoretical advice if this would be your first time in the surf. Some experience on the sea/river is needed before trying surfing.

Coming:
Christina
Catherine
Nigel

Topsham trip this Friday

Theresa_L — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:42:31 +0000

Hello,

It looks like the tides work for a trip to Topsham this Friday evening. I haven't done the trip before but would love to do it, so I was wondering if anyone would be willing to lead the trip? Happy to support where possible (and lead in future).

Theresa

Tues 24th Dec canal paddle

TomDufall — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:05:24 +0000

I'm aiming to be with family by Tues evening, so Dave and I are planning to go out at 1030 instead for a paddle up and down the canal, similar to the usual Tues evening paddles. Feel free to join us.

Friends trip to Turf Saturday 21st September

Connor Gilronan — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 19:41:31 +0000

Hi guys

We are doing a paddle down possibly to the Turf and back weather dependent Saturday 21st September. We'll be meeting at 10 am to be on the water for 10:30.

Please bring own drinks and lunch if we go all the way down to Turf, unless you want to grab lunch there.

You will need your own insurance to come on the trip as this is a friends trip 🙂

(Will update on here nearer time when know weather)

SK rolling and self rescues...more coming soon

Maggie_Watson — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 12:41:26 +0000

Unfortunately I can't make a session this week. But don't let that stop you if you're keen and can find a buddy.

The water is still warm but the evenings are getting shorter. I'll be coming back to this over September, October and November, but it might need to be day trips. Pool sessions are great too... There are some coming, I think.

Tuesday 20 peer rolling practice 6pm Teignmouth?

Maggie_Watson — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 20:19:07 +0000

Anyone interested? It's a flood tide, high water shortly after 8pm, so like last time, we'd meet in the lower car park for 6 and find a small eddy on the back beach. Self rescue practice could work too. Max 6. Boat turning and fed back offered, but not coaching.

Rolling practise Teignmouth Tues 13th Aug 18:00

Maggie_Watson — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 07:04:01 +0000

Yesterday's rolling session was fun, the water was warm, seemed clean enough, and I'm already looking at the 'common faults' videos and wanting to go back to improve.

Anyone for next week? I'm not 100% sure I can make it, but if there's a small group it should be viable even if I can't. Stuart?

The tide at 18:00 on Tues 13th will be low, and just beginning to flood. It's a small tide though, so there should be enough water. Car park by the Teignmouth lifeboat station is free after 6.

Let's say max 6. NB mates trip, not club activity. Sort your own boats and transport.

Nose clips, ginger biscuits, face mask, paddle float, tea, sense of humour/humility will all be useful additions to your normal paddling kit.

Maggie

Tues 6 August evening peer SK rolling practice

Maggie_Watson — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 17:15:08 +0000

On Tuesday Steve M and I will be at the back beach at Teignmouth at six to acquire/practice/polish our SK rolling skills. Up to two more people could potentially join us.

Please note:
This isn't a taught session.
It's not club activity: you need your own insurance, you need to arrange boats with recbosun, you need your own transport.
It's a flood tide, with peak flow around 6pm and the current forecast is windy. It's unlikely we'll be doing anything other than just finding a patch of the eddy behind the bar and taking turns getting a lot of water up our noses, staying in waist deep water.
We haven't done this before, but the idea is to put some effort into rolling sea kayaks in the summer while the water is warm, rather than wait for the winter pool sessions. There will probably be other opportunities.

Comment if you want to come.
Comment if you'd be interested another time.

Maggie

Fri evening 19 July sea kayak paddle Teignmouth Updated

JaneEvans — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:35:09 +0000

This is a friends trip for experienced paddlers, probably at a local play spot.

We will go to play in the outgoing tide at Teignmouth. Peak flow c 8.30pm, but there is minimal swell forecast so the waves will not be big.

Aim to get to the car park near the RNLI station for 6.30pm. Teignmouth Lower Point car park, so we launch into the estuary. Loading bloats at the club at 5.15pm.

If anyone can meet me on Friday to load boats please reply.

Saturday 6 April sea kayak paddle on canal

JaneEvans — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:31:02 +0000

Spotting a gap in the weather forecast there will be a sea kayak paddle on the canal. Meet at 9am and hope to be back before it starts raining.

Jane
Tom
Catherine

Easter Mon friends trip - Turf and back along canal

TomDufall — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 23:04:16 +0000

Easter isn't looking like good weather to lead a beginners trip, so I'm proposing a friends trip instead for those happy to put up with the conditions.

Meet 9:30 Mon 1st Apr (bank holiday) at the club to be on the water at 10:00. Paddle all the way down the canal to Turf and stretch our legs if needed, then back up the canal, stopping for lunch at Topsham lock on the way back. It's about 3h paddling + breaks.

The current forecast is SW 5-10mph gusting 20-30mph with light showers. We should be reasonably sheltered from the wind since we're sticking to the canal.

Let me know below if you're interested. This isn't a lead club activity, so you will need your own insurance (e.g. BC/PUK membership.)

River Dart, Friends Trip Wednesday 3 January

Brian_Thomas — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 17:32:28 +0000

I have a friend visiting me on 3 January who is keen to paddle on the Dart. She is an accomplished paddler and will be paddling her OC1 while I paddle my ww kayak. OC1 is not a boat class commonly paddled by club members, it's a short open canoe, designed to go pretty much anywhere a white water kayak will go.

Is anyone up for joining us in kayak or canoe? I'm anticipating a reasonably dry but windy day with fairly high water levels so it's not a trip for beginners on white water!

We will decide the actual stretch to be paddled, could be the loop, lower or even lower depending upon water conditions on the morning.

We will meet at 09.30 at a location to be advised.

Maximum 3 more participants unless other leaders join us.

Dart loop sat 4th nov PM

NiallRobinson — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 12:49:48 +0000

Hi all, Matt and I were thinking of doing the dart loop Saturday afternoon. Space for, say, three more if people fancy.

SUP adhoc trip this Friday 13th Oct 10am

ShelleyRhodes — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 20:14:42 +0000

Hi All,
I am trying out my "new" to me SUP on Friday meeting at 10am at the club with some friends (Liz and Emma) and would be delighted if anyone else wants to join. As we are aiming to get to the Double Locks pub for 11am probably not for complete beginners, but if you can paddle in a straight line you are welcome to join us! Post here just so we know we have enough boards!
Kind regards,
Shelley

Thurs 24 Aug - Sea kayak down canal past DL

TomDufall — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 10:26:26 +0000

A few of us are going for a sea kayak paddle on Thurs evening. The tides are entirely wrong for a river section in either direction, so we're going to head down the canal, portaging at Double Locks, and turn around when we've had enough or there's too much weed.

Meet at the club 18:00-18:15, aiming to be on the water at 18:30.

As a reminder/info for new members, since this section has been quite quiet, trips in the 'Friends Trips' section of the forum are not lead club activity, so you need to have your own insurance (e.g. BC membership) to use a club boat. If you'd like to see something like this run as a lead trip in the future, let me know as it's something I could put on.