When I was paddling at Luss a few weeks ago, Drumchapel and Clydebank Kayak Club (DCKC) were out in force. I decided to join the club as they all seemed very keen and a nice group of people. I was also reading at the time, Robin Lloyd-Jones book called Argonauts of the Scottish Isles, and although Robin has sadly since passed away, I read he was also a past member of the club. His book provides a classic account of his sea kayaking adventures over the years throughout Scotland. A great read.
In terms of trips and activities DCKC are a very active club. They also have a Thursday night session at Pinkston Water Sports Centre were there is a pumped WW course. Maybe I should dust off the playboat and get down there one Thursday.
But for tonight, I decided to show my face at one of their weekly sessions on Loch Lomond.
From the moment I arrived at the meeting point at Balloch, the place was a hive of activity, with people carrying boats down to the water and kitting up. I met Iain, who was running the session, and who I have had the pleasure of paddling with before. He got me up to speed on what was happening that evening and introduced me to a few club members. The decision was taken to run a club trip from Balloch, up the loch to where the Fruin river enters Loch Lomond. There were people of all abilities in the group, some very new to paddling and some more experienced. When we got to the Fruin, we paddled a short way up the river, until we were blocked from further progress by some fallen trees. It was a great exercise for many, learning to turn their sea kayaks around the overhanging trees whilst avoiding river obstacles. Paddling back was fine until we had an incident with an idiot (polite term) on a jet ski. Apart from that, it was a nice wee paddle. As for the paddlers, there were many and there is no chance I will be able to remember all their names.
Fab!
5 Nm Time 2 hours 28 minutes
GPS track
