peer paddle round the Tonbridge Park loop and up to the leigh flood barrier and back, suitable for all crafts. No going and playing right up by the Flood barrier obviously. Launch at the Lowed Castle Field Car Park (Ringo/Pay and display). It's about a 4.5 mile paddle. There are toilet facilities at the start across the bridge in the park. The river is quite shallow at the edges so people could jump out if there was an emergency and scramble up a bank. I paddled the route today but couldn't find the down tree that is on medway interactive website site map. There was bit of a tree in the river on the spur towards the Liegh Flood Barrier just after the bench on the river but it's passable, by all craft easily. If people have had enough, we could turn around and come back before we get to the Leigh Flood Barrier. It's still chilly so people will need to wrap up appropriately for the weather, I'm sure people know that.
17:50
4 miles may take us about 2.5hrs with SUPs as they are generally slower. What time do people peer paddles generally meet at? On the water for 9.30am? It's on the otherside of Kent to most people so don't want to get people up too early. If everyone is speedy, then you can detour on the way back and look at the castle from the water or paddle up to old town lock.
Hartlake Peer Paddle
We meet at the bridge on Hartlake road and then paddle down to to the 2nd canoe chute. This is an end of the week, chilled paddle with the chance to play on the chutes if you want to.
The session is open to all club members who can preform a self rescue**.
Organiser: Claire Pitts
Location - Hart Lake
Parking - Parking is along a main road so please bear this in mind when getting changed and unloading kayaks. Also please try and squeeze as close to each other. The is road side parking on either side of the bridge.
Equipment - Bring your own or Borrow Club Kit
Toilets - None so it's a nature wee
Changing Facilities - Alfresco / Road side
* We are now using WHAT3WORD when giving out meet up locations; it provides a more precis location for more remote sites that we use. If you do not already have it on your phone, we strongly advise downloading the app, its free so no reason not to have it. It is also used by emergency services throughout the southeast and can be given as a location reference when needing their services. (https://what3words.com/)
** A self-rescue is generally an eskimo roll/rescue or swimming to the bank with your boat and paddle, retrieving it from the water and getting back in unassisted. This can be taught in the skills session.
