Maidstone Canoe Club

The clocks go back on Sunday 28th October so, if you go by your body clock rather than the one on your wall, you can gain an hour’s paddling on this Sunday! To make the most of this I’m planning a slightly longer run, paddling from Yalding Lock back down to the Club.

The distance between Yalding & the Club is approximately 8 miles. For comparison, a round trip from the Club to East Farleigh Lock and back is about 6 miles, and to Allington Lock and back is around 3 miles. However, paddling from Yalding to the Club is all ‘downhill’ and we might have the benefit of some flow as well, hopefully.  There will also be the option to return to Yalding after a shorter paddle, for those less-experienced who would like to turn back sooner.

Meet at the Club at 8:00/8:15am GMT (which should still feel like 9am BST), leaving the Club at 8:30am to drive to Yalding. Alternatively, meet at Yalding – by the lock (not weir pool) – by 8:45am. Boats can be unloaded at the roadside immediately adjacent to Yalding lock, but cars should then be moved along the road a bit, for parking.

I would expect us to reach the Club by about 12:30/1:00pm. There’ll need to be a car shuffle back to Yalding after the paddle.

As this is a longish paddle please dress appropriately and bring a snack & hot drink.

At Teston lock, there is usually a choice of using the canoe pass (helmet recommended) or portaging. The lock at East Farleigh will require a portage.

The trip is suitable for younger members, providing they’ve completed a Club-to-East Farleigh round-trip previously. The club policy on parents/carers ensuring that they’ve arranged an accompanying Responsible Adult will apply.

Caution: Teston weirs can be dangerous; do not attempt to shoot the sloping weir or the pour-over weir.