davepaddles.co.uk

Hello, welcome to our website.

Davepaddles was and still is the logbook of Dave Hillier, established as a nonprofit community club in August 2023 and then a Paddle UK affiliated club in Dec 23, and with a passion for Paddlesport, Dave and his team supply high quality courses with enjoyable multi craft trips that cater for every paddler.

We are based in Hertfordshire, and we paddle many rivers, lochs, lakes and canals all over the uk as well as our free to enter HydroPaddles based in Tring and Leighton Buzzard.

We paddle very sheltered and sheltered water trips regularly covering a variety of waters with the occasional moderate/tidal water, leader permitting.

Specialising in the Thames (non-Tidal) Lechlade to Teddington, in sections.

We welcome new members, subject to joining approval, our Annual Membership is just £52, or £35 for a Summer Only, we also offer a PAYG that is only £15 per session and an On The Bank or Assist at £6.99 membership. We paddle Sundays, and occasionally other days that may be requested throughout the winter and add an evening paddle throughout the summer months,

Our membership is applied for and limited, once full, we operate on a 1 in 1 out basis that starts April 1st of each year.

While most of our trips are local, we also run trips away and overnight camping. Non-members are allowed to join us for a fee and leader approval.

Recent trips are documented in our Latest pages.

We can offer the whole range of personal performance awards, Start, Discover, Explore and Paddle Safer. These awards are tailored to the needs of the paddlers and are delivered at various locations. (subject to attendance and usually in year 2 of membership)

We and our partners can also deliver a whole host of other qualifications and training, 

  • Safety and Rescue course. Training and Assessment.
  • Paddlesport Instructor. Training and Assessment.
  • Paddlesport Leader Training and Assessment.
  • White Water Safety and Rescue.
  • Open water Safety and Rescue.

As well as a host of other courses and qualifications.

Davepaddles also runs a free 5K paddle event once a month called Hydro5Kpaddle, based in Leighton Buzzard and Tring in Hertfordshire a club-based event that follows the guidelines and safety protocols of PaddleUK and our club.,

From Paddleboards to Inflatables, Canoes or Kayaks, We cater for all.

DIARY

13th Sept, Hydro5Kpaddle LB

Sat 26th Sept, Basingstoke Canal

11th Oct, Hydro 5 or 10K paddle Tring

SIGN UP SHEETS

Hydro5K LB, Sign Up Here

Basingstoke, Sign Up Here

Hydro5 or 10K Tring, Sign Up Here

MORE PLANNED WILDERNESS TRIPS

Oxford Wild Camp

 River Wye.

Latest

WhatsApp Image 2026-08-16 at 2.05
Hydro5Kpaddle Tring 16th Aug 2026
We paddled our monthly Free HydroPaddle at Tring on Sunday 16th August 2026, from the grand Junction Arms, a wonderful pub with Canalside views and a lovely garden. (well worth a visit). Gone...
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Hurley Paddle Safer Award 9th Aug 2026
On Sunday the 9th of August we met at Hurley Carpark for a Paddle Safer award course, this was a multi craft award delivered by Dave over a 4-hour session, 10am until 2pm. With 5...
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Hydro 5 or 10K Paddle Tring, 14 June 2026
On Sunday the 14th of June 2026 we met for our monthly HydroPaddle, this month we were in Tring and hosted by The Grand Junction Arms as usual, a lovely country cask ale pub that sits...
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River Dee, Horseshoe Falls 31st May 2026
The following morning, Sunday 31st May there were a few more clouds in the sky compared to the last few days and it had rained for a short time the evening before. I had a nice cup...
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Llangollen Canal Aquaducts and Tunnels 30 May 2026
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” [1] As Ratty said in Wind in the Willows,...
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Castell Dinas Brân 29th May 2026
On Friday the 29th of May, after the heatwave experienced by the UK over the last week, we embarked on one of our signature trips to Llangollen, North Wales. We had decided to split...
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