River Cherwell 25th May 2025

During the week commencing 19th may the Cherwell trip went into planning, the weather forecast looked bleak with heavy rain and strong winds.

Dave had done the planning anyway and decided to have a meeting on the sat amongst the leaders to discuss any issues, the wind being the main cause of concern, the forecast had it as F3 and that is out of a our remit to paddle in with a group.

It was decided only the experienced and strong paddlers could attend the get in for a final decision on the day. (we all know how the British weather can be).

This also saved people traveling to oxford to be let down if the conditions were not ok.

The final weather report still had the winds above F3 in the early hours with F6 gusts. all day, Heavy showers and cloudy.

Never the less Dave left Hemel and travelled through some really heavy downpours on the way to the get in where he would assess the situation,

On arrival the clouds started to break up, but the wind gusts also picked up and standing on the bridge the full force was recognised.

even the geese were paddling in a line to save energy.

No one ever wants to put so much time and effort into planning a trip / event to have to cancel it on the bankside on the day, but when paddlers safety is an issue it has to be done. this club trip was called off, the 1st one we have ever had to, but we take our safety and the safety of our paddlers very seriously.

there were 5 experienced paddlers including 3 Paddlesport Leaders all agreeing and deciding what to do instead or next.

We all decided to downgrade this paddle to a peer paddle and move to an alternative location that may be a bit more sheltered from the wind and heavy rain we had experienced on the drive to the venue.

A peer paddle is not in any way club led, nor are we insured by the club or hold the club liable if anything goes wrong, we are all responsible for our own welfare and understand the risks involved.

We moved on to an alternative location through Oxford centre that had an empty carpark with a short walk to the waters edge just as the clouds seemed to part and the sun came out, although Dave was there, technically its now “not” a dave trip, but bloody felt like one 🙂

We had high trees and a high bank on each side of the river so we decided amongst the group to maybe paddle for an hour or so and see how it went, then call it, and go to Oxford to walk around, (slang for find a pub).

5 of us launched at about 11am, 4 paddleboards and a kayak. and we all felt comfortable although a bit warm as the sun was clearing the sky rather rapidly.

Before we knew it sunglasses were on as we meandered through a truly tranquil part of the Cherwell river with its weeping willows and other overgrown trees, if we have the right to call them overgrown, they were beautiful.

This part of the river was a pleasure to paddle, with hardly a flow, great scenery and good company.

The only portage was the high weir, well for the paddleboarders, after a quick recce and as it was a peer paddle Dave wanted to run it again, so off he went with eyes on from Liz and Clare.

Dave has run this weir before 2 years ago, the difference is quite something.

Anyway we meandered back down the river to amuse ourselves and dodge the punts around the Uni campuses before a nice little lunch stop not far from the Thames.

Then we paddled back to our get in, portaging the weir, but not the pub, as the weather was ok we sat sat outside and ate chips as we savoured our well earned drinks and discussing maybe doing this paddle again as a club trip, (when the weather improves).

We got off the water eventually at 5.30pm and clean and dried as we packed up and departed for home.

We had a great day on the water, The weather could have been a bit better, but as paddlers we cant have it all, all of the time.

Photo gallery of the day below. 🙂

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