Inverness Canoe Club - Kayaking and Canoeing in the Scottish Highlands

Sunday 25 July saw the annual Ness Marathon take place. The event is one of four in the Highland Marathon Series as is organised by Inverness Canoe Club's Steve Mackinnon in association with the SCA.

After a week of heavy rain, the sun came out and made it a fantastic day for all involved. Club members, as well as folk from further afield (incl. Kirkcady, Linlithgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen), swarmed to Inverness to take part.

Such was the enthusiasm, that new records were set in a number of catogories:

To view a full break-down of the marathon's results, please click here.

Many thanks, as ever, go to Steve Mackinnon for organising the event and making it such a success.

Malcolm Wield will be running two canoe trips for less experienced club canoe paddlers on consecutive Sunday's in August. 
 
The trips will each be Grade 2 and be dependant on enough water in the rivers. They are full day trips, but should be all done by 4pm ish. Meeting 0930 at the Scout Hut both days.
 
The trip on the 15th will be on the River Conon from Achilty Dam to Conon Bridge. The trip on the 22nd will be on the bottom section of the River Findhorn from Mains of Sluie to near the A96. Preference on this trip will be given to those on the first trip or slightly more experienced paddlers as it is a little bit more technical and certainly more strenuous.
 
Both trips are stunning, canoe river touring in the Highlands at it's best!
 
The trips are limited to a max of 4 boats running as tandems. That is 8 places available. If you need club boats/kit you will need to arrange to book them out via the on-line booking system yourself.
 
Please let Malc know if you would like to go and if you can transport a boat on your car: malcolmwield@btinternet.com or 07833 681730.

The annual River Ness Marathon (organised by members of Inverness Canoe Club) will be held on: Sunday 25th July 2010.

The race constitutes one of four marathon events held each year in northern Scotland as part of the SCA's Highland Marathon Series and each year, more and more people are drawn to the event; it's a fantastic day out for all the family!

Serious paddlers can undertake the challenging long-course, while those who like life a little more relaxed can paddle the shorter section from Dochgarroch down to the city centre...if you're in it to win it, or just enjoy a social paddle, then there's something to keep you occupied...

For more information, or to download an entry form, please click here: www.invernesscc.org.uk/nessmarathon

This year will see the inaugural SCA Loch Ness Paddle Marathon. Competitors will be required to paddle the length of Loch Ness, from Fort Augustus to Lochend (a distance of approximately 22 miles).

Depending on the interest from competitors, there may also be a short course race from Drumnadrochit to Lochend.

The race will be open to all types of craft, but given the distance and type of water, it will primarily be for sea kayaks.

The SCA have nominated the date of the race as Saturday, 24th July 2010 and the race is currently listed on their Marathon Racing Calendar.

If you are interested in taking part or helping out, please contact Tim Muir on kayakpro.scotland@yahoo.co.uk or 07960263019

Download application forms/guidance here: application form | general information | course map

June 2010 saw eight ICC members heading off to the sunny banks of the Soca in Slovenia to undertake a week's paddling in crystal clear waters.

The following video tells the tale: