Welcome to the Doggy Paddle home page

We're pretty much ready for the 2013 Doggy Paddle on 12th May 2013 .

When you're planning your journey please allow extra time for roadworks close to the Doggy Paddle Start.

Between us, in 2012 we raised £2061.88 for the GDBA. Thank you all for participating and for your help in making it such a succesful event.

Some photos from the 2011 Doggy Paddle are available here on flickr.com or on Facebook.

The Doggy Paddle is a recreational canoe and kayak event in aid of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The trip runs from Royal Leamington Spa, along the rivers Leam and Avon, and ends in historic Stratford-upon-Avon. The run takes you through the spectacular grounds of Warwick Castle and Charlecote Manor, and at this time of the year we go out and get all the permissions so that you can run this beautiful and fascinating stretch of river.

This is a flat-water trip open to any competent paddler who is capable of paddling 18 miles. The cost of entering the event is £10 for adults, £5 for under-18s (providing they are accompanied by an adult and capable of completing the trip).

You can enter in advance by sending us the form below, or you can enter on the day. If you send us your form we will have a printed copy waiting for you at the check in and you can pay us then. If you prefer to wait you can still enter on the day.

• Doggy Paddle Instructions 2013
  
• Entry Form 2013.doc
• Directions to Vantage Points
• Sponsorship Form
• Map of Route
• Doggy Paddle Poster 2013

The Doggy Paddle have a group on Facebook

Details:

1. Between 9:00 and 10:00 am, after signing-in, get on the water below the weir at Edmundscote Sports Field. Paddle the short distance along the river Leam until it enters the river Avon. Continue downstream.

2. When you reach the broken bridge beneath Warwick Castle you reach the only COMPULSORY portage. The portage route will be clearly marked on the left of the river-right weir. You must NOT under any circumstances shoot or play on the dangerous weirs at Warwick Castle. Do not approach either the waterwheel or the sluice.

Do NOT stop while at or near Warwick Castle, as the Trebuchet randomly throws a 1 ton concrete block over 300 meters!

3. After a few miles the river flows past Barford Mill where a small shallow rapid runs slowly under the bridge and the next weir on river right. Shoot this or portage river right immediately after weir. Note there is a second dangerous weir beyond the bridge (marked 'NO ENTRY') - do not shoot! People die on this weir. Emergency route via house near bridge.

4. Not long to the next weir, river right, at Hampton Lucy Mill. This can be shot or there is a portage on the river-right just before the weir. Note that once again there is a second dangerous weir (marked 'NO ENTRY') - do not shoot! Emergency route at bridge. Phone box at church.

5. Soon after you pass through Charlecote House you will reach some river-wide deer gates. You can pull your boat over the links between the sausages or portage river left. If you do portage ensure you close the Deer Gate behind you.  You will see the large country Manor on river-left and the joining of the river Deane with a rocky weir at its mouth. Emergency route via the paddock.

6. A couple of miles after Charlecote Park you will find another shootable weir at Alveston with difficult portage on river-right. Note there is a second dangerous weir (marked 'NO ENTRY') - do not shoot! Emergency route at campsite
½ mile downstream on river left

7. The river then meanders down towards Stratford Bridge, which carries the A3400 across the Avon. Beyond this on river-right is the Royal SakespeareTheatre. Carry on another 100m and get out river-left, just after the bowling green but before the ferry. There you will see the Doggy-Paddle tent. Congratulations - you've finished!