Thanks to the efforts of visiting working parties and Wey & Arun Canal Trust volunteers, youth groups using the canal to launch canoes at Drungewick now have much improved facilities.
Roger Dimmick Lane is used regularly by groups including Scouts, Sea Scouts and the local Renegades youth club to access the slipway and at times it could get muddy. Teams from London WRG and KESCRG spent the past weekend working here, laying a new road surface and erecting new fencing and signage.
Some 80 tons of type 1 stone was laid over two days to improve the track, making parking and loading and unloading canoes a lot easier. Volunteers also made a start on a new timber picnic bench, created from wood from the Tickner’s Heath road crossing project in Alfold.
Local firm Fluid Adventures (https://fluidadventures.co.uk/hires/wey-and-arun-canal/) also operates from the slipway at weekends and school holidays, offering a hire service for a range of canoes and kayaks from just £15. The company offers single and double kayaks as well as open canoes for use on the canal which is ideal for beginners thanks to its tranquil and still setting.
Those with their own canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and paddleboards are also welcome to use the canal, with a day licence costing just £5 (British Canoeing members go free) and a cost-effective annual licence at £15.
Please go to https://weyarun.org.uk/backdrop/canoes-boating for more information about bringing your own craft and to buy a licence.
Members of KESCRG and London WRG travelled from far and wide to help out over the past weekend.
The access track, known as Roger Dimmick Lane, was scraped, covered with type 1 stone and rolled to create an even surface.
The new surface will make accessing the slipway much easier and thanks go to all those who lent a hand.
Volunteers stayed overnight at a local hall as part of the Waterway Recovery Group weekend camp.
The 1st Findon Valley Sea Scouts is just one of the youth groups that regularly use the canal, this time bringing their pulling boat.
Paddlers can use their own craft on the canal but need a licence from the Trust if not a British Canoeing member.
