They came. They saw. They paddled.

What do you get when you put a mathematics graduate, a public health graduate and a geography graduate in wetsuits? An Edinburgh University Canoe Club reunion.

The University's Canoe Club has served as a social outlet (both on and off the river) for those who have never sat in a kayak before to pro-paddlers. The EUCC have a reputation for being social and, in the great tradition of a social club, it attracts members from right across the University.

Rapid return

It was only two months after graduation that three EUCC alumni - Chris Brock (MA Public Health), Elizabeth Lennon (BSc Mathematics) and Merry Wright (BSc Geography) - decided it was time for a reunion. Travelling up from their new localities and new vocations, the club’s first residential trip of the semester served as the perfect opportunity to catch up and reconnect.

On the first weekend of November thirty current EUCC members and the three alumni made the journey to the Scottish Highlands for a weekend of partying and paddling, overlooked by the Mamores ridge, at Kinlochleven. 

Back in the boat

The group kicked off the events by kitting up for the journey down Loch Arkaig, this served a nice mix of rapids for the advanced paddlers and a more relaxed bimble for the beginners. After the paddle, the club warmed up in the bunkhouse for home cooked curry, a game of sock wrestling (an EUCC tradition) and some dancing.

The final day started with a good breakfast and then the club were back on the road and out on the water, this time further south, to the River Orchy. This allowed a crowd to take on the rapids and a smaller group to complete the middle section and be cheered in by a sea of supporting fans at the river’s Witches Step.

Once the rivers were travelled and the post-paddle fish and chips were eaten, it was time for the alumni to say goodbye.