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Whitewater

Whitewater lakes trip

Last weekend saw a group of about 20 club members heading off to the Lake District on a new adventure for Addlestone Canoe Club. The mission was to find some rivers not paddled yet by the club and to venture to an unfamiliar location to put our skills to the test.

Our location for the weekend was The Old School House in Carnforth which made for an excellent location to travel into the Lakes area each day to chase the rain.

The trip was billed as medium to advanced level, and the amount of rain in early January made it a great challenge for many paddlers.

On the morning of day 1, all paddlers ran the River Lune from Lowgill to Killington New Bridge. With a level of nearly 1m on the Killington gauge, it was big bouncy fun all the way down, with not much rock-dodging needed. In the afternoon, the braver members paddled the River Kent from Scroggs Weir to Park Head, a route that starts with a gentle bimble on relatively flat water before dropping into a series of gorges with challenging features and the final might Force Falls.

Day 2 saw the paddlers tackle the River Rawthey on a huge 2m from Sedbergh to the Lune confluence – easily the biggest river that some of the members had paddled. There were thrills (and a few spills) all the way down, including a challenging run through the Grade 4 Railway Falls that a few members elected to portage. The afternoon saw a small group travel to the Leven for a few fun runs down the first section in huge levels.

The last day was a return to the Lune – a chance to try some new lines, attempt to catch more eddies, and revisiting the sites of some topples for another go.

In the evenings everyone returned back to the bunk house to swap stories, watch videos and eat.

An amazing weekend was had by all those who attended and big thank you to the organisers and river leaders as these trips can’t happen without them.

You can see more of the fun we had in the YouTube video:

Categories
Whitewater

South Wales white water trip

Last weekend saw our club running its annual South Wales trip. Basing ourselves in Cardiff Bay enabled nearly 40 of our members to enjoy a great weekend putting into action the skills developed on flat water over the summer period.

On Friday, a small group took to the River Taff for a great paddle with the Rain Gods on our side. A really good paddles was had on nice levels (with guidance from friends from Cardiff Canoe Club). In the evening, more adventurous members took on Cardiff White Water Centre at 10 cumecs – its highest level.

Saturday the group travelled to Rest Bay for breakfast at the cafe followed by a spot of surfing. The waves were a perfect level for beginners and experts alike, and everyone’s skills developed massively over the day.

Sunday saw everyone at Cardiff White Water Centre, with the flow increasing through the day from 4 to 8 cumecs. Newer members benefitted from informal coaching from more experienced paddlers.

Everyone who attended had a great time and it was nice to have so many people come on the trip.

Categories
Whitewater

Trip to North Wales

At the end of August, the whitewater paddlers made their annual trip to North Wales, to paddle the Dee and the mighty Tryweryn.

The trip included group paddles on the Upper and Lower Tryweryn, as well as coaching sessions given by Dan Daley of Rock The Boat Activities.

Watch the video above to see the fun and the carnage.

Categories
Whitewater

Club trip to Cardington

Over the bank holiday weekend, the club organised a trip to Cardington whitewater course, in Bedford.

Cardington is a great introduction to moving water for new paddlers, and the annual club trip is a great family event and lots of fun for all involved.

The course is a flood channel for the Great Ouse, with a system of plastic blocks that can be positioned to make whitewater features along the course. The water is gravity fed by the Great Ouse, making a gentle flow that is one of the best and most beginner-friendly venues for learning moving water skills.

The event was shared with other clubs in the area, with many paddlers attending over the long weekend.

There was coaching on offer to new paddlers, particularly with young people and families learning new skills.

At the end of each day there was chance for some fun, with all shapes and sizes of craft being paddled down the course.