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Aire Waves
Leeds Canoe Club Blog. We paddle... lots!
Airewaves used to be Leeds Canoe Club's magazine letting people know what the club was upto. Its quite hard work pulling together a publication letting people know what the club is doing and publishing dates in advance is always hard as things tend to change. Step forth the blog.. Push button publishing for the masses. So here is the idea a few people in the club take it in turns to write up trips and talk about things in the club.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006A beginners view of Llangollen
James split paddles here! What a weekend at Llangollen!! Everyone was so supportive and what excellent fun we had. Seriously fun introduction to white water.
The star of the weekend, for me, was Michelle my partner. She did not want to come, did not want to paddle and only agreed to come to protect me from myself. However, with everyone’s help particularly John Lucas (thanks) Michelle managed to paddle in a straight line and remain dry and upright the whole of Saturday – not something I can claim for myself.
For me, Saturday turned out to be a great day. My first roll up on a river – and in anger. Some could argue that there should be no need to roll particularly when it was a small drop but you all know how much I like swimming!!
Serpents Tail is amazing. Leaders took us towards it without first allowing us to inspect it. Normally, we would all get out, have a look, then decide how best to tackle it. However, for the newbies this was not the way – “it will be all right”, “it’s safe”. What that means is, it is scary to look at, and best encountered before fear sets in. Of course there is enough space to put a lot of safety on, so when you end up, upside down in or out of the boat there are people able to rescue. By the second run, all had experienced it and were afraid. 2/2 swims for me. In my defence, I did try to roll on my first attempt but aerated water = no purchase and I swam. Jonathan saved me with a perfect line (memo to self - owe him a pint).
The highlight of the spectacular Saturday Town Falls run was a pinned Andrew Hall lurking until Nigel Moore passed him and then riding over the top of Nige’s up-turned boat while Nige continued to feel it would be better to do the falls upside down. Everyone on the bridge went Ohh! in unison. Andrew just smiled and kept going or was that a smirk.
So, to the split paddles. Three weeks old carbon paddles, that it turns out were the only reason I was able to roll up on Saturday. First thing Sunday morning, Serpents tail. Having already swam once, I was eager!! for another go. Had agreed line I was to take having watched others and set off; to the left of the vee; straight over the wave; to the right of the haystack… Oops – that didn’t go right. Upside down against the rock with the wave bashing me against the wall. Not absolutely sure how my ‘roll up’ paddles were broken but guess they sacrificed themselves for me. Had to pull deck but was immediately washed backwards down small shoot with boat coming quickly after me. Decided to place myself between wall and boat to break the boats impact (not really but have bruise to prove that’s what happened). Curly threw a line – very welcome if only he had not thrown it clear over the gorge and it landed on the rock at the other side, three feet above my head. As I floated down stream, as if to add injury to insult, I spied the broken ends of my now split paddle teasingly sticking out of the water making their way down.
Andy lent me his splits, although top quality they were not my beloved (and now in two pieces) Carbon ‘roll up’ paddles, so much swimming to be had for the rest of the day. Final excitement of day was the better or more energy filled paddlers conquering Town falls. With only one swimmer (see Martins own blogg about himself).
I have gone on a bit but finally, I would just like to thank organisers Nige and Andy together with all the experienced coaches and paddlers who made this such a great weekend, but also to everyone who went – what a great bunch of people.
James Mckeeman
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