Dragon Paddlers

Afon Sawdde, Saturday 31 December 2011

2011-12-31T11:22:00.001-08:00

A new river for all but one of our paddlers - me (Hywel), Matt, Phil D, Nick B, Rhys Evans (no.1), Becs, and Tom, the odd man out who'd done it before. It took us about 2 hours and 40 minutes of driving (there and back) for about 1 hours 30 minutes paddling. Having met at Asda at 9.30am got on the water around 12, putting in at Pont-ar-llechau, and off at 13.30 at Bethlehem Road Bridge.

The first feature, the slot drop shown in the UK Rivers Guide site did indeed grab the tail of a couple of us. Given the water level was pretty low (4 on the gauge downstream), it does lend support to the though it might backloop you at higher levels. (The chart shows the levels at Felin-y-cwm, somewhere on the Sawdde).

Once past that we were in a gorge which went on and on, and contained various other little drops and rapids. All agreed it was brilliant and at the water level we had a pretty easy run (only Becs having to put in one roll for real when caught out at one of the drops).

A pint at the Lord Rhys in Llandovery finished off a nice day and provided a good end to the year.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.

Teifi tour, Saturday 29 October 2011

2011-11-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

A year on, and here we were again, this time it was Matt and Luke (aged 6), Fran (1st river trip), Steve (2nd river trip), Becs (who paddled with us last year) and her student, Phil (1st river trip). The water was much higher than last year.

As Luke was paddling with us, on his first river trip, we went up to Llanfihangel Bridge to run the Grade 2 section down to Llandysul. I'd never done this before and it was very pleasant though the weather had deteriorated to rain and wind in our face by the time we broke for lunch at Llandysul. While getting ready to put on, another paddler worked out that Luke must have been the youngest paddler on the tour and asked to take a picture of him in his boat. The photo is probably on the web by now: have a search for it.

Phil broke the ice by capsizing more or less immediately once we put on, a trick he pulled off about 10 times during the trip. Luke decided he wouldn't capsize until he got to a rapid, a good decision which made the incident much more interesting for the rescuers. Matt and I surrounded him and when he started saying it was cold, I decided to take pity on him and yanked him on to my front deck and started to paddle to the bank. He slipped off a few times (I think he thought that's what Les has taught him to do in the pool) but we reached the river bank pretty quickly. Matt tempted him back on the water with promises that all he had to do was to reach Becs to get a Mars bar. Once he'd had the one Mars bar I think he thought feigning capsize would be a good way to get another one so later on he had another go. While he was stopped on the bank I met up with Brian from Aberystwyth who I'd paddled with in Switzerland last May and he called an open boat over to give Luke a ride. So, Luke arrived Viking-like at Llandysul.

Unfortunately, the cold had got to Fran and Steve by this time, so it was just me, Becs and Phil who made the run down to Henllan. Phil took about 4 swims getting from the Llandysul put-in to get past the Cauldron so when we got to Pentrecwrt weir we decided he'd better portage while Becs and I ran it (there was still a tongue, just).

I ran Hendre successfully but Brian (who we'd caught up with) who came down after me took a bad move to go right, and swam, and he misled Phil who did the same, followed by Becs, who told me later (I think) just rolled.

All good fun. A shame not more members joined us. I'm sure everyone voted enthusiastically for the tour at the most recent meeting at the Plough. Next year maybe?

Taff, Saturday 19 February 2011

2011-07-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

This trip was arranged by Amber to count towards her GCSE. It attracted a large turnout. As far as I remember (and me writing it up on 29 May!) there was Andy R, Matt, John O', Emlyn, Steve White and friend, Nick B, Rhys, Jon and Lewis, Chris and David, me (Hywel) and many others! (Let me know if you were there and I've left you out). The water was at too high a level really and the river was largely washed out. We split in two groups and only the second went over Radyr weir. Nick B led us over nearly in the centre. Shortly afterwards, John O' capsized and I rescued him. Later on, many practised safe swimming, coming under a bridge and having throwlines aimed at them. Most survived as far as I could tell. A well arranged and enjoyable trip.

Afon Tarell, Sunday 6 February 2011

2011-02-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

4 of us did this. I've blogged it on my personal blog: If you can't read Welsh, you could try to see what Google Translate will make of it!

Afon Honddu, Saturday 8 January 2011

2011-01-15T13:33:00.000-08:00

Seven of us made it on this trip: me (Hywel), John C, Gareth, Matt, Phil, Aled and Emlyn. Emlyn took the photos. As they show, the main difficulties on this river are not the water per se, but the trees and the man made kayak traps, put there no doubt by the anti-kayaking Wye and Usk Foundation. They'll say that this river isn't kayaked. Well, they're wrong. As well as this trip, John and I did it, on 29 December 2002 to be exact, when the water level was, according to John's memory about a metre higher than we found it.

As well as the trees causing 3 capsizes and 1 swim (under!!!! a tree by Aled after he broached on a tree branch) we also had the excitement of hearing gun shots in several places as we found ourselves paddling alongside a couple of shoots.

When we scouted the end of the river the water was red and pretty high. By the time we reached the end (after 2 hours 5 minutes) it was much lower. Luckily it was high enough all the time we were on it so that there were no substantial scrapes.

End of story. We all went for a pint/coffee to the Nant Ddu Lodge (passing Tai'r Bull which seemed to be open this time!). A good time was had by all. Why don't you come next time? (2019 for this river).

Upper Taff and Senni/Usk, Saturday 13 November

2010-11-13T14:36:00.001-08:00

Two trips today, or three if you count the fact that two groups did the same trip on the Usk with different start times and met up:
1. Taff
"Excellent small club trip on the upper Taff this morning.
Attendees;
Phil
Nick
Lewis
Ben and
Alex B

This was Alex's first trip on the Upper Taff and it was a perfect level. All features in play and some quite a challange.
I was very impressed with Alex pulling off 3 rolls "in anger". Both Alex and Lewis looked like they had been paddling this type of grade for years when they were navigating the graveyard.

No swimmers.

Well done one and all it was a very pleasant trip.

Phil"

2. Senni/Usk
Group 1, met 09.00: Matt, John O', Chris and David W.
Group 2, met 09.45: Hywel, John C., Rob and Gareth

A nice day though the water was pretty low, even though above mean winter level. Two swims, one by Rob (though he says it doesn't count) when he got swept under the overhanging tree after playing on a wave) and one by David. A more interesting feature was John O's sustained half-capsize - he wasn't going to come out! - before Matt eventually took a pity and gave him an Eskimo rescue. When shuttling we realised Wales were 7-3 against South Africa so we all rushed to Tai'r Bull hoping to see the rest of the game. It was shut. All cars progressed though the last two not knowing where the first three had gone, eventually settled for a pint without a screen at the Nant Ddu lodge. Hywel, John C, Rob and Gareth made it to the Drovers Arms, Cefn Coed-y-Cymer, with the usual effect: Wales lost. Nice pub though, with entertainment from a local fishmen who said he's shoot boilers at kayakers. (Translated I think he meant ball bearings). We parted in good spirits, me saying we'd see him on the river.

Afan, Sunday 7 November

2010-11-13T14:35:00.001-08:00

Run by Hywel, Emlyn, John C. and Gareth.

Rhondda, Saturday 6 November

2010-11-13T14:33:00.000-08:00

Matt, Phil, Nick and Anthony ran the Rhondda Fawr.

Teifi tour, Saturday 30 October 2010

2010-11-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

As the 2010 winter season starts, it's high time for me to blog a trip again. I met with Matt, Aled, Bryn, Iwan, Chris W and David at Llandysul at 9.30. When we were ready to go about an hour later we were approached by two paddlers (James and Becs) who work at Call of the Wild, Neath, looking for company as it was their first trip on the Teifi. The river was at a good level, as can be seen from the gauge record. What this meant was that the weir at Pentre Cwrt was still runnable, just, and Henllan was as much of a rapid as a fall.

Anyway, a good time was had by all I think. The first near incident was when Matt got caught just below the weir and managed to roll on about his third attempt. Just as I was warning another paddler in the eddy where I was waiting downstream that one of his group looked as if he was about to swim I realised it was Matt!

Chris wanted to get in position to take some photos of the group coming down so I led off with Chris following. A few seconds later and I was boat chasing. Not many photos there then.

Henllan was the main excitement as usual. Matt went first, followed by David (who had put in some good paddling in the grade 3 stretch below Pentre Cwrt weir), me, Aled, Bryn, Iwan, Becs and James (I'm not 100% sure of the order of those behind me). As I got down the falls there was a boat and paddle in front of me. The safety guys got the boat and I got the paddle and I continued down to where Matt was rushing away to make sure David was OK. A minute or two later I paddled back out to recover a dry bag (Iwan's I found out later) and a few minutes later rescued a swimmer with a throw of my throw bag. I threw straight! (All that practice a couple of weeks ago when we had a white water safety and rescue refresher at Brecon paid off!). So we scored swims by David, Aled, Bryn, Iwan and Becs (after 3 rolls trying to avoid Aled's boat). Chris didn't paddle it but tried to get a photographic record. Actually, it wasn't the fall itself which caused the carnage but the rapids above.

Having shuttled back to Llandysul, Matt, James and I then had a warm-down paddle on the river by the centre.

Thanks to all involved. I enjoyed it and I think everyone else did too.

Hywel

Afon Tawe, Saturday 3 April 2010

2010-04-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

Amazingly it had rained during the week after a long dry spell, so Matt, Paul and Ben, Nick and I (Hywel) went looking for water. Matt fancied the Llia so off we went. (A couple of photos of us standing an hour later alongside the Llia which was just too low to run are on the club's Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4992292&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=61639007515&aid=-1&id=531814458&fbid=405512619458). Half an hour or so later again and we were at Craig-y-nos. The gauge just by there (on the mill feed?) read 4 and some 50m lower down another was at 7 on the lower part of the gauge. This is how the water level was at 17.00 and later:

I reckon this is pretty low for the Tawe but even so there was hardly any scraping and it was a good level for what for all of us apart from Matt was a first run on the river. For comparison, here's a similar image of the level on the Usk (at Brecon) which I ran the following day. This was pretty high for the Usk - just goes to show how different the water catchments can be.

Anyway back to the Tawe. It's a pretty continuous section, though not particularly technical even at the low level we had. There were two memorable features. The first involved a slide over a horizon line down into a frothing pool leading straight into a narrow (2 boat width?) short gully, the left hand side of which was clearly undercut. The second was a fall (8ft?). Matt ran first going straight down the obvious slot into the foaming water. Ben, in his play boat, took the same line but with a short boat got somewhat munched. Luckily, Nick rescued one of Ben's boots on its way down river. Ben stayed by his boat held by the water, admiring the view for a bit, before managing to swim away. My run involved me flaring off the left side of the slot. Nick took a similar approach but got turned so he faced the fall when at the bottom but back paddled successfully while Paul ran it impressively dynamically, landing almost too horizontally for his back. This is a great river. We must make it a regular trip, bearing in mind that it's not suitable for beginners and that the water level is critical. It goes up to Grade 5 by all accounts in big water! We finished off with the traditional pint to do our bit to support the local economy.

3 trip weekend 23-24 January 2010

2010-01-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

This was an active weekend for the club with members making 3 different trips.

The first trip was on Saturday with Matt leading a trip on the Tarell with Andy P and Jordan, Paul and Ben, Chris, Emlyn, Kirsty and someone else who I forgotten. Emlyn reported that there were about 4 trees blocking the rive at various points and as it was low water there was plenty of broaching and scraping, making for a tiring trip.

The second trip was by the sea kayakers with Hywel leading Rob and Emlyn - out for his second trip of the weekend - from Swanbridge to Flat Holm. I'd said I wanted to practice rescues and Emlyn obliged by capsizing as soon as we went through the cleft by the jetty leaving Flat Holm. Both legs of the journey provided some testing times with a Force 3 NW wind and some rough water. 2 hours 45 minutes of paddling, a distance of 7.6 nautical miles.

The 3rd trip was led by Andy. They were meant to have been going to Symonds Yat but ended up once again on the lower Taff. Andy reported: "John Taylor run the weir on the lower Taff a little bit to far right in to the recirculating water, went over, fought to get back up, but eventually won through and rolled up!

Morale of the story is, follow the line John! But well done."

2009-11-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Four go Mad on the Ysgir.

Four nutters......, sorry, intrepid kayakers, Hywel, John C, Emlyn and Rob, with more gear than sense, ran the Ysgir on Sunday 22 November.

After insepcting the Tarell, which was running very high at the bridge to the industrial estate just outside Brecon, it was decided to do the Ysgir on the basis that it might be a slightly easier run, given water levels. Yeah right.

The put-in is at Pont-Faen, with Hywel opting for the busier start on the Ysgir Fach which led almost immediately into a meaty stopper just above the bridge. The other 3 opted for a lower get-in on the Ysgir Fawr, just 50 meters below.

The river was very high (1.7 on the gauge at the get-out) and running fast. Trees and branches were the main hazard in the channel, together with Hywel's dodgy eyesight, and he was supposed to be leading! At the first obstruction Hywel went river left under the arch of a branch but boofed on another just below the surface; after that little surprise the others went river right and limboe'd under the branches. Eddies were proving something of a challenge - well at least to Emlyn and Rob. The next incident was Emlyn getting pinned against a tree in an eddy which he only just made. Judicious use of throw lines managed to extract him from that without too much bother.

A few Km later two drops in rapid succession were scouted, the first quite small but followed almost immediately by a gnarly river-wide drop with a really meaty stopper at the bottom. Hywel ran first and had a wobbly drop just left of centre but managed to recover. Rob ran next a bit more to the right but was stopped almost dead in the stopper with his boat almost vertical. A few frantic strokes saw him manage to get out. After seeing those two narrow escapes John and Emlyn decided to portage.

Eddies continued to be the trip's nemesis, and with Hywel and John safely in two eddies on opposite sides to the river, Rob watched Emlym miss the eddy river right and capsize as he hit a tree, shortly followed by Rob who was also taken down to the green room, missing the same eddy because he was too busy watching Emlyn. An extended swim followed for both, with Hywel and John helpless, given the flow. Eventually, both managed to self-rescue with both boats and paddles - quite miraculous given the conditions. We re-grouped in an eddy river left with Hywel considering walking the remainder but John, in his best Scottish brogue, saying we didn't have far to go and it would be OK. The other two were too traumatised to speak.

We scouted the next series of drops in a tree-lined gorge and decided to portage - a wise move in all the circumstances. We continued for a few K with lots of wave trains and very wobbly entries
into eddies, particularly from Rob. It didn't seem long before a shout from Hywel told us we were upon the weir at the get-out at Pont ar Ysgir. It looked lethal with a big towback and had risen to 1.9 during the trip - so we got out above and finished the trip with a change in the pouring rain.

But all became well with a drink in the pub at Libanus.

Dart Loop, weekend 24-25 October

2009-10-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

A grand total of 17 members made their way to the Dart for the trip on the Saturday, namely Andy R, Ieuan, Matt, Mark, Steph D, Chris, Aled, Iwan, Bryn, John, Siân, Paul, Ben, Nick B, Lewis, Euros and me (Hywel). Most, but not all for some inexplicable reason, are in the picture.

It had rained on the Friday and on the Saturday morning and the river had come up to a good medium level. We split into two groups: Matt and Del led Paul, Ben, Mark, Chris, John, Siân while Andy and Hywel went with Nick B, Lewis, Aled, Iwan, Bryn, Ieuan and Euros.

There was plenty of boat chasing! The inexperienced paddlers all seemed to enjoy themselves nevertheless, as did the experienced.

The water level fell dramatically overnight. After hopefully scouting the River Walkham we (as above less Andy, Ieuan, Aled, Iwan, Bryn, John and Siân) returned to the Dart still thinking a trip on the Upper might be on but found the level had dropped perhaps two foot overnight to be some 6 inches below the lowest part of the ledge by the bridge at the put-in for the Loop. With no other options the Loop was run again but with considerably less excitement than on the first day.

Flat Holm again! Sunday 13 Sept

2009-09-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

Emlyn, Rob and Hywel had a lovely day out, travelling from Jackson Bay to Flat Holm and back, total distance paddled around 14 miles, 3 and three quarters of paddling all told, with over 2 hours on the island. One highlight was hearing us being discussed on the VHF by the two ships passing us, one to port, one to starboard (that's left and right for you non-nautical river paddlers), on our way out, and then further mention of us on the way back.

Tryweryn Saturday 5 Sept 2009

2009-09-11T13:43:00.001-07:00

A great club turn out saw Matt, Piers, Paul and Ben, Emlyn, John O'C and Mark camping on the Friday night to be joined by me (Hywel), Euros and Phil on the Saturday morning. There were masses launching as we got on the water at about 11.15. As a last parting shot before we put on at the raft take out I warned people to sat fairly central going under NRA bridge as the water would take people left to the metal box above the wave. Off we went and Paul successfully picked out the metal box above the wave for a close inspection. I think we managed to score a couple of rolls - from Euros and (?) Matt - going through that wave, and then Matt pulled another roll at Chapel Falls after landing on Paul's boat in the stopper while chasing it down. (Piers swam around here too I think I remember).What a start! Cracking. Did I mention it was a respectable 10 cumec release? It calmed down a bit until a short Grade 3 section when a paddler from another group swam and didn't follow our directions for him to swim river left. As a result Ben drifted into some branches and capsized. Paul threw him a line which he grabbed and swam with his boat to the bank. At this point, years of me carrying Denso tape paid off as it was needed to stop the water pouring into a long crack on the bottom of Paul's boat. Anyway, it did the trick and off we set again. We had split into two groups by the this point, but this brought us together again and we went more or less together down to Mill Falls. We phaffed around setting up protection and went to run it in two separate groups again. This first went well, then the second went for their go. Unfortunately, when Paul got on the water he realised the water was pouring in again (you didn't seal launch in and scrape the tape off did you Paul?) and he judiciously decided running Mill Falls with a boat full of water would not be a great idea so had to carry out again. Eventually the second group got off for their run and all got down - the highlight being Emlyn who kept us on tenderhooks 'til the very end. He is the blue boat in the video:

Then we went up to run the top section. Chris made a valiant run above the Graveyard but took a swim but he had another go further down. All other details escape me now except some of us had another run of the upper section (joined by Paul who had a lend of Mark's boat: thanks Mark) and Matt and Phil had a third. The following day most of them did the Dee. Details to follow!

Bring an extra kayak to the river..... but forget your paddle and cag!

2009-07-31T03:38:00.000-07:00

Sunday 26th July 2009

This was the start of what we thought would be an ‘easy’ days paddling on the Wye from Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat. In all, there were three of us who made the trip- myself, Meic and Hywel.

After hastily negotiating the hire of my forgotten paddle and cag from Wyedean we got on the river at 11:20. As we anticipated from the Web, levels were fairly high with the river moving rather like a wide brown conveyor belt in some places.

On the way down river to Symonds Yat we had to temper Hywel’s enthusiasm to engage with what little rapids (rapidlets, ripples or trickles even??) we encountered by pressing on with our marathon paddle around the Knot. Things seemed a little more strenuous for myself (my own fault I might add) because I was effectively paddling with what felt like an oversized lollipop stick with blades set at right angles! Thanks go to the others for sharing their paddles….. however reluctant they were at times!

After a food stop where Hywel had to unfold himself from the Inazone and relearn how to walk, we eventually got to Symonds Yat. Before descending the rapids, Hywel being the experienced paddler gave us some pointers and off he shot. I followed not really knowing what to expect but rode the rapids and got into one of the eddies fully expecting the others to be behind. Hywel joined me but alas no Meic.

On our second attempt, I followed Hywel to one of the top eddies. After Hywel’s demo, I then powered through the eddy line edging with my right knee, got a bow sweep in ….to wobble like a jelly and take a swim! Many thanks to Hywel though for choosing to save my boat rather than my sandwich box. Great decision making because the sandwich box was always a strain to paddle anyway!

We then rounded off a great day out with a pint in the Saracens Head. As novices, Meic and I would like to thank Hywel for the benefit of his advice and experience.

Club trip - Aberbran to the prom in Brecon

2009-07-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

We met at the usual meet for traveling North, the Indian restaurant on the A470. I arrived on time ("for once" I hear Matt M cry) and saw about 8 people milling around. Not a bad turn out I thought to myself, when another car turned up... then another and another. Kayakers numbered 21 in total, after we sorted out car share and kit we headed up in convoy to the Prom in Brecon.

After helping (or maybe hindering) to sort what felt like a military maneuver - the shuttle - we had all boaters and kit - after we found Rees and Amber - at the put in, Aberbran.

WOW - What a turn out, 21 people that's impressive!

And even more impressive... most of them were smiling for the group photo.

The river offered a rather sedate trip due to the water levels but dragon paddlers managed to inject a little spice.Rees pictured here was introduced to ferry gliding and did what every beginner does and offered his upstream edge to the current... However, he then bucked the trend of beginners and held on in his capsized boat until the T-Rescue was offered and duly taken. Well done Rees.

Now the pool sessions have broken up for the summer hols it was great to see Les (club treasurer) out enjoying the banter. Pictured here with his daughter Sam, who was showing it really is like riding a bike, as she hadn't paddled in 2 years.

After a disappointing lack of swimmers, except for those crazy kids who deliberately got out of their boats and swam at every possibility - the river was surprisingly warm - we managed to meander and bum shuffle our way through the stunning countryside back to the Prom.

Paddlers who attended were;
Phil D, Matt M, Nick B, Paul M, Miec, Lowri, Aleid, Bryn, Ieuan, John, Sian, Rees, Amber, Liz, Chris W, Eric, David, Piers, Emlyn, Les & Sam.
Phew...

I hope all that attended enjoyed the trip even with the low water - It is great to see new faces on the river trips. A big thank you to Matt who made the trip happen and to Nick and Paul who introduced new concepts for the novices to think about.

Here's some random pictures of the trip.

One last thing... What was Matt thinking??????

Caption competition... The best caption wins a...

Flat Holm, 31 May 2009

2009-06-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Just two of us did this trip - Hywel and Emlyn - but we'll count it as a club trip. We set out from Swanbridge into a Force 3 wind with about an hour to go before the tide would turn at Flat Holm and we just got there, with maybe 5 minutes to spare. Cut it a bit tight and it would have been disappointing to paddle all the way there just to have to come striaght back. Anyway, we got there, landed on the beach by the landing stage and went up to the top to have our lunch. Given we were wearing bright clothing, it's not surprising we were spotted by the warden (might have been the assistant) . I knew it would cost us! She came over and, yes, the landing fee is now £4. Still, it was lovely. Emlyn got clicking with his camera - the photos here were taken by him - and then after about an hour we left again. The tide waits for no man and we didn't want to get swept past Swanbridge. Launching we found the sea had picked up and as we went clockwise around the island it was really quite rough with a spot of clapotis until we rounded the point to get into the lee of the island, out of the tidal stream. We headed around the island and then broke into the stream, again through some fairly rough water but then settled down for the long ferryglide back. We past close to the Wolves buoy which is always impressive as it seems to come motoring towards you - must be 4 knots at times. Then we finished off with the traditional pint in the Captain's Wife. A great day out.

Usk at a low level - Mill falls - 2nd May 09

2009-05-04T01:27:00.000-07:00

7 paddlers made the trip, which considering the levels was a very good turn out. Myself, Matt, Paul, Nick, Chris, Ben & Lewis. The trip was split into 3 sections - Paddling to mill falls - Playing on mill falls - Paddling to the get out.

The level at the falls was low but the surf wave down the centre channel was a perfect height for a nice friendly surf. Nearly everyone managed to have a surf and some people went no HANDS!

After getting used to the dynamics of the wave, lewis was tempted by adrenalin to surf the wave's face and an exciting few minutes ensued with Lewis shredding the wave like everyone else.

Chris also caught the wave and enjoyed the biggest surf of his kayaking career. Saying afterwards that he wants to find a bigger wave!

When finished on the wave we used the falls to practice some zip lines, live bait rescues and swimming.

Even though the water levels were low, we all had a great time in the sun and the boats.

No rain but a demo day 25/4/09

2009-04-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

Still no rain but there is some on the horizon so don't dispair all you boaters out there, we'll be on the water soon. Due to the evenings getting longer it could be an evening paddle.

Up and under had a demo day today with all the major boat suppliers. You could pick almost any boat you could think of in production today and have a go on the Ely. I tried a couple of play boats, and impressed with happy feet from Jackson kayaks, bought them. Looking forward to trying it out soon in the Juice.

Saw loads of people I know and had a chat to Hywel at the end. Very interesting, it turns out that more people know Hywel, than Hywel actually knows. He was struggling with a sea kayak beast of a boat (what else, there were loads there - he was in his element!), when he thought he saw a stranger nearby. That was until the -stranger- turned to him and said, "Do you want a hand with that Hywel?"...

See you on the water,
Phil

Tryweryn Sat 11/4/09

2009-04-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

No rain for many weeks meant a trip to Bala for a run on the Dam released river. Paddlers who made the trek were;
Phil D - Mark D - Steve D - Matt M - Paul M - Ben M

We all took on the lower section first which is generally regarded as a technical grade 2. But we started from the lower car park, which everyone who's boated there before will know you have to blast through the NRA wave and Chapel falls. Chapel falls can be a nasty stopper if taken on the right.

I led the section and when through chapel I looked round to see the whites of everyone's eyes... All except Matt who had his poker face deployed.

Everyone got their breath and Paul led most of the way down to Bala mill falls. Mark was complaining that he was just too hot, so to remedy this he flipped his kayak and swam for it - very refreshing. First thing he stated was "I'm not running the upper!"

Bala Mill was great fun. After we checked out the line and Paul's face went a little whiter, we settled on an order of decent. Matt went first into the top eddie - cool as a cucumber - I ran the fall but didn't remember it being THAT big, and took up a position in an eddie at the bottom.

Paul's run was a classic - picked his line and then completely missed it. He did perform excellently though and I can testify that he has a fantastic high brace. I remember his eyes like saucers and his smile wider than his face, shouting in his Irish accent "I don't know how I stayed up... I DON'T KNOW HOW I STAYED UP... I DON'T KNOW HOW I STAYED UP!!!".

After the shuttle was sorted we moved on to the upper section. Fantastic runs. Ben took to it like a duck to water and we couldn't get him off Cafe wave for the second run.

Paul did well in the white stuff, down through the graveyard, conquered the ski jump but the dreaded Mrs Davies's bridge claimed another victim. Paul had a small swim and we rescued his boat just above cafe wave. There's a picture somewhere of me diving for it, and no Euros it's not a swim... not even a technical one!

The second run was a blast, we got 3 boaters in the micro eddie river right just above the graveyard, Matt D, Steve Delany and Me. - Chuffed to bits I exited... and capsized. Not my preferred choice to roll in the graveyard. But roll up I did.

Steve (Del) caught the micro eddie on the ski jump, Matt followed him in, but I couldn't squeeze the juice in!

Loads of fun on Cafe wave and NRA - Have a look at the pics on the website. (they should be going up soon). We also met up with some friends from Lemington Spa - They want to come and paddle some welsh water very soon.

Thanks to all I had a great time.

Phil D

Glasbury to Hay-on-Wye, Sunday 5 April

2009-04-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

Low water but a good turn out. Some of the pictures:

Lower Taff and Symonds Yat

2009-03-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

The last two weekends have seen two easy trips. Last Sunday, Hywel, Owain, Euros, Emlyn and Nick T. went to Symonds Yat where we also met up with Steffan and Jack B. The young ones did much rolling, the elder did much swimming!

The previous Sunday saw around 13 venture onto the lower Taff, being led by Andy, Phil and Nick B. A good trip was had by all, according to all accounts.

Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 Feb

2009-02-03T13:03:00.000-08:00

Nick B, Paul Mac, Lewis, Ben, Mark, John C and Hywel tripped on the Ogwr Fawr, from Blackmill to Sarn. The first 4 named are regulars to this stretch but for the last 3 named it was a new river. It was suprisingly pleasant. We had to press our way through the crowds gathered for the hunt at the Fox and Hounds to get park and get on the river. When stting up the shuttle we realised it wasn't a bad level, at least not a scrape. The river description is: go over the small ledge natural weir (usually centre), and repeat n times. There's one substantial boxed weir with three steps - which we inspected. No problem at all on the day (as I suspected I found the second step quite a bit stickier than the first, partly due to the first taking one's momentum away so that the almost immediate approach to the second was quite a bit slower than one might like) but at even a lsightly higher level one could see it might be better portaged.

Nick B had a go (intentional) at slotting into a stopper. Given there was really no possible alternative outcome than being sucked in, he did the job, rolling in the process before being washed out.

No other news worthy events.

Sunday found Rob G, Emlyn and Hywel gathered at Swanbridge, waiting for Grant, who'd invited us along - and didn't turn up. Given they found a Force 5 eastly freezing wind and moderately rough sea, the 3 wise men decided to have their cups of hot chocolate/coffee in the car, and talk of sea trips, before heading home as dry as when they arrived. A very pleasant trip. Thanks to Grant for organising it! The sea kayaking section goes from strength to strength.

Christmas paddle, 20 December 2008

2009-01-04T12:37:00.000-08:00

Two trips - same place, different times. Both on the Upper Taff, one meeting at 8.30, the other at 10, both finishing together.

On the first there was Matt, Phil, Paul Mac, Nick B and Lewis, Jack, and Tom and another from London, Chris W and son, and on the second, John O', Emlyn, Andy, Euros and Hywel.

Andy has posted some video clips:

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=dragon+paddlers&search_type

Sunday 14 Dec: River Usk, Tal-y-bont to Crickhowell

2008-12-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

As it rained on Saturday Matt thought the rivers would be up. They weren't. A good number turned up at Matt's at 9 (apart from Phil who'd insisted on a prompt start: he turned up around 9.15). The others were Hywel, Euros, Emlyn, Nick T, Chris W, Mark, Alan S and mate Jules, John C., 11 in all.

To cut a very long story - of scouting the Tarell, then going to Tal-y-bont and losing contact with Emlyn - short, we got on the river at 11.55, a mere 3 hours after meeting. No matter, it was a nice trip and it gave Nick T a chance to pull-off his first whitewater roll which he did, on two occasions. Only one swim, by Chris right at the end when he tried to practise his roll. Unfortunately, he didn't make sure others knew what he was up to, so when the roll wasn't, he swam and the boat was duly chased and rescued. (I think he scrambled to the bank in case you wondered).

Same again next Saturday?

Sunday 7 Dec. Sea trip: Jackson Bay, Barry to Lavernock Point and back

2008-12-12T12:45:00.001-08:00

Dragon Paddlers finally have a sea kayaking fraternity. Hywel, Rob and Emlyn did a 10 mile round trip on a beautiful day, though at one point they got shrouded in mist. But see the tranquility!

Lower Taff Saturday 6 December 2008

2008-12-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

Report by Chris W, who was on the trip with his 3 sons, Grant, Phil, Matt, Mark, Paul Mac, Emlyn plus some others - John N and Neil I think:

It's never "just another paddle", but it is always "another great day". The normal Saturday pool spot could not run on Saturday 6th December so we all headed off to the river instead. Approximately 12 of us did the lower Taff in nice conditions - enough water for a good paddle and blue skies - what more could we ask for.

It was a nice trip for novices who were pleased to get down the river, and a good trip for the more experienced thanks to Grant's coaching. Grant was teaching the techniques needed on bigger trips that can't be learnt at the pool or when you're on that big river but in survival mode.

On the river we did have some confusion on terminology: Phil gestured to an eddy for grant, and got a tirade of eddie grant songs from unnameable canoeists !!!

The trip made a good intro to some of the clubs youngest and newest members who made a good passage, although mutterings about not being allowed to shoot Radyr weir were heard !!!

Phil demo'ed some of his rope resuce skills learnt at a recent white water safety course. The pictures (below) courtesy of Emlyn are attached.

All in all this was a fantastic Saturday morning and made a great alternative to the usual pool session. Thanks go to Grant, Phil, Matt and Mark for helping to lead the trip.

1 November Swan rescue

2008-11-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

Just to record the excitement of helping the Swan Rescue folk to catch a swan who'd broken his wing, down on one of the reens down Marshfield way. 2 Dragon Paddlers and one from Cardiff CC turned up and after a short chase we managed to separate the injured swan from the others (about 5 if I remember correctly, 2 adults, 3 other young ones). He then scrambled up the side into the road but his path was bloked by a lorry and the Swan Rescuer managed to grap hold of him. His fate was to be driven to some sanctuary in Surrey.

Afon Mellte

2008-08-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

Young braves on the Mellte:

Tags: Afon Mellte

Nedd Fechan and Rhondda Fawr

2008-08-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

Lest anyone thinks that no blog entries=no activity, I thought I should record a couple of trips.

On Wednesday 6 August, I went with Phil, Matt and John O' to paddle the Rhondda Fawr. As it had been raining, it was a reasonable level, meaning no scrapeing at the put in behind the Lord Ton-y-pandy (although still off the bottom of the gauge beyond the usual Hopkinsown take-out - but paddling when the water reaches the gauge would mean extremely high and dangerous levels). Again, as it had been raining, the river stank (as usual). I hadn't paddled the river for at least 3 years so spent my time looking for half-remember weirs and a new weir I thought I'd heard had been built. In the end I never did find a new weir and if anything think one of the old ones (a bit of a boxed-in one) has gone (maybe lost when they build the new bridge in Porth?. The run immediately after the excitement of the stopper below the right hand side bridge arch was fun. I told John the route - fairly centre, don't go far river right and then shot down. John came last - far river right - but with a good brace he still managed to get through the big stopper. Later, Phil and Matt had a short go on the play wave while I watched, thinking there's no way I going to risk a capsize in this stinking river. Then John had a go - capsized and swam - but we quickly got him to the bank. The rest of the run was incident free. Despite the water quality, I did see a heron - and a kingfisher: the first time I remember seeing one on the Rhondda. Maybe it was crisp packet blowing across?

On Sunday 10 August I was out again, this time with Phil, John O' and Del. But when we go the Tarell it was too low even though it had been raining overnight and just before we arrived (around 1pm). John kindly offered to do a shuttle even tough not paddling when we decided to go for the Nedd Fechan. Even more kindly, he lent his shorts to Phil who'd forgotten to bring anything to wear in the nether region. The Nedd Fechan was medium low. We found and portaged the two major water falls. Phil and Del ran the Horse Shoe Falls successfully, even though getting the line at the top was hard as the water was so low at that point. I watched. The runs took about 15 secs., but the planning took about 45 mins! Phil continued to lead and after he and Del had scouted one bit told me something along the lines of left, middle, middle, right. I followed them down and lined up nicely for the final right to find both of them frantically indicating to the left. Too late, I was committed and went for the narrow shute - and went down and down, and came up (smiling I hope, without capsizing). Phil was pretty impressed that I and my big Jefe had completed disappeared from sight for a second or so. The run finished without incident, after about 4 hours in total. The evening finished off with a pint in the Upper Boat with Phil dressed with a red dragon towel as a kind of Welsh kilt. No pictures: sorry.

Hywel

River Dart weekend 2-3 February

2008-02-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

Upper Dart, Saturday: when we got on the water we split into 2 groups: Phil, Matt, Alan, Haydn, Hywel; and Del, Nathan, Tom, and Adam. It was low water but Tom capsized twice in the first 200 yards which was one reason why we thought two groups would be better than one. (It was Tom's first river trip, other than Hurley weir!). The main feature of the trip wa sthat Phil had a bad hangover so that he looked white and various shades of green at various points on the trip. He nevertheless managed to make a video:

Lower Dart, Sunday: I don't have details of who paddled. The main highlight unfortunately was that Jordan had to be taken to hospital with a head wound and possible concussion. Luckily, they glued his head back on and he's reported as being well again.

Tags: River Dart, kayaking

Usk, Saturday 5 January 2008

2008-01-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

River Usk, Tal-y-bont to Llangynidr

Party: Andy and Ieuan, Emlyn, Nick B, Nick T, Paul Mac, John N., me (Hywel), Owain and Euros. We were nearly joined by Mark who'd driven down from north Wales after a night shift - but who'd been expecting to paddle the lower Taff. John O' was a more distant miss, having failed to read the e-mails' joining instructions to meet at 9.30 at Asda, a phone call to him at 9.40 found he'd just got up.

We got on the water about 12. Emlyn saw something interesting on the river bed at the first eddy line at about 20 seconds past 12 but failed to roll back up and swam. The water was medium high and we had nice weather for the first couple of miles, followed by a mile of rain, which got us to Mill Falls.

We took our usual route river left. I went first and took an eddy. The plan was for Paul Mac to follow me, which he did, but not to the eddy. He found a much more adventurous route down, sailing past me in the eddy and closely inspecting several rocks middish river before successfully breaking out at the bottom. Others came down well, including Ieuan on his first run of this river. Andy was to be last down and I think he visited some of the same rocks as Paul, but paying the bottom of them closer attention (cutting his knuckles and getting a few scrapes on his head to prove it). An attempted roll or two failed and he eventually swam.

Thereafter it was plain sailing, bar a couple of technical swims by Owain falling back into the river when getting out of his boat, and Euros rolling 4 times when getting caught out in his surfing attempts.

By about 2.30 we were back at the cars. John N and Nick T left us but the rest of us went for a pleasant pint in the Star, another enjoyable trip completed.

Tags: River Usk

Ogwr Fawr, Sunday 30 Dec

2007-12-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

Report from Phil:
"Today's river was the Ogwr Fawr the 7 paddlers were;
Phil D
Dave C
Red Nick
Blue Nick
Antlers Emlyn
Ben M
Paul M

It was a brand new river for all the paddlers although
 Red Nick had walked
part of the river and was able to offer valuable
 advice. The get in was at
Blackhill on the Ogwr Fach which flowed into the main
 river just past a
small drop.

The river promised a good run when we shortly came
 upon a 10ft slide.

The river had approx 20 small weirs some more
 technical than others. Because
the level was on the low side I had a look at playing
 in a small sticky pour
over. A good practice for setting an edge and skulling
 for support. All the
paddlers had a go except the 2 Nicks and Emlyn. Red
 Nick went next and set a
great edge... then lost his paddle... capsized... and
 then held on till
support came. Blue Nick was then persuaded to have a
 go... and after making
it out without with a massive grin Emlyn said "no
 way".

Coffee break was taken while we scouted the boxed in
 weir from the bank.
Myself and Dave ran it first and had a surf in the
 first drop, took the 2nd
drop then waited for the rest of the group who saddled
 up after watching
while giving safety. Everyone ran the boxed weir
 safely and in control.

More drops followed and we were nearly at the get out
 when a giant squid (or
was it a rock) attacked my boat forcing a
 roll-in-anger. 

No swimmers and a fabulous time was had by all.
 Leading an unknown river was
an exhilarating and exciting experience.

Phil D"

Tags: Afon Ogwr , River Ogmore

River Wye, Sat 29 December

2007-12-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

The team: Matt, Dave, Mark, Adam, John O', John C, Euros, Owain and me (Hywel).

The river: Wye, from Dernol to Rhayadr (Rhaeadr Gwy in Welsh which as you may have forgotten means Waterfall of the Wye). UK River Guide description:http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/wyeupper.htm

Water level: pretty high. According to John O', the Environment Agency said 1.17m on the gauge at 06.00 that morning.

Although we left Abercynon at 9.00 we didn't get on the water until after 12. The water speed then meant a fairly quick trip, over by around 14.15 (followed by a visit to the Lamb and Flag, we got home around 17.15).

Memorable events:
1. not recognising the Letterbox (where I got back-flipped and stuck in the slot before swimming on my last trip a couple of years ago, in very low water). High water meant it merged with the drop on river right.
2. Owain took a swim on one of the falls.
3. Euros rolled in anger on a river for the first time- twice, most impressively when caught in the stopper just above Town Falls.
4. Me, the only fool to try the main drop at Town Falls, capsizing and eventually swimming as my leg lost its grip on my third attempt at a reverse screw roll.

An exhilarating trip, excellent fun. Thanks to all participants.

Tags: Afon Gwy , River Wye

Christmas Eve on the Upper Taff

2007-12-29T12:15:00.000-08:00

We had a nice paddle, though the Christmas cake at Matt's at the end was the high point as the water was so low.

Here's a picture of us at the put-in, looking forward to the cake:

Here's the film: "http://www.youtube.com/v/Fz9NdMBNREE&hl=en&fs=1"

The following link takes you to a Google map showing trip waymarks:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106373196076705664737.00044231c6ea600344295&z=11&om=0
Tags: Afon Taf , River Taff

Upper Taff in near flood, Friday 6 Dec

2007-12-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

An account from John O'C:

"On Friday I went on the Taff with two Kayakers Phill & Dave C (Matt had to lay some thing, well that's what he said!)

At the put in at Quakers Yard the high water was grade 5 the tree was cpmletly under the water

I assume it was only a few yards at this grade I was wrong It lasted about 80yards, I was thinking this is not the place for a 16ft open, the rest of the rive was continues grade 3 with huge waves coming at you from all directions I have never see water like it. It made the Trweryn top section look like child's play

Some waves had to be over 6 ft No one stopped to play a swim would be very long

Then came to the grave yard (grade 5) it was huge water and rocks every where the others took the drop ion the centre of the river I arrived safely

I went down the LHS to avoid the drop which I was not confidant I could make, and if I did I would be full of water. All was going well I now had to move into the centre of the river to avoid a tree

I knew there was a 20ft wide wave across part of the river and I tried my best to get past it. the boat was at a angle and the long and short of it is I swam

The boys were waiting for me after this section and they rescued me and then the boat

My dry suite is in for repair so I was very damp

Then were on more features after the grave yard, just grade 3 with huge waves coming at you from all directions.

We were off the water before 3:30

It was a paddle I will remember, and I am glad I did it and survived, would I do it again NO not at this level

KNOW WHEN YOU'RE LUCKY

Thank you

John O'Connell"

Tags: Taff

Sennybridge- Aberbrân on the Usk Sat 1 Dec

2007-12-12T14:47:00.000-08:00

Just to record a trip. Fairly low water, quite fine weather. Though a bit chilly, not bad for Aberbrân. We were: Matt and his mate Adam, Dave C, John C., Paul and Ben, Andy and Josh, me (Hywel) and Euros.

Backwards on the seal launch slide, Symonds Yat

2007-11-19T15:02:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrLwCkZ8dS4

Trip to Holme Pier Point, Nottingham

2007-11-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7b_T1LhOSg

Video of trip to the Tryweryn

2007-10-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHolUX2oKb8

North Devon Sea Meet, 15-16 Sept 2007

2007-09-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

Three Dragon Paddlers attended (Hywel, Rob G. and Emlyn), and undertook two trips. The first, around 12 miles long, was in fine weather, flat sea and no wind, from Lynmouth to Combe Martin. The second, on Sunday, was again in fine weather but with a slight-moderate sea and a Force 3 - 4 south-westerly wind to start with, though a Force 7 was forecast. Because of that forecast we were very cautious and paddled a round trip of only about 6 miles, from Hele Bay to the east of Ilfracombe to the beach at Brandy Cove point. 7 paddlers undertook the full first day trip, 8 the second. We had one capsize and rescue on the second day. Both were great trips (as are all DP trips of course).

River Dart, 3-4 February 2007

2007-02-26T14:37:00.000-08:00

A weekend trip, 4 members did the upper Dart on the Saturday and 12 did the Loop on the Saturday.

Tags: River Dart

Lower Taff, Sunday 27 January

2007-01-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

Report from Emlyn: "4 of us took to the waters on this nice Sunday morning. Weather Calm, cloudy ,10 deg C. Andy Rees in charge, with novices Nick Bradshaw, Nick Thorne and me (Emlyn.).Andy decided that we’d shoot the weir for starters. N.T and myself hadn’t done this before so an apprehensive start. Andy went first (to guide us) and from the top he looked o.k., didn’t realise till he explained after that he’d overshot it to the right and at the bottom shot out to safety(he’s previously described this as the pool of death!). NT went down the weir on the correct section, (the piece that is angled higher than the rest) but came unsteady at the base, overturned but managed a good roll and made for safety. NB and myself managed to get down unscathed. NB hadn’t done it over this part of the weir, he’d done it on the left previously. The river level had dropped a bit from recent weeks, but was at a comfortable level, and fast flowing, with a few rocks just under the surface at the beginning hampering progress. Saw a few fishermen on the way down – some heavily camouflaged! We were soon travelling quite nicely, practiced some break-ins and outs on the way, played a bit as well – still getting used to these could do with some more practice. Saw a couple of nasty strainers on the way down, one a shopping trolley plus a gathering of attachments – could be nasty in difficult conditions, but today were easily spotted and avoided. Bouncy bits further downand NT went over but managed a good roll again. We made it in one piece through the little rapid, that was nice and stopped for a picnic just after the railway bridge (little beach left) – mars bar and coffee really! The river was quite smooth after this and when we stopped in an eddy, saw 2 sets of white water racers going past - strange looking crafts. NB was slightly disturbed by the fast current when he made his way to the eddy (we’d used this part previously for breaking in) so he decided to practice a couple of these, unfortunately at the second attempt he went over. No problem as the kayak was brought in to the nearest bank, with Nick towing it. No more adventures, went past a few rowing boats in the lower section then the wind picked up as we neared the open area next to the rowing club. A nice morning’s outing – thanks to Andy for chaperoning."

Tags: Taff

Afon Ysgir, Sunday 21 January

2007-01-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

Report from Rob G.:

"On Matt's advice after a scouting session he did on Saturday we avoided the Taf Fechan and kept our balls. So 5 of us did the Ysgir on Sunday instead -
Matt, John C, Phil D, Dave C and myself. Medium water levels, a good run by all, and well led by Matt. John C got very attached to a rock on the way down but was finally rejected by it despite close cuddling for what must have seemed a couple of minutes. All fine until the end when 3 decided torun the weir. Dave C first - powered through without any problem. Followed by mad Phil D who's low volume boat perhaps not enough to get him through sohe got taken down to the Green Room for a minor trashing before finding he could actually stand up in the water! I managed to run it with Dave C
shouting encouragement and John C standing by with rope."

Tags: Ysgir

Usk carnage, Sunday 7 January

2007-01-17T13:49:00.000-08:00

Weather was low cloud at around 350 – 450 metres grey overcast with lashings of rain throughout the day; however, spurred on by this we all met up at the old little chef/Texaco Garage on the A470 @ 9.30 am to paddle the Usk from Talybont to Llangynidr Bridge.

Club Roll Call: Matt; Piers (who I was calling Dave all day); Phil; Ben McDonald; Paul McDonald; Dave; Rob; Emlyn; Nick Thorne; Nick Bradshaw; Andy R.; Steve M.

A good mixture of experience and novice which would prove invaluable on a river bloated from the continuous rain fall over the past few days. At the get in point at Talybont, the sub-structure stanchions were just about visible from the bank with a good force creating the bow wavein front. The field at the get in point was not flooded but certainly showed signs of recent watery coverings.

Once the logistics were sorted and an ill fated search for a shop selling cigarettes for Matt was abandoned by Dave, we started to organise ourselves for the trip down river. We spent 10 minutes getting the newer arrivals acquainted with the river at the get in ferry gliding across from one side to the other. No one capsized at this stage which we took as a good sign and started our journey down stream.

Most of the features on the river were washed out as you’d expect from a river in flood, so we occupied ourselves with eddying, breaking in and out, ferry gliding and more exciting rescue techniques which Emlyn, Nick and Nick wanted the rest of us to perform on them just to keep everyone busy before we reached Mill falls.

Before we approached Mill Falls Matt and I put the game plan in to action and discussed who should do want and picked the order of decent in order to give ourselves a fighting chance of performing proficient and safe rescues in the advent that anyone went for a swim we could recover live bodies and kit.

Mill falls looked a fantastic sight as we approached the first set of rapids before eddying up on the right prior to taking on Mill Falls . Everyone got down safely and the newer members did really well getting themselves in to the eddy. Once everyone was down, it was time to put the action plan in to action. Dave, Steve and I went down first, with Steve occupying the top eddy and Dave and I staggered our positions at the bottom of the falls.

Everyone did very well attempting of getting down the main part of the falls with very few capsizes. One notable capsize was Nike Bradshaw just after the falls, with Piers shadowing Nick in to the eddy and Phil, Dave and myself running down the bank with throw bags at the ready trying to get below Nick to a position that was clear of tree debris. Piers didn’t look impressed as he floated down with asking us politely to throw a line. Phil obliged, and was spot on with his throw. There were a few other side issues occurring at the same time with people get back in to boats etc, but the main thing was everyone made it down. We were by now spread out across the river bank in small groups awaiting individuals to get back in to boats etc. While this as going on Emlyn capsizes in an eddy followed by Ben.

Ben had a nasty experience as he found he was pinned but got out after a bit of a fight. Meanwhile Emlyn rescues Ben’s boat but loses his own! Emlyn goes in search of his boat which has been rescued a bit further on down the river. Emlyn is then reunited with his boat and we all head down the next large wave train which takes us to Llangynidr Bridge and egress. However, while at the egress Nick T goes over and is ceremoniously rescued by Matt, Phill, Dave and Steve.

Good day had by all. Much experience gained through sheer ignorance and good company plus another war story to be added to the portfolio.

Andy Rees

Tags: Usk

Lower Taff, Thursday 2 Nov.

2006-11-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

"Thursday 2nd Nov 06 Paul and Ben McDonald along with Steve White and myself paddled the lower Taff in glorious sunshine with a decent water level.

We started at the usual place Radyr weir. After some inspection I managed to convince the rest of the party to shoot the weir on the right hand side next to the re-circulating pool of death! With an ugly audience egging us on we paddled over the lip of the weir in timely fashion. Everyone completed this first hurdle without incident and found some small waves to play on before heading on down the river.

The day was cold; however, the sun was very strong which made the autumnal colours dance on the waters edge as we passed by the various shopping trolley’s and washed out foliage from the previous weeks high rain fall.

Anyway, the rest of the trip was filled with trying to steal Ben’s Mars Bar and practicing breaking in and out of some of the strong grade two eddies.

The broken weir was worth stopping and playing with everyone going down backwards and generally enjoying the decent water. The only other highlight was a show of macho strength at a small, but strong flowing eddie. The objective was to paddle up to a small protruding rock and through a very powerful grade seven wave. Note it was only a grade seven wave when I did it! Ben and Paul managed to do it only because they had smaller boats and paddlers!

All in all a good, pleasant afternoons paddle on the Lower Taff was had by all. Well done to Ben for getting on most of the waves and thanks to Steve and Paul for the company.

Regards

Andy Rees"

Tags: Taff

River Usk - Sennybridge to Aberbrân, Sun. Oct 29

2006-11-07T13:02:00.000-08:00

"Phil D & Matt M met up with Dave C in the petrol station off the A470 at 0645hrs. Not to get a full days paddle... but to get one of the paddlers back to Cardiff to go shopping for a fireplace! Naming no names but it wasn't Dave and I've got one.

After asking for permission from the farmer to park in his field (the cockerel had already woken him!) we changed and headed on up to the 'put in' at Sennybridge. After inspecting the boats, Matt enjoyed breaking the news that I'd forgotten my drain plug. OOPS, GET THE GAFFER TAPE! Matt is training for his Level 3 coach, so was mightily impressed with himself when he also broke the news that he was carrying 2 spare drain plugs. (Not half as impressed as I was.)

All on the water, we enjoyed some great scenery as we paddled down to the 3
natural weirs. As the levels were on the low side, we shot all 3 and had a bit of fun letting the weir grab the boats and going vertical. (Not advisable if the levels are any higher than they were.)

There were some really good surf waves. On which Dave and I got some unintentional rolling practice. It's good to push the envelope.

Next big event came just past a bridge and before a mansion, river right. A nice clean eddy line provided some great tail squirt practice. Matt showed us how it was done... And I duly capsized! Still practice makes perfect and all three paddlers were nearly vertical at the end of the 5 minute session.

The rest of the trip passed without major incident and the scenery was just perfect. Food for the soul!

Looking forward to the next paddle,
Phil D"

Tags: Usk

Afon Ysgir and Upper Taff Sunday 22 Oct

2006-11-07T12:57:00.000-08:00

Two lots of Dragon Paddlers went out.

In the morning, John C. and Tim ventured out to Afon Ysgir. The water level was high medium. Tim scored one roll (or was it a swim?), the river scored a lost paddle - from John as he saw the final (lethal) weir too late (he thought) and hence tangled with a tree to save himself.

In the afternoon, Matt, Dave, Phil and Jon A. tripped on th Upper Taff at an impressivley high water level - enough to flip Matt at Abercynon weir and permit the Graveyard rapid to be taken down the centre (after bank scouting), rather than on the usual river left side. Plenty of rolling and one swim from Jon.

Tags: Ysgir, Taff

Weir rescue, Taff, Friday 29 Sept

2006-09-29T15:11:00.000-07:00

Matt saw a kayaker running alongside the river (the Taff) by his house in Trefforest today and went to see what was happening. He found a crew of young lads (fresher students maybe?) had been kayaking down and that one of them was stuck in the weir, still in his boat but rolling and tiring quickly. None of them had a throw line. Matt ran back to his house to fetch his and executed a rescue. Well done Matt.

The weir in question is the one Chris Sladden describes as lethal in his book, the Welsh Rivers. http://www.canoewales.com. Quote: "There are five weirs on this section and two are best portaged, with one being a definite portage. The first, about a kilometre from the start [Pontypridd] should be obvious from the river and is a certain portage. This was always a fairly nasty weir with a potentially holding stopper. In 1996 and 1997, I watched the local authority effectively re-building the weir - an interesting spectacle - and I had great hopes that it would be made safe. Instead they turned it from a dangerous weir into a totally lethal weir! Beware and portage." Seems like the paddlers involved hadn't done their homework, nor were they properly equipped. Discuss.

Tags: Taff

Tryweryn Saturday 13 May

2006-05-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Matt, Dave C. , Chris W. and I went up on Friday evening for a day's paddle. We met there with Iestyn who fancied his first paddle for about 4 or years. He used my Inazone while I used my new Jefe and Matt had his new (to him) Prozone. Iestyn ran the upper section just once - turning in the best surfing on the International Wave, Dave ran it twice and the rest of us made it three times. No incidents to report, just good fun. Andy might like to know Matt tail squirted

Chris got Euros to take some photos and videos. They're on the following link:http://www.whiskerc.co.uk/gallary.php?id=Tryweryn%20-%20May%202006 Excellent stuff. Thanks Chris. Diolch Euros.

Owain was also on the banks with his camera and took some 200+ photos. A few are shown above.

Tags: Tryweryn

Cosmeston 6 May

2006-05-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Report awaited.

Easter trip reports

2006-04-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

From Andy. (All his own spelling):

"Six of us went [to Symonds Yat], Emlyn and daughter, Andy Peate and Jordan, Ieaun and me.

Weather was Sunny if a bit overcast but fairly warm and comfortable for a days paddling

Set out at 9 am, or was that 9.15 am Emlyn!, anyway we met at ASDA’s car park and trailed off from there. 50 minutes later we arrived at an almost deserted Symonds Yat car park. Water level was fairly high covering the first step on main landing/launching area. We got the safety bits out of the way and preceded to launch boats in various ways, everyone except me opting for the more sedate and conventional way of launch, while I went down the shoot! All I can say is the bottom bit hurts! We paddled up to the ROCK up stream where Andy Peate and I launched ourselves off the Rock followed by Jordan and Ieuan jumping in off the rock without boats several times. Current was quite strong around the base of the rock. We had to be careful with the kids as they would have been pushed in to a strainer just down stream of the rock. All passed without incident. Emlyn passed up the opportunity of lunching his aircraft carrier off the rock, thank god, it would have taken all of us to man handle it up there!

After that excitement we moved down stream to the grade 2 stuff. Emlyn stopped to change boats with daughter as he felt a little venerable in his barge and elected to paddle the Diablo. Pushing on (anyone want to buy a barge?) we arrived at the rapids with the plan to make the available eddies, however, the kids had other ideas, much more fun to blast through being chased by the adults! Anyway the first run was fine no casualties or swimmers. We started to chat to paddlers from Marlow Canoe Club who were down for the weekend. We decided to run one of the smaller rapids closets to where we had stopped to give the kids a chance to get on a wave. All was going well until Emlyn’s daughter fell off the wave and went swimming. The nice chaps from Marlow helped us out with rescuing kit and live stock. Eventually after having to swim back across the river to be reunited with her boat Emlyn’s daughter made back across to where the rest of the group where on the sandy beach at the bottom section of rapids. We decided to re-run the whitewater section again with a game plan in place! While Emlyn and his daughter elected to go to the PUB!

We carried our boats up the short section to re-launch via Seal! Various incidents with boats getting stuck in the mud due to the water depth being so shallow, after that we headed with children to the rapids. All went well for the first eddy then kids decided that they didn’t want to paddle so hard and drifted off through the rest of the whitewater until they reached the eddy just above the last rapid, all except Jordan who went screaming on by caught hold of a branch to stop him going in to the stopper and ended up swimming and again making the acquaintance of those awful nice chaps from Marlow Canoe Club. Once all the rescues were over we headed back to the launching area for a bit of messing about down slides and rolling, then a spot of lunch and of course a swift one in the Saracens Head before heading for home. Good day had by all. Thanks to all for attending. Need more days like this one! "

From Matt, a report on a surfing trip on Easter Monday (17 April):

"Myself, Piers and Phil met at Rest bay car park at one o'clock. Got changed and on the water for about half one. Choppy messy surf of around 2 - 4 foot waves. Great fun that said, the condition of the surf kept all the surfers away. Piers and Phil caught some cracking waves and had a great introduction to surf. No great calamities to report of.
Followed by coffee and cookies in the cafe. Tanned faces and aching muscles all round."

Tags: Wye, Symonds Yat, Rest Bay

Committee meeting of 6 April 2006: minutes

2006-04-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

Meeting held at the Plough, 8.30pm.

Present: Andy R (Chair, L2 Coach), Steve Middleton (Vice Chair), Les (Treasurer), Grant (Training Officer and Child Protection, L3 Coach), Hywel (Sec., L2 Coach), John N. (L2 Coach), Matt (aspirant L2)

1. Video session of pool. Hywel explained the technical problems which had prevented him getting video on the web site. He undertook to ask Richad how his production was going, and to give the CD to Andy for him to make copies.

2. Hywel gave the Community Chest grant cheque to the Treasurer. It wa agreed that the Treasurer would only pass grant money to those undertaking the training activity upon receipt of a certificate of attendance, or equivalent, as that evidence would be required by the Secretary in making his report at the end of Feb 2007 to the Sports Council.

3. Child protection: Grant undertook to ask the WCA if they had a model policy. Andy would ask about the need for CRB clearance.

4. Equipment. Paul Mac was going to make an approach about buying equipment (potentially sensistive detail not blogged here). John Neale offerred to provide a boat.

5. Trips. 4 trips were agreed.

1. The following Sunday; 2. Sat 6 May at Cosmeston after the pool session incl 2 and 3* assessment; 3. Sunday 28 May, Glasbury to Hay on the Wye; 4, Sunday 11 June, surfing at Rest Bay.

Afon Ysgir, Sunday 26 March

2006-03-28T12:54:00.000-08:00

The rain finally came so four of us squeezed in a white water trip before the fishing season really limits our choices. I was joined by Rob, Phil D. and Tim. The gauge on the weir at the take out was about 4.5 on the lower scale at the start and closer to 4 by the end. That meant that it was a reasonable, low-medium level for most of the trip, with virtually no scraping at all, the only exception being above the second stage of the main drop. I recommended the chicken shoot on the left which Phil followed, as did Tim, just, after one 360 spin above it. Rob ignored my recommendation (at least I assume it was a deliberate choice), broached for a minute or two on the shallows, thought about running it backwards, and then straightened up to go for a more exciting drop of the ledge.

At another stage I spotted a tree blocking our path, reckoned all could make the last eddy above to take out and called them down. So concerned was I for my flock that I then drifted out of the eddy. By grabbing the bank I stalled my progress and Phil then undertook a stretching rescue to pull me and the boat back. Thank you Phil.

Other points of interest were: no wires stretched across the river. Very good. Phil had to roll after tripping up while playing. Very good. Dead sheep blocked our way on a tree stretched across the river towards the end. Not good but I got its picture which I will add shortly.

A lovely trip I thought.

Upper Taff, Saturday 18 Feb.

2006-02-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

At last, some rain during the week meant there was some water in the Taff, not a lot but enough: lower 5 on the weir at Abercynon weir gauge (and filthy looking water coming in from the Cynon further down) . Five of us went out at short notice, arranged on Friday night once we'd heard the pool session was cancelled. As well as the old hands, Matt and me, we had three paddlers new to the river: Phil D., Paul Mac and Dave C.

This was a particuler adventure for Paul: first trip on movig water for some twenty years and, as he didn't have a proper helmet, he choose to undertake the trip wearing a Met cycle helmet. Luckily, he quickly found his stabilisers and had an incident free trip, though wisely choosing to portage the Graveyard G3 rapid.

Phil tried a stern squirt below Quakers Yard weir, following Matts example, but didn't pull it off. He did, however, pull off his first in-anger white water roll! Dave C. also got a roll in at the same spot.

We all rushed to the end to have a cup of coffee while changing in Matt's backyard. The civilisation of it all. Will we ever be prepared to change standing in the road in hailstones again?

Minutes of Committee meeting held 18 Jan

2006-01-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Meeting held at the Plough, Whitchurch.

Present: Hywel (Sec), Les (Treasurer), Grant (Training and Child Protection), Rob, Matt M., John N. , Richard

Apologies: Andy (Chair), due to sickness, Steve M (Vice Chair) and Phil P. (prior engagements)

1. Financial report and Pool fees. Treasurer reported £785.22 in the current account, £70.35 in deposit. Last term's pool fees (£33 per session) totalled £390 had been paid. The amount in the current account included a number of advance annual pool fee payments - £100 payments (for families), £60 for individuals. These represented a 50% discount on the full weekly fee if every pool session was attended. This meant that alothough we had money in hand, weekly income would be reduced as of course those families/individuals would not be paying again until next September.WCA affiliation cost £124 last May. Similar amount would be expected this year.

A discussion on the introduction and implementation of the scheme of annual payments following. It was agreed that it should be made clear to all new and existing members that the option of weekly payment was still open to them. Matt and Les will arrange that those who have paid up-front will have a membership card marked to show they have paid so that if the pool register isn't available for some pool session they will have some proof to show to whoever collects the fees on that day.

There was concern that the 50% discount was too large: the Treasurer suggested that it should be only 33%. It was proposed and agreed that this should be discussed again in another meeting, no later than May this year, so that all would have fair warning and that a change could be implemented at the start of the next school year.

2. Coaching scheme. Grant reported on developments concerning WCA's Local Coaching Organisers (LCOs). For the future the idea is that a coach offers to organise one event for their region. Grant had offered to run one for the South-East Wales region, and was thinking he might organise a slalom coaching session or a session on chase boating or rescue. The Committee congratulated him for making the offer and asked to be kept in touch as, if possible, they'd hoped the Club would offer any practical support it could.

3. Community Chest grant. The Secretary reported that he'd received a letterdrawing attention to the fact that the closing date for applications this year was drawing close. The Committee asked him to formulate a proposal, incorporating giving more children experience of kayaking, aiding more members to obtain coaching, safety or first aid qualifications, and seeking equipment to support those aims.

4. Child protection. The Child Protection Officer drew attention to one issue which he had leant of in a training session. This concerned the potential dangers of an adult being in the company of an unaccompanied child. In our context, there seemed to be two situations in which this could arise. First, when outside trips involved shuttling of paddlers, either on the trip - to start or finish points on ariver trip, or back to home. He advised that adults should avoid being alone in a car with a child. Second, at the pool, the situation of being in a changing room alone with a child could be risky.

Grant was thanked for raising our awareness of the risks. Means of managing the risks were discussed. The main means, already adopted by the Club, is that children under 12 can not join without a parent/guardian also joining, and parents of children under 12 are expected to remain in attendance at pool sessions. While there was no rule concerning attendance on outside trips, we could not remember any occasions when unaccompanied young children had been on trips, nor were any envisaged. Ensuring that an adult was never alone with a child in a changing room would be virtually impossible to ensure: an adult could be in the changing room alone when a child walked in or an adult could walk in when a child was already there. The first scenario could not be avoided by the adult. The second could be quickly corrected by the adult walking out again but that was not necessarily a reasonable expection on the adult. The meeting was concerned that no aspersions should be cast on adults simply because they found themselves in these situations. The main responsibility lies with the parents. They are responsible for being aware of where their children are. If they are concerned that their child is in a changing room alone with an adult, it is the responsibility of the parent to rectify the situation, not the responsibility of the adult. It was agreed that the action that needed to be taken to minimise the potential risks was to raise awareness of the risks. The Secretary was asked to include a note of the discussion in the minutes (done by this blog). The attention of members would be drawn to the matter also by informal discussion.

Taff and Usk trips, Sat. and Sunday 14, 15 Jan

2006-01-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

Another two trips last weekend. Just Grant and Phil on the lower Taff from Radyr weir to Llandaf rowing club on Saturday, but 4 (Matt, Rob, John C. and me) out on the Usk, Tal-y-bont to below Llangynidr on Sunday. The water was pretty low for the Usk tripso just as well we didn't try the Sawdde, Irfon or Nant Brân as I'd originally hoped. Yet another lovely trip - much warmer tha the previous Saturday on the Wye, and topped off with a social pint in the Star, Tal-y-bont, afterwards where we could warm up after some ritual practice rolling at the end of the trip. No dramatic tales from this trip, thank goodness.

Upper Wye, 7 January

2006-01-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

Very low water but it still gave me some excitement when I was stopped momentarily while upside down after having been back-flipped in the "letterbox" slot, before I gratefully swam away, grabbed the throwline offered by Rob and watched Jon manfully swim out to catch my paddle. Matt had sacrificed his fag, preparing to jump in to rescue me too.

Jon later swam twice more - once after a graceful capsize when he just failed to get around a bend with a rockface coming too close to his right, and once after just failing to roll after getting caught by a mid-stream rock. Rob managed to get in a swim in the final gorge section (he now promises to practise rolling in moving water every trip).

So Wye 3, Dragon Paddlers 2 - only Matt and Phil D. managing dry runs. Excellent experience for Jon and Phil who previously had only been on the Taff, and they both did very well. A classic end to the trip with us getting changed in snow and sleet in the car park.

(The water was so low we couldn't run what is usually the second significant drop and we spent an age trying to decide what to do before finally, after having portaged to river left, putting back in immediately below what was the tiny remnant of the usually significant drop.)

Weekend 10-11 December: 4 trips!

2005-12-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

A busy weekend with Dragon Paddlers all over the place:

1. The main trip, Sunday morning: lower Taff. Andy's report (note to Andy: some spellings have been changed to modern English) (Note to readers: he's in IT):
"Radyr weir to Llandaff Rowing Club:
Paddlers were: Nick and daughter Carys, Andy Peate and son Jordan. Jon (not boy blunder John, John with the wave sport) and me.

We arranged to meet at ASDA's car park at Coryton. The plan was to travel to Symonds Yat, however, a quick phone call to the shop at Symonds Yat the day before revealed that the lower rapids had been washed out, so plan B was to paddle the lower Taff, which we duly did.
After the usual logistics and a spot of warming up exercises in the sunnier bits of the road at the get in we carried the boats to the picnic tables next to the sluice gate overlooking the weir. Jon and I decided to try the weir as it didn't look that big. I expected the river to be much fuller and faster flowing than it was considering the amount of rain fall we had in the previous days. Anyway while Jon and I prepared to risk all for a precious moment of glory, and of course waiting for a sizable crowd to appear from Joe Public to watch us, Andy organised Nick, Carys and Jordan. No dramas, excitement over for one day, Jon and I went over the weir without incident. The wave at the bottom of the shoot was quite small. I didn't punch my way through but, to my surprise I shot across the top and paddled in to a left hand eddy near the half submerged island opposite the weir. Anyway between Andy Peate and myself, we got everyone on the water safely, travelled down river a few meters to find an eddy to follow up on some important signals and other vital information. Once done we practised breaking in and out until Nick and Carys were comfortable with paddling on moving water. At this stage I need to mention that it was Nick and daughter Carys's first time on moving water and they did really well from the start. Note to Committee! We need to invest in kit for bigger paddlers. Nick was somewhat at a disadvantage as the kit I gave him was a little small, so wasn't really that comfortable!!!!
We travelled a little further on with Nick taking a swim. Presenting the gunwales of the boat to upstream current result! Nick took this in his stride and got back in his boat and carried on. Carys was a natural. Paddling very determinedly against someof the more challenging parts of the river and making the eddies well done. Jordan, Jon and Andy were their usual competent selves on this grade of water and appeared to have enjoyed the day.
Just after the last set of rapids, Nick successfully navigated the rapids, which at the time were flowing well, and took his eye off the river and ended up swimming again. At this point as the group was split with me at the bottom end of the rapid and Andy Peate and the others at the top end, make it potentially a very bad situation to be in. Andy Peate understand immediately what had happened and took charge of the group while I dealt with Nick. Andy sent Jon down to lend a hand and we successfully guided Nick to the river bank. Again Nick took it all in his stride and got on with. Andy controlled the remaining group members and brought them down to us. Once altogether again we set off.
Towards the end of the paddle Nick took another swim just after the last but one bridge. This where we were practising breaking in behind the uprights of the bridge some how Nick went over and swam! Nick was very good humoured about all of this and I must mention the water temperature was very cold, but fair play to Nick, this did not phase him out one bit. Well done for shear determination. We reached journey's end shortly after Nick's third swim all accounted for and a few lessons learnt along the way. Well done to Carys and Nick.First time out on moving water really did well. Jordan and Jon good co-ordination on the rescues and Andy Peate for his
competent assessments of the potentially exposed situations we found ourselves in.
A level 2 coach in the making!

Good day had by all

Andy Rees"

Phew: better keep the other reports short:

2. Saturday morning, Rest Bay. John C. and I went surfing. Beautiful morning. Big surf: 6-7ft swell. I went out through the break once and was sorry I had.

3. Later Saturday morning, Upper Taff (Quakers Yard to Trefforest): Matt and Jon.

4. Sunday, Wye (Afon Howey Bach - Boughrood). Rob and I. Beautiful day and trip. This is mainly a Grade 1 stretch with some 2, and 1 bit of Gr3: "Hell Hole" : which was basically a straight forward shoot on the extreme right. Rob and I ran it twice.

Afon Grwyne Fawr, Sunday 4 Dec

2005-12-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

3 intrepid paddlers -Hywel, Rob and Dave ventured out onto this Grade 2-3 river. The weir gauge showed just under 3 which is low but runnable. There were a few tree blocking the river early on - some we squeezed past but we portaged too. I had what would almost count as a swim when my boat started getting swept downstream as I was scrambling out for a scout just above what turned out to be a couple of falls (for the record, both were easy - the first far left down a shoot). Further on, we scouted when we came to a footbridge across the river which is a hundred yards or so above Penydarren Falls. We ran right of centre. We also ran the weir at Llangenny (where we'd seen sewin trying to jump upstream when we inspected on the way to the put-in.). Nice trip, and a pint in the Blue Bell. We also scouted for another day the much more serious looking Clydach (Grade 3-5) at Gilwern on the way back.

Sully Island - Lavernock, Sunday 20 Nov 2005

2005-11-20T14:53:00.000-08:00

High pressure produced good conditions well suited to a gentle sea paddle. Grant, John N. , Dave C. and I met by the Captain's Wife pub in Swanbridge and launched just after 12 noon. Low tide at Flat Holm was due at 15.30 but already by 12 the causeway to Sully Island had appeared so that a paddle around was not possible. Instead, we paddled up to Lavernock point. A bit of energy was needed to paddle against the tide stream to get up across the two weir like features but it was possible, the longer boats have a distinct advantage over Dave C.'s short un. COming back we pulled out into the tide stream a bit and taking a transit on a buoy between us and Flat Holm could enjoy the speed we were travelling without doing anything. Grant went and spoilt it a bit, making it all hard work by leading us too close into the shore so we were paddling against the eddy. Doh! But after a bit of cajouling he relented and let us pull out a bit further (he had made the kind offer of suggesting I might go by myself first). As it was about 1.30 when we approached the beach again, John N. decided B&Q would be more interesting so rushed off. The remaining 3 of us went half way around the island, came back, watched me splash in the water a bit practising my roll, and got out about 2. Finished off with coffee (honest) for me and Grant in the Captain's Wife. Very enjoyable. You should have come.

I found this link which contains some pictures of the area: not us kayaking though.http://www.glyn-ryland.com/sea.html

4 Star Training - 13 Nov 2005

2005-11-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here is Grant's report of the event which Grant, over L3 Inland Coach organised, on the lower Taff, from Radyr weir down to Llandaf rowing club.

"Participants = Rob Green, Matt, Andy Peate & Grant
Phil Davies turned up but after looking at his personal kit & experience we decided this
was possibly a bit ambitious given the water level (med - high) That said,each participant laid out their equipment to see if it matched the kit list on the syllabus. Andy P was closest with Matt needing a lot more kit.
Participants arranged the shuttle and a warm up/stretch. After agreeing signals and action in the event of a capsize we set off and covered the following:
1. forward and reverse ferry gliding - each participant did a ferry glide while the 3 watching focussed on their body, blade or boat and provided feedback on angle of attack, edge, body forward or back etc
2. break ins/outs - started with the absolute beginnning (edging the boat) then paddling across eddy line, then eyes shut, then looking down river to initiate turn.

This worked very well and gives the coach lots of time to spot things and make suggestions - eg leaning forward during a reverse ferry glide to stop the back of the boat catching.

After this each participants led for a section of the river, playing follow my leader to practice what we'd learnt. Half way along we stopped for throwline practice - the amount of improvement over the session reflected how much scope for improvement there was! Lots of practice needed here!
Then surfing small waves which was fine - well done.
Matt had a good suggestion for getting to the top of the eddy by aiming to break out above the start of the eddy. He then led an exercise/demo that really helped to
show how this could be done. Afterwards Andy went off breaking in and out with lots more confidence than before.

Feedback - all 3 candidates have a good chance of passing the assessment - well done Matt's interest in coaching is really coming through - as shown by the breaking out exercise he used.

Highlight of the trip - Rob Green paddling aggressively across the eddy line when breaking in with his eyes shut - conclusion - next time you break in shut your eyes Rob.

So, lovely day and thanks to you all for the trip - regards, Grant."

Afon Afan, Sat. 12 Nov 2005

2005-11-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

Medium water (heavy showers during Friday night, but died out by morning) was a good level for this trip. John C., Tim and I ventured out, and put in on the Corrwg a half mile of so above the confluence with the Afan. (Picture on my blog from the previous time I did the run in January: http://journals.aol.com/hyfforddwr/CanwioHywel/entries/547)

The run down to the Afan was like a pinball game, a narrow run down, few eddies and lots of rocks. A few hundred yards past the confluence I luckily spotted in good time what I'd been looking for - a pipe all away across the river, just above the water. There was a long prickily portage river left and then the fun recommenced. Tim put in his first swim, getting caught out by a rock coming down a rapid. We recovered everything and started out again. We'd only gone another 100 yards or so before we came across the next pipe and did another portage river left. We then found we could have run all the way down and taken out easily on the left or even easily run over thh stone weir on the left.

Then run then continued, Time putting in another swim, this time caught out by another rock mid-channel as he tried to make my break-out - where I'd only gone to provide cover as I'd seen it was a bit tricky.

After that the gradient eased a bit but there were plenty more fun rapids, and a few small mostly broken, maybe natural, weirs until the take out just above Pont-rhyd-y-fen. We then went up to the mountain bike centre at Glyncorrwg for a coffee.http://www.the-dropoff.com/images.php

A great day out which we should think about turning in to a regular club trip. More continuous and tricky rapids than Usk, Tal-y-bont to Llangynidr, and the Wye, Llangurig to Rhayader, it's a good long mostly Grade 3 trip. Bigger water might make the Corrwg and top section with the pipes too exciting but medium water it's great.

Usk, Sennybridge to Brecon, Sunday 30 Oct.

2005-10-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

The flavour of the day was set when I unfortunately felt I had to tell Emlyn and Carys - all kitted out and ready to go at the petrol station on the A470 at 9.54 - that I thought the water level was too high for them to come with us. (This was on the basis that it was tipping down and that a phone call from a couple on the bridge at Tal-y-bont, our intended destination, had told us that it was over the banks and massive). This was a GOOD decision.

We - myself, John C., Matt and Steve W., proceeded to Brecon, for plan B: paddle the Tarell. We met up with one of Matt's friends (Piers?) there, and the couple who I'd spoken to, Jay and Jo, two friends of Steve M. We then went to view the falls on the Tarell, and John C. was still wanted to do it was voted down. This was a GOOD decision. We decided instead to do the section from Sennybridge all the way down to Brecon, reckoning on big, bouncy water.

I made a bit of a hash leading at the first fall, failing to make a ferry and therefore leading down not a perfect route. Still, all made it down. (The falls were washed out and were just a fair sized rapid. Shortly afterwards, Steve took a swim. He caught a throwline from Matt (I think) (and somehow John C. lost his). The boat was broached on a bush a body's length from the bank Wired up as live bait to John, and John roped to Jay, I dived across and clipped a rope to the boat. The boat obliged in being pulled free.

A bit more paddling and Steve took another swim. This one was a bit more worrying. Matt and I were close to him and shouted to him to swim to river right when a stopper and mid-stream bushes (entrapment hazards is their Latin name) came into sight. Steve put in an Olympic class swim, and was guided in by Matt. Matt then did a chase boating demo. for us all marvel at, but Steve's paddle was lost. Steve, of necessity, decided (again a GOOD decision) to walk back to his car.

The rest of us went cautiously and eddied out once on river left, me thinking that was just above the falls. It wasn't so we started off again. The noise of big water had us stop river right a bit further down. John was last down and scouted the left bank, and confirmed this was the 3rd fall. It didn't look at all as I remembered it. There was no cliff on the left hand. Jay reckoned it was OK just right of centre and we all bravely followed him down through a massive wave. After that my memory of the trip has already faded - but there were a lot of large wave trains.

It all ended happily in the Inn. 4 GOOD decisions: not bad.

Upper Taff, Sunday 23 October

2005-10-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

I can't really compete with the reports below of the Saturday trip, so here's just a brief note. John Mort. and I met up with 3 other paddlers (from another -shush - Cardiff club) to paddle from Quakers Yard down to Trefforest. The water had dropped a bit since the previous day to a low middling level. (Note to John: nexst time remind me to read the gauge at Abercynon weir so I can include it in the write-up). The other paddlers being intrepid types shot Quakers Yard weir, and John followed them. They went over in the centre. All had short boats and aimed to boof as the landing is shallow. All failed to boof (as the stepped take-off makes it almost impossible) but their short boats let them get away with it. Not much else to report. A couple missed the line at the Grade 3 Graveyard rapid but all survived. John's playboating is coming along nicely so it was a worthwhile trip.

Lower Taff trip, Saturday 22 October 2005

2005-10-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

I had 2 reports of the trip. Add comments to let me know which you prefer. The writer will be nominated for Club Journalist of the Year Award in the next AGM.

Report Number 1:

"Grant, Matt, Ieuan, Dave (new chap) and myself [Andy R] paddled the lower Taff from Radyr Weir to the Rowing club.Water was flowing quite well and grounding was not an issue! Grant lead the trip, and Matt practiced his leading abilities. We all, bar Ieuan, went over the Weir at the shoot on the right hand side. A good thrilling
start to the trip. Punching through the standing wave at the bottom was an exillarating experience. The Weir looked fairly deadly especially on the right side of the shoot was the water recirculating quite quickly. From the weir on down the river flowed fast, making the rapids that we'ren't washed out fairly playable, but the effort it
took to get on them due to the eddies being non-existant was in most cases hardly worth the effort. Matt was doing some useful stuff around leading and of course tail
squirting! Ieuan did well in his new boat and stayed upright throughout, even though he found it a little bit of a struggle due to the fast flowing conditions.Throughout the trip Grant was able to pass on some coaching tips to us all at certain points in the journey. Ferry gliding being a much practiced event. Note to self here, Pyrhana pro-zones are crap at facing up stream, as all they want to do is dive, not much good when your trying to ferry glide across a river. Anyone want to buy a Pro-zone?

Anyway it was a good trip thanks to Grant, Matt, Dave and of course Ieuan. Well worth a Saturday afternoon messing about on the river."

Report Number 2:

"Taff from radyr weir to Llandaff rowing club - level middling to high. Me [Grant], Matt, Andy, Ieuan & Dave

Started with running the weir - tricky finding the ramp but after my heroicly botched first attempt I was conveniently out of the boat to direct others. Lots of ferry gliding, breakins/outs and other drills including throwline practice at the rock garden with a live target after dead targets (pieces of wood) were unresponsive. One moment of
concern when Ieuan and Andy didn't break out immediately after the rock garden but went straight through the next rapid. I think this was partly lack of clarity on my part and partly the flow which carried down paddlers at quite a rate. Next time
ensure group knows where to break out and the leader makes the break out first as a marker. No harm done though and a fine paddle by Ieuan 'grin and
bear it' and Andy 'no roll with my soup' Rees, Cool hand Matt, Surfin Dave &
yours truly."

Rest Bay, 15 Oct

2005-10-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

The surf was so big none of us even really thought of battling out beyond the break but we all - me, Matt, John C., Tim, Rob and Jon - all semed to enjoy ourselves in the white stuff. A fine, sunny day, topped off with a coffee in the cafe with future surfer Luke (aged 5 months?)

Minutes of AGM, Thurs. 6 Oct. 2005

2005-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Present (at the Plough, Whitchurch): Andy (Chair), Steve (Vice-C.), Hywel (Sec.), Grant (Training Officer), Matt (Memb. Sec.), Phil, Richard W., Emlyn

Apologies: received from Les (Treasurer)

1. Minutes of previous AGM (9 Nov. 2004): had been posted on the blog (see below). A copy was circulated for info.

2. Reports

Chair: had made enquiries of SportLot but had been told we could not currently be considered for a grant as we had not provided a report on the last one. Action: Sec. to search for record of report which he and Steve remembered completing. Chair to enquire again in Jan. when we could be eligible again. Sec. said Minor Equip. grant from the Sports Council may be another option.

Sec.: reported problem with web site had been solved and that it is now again found easily via Google. He asked members to let him have any trip reports or photos which he would load up on the blog or web site.

Memb. Sec: reported we had 37 paid-up members, including child members.

Training Officer: reported around 6 had passed 1*-2* in the last few months. Matt had just passed his Canoe Safety test. A 4* inland training day was planned for 13 Nov. (details on the web site). (Sec. reported another member planned to attend a sea kayak training course at Plas Menai latter in Oct).

No reports were available from the Treasurer who had apologised he could not attend.

3. Appointment of Officers: Chair, Sec., Memb. Sec., Training Officer were all re-elected.

Steve indicated he would happily step down as Vice Chair if someone else would like the job. It was agreed that Andy P. would be approached.

John N. would be approached so see if he wanted to stay on as Equipment Officer.

Grant volunteered to be Child Protection Officer and was duly elected. The Sec. was also asked to record that the following had CRB clearance: Grant, Richard W., Andy R. - enhanced; Steve - standard.

4. AOB

Trip dates:

- there would be a trip on the lower Taff on Saturday (see report on blog below).

- another would be run on Saturday 22 October (Grant to lead)

- Sunday 20 Nov. should be kept clear as another possible date, as should

- Sunday 11 Dec.

- Hywel was asked to arrange another trip on the RIver Dart (Loop G2/3 section) "as usual", i.e the 1st Saturday of the Feb. half-term holiday (18 Feb.), and to investigate the availability of tickets for the Upper Dart (G4 section)

Annual Membership: the Treasurer sought the following increases in subscriptions:

Individual (member of WCA) - up to £15 from £8
(non member WCA) - up to £20 from £15
Junior (member of WCA) - up to £10 from £5
(non member WCA) - up to £17 from £12
Family (adult member of WCA) -up to £28 from £23
(junior member of WCA) - up to £30 from £25
(non member WCA) -up to £35 from £30

These were agreed but the Treasurer was asked to bring forward other options for consideration including i. membership which included pool fees, and ii. the possibility of termly payment.

Lower Taff, Saturday 8 Oct.

2005-10-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

Some rain at long last meant that running a trip might be possible. On Friday evening arrangements were made at the last minute, and finalised at the pool session the following morning.

We met at Forest Farm at 2 - 2.15 and after almost an hour of phaffing around with kit and shuttle arrangements we were all on the water around 3pm. The water level was low but there was enough there to allow us to float, rather than scrape - apart from at the start.

Grant led and coached Emlyn and Carys, Ifan and Bleddyn, and Dana, while Matt and I acted as tail-end Charlies and I gave some coaching to John who had come along to a pool session for the first time that very morning. (Readers: fear not, he was not an innocent novice thrown straight onto moving water for the first time, but had some experience of sea paddling).

Anyway, Matt and I ran Radyr weir to join the others below. Ifan put in a sterling performance, as did big brother, and the rest. Middle-aged men make the best swimmers, so Emlyn showed us how on the one rapid. Da iawn Emlyn. Cofia gadw dy gau yng nghau. (Meaning: "Remember to keep your mouth shut". Note Dana - useful phrase for GCSE Welsh).

I looked at Llandaf weir at the end but an inspection when dropping off the cars had revealed number of nasty looking bits of steel work and as I couldn't see any of them when on the water above the weir it seemed wisest not to try to run it.

A very nice trip came to an end with a pint in the Plough. Very civilised. Must repeat.

Thanks to all involved especially to Delyth who couldn't paddle because we couldn't figure out how to get her a boat - and who shuttled us all, as well as looking after her boys. Diolch Delyth.

Severn Bore, 12 March 2005

2005-03-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

We had a bit of a social trip when 4 cars with Andy P. and family, Rob G and spouse, me and my family and Matt went to see what the 4* Severn Bore looked like at Newnham. Meeting at Magor services car park at 6.45 to be ready for the bore at 8.20 meant an early start for us all but it was a lovely day and by the time we arrived I for one was sorry I'd not taken my kayak. Ten minutes past 8.20 however the general verdict was that it was like a wave, but smaller, and that it wouldn't have been worth the effort.

I was the only one to chase the Bore upstream, taking the car to the Severn Bore pub at Minsterworth. The crowd there was bigger but there were fewer putting on the water. To be fair, the Bore was a bit more impressive there: as the river is much narrower the Bore grew much higher.

Interesting to see and we were lucky to have a nice day. I don't foresee us adding in a Bore trip to our future calendar of events though.

http://www.severn-bore.co.uk/

River Dart, loop section, Sat, 12 Feb.

2005-02-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

Luckily it rained on the Friday before and that brought the water level up from very low to medium high, and so we had a lively trip. Seven of us paddled: Hywel, Andy R., Grant, Rob, Matt, Luke and John M., it being a first trip on the river from Grant and John. We had a fine time, John being especially pleased about getting air for a vertical flip on a hole. And we all liked the photos taken by http://www.dartphotos.com

Sunday 16 Jan. Afon Rhondda Fawr

2005-01-18T13:07:00.000-08:00

Rob, Matt, John C. and I tripped down from the Lord Tonypandy to Hopkinstown. The water was low, and the river filthy as usual, but the weirs and Grade3/4 sections kept us amused. Me, the leader, was the only one who had to pull off a roll, after messing up the line through the bridge arch above the Grade 4 section. Otherwise incident free, and at the time of writing on Tuesday evening the river's bugs still haven't had their revenge on me!

Sunday 9 Jan: upper Taff swim session, Tawe paddling trip

2005-01-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

Another busy day, with Dragon Paddlers on two trips. According to the account I've heard of the trip on the upper Taff, it was designed for those members who rarely frequent the pool session, to give them a chance to practise their swimming. John N. at Quaker's Yd and Abercynon weir, Tim at the Graveyard, and Andy practised his rolling in Ponty town centre (river side). Well done, lads. Big water by all accounts, to be fair, with the left hand eddy at the Graveyard having disappeared while the little diagonal wave there turned into a nice broad, big, stopper. (John C's swum there in the past too).

John C. and I went off with two others planning to do the (Grade 4 bits of the) Nedd Fechan but found the water too low! We went on the Tawe, from Abercrâf to Ystalyfera instead: Grade 2/3 on the day - water being low there too - but with a nice gorge and a fair few weirs - some of which would not be nice at all in higher water.

Usk - Tal-y-bont Llangynidr, Wed. 29 Dec 2004

2004-12-31T12:31:00.000-08:00

An end of year paddle for Hywel, Grant, Andy R., Matt, Rob, John N. and John M. Young John's baptism on Grade 3 water: see picture sequence.

Sea trip - Sully to Lavernock (and back), Sat. 11 Dec.

2004-12-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

Three hardy paddlers - John N., Rob G. and I (Hywel) braved the elements - fine weather and a flat sea - for a walk in the park, or rather a paddle on the Severn Sea. The highlight was probably seeing what we thought was a mirage - of men walking on the water as we paddled east to Lavernock. As we drew closer we realised they really were men - well, anglers actually - wadeing out onto Lavernock spit as it dried at low tide. We found we'd gone the landward side of the spit ourselves and we had to get out of the boats to cross. John and Rob were sceptical of my planning but when they saw the stream still ebbing at Lavernock Point they were almost convinced I'd got it right - until immediately afterwards when we turned and found paddling west hard work. They thought the tide was now on the flood. I kept saying it must be a local eddy but they weren't convinced until we saw the spit had widened from next to nothing to about 20 yards across. We landed west of Sully island for a long carry up the beach.

(I checked the actual tide times the following day. Low tide was around 12. We'd started at 10 and got back at 12).

Matt's report of Avon Descent, 7 Nov.

2004-12-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

Both Grant and I had decided to put ourselves through the Ex descent earlier in the year when it all seemed a long way off and we felt brave. But as the date came closer the prospect of an 19 mile paddle with little reward started to seem a less exciting prospect, when we discovered the Avon descent, only 10 miles.

I feel that we were not taking it all as serriously as we should when at 8.00am on the Sunday morning Grant called me to say that he was probably still over the legal alcohol limit to drive, feeling worse for wear myself, Esther said that she would drive us there, bless her.

Once at the start, surrounded by enthusiastic marathon
paddlers we felt slightly daunted by the photos of the weirs and warnings not to shot this one here and that one there, still as we came from the briefing I just thought I would follow Grant, but he to had not fully taken the details so we decided to just follow who ever was in front.

That is about as exciting as it got. Met a few interesting characters, paddled 10 miles, looking at the back of Grant for most of the way, wishing that I still had a fiberglass slalom kayak instead of my redline. The weirs were really of no consequence, because we were "racing" we could not even
stop to play. Lots of fishermen, one about every 30m, for pretty much the whole distance, I never realised fishing was so popular.

I think that the moral of the story is, don't travel all the way to Stratford to do the Avon descent unless you really
have to. If you cannot distinguish between the river and the canal you know that there is a long paddle ahead of you.

27-28 Nov. trips

2004-11-29T12:20:00.000-08:00

Club members paddled the lower Taff, Radyr weir to Llandaff weir on the morning of Saturday 27 Nov. and the upper Wye, to Rhayader on Sunday. A bit of rain on Friday and Saturday must have put the water levels up slightly but it was still very low on the Wye. This was a first visit to that stretch for Rob and Tim.The letterbox slot was extremely tight: Tim was wedged in it for a second or so. Although the water was low thankfully it was not so low to actually be a "scrape" and it was an enjoyable trip.

AGM 9 Nov. 2004: minutes

2004-11-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

Present (at the Plough, Whitchurch): Phil (Chair), Steve (Vice -C.), Les (Treasurer), Hywel (Sec.), Andy R. (Memb. Sec. & Equipment Off.), Grant (Training Off.), Richard, Rob, Matt, John N., Andy P.

1. Minutes of last AGM accepted.

2. Reports:

Chair: none.

Treasurer: had had to dip into reservce acct. for the first time to settle recnt pool bill as recent pool attendances had not been covering costs. The situation was not sustainable in the long term. Agreed discussion to be added as AOB.

Sec: had been contacted by CBBC Xhange who wanted to film us. (Richard agreed to liaise with them).

We'd had an e-mail from Sid Sinfield WCA following up on Nige Robinson's visit to club at the beginning of the year. In particular, he asked who had been nominated to deal with Child Protection.

The web site was now being updated regularly, and we have a blog. Unfortunately, as the www.dragonpaddlers.org.uk URL redirected to the new site it was no longer coming up in web searches. As a result few new people were finding us and pool attendances and membership were being affected as a result. (In discussion, Richard agreed to try to find a solution to the redirect problem).

Memb. Sec.: we had 29 paid-up members in the past year. 2004/05 membership fees were now due.

Equip. Off.: reported on equipment bought during the year: new spray decks, paddles, air bags. Noted that an equipment assessment was due.

Training Off.: explained that planned 3* training/assessment sessions would now be arranged for Spring 2005 as clashes had occurred with Autumn 2004 dates. (In discussion it was pointed out that those people who did their Canoe Safety test 2 years ago would need to be reassessed by this time next year to maintain their validity).

3. Appointment of Officers:

As noted against names above but Phil stood down as Chair and Andy R. elected in his place. Matt. agreed to take over as Memb. Sec. and John N. as Equip. Off.

Nominations were sought for a Child Protection Officer but none were forthcoming. The Sec. was asked to respond to Sid Sinfield (WCA) explaining that the Club felt that legislative requirements were becoming too burdensome for volunteers, none of our members was willing to take on a role which could put them in a position of bearing responsibility, and as such we would not even seek to appointto such an office in the future.

4. AOB:

General discussion about the future. It was felt we were in a bit of a dip at the moment in terms of membership and pool activity, though in terms of river trips we had been, and still were, more active than we have been for years. Some actions were identified to improve the pool situation:

i. Participation in CBBC programme could give us a boost. Richard to pursue.

ii. Richard to try to find a way of improving hits on the club site from web searches.

iii. Some visits from youth groups/scouts to be arranged, by Grant and Andy respectively. Andy would circulate a proposal as to number of pool visits planned and charging/membership arrangements.

Sunday 7 November - a busy day for Dragon Paddlers

2004-11-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

Dragon Paddlers were out in force today - 2 river trips!

Trip No. 1, Hywel, Tim and John C. went on the Usk from Sennybridge to Aberbrân. We were honoured to be joined with an intrepid paddler of international fareknown- Clare Jones. I paddled with her in the French Alps in 2003 but that's not why she's gets the write-up. No, she paddled as one of a two girl team to Alaska. Not from Wales, admittedly, but still.... Read about her trip on the following link. http://www.vividplanet.co.uk/insidepassage/pressinfo.html

(We joined up with 4 Cardiff C.C. members too - thought I'd better mention them too but hey, compared with Clare Jones - are you newsworthy?

Our trip was incident free (low water) - apart from the 3rd drop where I went too far to the left. There wasn't enough water to carry me over the lip and I eventually pencilled in vertically, hit the bottom and capsized forward. I rolled up but felt fairly silly. Oh, and Tim went canyoning on the first fall. He got carried down backward to the start of the drop, managed to turn his boat, but lost his paddle. Holding a branch he then climbed out of his boat and let it make the trip unaccompanied. Fascinating to watch. He did carry back up to do it all properly latter.

Trip No.2: Grant and Matthew went to Stratford-on-Avon for the Avon Descent. Matt promised a report so watch this space.

Usk, 31 October

2004-11-01T14:54:00.000-08:00

Andy kindly made the access arrangements for us to o on the Usk from Tal-y-bont to Llangyndir and then unfortunately couldn't join us: a variation on the wedding aniversary excuse was given this time, on the lines "I forgot our ...". So it was me, John C., Rob and Tim who made the trip. A step up in whitewater paddling experience for Tim whose previous high point was the Sennybridge to Aberbrân trip of a couple of years ago. The water was quite high which made for a fairly bouncy, rock free trip. Tim managed well although taking a swim at the bottom of virtually the last whitewater section. (I didn't see it because I'd abandoned the boring leadership role to get some more important surfing practice in on a wave towards the beginning of the section: sorry Tim).

Mild weather too and a pint in the Star to finish. What more could we ask for?

Afon Clywedog trip report

2004-10-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Rob G., John C. and I went to Afon Clywedog on Sunday 10 October and we had a great time. The weather was fine and the dam was releasing at a good rate ~ 510 megalitres a day, which I think equates to about 5.5 cumecs. I found the run a bit easier at that level than at the 400 megalitres we had last year. The falls were bigger gushes and the grade 3 section less boney. No incidents to report. I was the only one to run the first fall and did so successfully though next time I'll choose to run the second section to the left rather than the right. The route on the right I tried wasn't the main flow with the result I did a bit of a spin on a rock and nearly messed up.

The three of us ran the second fall. After much scouting, peering through trees, we'd concluded it was clear of debris (the paddlers we met at the take out when setting up the shuttle had said it was which gave extra confidence), we all got the line right.

Most memorable for me was a fantastic wave. I've already forgotten exactly where it was - about half way I think. It had an eddy either side and was beautifully sized and regular. I whooped it up big time (well, as much as I could with my skilll level). John C. caught a few rides while Rob G. battled impressively and I thought he caught at least one, though he said on the way home it was more a case of a nearly catching one.

No swims, no incidents at all. Great. Here's hoping you non-paddlers have nicely decorated kitchens etc.

Andy's tale of the Tryweryn trip

2004-09-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

Andy's tale of the trip can be read by download the pdf file from the link below. Unfortunately, the injury he received, which we thought was a bad knock but would just lead to bruising, turned out to be more serious: torn ligaments and 6 weeks off paddling. I'm sure we all sympathise with him and hope he has a quick recovery.

http://www.members.aol.com/padlwrcymru/DragonPaddlers/Andystale.pdf

Tryweryn 4-5 September

2004-09-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

Six of us (Hywel, Andy P. and Luke, Matt, John C. and Grant) went to Tryweryn for the weekend. On both days we started on the lower section and then shuttled up to do the top section. ("We" excludes Grant here as he went on courses instead of joining the big adventure!). It was Andy and Luke's first visit to Tryweryn. A good time was had by all (but Andy's arm and thigh might not be in full agreement after his spectacular swim on the Graveyard section. Closely, followed in excitement, but not in injury terms by Luke's swims through Fedw'r Gog falls and below Chapel falls, and John C.'s after Fedw'r Gog's stopper). Well done all, and thanks for the chance to practise chase boating.

Glasbury to Hay trip, River Wye, 9 May 2004

2004-09-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

Photos of our great paddlers! We had a good turn out: Hywel, Janette, Euros, Andy R. and Ieuan, Tina and Kevin, Tim, John M., Andy P. and Luke .

Great link

2004-06-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

Practise your Welsh and visit my personal journal!

http://journals.aol.com/hyfforddwr/CanwioHywel/

Possible trips

2004-06-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

4/5 Sept: Tryweryn 5:10 Coaching Festival & Tour to Bala. Tour ticket cost: £28 for 2 days (£14 for WCA members)

30/31 Oct: Teifi Tour. Cost £10 for two day ticket

Cosmeston pictures

2004-04-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Visit to Cosmeston

2004-03-28T12:48:00.000-08:00

The club ran a successful trip to Cosmeston Lake today, providing an opportunity for a number of members to have their first experience of paddling on open water. Congratulations go to John, James and Euros (Da iawn!) all of whom passed their 2* test. Thanks to Grant, Andy and Steve for leadership, assessing and barbi respectively.

Evacuation Plans and Operating Procedures

2004-03-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

At a Committee meeting on 9 March, it was agreed that we would attempt to draft evacuation plans/risk assessments for the following sites:

Upper Taff (Quaker's Yd - Trefforest): to be drafted by Hywel

Lower Taff (Upper Boat - Llandaf rowing club), and Cosmeston: Grant

Symond's Yat: Phil

Usk (Tal-y-bont to Crickhowell): Andy R.

Usk (Sennybridge - Aberbrân): John N.

Details of the sort of things needed are given in docs. (in Paper Port format), downloadable from the following:

www.members.aol.com/padlwrcymru/DragonPaddlers/PrepofanEmergencyEvacPlan.max

www.members.aol.com/padlwrcymru/DragonPaddlers/Localoperatingprocedures.max

To view them you will need, unless you have Paper Port, to download a viewer from: http://www.scansoft.com/paperport/viewers/

One of the reasons for preparing the plans etc. is to follow up on advice received from the WCA Club Visit report on 29/1/04 which included: "Not all coaches are qualified for sites used....I would recommend that these coach competencies and experience, and sites they can operate are discussed, minuted and reflected in risk assessments". If the coach will clearly be operating within his qualified competence, the immediate need for action is less. Therefore those of us qualified as L2 coaches can continue to coach on basically flat, sheltered water, L3 can coach on Grade 2 water, and 5* holders can lead on up to Grade3-4. So, Grant and Andy R. don't have to rush at the bits allocated to them whereas I, John N. and Phil do need to act to provide ourselves with cover for coaching/leading on the sites against our names above.

We also agreed to arrange sessions as follows: Cosmeston, Sunday 28 March (possibly with barbie); Glasbury - Hay on Wye, Sunday 9 May.