Our last scheduled ‘harder’ white water trip of the winter season ended up at the artificial course at Cardiff International White Water – our first visit there for almost a year – due to low river levels; and was opened up to our ‘newer’ white water paddlers as well.
Two of our less-experienced white water paddlers took up the challenge; Natalie (supported by Steve) and Mike M (supported by Simon) both took the morning session in their stride, starting on the ‘easy’ 4 cumecs flow-rate then stepping-up to 6 cumecs for the final hour. Nat’s polo experience stood her in great stead as she paddled lap after lap with poise and confidence, rolling perfectly on the three occasions the water got the better of her; while Mike built on skills he’s been learning on the pool and river and got away with only one swim! Meanwhile; Dave, Phil and Sam C ‘did their own thing’ (with a few capsizes!); then after lunch Dave, Sam and Steve tested themselves with a few laps on the 8 cumecs session (with a few more capsizes in the pushy conditions!) until exhaustion set in. A great day, with great paddling form everyone and special congratulations to Mike and Nat for their first visits to CIWW.
Watch this space for more ‘harder’ trips in preparation for our visit to the French Alps in the summer…
- 9 Mar 2025, CIWW 4-6-8cumecs
- 7 kayakers: Dave, Mike M, Nat, Phil, Sam C, Simon, Steve
- 3 swims and multiple rolls!!
2024/5 statistics (participation data since 22 Dec only – Steve will add data from other 2024 trips when he gets a chance):
| Paddler | No of trips / days | No of swims | No of rolls |
| Chris | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dave | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Duncan | 1 | 1.5 | 0 |
| Harrison | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Huw | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Logan | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Martin | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Mike M | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Nat | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Phil | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Sam C | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Simon | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Stef | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steve R | 6 | 0 | 0 |