Another record number (at least in the last 15 years!) of 13 club members joined us for our first ‘easier’ white water paddle of the season on Sun 22 Oct. We met in Brecon Leisure Centre, where Steve explained the Introduction to White Water Safety course that he’d be running over the next 3 trips and we discussed our ‘motivations for paddling’ and how these affected trip decisions. We then made our way to Brecon Promenade (the end point for our trip) where we changed and left some cars), then on to Aberbran (our starting point) where we discussed equipment, white water river features and hazards before getting on the water at midday (at last!) after a final pre-trip briefing.
Simon led a group of less-experienced kayakers, offering expert coaching along the way, with Steve and Dave M tagging-along in canoes; while Pete led the more experienced paddlers and facilitated lots of playing (and swimming…and rolling…) at features on route.
Towards the end of the trip we spent 45minutes exploring ‘how to swim safely in white water’ before arriving happy and tired, in glorious sunshine, at Brecon Promenade at 5pm.
Our next ‘easy’ trip – including part 2 of the Introduction to White Water Safety course – will be on 26 Nov, potentially on the Wye between Erwood and Boughrood if conditions allow…
Trip information & 2023 statistics to date:
- 22 Oct 2023, Usk Aberbran to Brecon, lowish level (0.6m on Trallong gauge)
- 11 kayakers: Andy, Chris, Huw, Lee, Mel, Pete M, Phil H, Sam C, Sam H, Sarah, Simon; 2 canoeists: Dave M, Steve R
- 5.5 accidental swims and 1 accidental (and many ‘deliberate’) rolls!
| Paddler | No of trips / days | No of swims | No of rolls |
| Andy | 5 | 0 | Lots! |
| Anne | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Asher | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Dave J | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Dave M | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Ellie | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Huw | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Ian | 1 | 2.5 | 0 |
| Jack | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Jess | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lee | 2 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Lily | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mel | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike S | – | 1 (polo) | – |
| Nairi | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Pete M | 15 | 0.5 | 6 |
| Phil H | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Rhiannon | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Sam C | 7 | 5.5 (1 hand) | 1 |
| Sam H | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Sarah | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Simon | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steve H | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steve R | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Stuart | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tanya | 2 | 1 | 1 |