Eight hardy club members ignored the forecast for freezing and wet conditions for our second ‘easy’ white water trip of the season on Sun 26 Nov – which turned out nowhere near as bad as feared! The river was at a good level for the group’s ability and we were able to make good use of its features (including the grade 3 ‘Hell Hole’ – not as bad as it sounds!) to coach and practise skills – with some more ‘advanced’ coaching by Simon for our more experienced paddlers. There were no accidental swims, but at the end of the trip we spent an hour exploring ‘how to help ourselves and others while swimming in white water’ – and were glad the cars and warm clothes were only a minute’s walk away!!
Our next ‘easy’ trip – including part 3 of the Introduction to White Water Safety course – will be on 24 Dec, potentially on the Usk between Sennybridge and Aberbran if conditions allow.
Trip information & 2023 statistics to date:
- 26 Nov 2023, Wye Bachawy Brook to Boughrood, medium-low level (1.24m on Erwood gauge)
- 8 kayakers: Dave J, Jack, Mel, Pete M, Phil H, Sarah, Simon, Steve R
- NO accidental swims!
| Paddler | No of trips / days | No of swims | No of rolls |
| Andy | 5 | 0 | Lots! |
| Anne | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Asher | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Dave J | 10 | 2 | 8 |
| Dave M | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Ellie | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Huw | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Ian | 1 | 2.5 | 0 |
| Jack | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Jess | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lee | 2 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Lily | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mel | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike S | – | 1 (polo) | – |
| Nairi | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Pete M | 16 | 0.5 | 6 |
| Phil H | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Rhiannon | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Sam C | 8 | 6.5 | 1 (hand) |
| Sam H | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| Sarah | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Simon | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Steve H | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steve R | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Stuart | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tanya | 2 | 1 | 1 |