We’ve just come back from a great trip to Austria. Weather was mostly hot & sunny; plenty of water. We managed to do loads of paddling.
According to my notes, the various rivers / sections done were as follows (not all done by everyone!):
Rosanna, Sanna, S-Chanf Gorge, Lower Oetz, Imst Gorge, Sanna, Sanna, Inn Shoot, Landeck Gorge, Loisach, Rissbach, Rissbach Gorge, Schuls Gorge, Giarsun Gorge, Shuls Gorge, Finstermunster Gorge, Sanna, Sanna, Landeck Gorge.
If you want to print out and fill in the 2 forms for CIWW (Cardiff International White Water) before you go – they’re here:
But they must be signed at the centre.
Stewart
We went to Cardiff International White-water course again the other day – for the second time. http://www.ciww.com/
I have to say it was great fun. Its a bit severe at first, but just tell yourself that it is easy really, and then you can mellow into it. It’s still bloody knackering, though!
Definitely worth a go; if you haven’t been there yet, then you should try to go soon!
And another old article…
The worst trip in the world ever – Jan 2008…
… or, how I became known as JK “b*****d of the Usk”.
It all started at a committee meeting where it was decided that we weren’t running enough trips for beginners. I immediately decided to leap into action, and thought a nice trip down the Usk would lure some beginners from the post-Christmas fog. Alas, no. Though I did managed to lure out Harvey and his topo.
In the end eight of us headed for the Usk. With no beginners there was a lot of moaning that we should head for the Upper Dart instead, but I thought we should stick to the original plan. There had been plenty of rain, and the fields in Wales were looking decidedly waterlogged. However, our hopes of a nice high level were destroyed when we arrived in Crickhowell –the river was actually low-medium. We got changed amidst much grumbling, and then headed for the get in.
As soon as we got on the water it became apparent that it was a little bit on the windy side. The river was high enough to be steadily moving even on the flat bits, but the wind was so strong you didn’t actually go anyway without paddling. As we battled into the wind I became aware of a few unhappy faces. At one point, looking far down the river, I could see spray being lifted off the water. The spray gradually got closer and closer and eventually an almighty gust of wind hit us and nearly knocked a few of us off balance. The faces were now very unhappy, and several suggestions were made that I may not make it to the end of the trip.
We got to Mill Falls, which had a definite line to hit and a few bouncy waves. Colin had a minor boat separation incident at this point after bravely trying to roll for most of the rapid. We put him and kit back together and then carried on.
Luckily the river escaped the wind for the middle section and I started to feel a bit safer. There were plenty of decent waves for people to try and catch, and a couple of the weirs provided interesting lines.
Safely back at Crickhowell, we decided to head for a decent café that Ray and a few others had found on a previous trip to enjoy fine slices of pie – though that didn’t stop them moaning about the trip and suggesting I probably shouldn’t organise another. Miserable buggers.
Here’s an old article I found…
Friday night… with KENT FORD!
The club’s annual Llandysul trip had been carefully timed by Martin to coincide with nationwide flooding. And we managed to end up in the one part of the UK which had been flooded more than anywhere else. The river Teifi outside the canoe centre in Llandysul was stonking along and was still rising as the rain poured down.
Myself, Ray and R-J were first to arrive on the Friday night and promptly decided to head out for curry and beer as the local scouts were still using the centre to practice for their cookery badge (cookery badge indeed, what’s the world coming to!). We scoffed the food and then a few others started turning up – just in time to enjoy a video we’d found, ‘The river runner’s edge’ with Kent Ford. The sight of all that eighties fluorescent kit was a true sight to behold. Popular radical boat tricks from this era were: front surfing, back surfing and throwing your paddles away (it seems having a moustache was also a popular move).
A few of us headed to the pub rather than suffer the kayaking video ‘Kajak Balkan’, which seemed to consist of Italian paddlers going down not very hard rapids. A few beers and river discussions later, a slightly inebriated bunch headed back to the canoe centre to marvel at the glowing kettle and disagree further about which rivers we may paddle in the morning.
Saturday… big day at Buriel Chamber
I’m woken up by Ben saying I have 10 minutes until my breakfast is ready (he suddenly becomes my favourite club member). A fine fry up later, and we’ve still not made any decisions on where to paddle. The Teifi is now even higher.
Eventually, we half form a plan to head for Llyn Brianne to have a look at the famous slide at the dam. We drive through water-logged roads. The fields all around are under a few feet of water. Eventually, as we get closer to the dam, we start to see the surrounding rivers – tiny tribs that would normally only be trickles are raging. The dam and slide are huge – there’s a foot or so of water going down the spillway, and the stopper at the bottom is phenomenal with about 20ft of tow back. Surprisingly there are no takers to run it today.
We head down to the get in for the Tywi at Burial Chamber bridge. The river here is a nice class II bimble … usually. In flood, it was a different game.
We get on and start floating down the river. It feels fairly friendly – fast flowing, boiling and no eddies, but it’s easy going and the 15 of us stretch out into a few groups, chatting and joking as we speed along. This goes on for a few ks and, just as boredom is beginning to set in, I notice RJ and Ben making some fairly fast moves ahead. A pourover is taking up most of river left, a sizeable stopper is taking most of river right, with just a small green tongue on the far right… but straight into trees. RJ and Ben make for far river right and then paddle quickly away from the tree behind the stopper. Everybody else tries to follow… except for Rich S, who piles into the pourover. I just have time to see his boat throwing ends as I turn to concentrate on the line.
After a couple of circulations, Rich S manages to roll and the boat pops out of the towback. We gather ourselves in an eddy before pushing on. Rich explains he quite fancied the look of the left line – a new club probe is born! (Later he reveals he’d actually forgotten his glasses.)
It’s a slightly more nervous group that heads off from this episode, as there are a lot of blind bends and not a lot of time if an ‘interesting’ feature appears.
We enter the first gorge. The water boils and swirls against the sheer sides, and we hit our first big rapid – a series of waves on river right, including a decent-sized stopper that puts Neville over. A decent roll means he’s up quickly and we carry on.
The second gorge is a little thinner. Rounding a corner, I see Ben and RJ heading for a tiny eddy and signalling – there’s a tree across the river. 15 people into such a fast-flowing small space isn’t a great idea. Luckily, there’s just enough room under the tree to thread through – ducking low against my deck, I feel the thick trunk of the tree scrape the back of my buoyancy aid… gulp.
We speed on, looking for the get-out bridge. Eventually, after some small rapids, we see it. Beneath the bridge lurks a big, car-eating sized hole. Running the shuttle, we couldn’t see underneath the bridge, but at water level a couple of huge holes form behind curling waves. Luckily we all get through and make the get-out eddy. A quick change and then back to the centre in Llandysul for tea, jaffa cakes and dodgy kayaking videos.
16km in 55 minutes. No stopping. Some hairy rapids. And great fun.
Given the amount of chase boating in France [ 2008 ], I thought this deserved a re-write; (courtesy of JK)
Class I, Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Boat chasing is easy and fun. Boat immediately rescued and emptied on bank. People chat about how refreshing the water is.
Class II, Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Boat chasing relatively simple, a few eddies are missed and some rocks hit, but boat is quickly on the bank. People joke about rescue beers, and that sadly Lou hasn’t lost her sunglasses.
Class III, Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid. Several people set off after boat. Eventually there’s just you chasing the boat. You wonder why those big eddies at the start of the river are nowhere to be found now. Afterwards people talk with wide eyes about how the river isn’t usually this high and seek refuge in bar whilst shuttle takes place. Zoe wishes she’d brought her racing bike.
Class IV, Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise moves in turbulent water. Chase boating becomes of paramount importance when swimmer reveals car keys are in boat. Throwline and other kit decide to abandon ship and make their own way down the river. Boat eventually extracts itself at bottom of large cliff. Afterwards, people wonder where Brian is and what that tiny speck is at the top of the cliff.
Class V, Expert. Very precise lines required. Boat automatically takes the hardest line. Chase boaters quickly become chase swimmers. Everybody is silent afterwards until eventually someone suggests mountain biking may be a good option tomorrow.
Class VI, World Class. Sunshine run anyone?
New International System for Rating Rapids (Found somewhere on the web)
Someone asked an anonymous boater about his class IV comfort level and he answered something along the lines of “I’m comfortable that I can usually find an eddy to swim to.” Thus, the interviewer was inspired to offer this:
Class I, Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Swimming is pleasant, shore easily reached. A nice break from paddling. Almost all gear and equipment is recovered. Boat is just slightly scratched.
Class II, Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Swimming to eddies requires moderate effort. Climbing out of river may involve slippery rocks and shrub-induced lacerations. Paddle travels great distance downstream requiring lengthy walk. Something unimportant is missing. Boat hits submerged rock leaving visible dent on frame or new gash in plastic.
Class III, Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid. Water is swallowed. Legs are ground repeatedly against sharp, pointy rocks. Several eddies are missed while swimming. Difficult decision to stay with boat results in moment of terror when swimmer realizes they are downstream of boat. Paddle is recirculated in small hole way upstream. All personal possessions are removed from boat and floated in different directions. Paddling partners run along river bank shouting helpful instructions. Boat is munched against large boulder hard enough to leave series of deep gouges. Sunglasses fall off.
Class IV, Advanced. Water is generally lots colder than Class III. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise swimming in turbulent water. Swimming may require ‘must’ moves above dangerous hazards. Must moves are downgraded to ’strongly recommended’ after they are missed. Sensation of disbelief experienced while about to swim large drops. Frantic swimming towards shore is alternated with frantic swimming away from shore to avoid strainers. Rocks are clung to with death grip. Paddle is completely forgotten. One shoe is removed. Hydraulic pressure permanently removes waterproof box with all the really important stuff. Paddle partners running along stream look genuinely concerned while lofting throw ropes 20 feet behind swimmer. Paddle partners stare slackjawed and point in amazement at boat which is finally pinned by major feature. Climbing up river bank involves inverted tree. One of those spring loaded pins that attaches watch to wristband is missing. Contact lenses are moved to rear of eyeballs.
Class V, Expert. The water in this rapid is usually under 42 degrees F. Most gear is destroyed on rocks within minutes if not seconds. If the boat survives, it is need of about three days of repair. There is no swimming, only frantic movements to keep from becoming one with the rocks and to get a breath from time to time. Terror and panic set in as you realize your paddle partners don’t have a chance in heck of reaching you. You come to a true understanding of the terms maytagging and pinballing. That hole that looked like nothing when scouted, has a hydraulic that holds you under the water until your lungs are close to bursting. You come out only to realize you still have 75% of the rapid left to swim. Swim to the eddy? What #%^&*#* eddy!? This rapid usually lasts a mile or more. Hydraulic pressure within the first few seconds removes everything that can come off your body. This includes gloves, shoes, neoprene socks, sunglasses, hats, and clothing. The rocks take care of your fingers, toes, and ears. That £900.00 dry suit, well it might hold up to the rocks. Your paddles trash. If there is a strainer, well, just hope it is old and rotten so it breaks. Paddle partners on shore are frantically trying to run and keep up with you. Their horror is reflected in their faces as they stare at how you are being tossed around! They are hoping to remember how to do CPR. They also really hope the cooler with the beer is still intact. They are going to need a cold one by the time you get out! Climbing out of this happens after the rapid is over. You will probably need the help of a backboard, cervical collar and Z-rig. Even though you have broken bones, lacerations, puncture wounds, missing digits & ears, and a concussion, you won’t feel much pain because you will have severe hypothermia. Enjoy your stay in the hospital: with the time you take recovering, you won’t get another vacation for 3 years.
Class VI, World Class. Not recommended for swimming.
Some photos and write-up from a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2001.
