With rivers and sea paddling options covering all levels this was one of the largest events of the year. We had 42 people accepted on Spond; We had 35 Dinners prepared in the Abbey Inn with 34 people attending. The Bunk house was all but booked out, we also had some people stay in the Dartbridge inn, Abbey inn and one small group part their VW Crafter in the heart of the moor.
The preceding weekend had seen high water levels on the Dart but then during the week the weather had been dry and cold and there was quite a bit of chat that 2025 would be another dry year with people reverting to sea kayaking options. The trip organizer assured paddlers that there would be sufficient water to run the Dart and suggested a level of 0.48 on Tuesday which was met with some skepticism. Nick had helpfully set up a what’s app group for the Friday paddlers and informed the trip organizer who was a bit technically inept how to send a link out to people on spond so they could join a what’s app group.
With the aid of the what’s app groups all parties managed to group together to car share to get down to Buckfastleigh. There was a significant contingent of 4 cars and 2 vans that had taken Friday off and met in the local garage car park at 10.45am. With Dart meet car park closed for Filming we managed to get 8 people into Daves Boxer Van for a Run down the upper Dart while Dave Perkin and Andy used their cars to run the Loop. The river level was as predicted, exactly 0.48 but I have to say there may have been a bit of luck involved.
After a nice run down the river a few visited the Tavistock Inn. This was under new ownership and the owner said he does not close any more so is open all day until 11pm, or later if people wanted to drink more. Although a new owner, he did look quite late in his years, and we wished him all the best and promised we would be back as the 3pm closing time from the previous management had been abandoned.
Friday Nights entertainment was organized by Dave Hill and Tom. Tom managed to create a meal in the bunkhouse for just under £3 per person, amazingly this was the same as the Tip for the Currey per person in Ivy Bridge. Dave had previously promised an excellent Curry in Ashburton, but sadly upon further inspection this proved to be just a takeaway place so we ended up driving 12 miles to Ivy Bridge.
There were 4 in the Bunkhouse who had to get up early on Saturday for an Advanced White-Water Course, this, combined with the drizzle overnight appeared to make the rest of the bunkhouse eager to get on a river. The consequence was that the plentiful breakfast in the abbey Inn was slightly rushed to ensure we all met up at Newbridge carpark on time. A few of us arrived slightly behind the others as the curry had caught up with them. One of the party found it necessary to relieve themselves both in the Abbey Inn and the Toilets at the New Bridge car park. As Normal much Faff was developing at the get on to the loop at Newbridge, thankfully the last to arrive quickly help organize groups and got everyone on the water with the exception of Badger who, hurt is arm the bay before and Dave Brain, who was feeling under the weather.
Those paddling the Loop and lower split into 2 groups totaling 18 people for the loop section. On getting on the loop, we noticed similar river levels to Friday. Everyone appears to Enjoy the loop and its features such as Washing machine, triple steps, lovers leap and spin dryer. I my group we have one person swim 4 times and 1 person swim once on the eddy line of Spin Drier. The latter was entirely my fault. I had attempted to take a line down spin drier to cut the corner and after going through the snagging wave at the bottom this left the boats in the center of an unstable eddy line resulting in me having to roll and the person behind then swimming. Thankfully everyone has sensible clothing, and no one got cold. The 2 groups met at the weir at the end of the loop for a quite food stop before continuing down as one massive group of 18 paddlers.
It was clear at this point that the levels had risen slightly, and this resulted in the lower section being completed in under an hour.
18 paddlers all got off the bottom next to strawberry fields café which I am sure did quite well from us. Thom used his van to repatriate the majority of the boats. Badger also came to help with shuttles to the Newbridge car park.
Photo below, Saturdays mornings Upper Dart Paddle
At this time people on the lower trip realised that Stephen Pike had put a pin in at two bridges at 1.27pm. This did sound quite ambitious as clearly people were all at least 30 mins away from getting on the river at this point so it did sound like it might be a quite interesting paddle down the west dart in the rising river levels. After all the shuttles Badger and I arrived back at the Abbey inn just after 3pm. The river level had now significantly changed to massive. We decided to retire for some much needed rest as we expected to get a call from a group having walked off the river and needing lifts. Thankfully the last group got off the river in fading light just before 5pm at Dart meet and other than a few minor scratches from low handing trees there were no serious injuries and thanks to walking round the first rapid quickly everyone was in good form.
Sunday morning brough more overnight rain. During breakfast there were many more what’s app calls about what to paddle. So far various elements of the group had already paddled from two bridges right down to Buckfastleigh so It would be nice to do something different. The Tavy gauge had last been updated at 4am and wash showing empty, however other gauges on the more had come up significantly by this point.
So the call was made to meet in the car part in Tavistock at 10.45 with a group paddling the lower and some doing the middle. The Tavy gauge helpfully updated just after 9.30 showing levels were OK but it was now starting to fall. Amazingly everyone arrived promptly and kit was transferred between cars to minimize shuttles which all appeared very efficient. Except there had been a couple of errors… Niamh had left he dry suit so had to squeeze into Natalie’s suit which was a little tight in places. Thom had left his Lid in the wrong car which resulted in no paddling for him on the lower. The level of the Tavy During out paddle was between 0.55 and 0.52. There were a few rapids which would have been easier with slightly more water but all had fun. The last section into Tavistock was quite tedious with all the weirs to avoid and next time I think getting out at Peter Tavy is a better option.
Every one off the rivers and back in the Tavistock car park by 4pm with a very eager man in a hi-vis trying to ticket every car and even ticketing Harvey’s van for being parked very nicely in 2 bays.
Despite the white water safety and rescue course we managed with enough leaders to get people down all the rivers safely, although there was pressure to organize groups in advance due to numbers I think it worked well in the end just knowing who was able to lead so we could then quickly organize things based on what was running and what people wanted to do.
Thank you to all who attended, the dart is booked for 20 – 22nd Number next year.
I’m very sorry that 2 committee members were unable to make the event due to illness.
- River Sections paddles.
- Upper dart at 0.48 Friday and around 0.65 on Saturday
- West Dart on Saturday afternoon 1.4 meters!
- Loop Friday 0.48
- Look Saturday 0.52
- Lower Saturday 0.65
Author – Jeremy Sykes