Nineteen happy people ventured to Devon for this event.
Saturday: Upper Dart and The Loop.
For ease of descent the group was split into three – those who wanted to run the Upper Dart (3 of ’em) and then join the rest later and two groups just for the Loop.
For some this was their first time running an intermediate graded river. And to jump forward slightly here is a photo of the motley lot who over extended themselves and earned the Duck at various features on the river.
The winner for Saturday was Summer! Well done, valiant effort on the Spin Drier; and you went back for more!
The Loop never fails to please – with medium level water it was a pleasure to paddle, and with this enthusiastic bunch we managed to squeeze every bit of fun to be had on every feature.
There were so many highlights and personal firsts for some, that this proved to be an exciting day on the water.
Sunday: River Walkham and River Tavy.
Grade 2+ building to Grade 3 with a Grade 4 drop.
The River Walkham is a very pretty river, with a nice steady flow, however get complacent and you will swim! It eventually joins the River Tavy.
We played this river to within an inch of its life – the relatively easy features allowed break ins and break outs, wave surfing, slalom running and [Yikes!] a scary drop or two!
The slow build up meant we were all warmed up for The Slot!
The main feature to be wary of was The Slot, a funneling pinch point with a drop between rocks, which saw several people swim it – valiant effort by Mags – he tried several times to roll up and completed the whole run upside down!
The Rock is another feature to be wary of; a big chunk of hard stuff in the middle of a fall, creating a side wave – need lots of edge, dropping into an opposing side wave, dropping into another side wave… a bit confusing but anyway you get my drift…this also had people swimming.
The final main feature was The Weir – a definite get out and portage feature, even the fish run to the left hand side and it looked a bit iffy.
What was impressive was that everyone got involved and although we were late getting off the water, it was a superb way to finish off our White Water weekend.
The final winner of the Duck went to Henry getting tripped up on one of the rapids.
Many thanks to the White Water leaders and organizers of this weekend, Mike Dalby, Ian Fisher, Dan Murray, Kevin Reed and Hector whom without their help and support, this weekend would not have been possible.
