Sunday 29 November 2009

River Leading & Canoe Polo


On Saturday I played in the Northern Div 4 League for Friends of Allonby Canoe Club. As a team we are still learning, managing to win a game and personally I scored 2 goals in our last match. I just need to work out what to do with the ball once I win it.

Today I was with Tom going through leading on rivers for the BCU 4 star leaders award. We paddled down the Afon Aled and Elwy on good medium/high levels. Both rivers are continuous grade II with a few sections around III. There are a few wires and a low bridge to negotiate on the Aled. On the Elwy there is one large and obvious weir that needs portaging.


Tuesday 24 November 2009

Kayak Rolling Course


Rolling Course Claire
Originally uploaded by sea2summit_net
Today I ran a one day rolling course for Claire and John. Most of the day was spent in the pool refining their rolls. Late afternoon we kayaked down to Jim's Bridge putting the skills into practice.

The Llugwy was at good high level today.

Monday 23 November 2009

River Levels - North Wales

The rivers were still up over the weekend, with most such as the Llugwy being high without flooding.

Last Friday I descended the Ogwen in big water, you couldn't get under the bridge at the bottom of Ogwen Bank. It certainly left an impression on me.

I was also fortunate to run the Artro, a new river to me. This is a fun and continuous blast at III+ (one tree down on the initial section). The Dwyfor was also running at a good level providing continuous waves and holes to negotiate, with no major hazards.

Tuesday 17 November 2009

White Water, day after day

The rain continues to fall and the rivers have been up each day. Over the weekend I ran a navigation course, Monday a sea kayak course with Sebastian in some strong winds and today on the Lledr with Simon and Dave.
More rain due tonight so I expect some big levels tomorrow.

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Intermediate White Water 07/11/09


2 day course looking to develop the necessary skills for grade IV water.

Day 1: Cobdens Falls (IV) and Upper Conwy (III) with Bryn Bras Falls (IV).
Day 2: River Ogwen from Ogwen Caravan Park to the A5 bridge (IV) and Lower Llugwy (IV)

All photos are by Adrian Trendall of Cobden's Falls see http://deadlylightshade.com

Autumn Update

A busy summer has meant a lack of blogging. We have been running a full range of kayaking and climbing courses and personally I have managed to get away for some climbing in Cornwall and kayaking in Slovenia and India.
At the moment we have been blessed with lots of rain allowing us a full choice of venues on all the white water courses. There has also been a little snow falling in Scotland over the last few days, a reminder that winter will soon return.