Sunday 14 Dec: River Usk, Tal-y-bont to Crickhowell

As it rained on Saturday Matt thought the rivers would be up. They weren't. A good number turned up at Matt's at 9 (apart from Phil who'd insisted on a prompt start: he turned up around 9.15). The others were Hywel, Euros, Emlyn, Nick T, Chris W, Mark, Alan S and mate Jules, John C., 11 in all.

To cut a very long story - of scouting the Tarell, then going to Tal-y-bont and losing contact with Emlyn - short, we got on the river at 11.55, a mere 3 hours after meeting. No matter, it was a nice trip and it gave Nick T a chance to pull-off his first whitewater roll which he did, on two occasions. Only one swim, by Chris right at the end when he tried to practise his roll. Unfortunately, he didn't make sure others knew what he was up to, so when the roll wasn't, he swam and the boat was duly chased and rescued. (I think he scrambled to the bank in case you wondered).

Same again next Saturday?

Sunday 7 Dec. Sea trip: Jackson Bay, Barry to Lavernock Point and back

Dragon Paddlers finally have a sea kayaking fraternity. Hywel, Rob and Emlyn did a 10 mile round trip on a beautiful day, though at one point they got shrouded in mist. But see the tranquility!

Lower Taff Saturday 6 December 2008

Report by Chris W, who was on the trip with his 3 sons, Grant, Phil, Matt, Mark, Paul Mac, Emlyn plus some others - John N and Neil I think:

It's never "just another paddle", but it is always "another great day".  The normal Saturday pool spot could not run on Saturday 6th December so we all headed off to the river instead.  Approximately 12 of us did the lower Taff in nice conditions - enough water for a good paddle and blue skies - what more could we ask for.

 

It was a nice trip for novices who were pleased to get down the river, and a good trip for the more experienced thanks to Grant's coaching. Grant was teaching the techniques needed on bigger trips that can't be learnt at the pool or when you're on that big river but in survival mode.

 

On the river we did have some confusion on terminology: Phil gestured to an eddy for grant, and got a tirade of eddie grant songs from unnameable canoeists !!!

 

The trip made a good intro to some of the clubs youngest and newest members who made a good passage, although mutterings about not being allowed to shoot Radyr weir were heard !!!

 

Phil demo'ed some of his rope resuce skills learnt at a recent white water safety course.  The pictures (below) courtesy of Emlyn are attached.

 

All in all this was a fantastic Saturday morning and made a great alternative to the usual pool session.  Thanks go to Grant, Phil, Matt and Mark for helping to lead the trip.