Four go Mad on the Ysgir.

Four nutters......, sorry, intrepid kayakers, Hywel, John C, Emlyn and Rob, with more gear than sense, ran the Ysgir on Sunday 22 November.

After insepcting the Tarell, which was running very high at the bridge to the industrial estate just outside Brecon, it was decided to do the Ysgir on the basis that it might be a slightly easier run, given water levels. Yeah right.

The put-in is at Pont-Faen, with Hywel opting for the busier start on the Ysgir Fach which led almost immediately into a meaty stopper just above the bridge. The other 3 opted for a lower get-in on the Ysgir Fawr, just 50 meters below.

The river was very high (1.7 on the gauge at the get-out) and running fast. Trees and branches were the main hazard in the channel, together with Hywel's dodgy eyesight, and he was supposed to be leading! At the first obstruction Hywel went river left under the arch of a branch but boofed on another just below the surface; after that little surprise the others went river right and limboe'd under the branches. Eddies were proving something of a challenge - well at least to Emlyn and Rob. The next incident was Emlyn getting pinned against a tree in an eddy which he only just made. Judicious use of throw lines managed to extract him from that without too much bother.

A few Km later two drops in rapid succession were scouted, the first quite small but followed almost immediately by a gnarly river-wide drop with a really meaty stopper at the bottom. Hywel ran first and had a wobbly drop just left of centre but managed to recover. Rob ran next a bit more to the right but was stopped almost dead in the stopper with his boat almost vertical. A few frantic strokes saw him manage to get out. After seeing those two narrow escapes John and Emlyn decided to portage.

Eddies continued to be the trip's nemesis, and with Hywel and John safely in two eddies on opposite sides to the river, Rob watched Emlym miss the eddy river right and capsize as he hit a tree, shortly followed by Rob who was also taken down to the green room, missing the same eddy because he was too busy watching Emlyn. An extended swim followed for both, with Hywel and John helpless, given the flow. Eventually, both managed to self-rescue with both boats and paddles - quite miraculous given the conditions. We re-grouped in an eddy river left with Hywel considering walking the remainder but John, in his best Scottish brogue, saying we didn't have far to go and it would be OK. The other two were too traumatised to speak.

We scouted the next series of drops in a tree-lined gorge and decided to portage - a wise move in all the circumstances. We continued for a few K with lots of wave trains and very wobbly entries
into eddies, particularly from Rob. It didn't seem long before a shout from Hywel told us we were upon the weir at the get-out at Pont ar Ysgir. It looked lethal with a big towback and had risen to 1.9 during the trip - so we got out above and finished the trip with a change in the pouring rain.

But all became well with a drink in the pub at Libanus.

Dart Loop, weekend 24-25 October

A grand total of 17 members made their way to the Dart for the trip on the Saturday, namely Andy R, Ieuan, Matt, Mark, Steph D, Chris, Aled, Iwan, Bryn, John, Siân, Paul, Ben, Nick B, Lewis, Euros and me (Hywel). Most, but not all for some inexplicable reason, are in the picture.

It had rained on the Friday and on the Saturday morning and the river had come up to a good medium level. We split into two groups: Matt and Del led Paul, Ben, Mark, Chris, John, Siân while Andy and Hywel went with Nick B, Lewis, Aled, Iwan, Bryn, Ieuan and Euros.

There was plenty of boat chasing! The inexperienced paddlers all seemed to enjoy themselves nevertheless, as did the experienced.

The water level fell dramatically overnight. After hopefully scouting the River Walkham we (as above less Andy, Ieuan, Aled, Iwan, Bryn, John and Siân) returned to the Dart still thinking a trip on the Upper might be on but found the level had dropped perhaps two foot overnight to be some 6 inches below the lowest part of the ledge by the bridge at the put-in for the Loop. With no other options the Loop was run again but with considerably less excitement than on the first day.

Flat Holm again! Sunday 13 Sept

Emlyn, Rob and Hywel had a lovely day out, travelling from Jackson Bay to Flat Holm and back, total distance paddled around 14 miles, 3 and three quarters of paddling all told, with over 2 hours on the island. One highlight was hearing us being discussed on the VHF by the two ships passing us, one to port, one to starboard (that's left and right for you non-nautical river paddlers), on our way out, and then further mention of us on the way back.

Tryweryn Saturday 5 Sept 2009

A great club turn out saw Matt, Piers, Paul and Ben, Emlyn, John O'C and Mark camping on the Friday night to be joined by me (Hywel), Euros and Phil on the Saturday morning. There were masses launching as we got on the water at about 11.15. As a last parting shot before we put on at the raft take out I warned people to sat fairly central going under NRA bridge as the water would take people left to the metal box above the wave. Off we went and Paul successfully picked out the metal box above the wave for a close inspection. I think we managed to score a couple of rolls - from Euros and (?) Matt - going through that wave, and then Matt pulled another roll at Chapel Falls after landing on Paul's boat in the stopper while chasing it down. (Piers swam around here too I think I remember).What a start! Cracking. Did I mention it was a respectable 10 cumec release? It calmed down a bit until a short Grade 3 section when a paddler from another group swam and didn't follow our directions for him to swim river left. As a result Ben drifted into some branches and capsized. Paul threw him a line which he grabbed and swam with his boat to the bank. At this point, years of me carrying Denso tape paid off as it was needed to stop the water pouring into a long crack on the bottom of Paul's boat. Anyway, it did the trick and off we set again. We had split into two groups by the this point, but this brought us together again and we went more or less together down to Mill Falls. We phaffed around setting up protection and went to run it in two separate groups again. This first went well, then the second went for their go. Unfortunately, when Paul got on the water he realised the water was pouring in again (you didn't seal launch in and scrape the tape off did you Paul?) and he judiciously decided running Mill Falls with a boat full of water would not be a great idea so had to carry out again. Eventually the second group got off for their run and all got down - the highlight being Emlyn who kept us on tenderhooks 'til the very end. He is the blue boat in the video:


Then we went up to run the top section. Chris made a valiant run above the Graveyard but took a swim but he had another go further down. All other details escape me now except some of us had another run of the upper section (joined by Paul who had a lend of Mark's boat: thanks Mark) and Matt and Phil had a third. The following day most of them did the Dee. Details to follow!

Bring an extra kayak to the river..... but forget your paddle and cag!

Sunday 26th July 2009 

This was the start of what we thought would be an ‘easy’ days paddling on the Wye from Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat. In all, there were three of us who made the trip- myself, Meic and Hywel.

After hastily negotiating the hire of my forgotten paddle and cag from Wyedean we got on the river at 11:20. As we anticipated from the Web, levels were fairly high with the river moving rather like a wide brown conveyor belt in some places.

On the way down river to Symonds Yat we had to temper Hywel’s enthusiasm to engage with what little rapids (rapidlets, ripples or trickles even??) we encountered by pressing on with our marathon paddle around the Knot. Things seemed a little more strenuous for myself (my own fault I might add) because I was effectively paddling with what felt like an oversized lollipop stick with blades set at right angles! Thanks go to the others for sharing their paddles….. however reluctant they were at times!

After a food stop where Hywel had to unfold himself from the Inazone and relearn how to walk, we eventually got to Symonds Yat. Before descending the rapids, Hywel being the experienced paddler gave us some pointers and off he shot. I followed not really knowing what to expect but rode the rapids and got into one of the eddies fully expecting the others to be behind. Hywel joined me but alas no Meic.

On our second attempt, I followed Hywel to one of the top eddies. After Hywel’s demo, I then powered through the eddy line edging with my right knee, got a bow sweep in ….to wobble like a jelly and take a swim! Many thanks to Hywel though for choosing to save my boat rather than my sandwich box. Great decision making because the sandwich box was always a strain to paddle anyway!

We then rounded off a great day out with a pint in the Saracens Head. As novices, Meic and I would like to thank Hywel for the benefit of his advice and experience.

Club trip - Aberbran to the prom in Brecon

We met at the usual meet for traveling North, the Indian restaurant on the A470. I arrived on time ("for once" I hear Matt M cry) and saw about 8 people milling around. Not a bad turn out I thought to myself, when another car turned up... then another and another. Kayakers numbered 21 in total, after we sorted out car share and kit we headed up in convoy to the Prom in Brecon.

After helping (or maybe hindering) to sort what felt like a military maneuver - the shuttle - we had all boaters and kit - after we found Rees and Amber - at the put in, Aberbran.

WOW - What a turn out, 21 people that's impressive!

And even more impressive... most of them were smiling for the group photo.

The river offered a rather sedate trip due to the water levels but dragon paddlers managed to inject a little spice.Rees pictured here was introduced to ferry gliding and did what every beginner does and offered his upstream edge to the current... However, he then bucked the trend of beginners and held on in his capsized boat until the T-Rescue was offered and duly taken. Well done Rees.

Now the pool sessions have broken up for the summer hols it was great to see Les (club treasurer) out enjoying the banter. Pictured here with his daughter Sam, who was showing it really is like riding a bike, as she hadn't paddled in 2 years.




After a disappointing lack of swimmers, except for those crazy kids who deliberately got out of their boats and swam at every possibility - the river was surprisingly warm - we managed to meander and bum shuffle our way through the stunning countryside back to the Prom.

Paddlers who attended were;
Phil D, Matt M, Nick B, Paul M, Miec, Lowri, Aleid, Bryn, Ieuan, John, Sian, Rees, Amber, Liz, Chris W, Eric, David, Piers, Emlyn, Les & Sam.
Phew...


I hope all that attended enjoyed the trip even with the low water - It is great to see new faces on the river trips. A big thank you to Matt who made the trip happen and to Nick and Paul who introduced new concepts for the novices to think about.

Here's some random pictures of the trip.






One last thing... What was Matt thinking??????

Caption competition... The best caption wins a...

Flat Holm, 31 May 2009

Just two of us did this trip - Hywel and Emlyn - but we'll count it as a club trip. We set out from Swanbridge into a Force 3 wind with about an hour to go before the tide would turn at Flat Holm and we just got there, with maybe 5 minutes to spare. Cut it a bit tight and it would have been disappointing to paddle all the way there just to have to come striaght back. Anyway, we got there, landed on the beach by the landing stage and went up to the top to have our lunch. Given we were wearing bright clothing, it's not surprising we were spotted by the warden (might have been the assistant) . I knew it would cost us! She came over and, yes, the landing fee is now £4. Still, it was lovely. Emlyn got clicking with his camera - the photos here were taken by him - and then after about an hour we left again. The tide waits for no man and we didn't want to get swept past Swanbridge. Launching we found the sea had picked up and as we went clockwise around the island it was really quite rough with a spot of clapotis until we rounded the point to get into the lee of the island, out of the tidal stream. We headed around the island and then broke into the stream, again through some fairly rough water but then settled down for the long ferryglide back. We past close to the Wolves buoy which is always impressive as it seems to come motoring towards you - must be 4 knots at times. Then we finished off with the traditional pint in the Captain's Wife. A great day out.

Usk at a low level - Mill falls - 2nd May 09

7 paddlers made the trip, which considering the levels was a very good turn out. Myself, Matt, Paul, Nick, Chris, Ben & Lewis. The trip was split into 3 sections - Paddling to mill falls - Playing on mill falls - Paddling to the get out.

The level at the falls was low but the surf wave down the centre channel was a perfect height for a nice friendly surf. Nearly everyone managed to have a surf and some people went no HANDS!

After getting used to the dynamics of the wave, lewis was tempted by adrenalin to surf the wave's face and an exciting few minutes ensued with Lewis shredding the wave like everyone else.

Chris also caught the wave and enjoyed the biggest surf of his kayaking career. Saying afterwards that he wants to find a bigger wave!

When finished on the wave we used the falls to practice some zip lines, live bait rescues and swimming.

Even though the water levels were low, we all had a great time in the sun and the boats.

No rain but a demo day 25/4/09

Still no rain but there is some on the horizon so don't dispair all you boaters out there, we'll be on the water soon. Due to the evenings getting longer it could be an evening paddle.

Up and under had a demo day today with all the major boat suppliers. You could pick almost any boat you could think of in production today and have a go on the Ely. I tried a couple of play boats, and impressed with happy feet from Jackson kayaks, bought them. Looking forward to trying it out soon in the Juice.

Saw loads of people I know and had a chat to Hywel at the end. Very interesting, it turns out that more people know Hywel, than Hywel actually knows. He was struggling with a sea kayak beast of a boat (what else, there were loads there - he was in his element!), when he thought he saw a stranger nearby. That was until the -stranger- turned to him and said, "Do you want a hand with that Hywel?"...

See you on the water,
Phil

Tryweryn Sat 11/4/09

No rain for many weeks meant a trip to Bala for a run on the Dam released river. Paddlers who made the trek were;
Phil D - Mark D - Steve D - Matt M - Paul M - Ben M

We all took on the lower section first which is generally regarded as a technical grade 2. But we started from the lower car park, which everyone who's boated there before will know you have to blast through the NRA wave and Chapel falls. Chapel falls can be a nasty stopper if taken on the right.

I led the section and when through chapel I looked round to see the whites of everyone's eyes... All except Matt who had his poker face deployed.

Everyone got their breath and Paul led most of the way down to Bala mill falls. Mark was complaining that he was just too hot, so to remedy this he flipped his kayak and swam for it - very refreshing. First thing he stated was "I'm not running the upper!"

Bala Mill was great fun. After we checked out the line and Paul's face went a little whiter, we settled on an order of decent. Matt went first into the top eddie - cool as a cucumber - I ran the fall but didn't remember it being THAT big, and took up a position in an eddie at the bottom.

Paul's run was a classic - picked his line and then completely missed it. He did perform excellently though and I can testify that he has a fantastic high brace. I remember his eyes like saucers and his smile wider than his face, shouting in his Irish accent "I don't know how I stayed up... I DON'T KNOW HOW I STAYED UP... I DON'T KNOW HOW I STAYED UP!!!".

After the shuttle was sorted we moved on to the upper section. Fantastic runs. Ben took to it like a duck to water and we couldn't get him off Cafe wave for the second run.

Paul did well in the white stuff, down through the graveyard, conquered the ski jump but the dreaded Mrs Davies's bridge claimed another victim. Paul had a small swim and we rescued his boat just above cafe wave. There's a picture somewhere of me diving for it, and no Euros it's not a swim... not even a technical one!

The second run was a blast, we got 3 boaters in the micro eddie river right just above the graveyard, Matt D, Steve Delany and Me. - Chuffed to bits I exited... and capsized. Not my preferred choice to roll in the graveyard. But roll up I did.

Steve (Del) caught the micro eddie on the ski jump, Matt followed him in, but I couldn't squeeze the juice in!

Loads of fun on Cafe wave and NRA - Have a look at the pics on the website. (they should be going up soon). We also met up with some friends from Lemington Spa - They want to come and paddle some welsh water very soon.

Thanks to all I had a great time.

Phil D

Glasbury to Hay-on-Wye, Sunday 5 April

Low water but a good turn out. Some of the pictures:

Lower Taff and Symonds Yat

The last two weekends have seen two easy trips.  Last Sunday, Hywel, Owain, Euros, Emlyn and Nick T. went to Symonds Yat where we also met up with Steffan and Jack B.  The young ones did much rolling, the elder did much swimming!

The previous Sunday saw around 13 venture onto the lower Taff, being led by Andy, Phil and Nick B. A good trip was had by all, according to all accounts.

Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 Feb

Nick B, Paul Mac, Lewis, Ben, Mark, John C and Hywel tripped on the Ogwr Fawr, from Blackmill to Sarn. The first 4 named are regulars to this stretch but for the last 3 named it was a new river. It was suprisingly pleasant. We had to press our way through the crowds gathered for the hunt at the Fox and Hounds to get park and get on the river. When stting up the shuttle we realised it wasn't a bad level, at least not a scrape. The river description is: go over the small ledge natural weir (usually centre), and repeat n times. There's one substantial boxed weir with three steps - which we inspected. No problem at all on the day (as I suspected I found the second step quite a bit stickier than the first, partly due to the first taking one's momentum away so that the almost immediate approach to the second was quite a bit slower than one might like) but at even a lsightly higher level one could see it might be better portaged. 

Nick B had a go (intentional) at slotting into a stopper. Given there was really no possible alternative outcome than being sucked in, he did the job, rolling in the process before being washed out.

No other news worthy events.

Sunday found Rob G, Emlyn and Hywel gathered at Swanbridge, waiting for Grant, who'd invited us along - and didn't turn up. Given they found a Force 5 eastly freezing wind and moderately rough sea, the 3 wise men decided to have their cups of hot chocolate/coffee in the car, and talk of sea trips, before heading home as dry as when they arrived. A very pleasant trip. Thanks to Grant for organising it! The sea kayaking section goes from strength to strength.

Christmas paddle, 20 December 2008

Two trips - same place, different times. Both on the Upper Taff, one meeting at 8.30, the other at 10, both finishing together.

On the first there was Matt, Phil, Paul Mac, Nick B and Lewis, Jack, and Tom and another from London, Chris W and son, and on the second, John O', Emlyn, Andy, Euros and Hywel.

Andy has posted some video clips:

 http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=dragon+paddlers&search_type