22 February 2014 – Ogmore - Brynmenyn to Merthyr Mawr

(club members) JN, SW, EJ, NB

After deciding the usual get in at McArthur Glen to Merthyr Mawr was too short a paddle for today, we decided to get in up river not at Blackmill but at Brynmenyn.
The water was at a good level for an enjoyable paddle, no scrapes and high enough for plenty of play. Most of the drops gave a fairly good wave and we progressed fairly fast between them but spent the time playing at more or less each one. The closed weir about half way down upon inspection looked as if it may have been a problem if not hit correctly, but after having set up some safety, the first one through, Nick, blasted his way through no problem. We all duly blasted our way through, the tow back being a bit ‘grabby’ but no real problem. Steve was keen to try out his new camera and persevered trying to get action shots of us at the weir but unfortunately got plenty of kayak sterns, plenty of kayak bows, plenty of kayakers heads plenty of kayaker’s bodies but none complete (except one of Emlyn).

Then down to Bridgend town, where we stopped and inspected the weir in the centre, but it looked no problem and we just enjoyed the drop. After that it was plain sailing paddling down to the stone bridge just above Merthyr Mawr where we got out. Another good days paddling.

JN

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.