18th January – Radyr Weir to Llandaff with Open Boats (friends of the club paddle)

Friends: SW,JN,NB

Not much time to spare this Saturday morning, so the 3 of us, not having used them for a while, decided to spend a couple of hours in the morning on an easy section of river in open canoes.
We arrived at Llandaff Weir, only to be met by 3 obviously newcomers to the sport but with plenty of adrenalin to spare. ‘’I got turned out of the kayak last week in the weir mate, I managed to get out but my kayak kept getting turned over and over again almost like it was stuck!!!! but no problem I managed to edge my way along the edge of the weir on the narrow concrete bit and managed to pull it out’’ said one, ‘’mm’’, ‘’oh’’ came the response from us. Then looking at his two mates who both had buoyancy aids on but only camoufladge trousers, camoufladge jackets, jack boots and no helmet or anything else besides were obviously going to attempt to go over the weir on a sit on top. The guy who had the epic the week before was determined to go back into the weir also, he did have most of the kit, except helmet, I think he had a buoyancy aid, at least there was something bulky under his spraydeck that made him look 9 months pregnant!!
The water was tremendously high again with a very long tow back the full width of the weir.
Then these guys then wanted us to watch them, at which stage Steve and I turned our backs and started to move our boats to the beach just below the weir, while Nick continued to try to persuade them not to do it. Ten minutes or so later Nick came to join us having convinced them not to attempt the suicide and we proceeded on down the river.
The river was very fast at this stage and it didn’t take us long to get down to the natural broken weir, where although the ‘white water’ was mostly washed through the flow was very fast and formed huge waves so it was like being on a roller coaster. We had forgotten how much fun it was in these big open boats. We broke out on the beach just below the next bridge for a cup of tea and our thoughts went back to the three guys at the weir, wondering what the storey had been after we left them. We hadn’t had any sight of them since leaving. The next section of river was much slower, still some bumpy water in places but in no time we were down to the get out.
Not a long paddle bur again very enjoyable.
Back at the get in the 3guys vehicle had gone so we assume all ended well for themwhatever they did.

(by John N.)

11th January – Upper Boat to Radyr Weir (friends of the club paddle)

Friends: GC,SW,JN,AR,ST,NB

A quite day’s paddle with some coaching of a newish member of the club who joined us for the paddle as a friend not club member.

(by John N.)

28th December – Upper Boat to Llandaff (friends of the club paddle)

Friends: GC,SW,JN,AR,ST

After the enjoyable Club Xmas Paddle with the water still quite high 5 or 6 of us were keen to get out again, the forecast being very good as well. The stretch from Upper Boat to Radyr being fairly straight forward but with very big waves just by the first industrial estate which some shot twice (and another body surfed down) and the small drop just below the bridge at Taffs Well where the waves were very high also.
We arrived at Radyr weir and after taking only one second, decided to portage. We have all shot the weir many times and decided not to a few as well but on this occasion the tow back looked at least twice the longest boat length.
From there down to Llandaff took no time. Another uneventful day really but better that than the armchair!!!

(by John N.)

‘’Upper Upper’’ Taff, Merthyr Vale, Saturday 21st October

John N, Grant, A N Other

Grant and I after paddling the Upper Taff on many occasions, last June decided to walk the section above from Merthyr Vale down to Quaker Yard to scout for a future paddle when conditions permitted. We walked the majority of it and decided it was worth a paddle as soon as possible. Last Saturday we parked in Merthyr Vale at a very easy get in and set off in quite shallow water, not surprising, but nevertheless we wanted to do the paddle. The sides of the valley in this stretch are quite steep and the river banks more densely populated with trees so although the morning was sunny a lot of the river was in shade.

Along the stretch of the river are a number of rock gardens and small rapids that could probably be a bit more fun with more water, we did have to portage one section for about 10 metres, not far, and scraped by on another occasion. It is a very picturesque section with the usual Kingfishers, Herons, and although having seen mink on a number of occasions previously was surprised to have come within 10 feet of an otter.

All in all it was a pleasurable paddle but not too exciting (probably different with another 300 or 450mm of water). Main hazards are trees and fishing line. The get out at Quakers Yard adjacent to the bridge is not  good, but an alternative may be found. Very much warrants another paddle in higher water. John N

Taff, Saturday 19 February 2011

This trip was arranged by Amber to count towards her GCSE. It attracted a large turnout. As far as I remember (and me writing it up on 29 May!) there was Andy R, Matt, John O', Emlyn, Steve White and friend, Nick B, Rhys, Jon and Lewis, Chris and David, me (Hywel) and many others! (Let me know if you were there and I've left you out). The water was at too high a level really and the river was largely washed out. We split in two groups and only the second went over Radyr weir. Nick B led us over nearly in the centre. Shortly afterwards, John O' capsized and I rescued him. Later on, many practised safe swimming, coming under a bridge and having throwlines aimed at them. Most survived as far as I could tell. A well arranged and enjoyable trip.

3 trip weekend 23-24 January 2010

This was an active weekend for the club with members making 3 different trips.

The first trip was on Saturday with Matt leading a trip on the Tarell with Andy P and Jordan, Paul and Ben, Chris, Emlyn, Kirsty and someone else who I forgotten. Emlyn reported that there were about 4 trees blocking the rive at various points and as it was low water there was plenty of broaching and scraping, making for a tiring trip.

The second trip was by the sea kayakers with Hywel leading Rob and Emlyn - out for his second trip of the weekend - from Swanbridge to Flat Holm. I'd said I wanted to practice rescues and Emlyn obliged by capsizing as soon as we went through the cleft by the jetty leaving Flat Holm. Both legs of the journey provided some testing times with a Force 3 NW wind and some rough water. 2 hours 45 minutes of paddling, a distance of 7.6 nautical miles.


The 3rd trip was led by Andy. They were meant to have been going to Symonds Yat but ended up once again on the lower Taff. Andy reported: "John Taylor run the weir on the lower Taff a little bit to far right in to the recirculating water, went over, fought to get back up, but eventually won through and rolled up!

Morale of the story is, follow the line John! But well done."

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.