Tree hugging, boulder beaching and Bala Mill strikes back...
Lower Tryweryn, Sunday 23rd July 2017
Paddlers: Chucky, Ali, Clara, Brian, Sandie
The weekend's rain had done little to swell the rivers and it was a
small band of three that set off from the Club on Sunday to take advantage of a
sunny day in Wales. With the group being small and Clara a relative newbie to
white water, the plan was to head to the Dee.
Our band of three became five, however, on meeting up with Brian and
Sandie at Dobbies and we turned our attention to the Lower Tryweryn. Clara had
paddled this once before and all agreed it was an ideal opportunity for her to
build skills and confidence with the support of a much-strengthened group. It
was also an excellent opportunity for me to work on my own boat control and try
and address a few weaknesses!
It turned out to be the Tryweryn Festival weekend and the first
distraction of the day occurred at the Pyrahna stand outside the Centre, with
Brian's head being turned by the new Machno. A swift bit of form-filling and a
demo boat was his for the day.
Chucky, Brian and Sandie duly launched at the rafting get-out while
Clara and I opted for a gentler start to the run and walked down to the get-on
below Chapel Falls. As Brian came into view in his spangly new boat, there was
a whiff of familiarity that I couldn't quite place at this stage...
Under Chucky's excellent leadership, Clara's nerves quickly settled and
we bobbed along the wave trains enjoying the sunshine on the river and its
beautiful surroundings. We stopped and played at the first feature, a diagonal
surf wave on a left hand bend, with Clara being unafraid to get stuck-in and
have a go. A bold attempt resulted in her catching an edge but swimmer and kit
were quickly gathered up and no damage done.
As we progressed with Chucky and Clara up front, I enjoyed loitering
towards the back of the group, doing a
bit of eddy hopping and dropping on to surf waves under the watchful eye of Brian
or Sandie. I was reminded that every river is what you make it and that the
Lower T gives ample opportunity to work your skills, whatever your level of
paddling.
I was also reminded that a small lapse in attention can cause a quick
turn of fortune..! As Sandie and I hung back to play in a surf hole behind some
boulders, I managed to drop off the back of an eddy river right and straight
into a tree. Boat and paddle floated off as I extricated myself, thankfully none
the worse for wear. My boat was quickly retrieved but there was a small
interlude whilst Chucky chased off after my paddles... only for Sandie to spot
them hooked up and nestling safely in the water just a few metres past my swim
spot. Fortunately, Chucky hadn't gone far and soon emerged, dragging his boat
back up the field to rejoin us.
Clara was relaxed and paddling brilliantly by now but another rescue
opportunity arose when she became pinned against a boulder in the centre of the
river. I should probably mention that Brian was leading at this point.... hmmmm!!
Happily Chucky was able to swiftly eddy out behind the boulder and clamber out
to push her off with only a minor grumble about getting his man-bits wet!
Bala Mill approached and we eddied out to give Clara the opportunity to
inspect. It was at this point that the whiff of familiarity that had been
haunting me about Brian in his demo boat fell into place... black helmet, red
cag, shiny new blue, white and purple Machno.... YES... it's Better Bill!!
Having inspected the falls, Clara decided not to risk spoiling the
excellent day she'd had and opted to paddle the leat. There was still plenty of
entertainment to come however...
With Better Bill and Sandie safely down, Chucky and I zipped into the
eddy river left and I watched as he then took the eddy opposite beneath the
tree and neatly styled the falls. Determined to avoid the rock that lurks on
the lip of the drop, I attempted the same move... only to be swept sideways
straight on to said magnetic rock!
Sliding off the back I managed to turn the boat and go forwards but with
no momentum the rear end was grabbed at the bottom of the drop. My boat duly
performed an impressive pop-out over the pile and I was spat sideways into the
second drop. Attempting the roll, I was vaguely aware that my boat felt heavy
but hung in and managed to roll up at the second attempt, only to discover my
deck had popped and I was now submarining straight through the slalom
competition... hey ho!
Suffice to say it was another great day on the water with plenty of
laughs, all rounded off by drinks in the Tanat Valley sunshine.
Huge thanks to Chucky for organising and leading, to Brian and Sandie
for the excellent company and rescue assistance, and very well done to Clara
for nailing the Lower T at only her second attempt and... um... for swimming
fewer times than me. See you all back on the water very soon!
Ali
