|
A bit more info on the White water paddle - hopefully Justin can add the photos
A Piece of White Water
Sunday the 14th had been advertised as a white water excursion which would suit beginners – James and Alan had proposed either the Tumut River or Childowla as possible easy Grade 2 water. As the day got closer, rain meant that the environmental releases which these rapids depend on weren’t going to happen, fortunately we had enough rain that the Murrumbidgee in our own backyard was up and running! James and Alan had arranged for stacks of boats, decks, helmets and paddles etc to be available for us. Our group of beginners was rather depleted by sickness so only myself and my son Lewis were the only inexperienced paddlers. The group consisted of Sue and Angus Robb, Alan and James as our experienced members, with Luke and Michael, new to canoe polo, Jess and Tom who all had some previous experience, and Lewis and I. We met up at Pine Island, which was to be our finish point and transported the boats and us to Point Hutt. Alan took us under his tutelage and explained the boats, the river and what we could expect, what we should try to do and what we should avoid. We listened but it didn’t always work to plan.
I had heard James at work discussing the route with various other paddlers – “do you take the trees or the drop” with beginners? Alan took us the trees – was it a good idea? Lewis got jammed in amongst them and I ran into him – which was good for Lewis as I dislodged him, however that meant I got stuck, the end result being boat, paddle and I all going in off down the river but not together! It was a good thing we’d practiced ‘swimming’ down white water at Penrith, while this water wasn’t as Big, it was flowing well and there were lots of rocks! Angus had quite a job rescuing my boat as it was wedged in nicely downstream, I found some calmer water and was able to clamper to the other side of the river to start over. All exciting (if a bit scary).
The paddle was good fun with the rapids being fairly short and quite exciting enough (for us) with calm water inbetween to get some more instruction, practice ferry gliding or for the others, they could play on the waves, with some of the river options giving bigger drops or just more complex rapids.
I think everyone enjoyed themselves, Lewis and I would be happy to do it again. (maybe)
Patricia
|
