The Paddler Summer issue 42

PADDLER The International magazine for recreational paddlers Issue 42 Early Summer 2018

Super clean waterfalls of the

RIO CLARO Sal Montgomery An interview with…

LAURA BINGHAM Running the Essequibo

ezine

The first circumnavigation of

WALES

BY SUP Sian Sykes

The grand, mysterious and beautiful

NAEROYFJORD Monica Gundersen Kayaking the

CONTINENT Anna Blackwell

More than just an acronym

C.L.A.P BillVonnegut 24-page

CANOE FOCUS Go Canoeing highlights Source to sea interview Introducing Peak UK

The NW Highlands of

SCOTLAND Mal Grey

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BRITISH CANOEING

+

Soca River, Slovenia Alistair Williams Outfitting an OC1 Phil Miller

Bzhuzha race, Georgia Andi Brunner Grand Canyon, USA Nick Troutman

French Alps SUP Valentin Illichmann

CONTENTS

Sian Sykes on her SUP circumnavigation of Wales. Photo by Chris at Eastwood Media Editor

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Design

Many thanks to: Phil Carr, Dale Mears, Chris at Eastwood Media, Ian Finch, Peiman Zekavat, Jon Williams, Anja Füchtbauer, Eli Castleberry, Derek Burdett, Max Irman, Peter Holcombe and Franck Debaecker for your additional help in putting this edition together.

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Cover

Sal Montgomery running the Rio Clara Photo by Eli Castleberry

Not all contributors are professional writers and photographers, so don’t be put off writing because you have no experience! The Paddler ezine is all about paddler to paddler dialogue: a paddler’s magazine written by paddlers.

Next issue is Late Summer 2018 with a deadline of submissions on July 20th 2018. Technical Information: Contributions preferably as a Microsoft Word file with 1200-2000 words, emailed to submissions@thepaddler.ezine.com. Images should be hi-resolution and emailed with the Word file or if preferred, a Dropbox folder will be created for you. The Paddler ezine encourages contributions of any nature but reserves the right to edit to the space available. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishing parent company, 2b Graphic Design Limited. The publishing of an advertisement in the Paddler ezine does not necessarily mean that the parent company, 2b Graphic Design Limited, endorse the company, item or service advertised. All material in the Paddler ezine is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved.

Reproduction without prior permission from the editor is forbidden.

Issue 42

Early Summer 2018

004 Testing, testing & new kit

014 The first SUP circumnavigation Plenty of kit reviewed by our contributors

022 An interview with…

Of Wales by Sian Sykes

030 The Rio Claro, Chile

Laura Bingham – running the Essequibo

038 Naeroyfjord, Norway

Running its super clean waterfalls by Sal Montgomery

047 Canoe Focus

Grand, mysterious and beautiful by Monica Gundersen British Canoeing’s 24-page magazine

The team behind the team - Peak UK Read more on page 14

From Source to Sea Read more on page 20

072 Kayaking the Continent National Go Canoeing Week Hightlights Read more on page 8

Early Summer 2018

Photo Credit: Nicola Cli e

080 C.L.A.P

London to the Black Sea by Anna Blackwell

088 NW Highlands, Scotland

More than just an acronym by Bill Vonnegut

098 Soča River, Slovenia In love with them by Mal Grey

106 Outfitting OC1 Canoe

Plus King of the Alps by Alistair Williams

112 Bzhuzha race, Georgia

Outfitting and trimming a WW OC1 by Phil Miller

120 Grand Canyon, United States

Part of the Extreme European Cup by Andi Brunner

126 French WW SUP

The magic and beauty by Nick Troutman

French Alps wonderland by Valentin Illichmann

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Testing,

Red Original Watertight Cool Bag https://redoriginal.com Peter Tranter

“You get what you pay for,” was one of my father’s favourites and this sentence very neatly sums up both of these top notch bags from Red Paddle Co. subsidiary named Red Original. They have produced a whole range of accessories for every type of SUP and paddling experience. We’ll start with the bags and move onto the smaller items in the next issue of the Paddler.

OK so firstly the price. The medium cool bag that we tested retails for £160, with the large costing an extra £20. Expensive, I hear you say but what you get is a shed load of ideas and build quality for your money.

Both bags are designed to attach themselves very securely to your board via a luggage tensioning system, whether that be a Red Paddle board or

from another manufacturer and when we say secure, we mean secure, they’re rock steady. However, the tensioning system can also be effectively tied to the inside an open canoe but it really wouldn’t work on a kayak due to its size and height.

The adaptability of these types of boxes can be enhanced as much by what’s on the outside as well as the inside. What you get are two external pockets, the front one being for something like a bottle and the rear one for bags of whatever you’re taking. Either side of both pockets are webbing daisy chains, which you can attach any type of kit that can be secured with a carabiner or bungee.

Of course with a full bag and external items, the bag can become quite heavy. That’s where the quality of the materials play their part. Reinforced carry handles combined with a tough sturdy construction and finished off with a YKK Aquaseal waterproof zip means this bag can take anything you’ll throw at or in it and it all stays dry.

g

testin Attaches to your deck in the very same way as the Cool Bag, so it means in fact that you can strap one to the back of your board and the other to the front if you’re looking at spending a couple of days on the water and being well equipped with everything you need.

dd lers - email us: review s@thep addle rez ine

m .co

Horses for courses with this deck bag. Take everything we’ve said about the Cool Box in terms of quality of product, construction YKK zips, etc and apply it to the Deck Bag. The Cool Bag is for food and drink and the deck bag is for your towels, spare clothes, phones, keys and other small items that you need to keep safe and dry with the 22-litre capacity making sure it all fits.

nte of i

Deck Bag

e will b nd it ed a iew rev uct od

Large: 30-litre. L:560mm; W:300mm; H:370mm.

Price: £180

res t to pa

Medium: 18-litre. L:380mm; W:300mm; H:370mm.

Price: £160

ou want y ion. If y o u stat rp st r

Did we mention it insulation capabilities? Well it’s probably what your first question would be, so let me put your mind at rest – the Cool Bag is tops in that regard. The thermal lock insulation keeps everything as cold as you would expect, except for longer. We used ice packs alongside three six-packs and left them overnight and most of the next day. The beers were still fridge temperature 20 hours later. Like we said, you get what you pay for and in this case it’s worth every penny. If you want the perfect SUP/canoe day where you take your lunch, liquid refreshment and the rest of the tittle tattle, then this is your cool box.

The Paddle r ez ine te

Again there is the same strips of webbing for external items and two large external pockets with draw cords either side plus the bonus of a very handy top mesh pocket for those items you want to quickly access at times. The Deck Bag is good for SUP, canoes and this time kayaks too.

Welded seams and high density TPU fabric, combined with the YKK zips means water is repelled at every level.

Both bags are very stylish and ooze quality all the way but above all they have been really well thought out with attention to detail. Two years ago I lost my £700 SLR due to a faulty waterproof bag, so for me you cannot really put a price on keeping everything safe and dry and in short should really be a no-brainer considering all the ‘extras’.

Price: £115

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Bloc Eyewear Dry Bags www.bloceyewear.com

By Dale Mears

Dry bags are somewhat of an essential for water sports, whether keeping kit dry or keeping wet kit contained. Bloc Eyewear for most are a sunglasses/ski goggle brand who have made good quality affordable gear for years. As a user of Bloc Ski goggles for some time and having had numerous pairs of glasses I decided to give the new dry bag range a try.

I got hold of a sample of their new bags to review and have been using them for three weeks now having been really impressed so far.

The bags come in a range of sizes from the smaller 10L roll top bag to 30L rucksacks. Not only have Bloc brought out a range of sizes and styles but the range of colours really makes them stand out from other bags on the market.

The smaller bags are made out of a lightweight TPU material or PVC. TPU features great resistance to abrasion making these bags ideal for day to day use whether slung in the back of a kayak or on the SUP, these bags are welded to keep them watertight. They feature a single weld down one side and a welded base. rated to IPX6 meaning it has been tested with water jets for at least three minutes from all angles.

For full submersion IPX7 is required but lets face it these bags are not being submerged for periods of 30 minutes (IPX7 testing requirement). I have not had a 10L to test so can’t comment on the performance of this bag but I did test the 20L below.

THE 20-LITRE BAG

The 20L bag, which for me is the most ideal size to take on the water to store either some warm clothes or gear you want to have for that extra protection, is the same construction as the 10L but manufactured out of a thicker more durable heavyweight PVC. The

bag feels really tough and from use over the three weeks has no evidence of any marks or damage which is really impressive. Again, featuring a roll down top means you can easily squeeze out any air prior to rolling and sealing the bag, what is nice is Bloc supply a handy adjustable strap with the bag so you can carry it with ease. making it easy to take down to the beach as a day bag also.

THE 30-LITRE BACKPACK

I also had the 30L backpack, which I have taken on both river and sea on my SUP and tested on a walk to see how comfortable the bag was. Construction wise this bag is the same as the 20L with the exception that the top features a roll down and compression straps either side to secure and make watertight. The backpack features two padded and adjustable straps and a chest strap which although on first impressions looked very basic when used they are actually really comfortable and keeping them lightweight Bloc have meant they do not get in the way if strapping to a Sup or fitting in the back of your kayak.

THE 30-LITRE DUFFLE BAG

I have also had a 30L duffle bag to test – another great bag. However, I have used this as more of a travel bag the size and shape make it quick and easy to pack. This bag would be great for travel and looks very similar to the Watershed bags except it features a roll top seal which secures at either end. On first impressions I was worried that the roll top was too wide and I might struggle to seal the bag but it has been absolutely fine. To prevent this it also has two very secure compression straps holding the seal across the length – Bloc have designed this bag just right. Again a PVC bag this is strong and durable. I am looking forward to taking this bag out more. It would be ideal to stuff a sleeping bag if on a multi day trip..

What I do love about these bags is the aesthetics,These bags come in a range of colours such as bright green, orange, light blue, yellow, dark blue and black. Bloc have done a great job of making a good looking dry bag that functions well and features the essential straps to make day to day use easy. Not to mention an excellent price point with the 10L coming in at £15/£18, 20L £20, 30L backpack at £40 and the 30L duffle bag £45. Many of my past dry bags have done the job but do not pack as many features for the price point. Check out www.bloceyewear.com/dry-bags-c133

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Dagger Phantom

https://www.dagger.com/eu/en Phil Carr www.unsponsored.co.uk

So after many years of images grabbed from videos and the odd image caught of the mysterious Dagger Phantom at certain paddling spots around the world, we have got our hands on two right here at Unsponsored HQ.

These are part of the first batch into the UK and even though the image appears to show two differently sized Phantoms – they are in fact both the same.

FROM DAGGER:

The Phantom is the latest high-performance model to join the ranks of the Mamba,The Green Boat and the Nomad, and has already won numerous short boat class podiums even before its launch.The Phantom stays high-and-dry on the water, yet still carries its speed through holes and away from drops, and achieves the perfect balance of tracking and manoeuvrability with the ability to rapidly change direction when on edge.The volume of the Phantom has been optimized for both performance and fit with sizing that can accommodate various paddler heights and sizes.

There was a period of time when this Phantom was not going to go into production – it started out as a team project that wasn’t necessarily meant to go to market. Thankfully, enough interest in this type of kayak has grown in the last few years.

The Dagger Phantom is a performance creek boat that has been designed to win the sub 9-foot class

whitewater races that we see around the world. It is also designed to be a competent river runner.

Although I have two here at Unsponsored HQ, only one of them will be with me long-term. The Phantom joins my Dagger Jitsu and Spade Kayaks Ace of Spades in my gear storage facility. Both of the Phantoms shown here are full production models that have built at Dagger’s US facility.

The Phantom is a lot of boat. At 271cm (sub 9-foot) long it has a great water line and is fast. This the same length as the large Pyranha 9r and it also shares the same width (68cm) and weight (23kg). However, when paddled the kayaks feel very different. The Phantom has plenty of bow volume and rocker designed to keep it high in the water to break though stoppers. This combined with the flat hull and the flare in the bow allows for planing and pivoting in big water.

PERFORMANCE

The Phantom is available in one size only. At 6ft 2” and 200lbs, the Phantom doesn't feel huge to me but if you were at the bottom of the suggested weight guide then you will most definitely feel it. Like the majority of the new crop of kayaks, the Phantom is definitely a boat that needs to be driven to get the most performance out of it. It took a few outings to get used to the way it handled as it is very different from my Ace of Spades, which has been my main creek boat for the last few years. I really like the hull profile of the Phantom. It carves when needed and yet behaves well thanks to sharp edges where you need them and the rounded edges where you don't.

It’s much easier to predict what the hull is going to do compared to a number of similar kayaks I have tried.

The stern has a much lower rocker than the bow and has the squared off tip, which helps make the boat to become more manoeuvrable the faster you’re going. As a result, it’s super fun to paddle.

As it’s a creek boat, it also the safety features that you would expect in place.

This includes a plastic step out pillar, adjustable footrest and five true grab handles. The step out pillar also has a great shape that makes a superb grab handle when carrying the kayak on your shoulder.

OUTFITTING

The outfitting is Dagger’s well established Contour Ergo Outfitting in its creeking guise. It adds weight to the kayak but it works super well. I am able to forgive a little extra weight when carrying the boat as the outfitting is that good.

The feature I really like (and you’ll see this many times in my Dagger kayak reviews) is the ability to raise the front edge of the seat.

This is achieved by the strap and ratchet system at the front of the kayak. As you would expect there are super adjustable hip pads, padded knee protection and ratchet back rest. The hip

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pads come supplied with a range of shims that can be added/removed to provide the optimum fit. A couple of quick release buckles allow easy access to the back of the pads to add/remove the shims.

Storage for your throw line is easily accessible in between the seat and front pillar. You can also see the seat fore/aft adjustment bolt in the same area. At the rear of the seat are a couple of gear loops that are easy to clip into to keep additional gear attached to the boat.

The volume of the kayak as mentioned before is large and I would highly recommend adding airbags to any kayak but especially ones of this size. I use the largest 30L Palm Equipment airbags and even when fully inflated there is still room to store gear without deflating the bags. I also make sure that I have a couple of small airbags installed in front of the full plate footrest. The footrest is easy to adjust and has think foam pads that give added shock protection and a little additional buoyancy. However, it is still advisable to fill the void in front of the full plate.

SUMMARY

Overall I like the design and feel of the boat – for my size and the kinds of paddling I do, it is ideal. I have no intention of competing in down river races but I appreciate the speed and manoeuvrability of the Phantom. It has my favourite outfitting system and can haul a load a gear if I need it to. It is available in red, which as everyone knows, makes kayaks even faster!

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T H E F I R S T S U P C I R C U M N A V

Story: Sian Sykes Photos: Chris at Eastwood Media and Ian Finch I am in my late thirties, recently divorced and I have no commitments.

Everyone around me is settling down, having another child, for me I am far removed from it and drawn to the attraction of a simple life, to get away from it all. I guess you can call me a free spirited soul – I have a yearning to travel, seek adventure and I am happy on my own.

O F

WALES

I G A T I O N

I am at my happiest being outside, I have deep connection with it and thrive off all the wild elements it offers me. I get super charged and feel invigorated to embrace the wild elements mother nature throws at me. It all stemmed from when I was just three weeks old and being introduced to wild camping by my mother, followed by mini trips away in my grand parents old split screen transporter. I loved the adventure and the freedom it brought me.

I first fell in love with paddleboarding when I was introduced to it by friends. I absolutely loved the experience, a freedom to journey without the faff, floating on water, a bird’s eye view, the ability to get away from it all, to find inner peace and to connect with nature. To have the absolute appreciation of what the great outdoors has to offer.

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SUP gives you the freedom to adventure and that’s what my recent trip brought me. I have just returned from an expedition around Wales (UK), a 1,000km journey along rivers, canals, roads and the ocean that I did solo and unsupported. I wanted to just rely on my judgement, my decisions and my ability and I wanted it to be a trip I could own. I’ve led many expeditions in the past, but this was special, it was just about pleasing me and no one else.

The trip was not only about pushing my comfort zones, testing my physical and mental ability to get on with it, the trip had a real purpose, a more deep and meaningful connection, the aim of the trip was to highlight the massive epidemic we face: single use plastics. The trip was not only about pushing my comfort zones, testing my physical and mental ability to get on with it, the trip had a real purpose, a more deep and meaningful connection, the aim of the trip was to highlight the massive epidemic we face: single use plastics.

I wanted to raise awareness of this issue. I have always appreciated the stunning environment around me, however over the years I have seen an increase of single use plastics washing up on our beaches and discarded. The aim of this trip was to bridge the gap between urban areas and the coastline. What gets dropped on a canal or in a river ends up floating out to sea. Sadly a staggering eight million pieces of

plastic enters our seas every day with 80% of it is from land-based sources and I wanted to help do my bit by raising this awareness with others.

To inspire and educate consumers about single use plastics, that’s where SUP Against SUP (Stand Up Paddle boarding Against Single Use Plastics) stemmed from – to circumnavigate Wales, a 1,000km journey along the canals, road, rivers and the sea. Wales is a perfect country to highlight the connect between the waterways and roads into the sea. My mission was to make my expedition single use plastic free, which is a tricky task when you add into the mix my dietary requirements too. Luckily with a bit of research I hunted down alternatives.

For example, I discovered expedition food provided in bio degradable bags, toothpaste in glass jars, suncream in a tin, shampoo and deodorant in a bar and toothbrush made from bamboo.

Before I set off, I spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the expedition – research, training, planning and exploring all potential risks and how to mitigate them. However, when the day came, I had lots of unknowns: where will I stay each night, what will I encounter, who will I meet along the way? I had a small amount of apprehension as a lone female traveller journeying through urban areas, where will I sleep and will it be safe?

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However, every day was different and I never once felt threatened or indeed even lonely. I enjoyed the solitude being on the water, it gave me clarity to just focus on me where nothing else mattered and it allowed me to escape from the day to day stresses and the consumption of just stuff. It all melted away and all I focused on was just me, get up, eat, check conditions, pack, paddle, set up camp, eat, plan for the next day, sleep and repeat. I loved the simplicity of it all. Just surviving from two 40-litre expedition duffle bags, away from clutter and unnecessary stuff.

During the expedition, I had always had several options to choose from of possible places I would reach depending on the weather and water

independently.

Some people were amazed I was doing the trip this style and it was almost unheard of to do it It was all about the planning, timing and the right conditions to do it successfully

conditions or how I was feeling. It was literally plans of potential A-Z options. I liked the unknown of where I will get to and what I will face once off the water with every day being different and I enjoyed it.

I went with the flow and adapted to the conditions of the water and what I encountered. The only pressures I had was the key moments to jump on the water to take advantage of a strong tide or I had to paddle like stink to pass MOD firing ranges or across busy shipping channels.

The other pressure was to charge up devices. As I was travelling solo and unsupported, the coastguard requested me to keep my VHF on whilst on the water, so I had to come onto land to charge them up. I picked two months where the weather was so changeable and this year in particular it was overcast, it affected the opportunity to charge devices from solar panels. So I relied on the kindness from strangers to allow me to hook up and charge my VHF and mobile phone. It was also a good opportunity to chat to locals to gain further insight to the area and any potential tricky spots.

The trip was incredible experience, I have seen such stunning landscapes, encountered beautiful marine and bird life and I have savoured daily magical moments from expedition life. I have gained more confidence in myself. I trust my gut instinct and not influenced by others. I feel I am at peace with myself and content in the present moment, enjoying the rich tapestry of a simple life in the outdoors. It has been truly life-changing and psyched me for more great adventures.

However, a few people along the way would put their insecurities on me, with their worries of certain areas of complex water, but I reassured them I knew what I was doing, experienced and happy to do it solo and unsupported. Some people were amazed I was doing the trip this style and it was almost unheard of to do it independently. It was all about the planning, timing and the right conditions to do it successfully.

I was once offered a tow from a fishing boat and I explained I was more than happy to paddle.They mistakingly thought I was a nurse for my profession and they said I could do with being looked after. I just looked at them and thought to myself, do I look like the type of women who would make an ideal domesticated goddess to stay at home and look after a man whilst floating on a SUP in the middle of nowhere, not washed for a couple days, hands blistered? I smiled at them politely, I am glad I made this life choice, I couldn’t be happier. I waved goodbye to the friendly fisherman as they headed off into the distance and I continued on my journey alone.

I found as a female solo traveller that the many people I met were intrigued with my expedition and I received many acts of kindness – I felt well and truly loved and encouraged on my personal journey around Wales. I was offered places to stay, have a shower and provided with home-made cakes. I never thought the trip would be this good and I am so grateful to everyone who touched upon me – I didn’t feel alone. I was asked once if I ever cried during the trip. I just couldn’t relate to the question, as I never had a down moment on the trip. Many of people would say keep going, but I never considered that as an option of giving up. I always knew I would complete it, the only thing I just didn’t know was when.

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I had the privilege to meet others who were actively involved with protecting their waterways by doing their own litter picks and I encouraged them to also make a pledge to give up at least one single use plastic item, such as ditching the plastic straws, opting for reusable coffee cup and water bottles, cardboard cotton bud sticks instead of plastic ones, etc. It was gratifying to see this awareness and the shift in people’s mindset for altering their daily consumption for the better. I hope this awareness in individuals acting responsibly can continue to reduce our demand and reliance on single use plastics.

So I encourage you all to make a pledge against single use plastics, find alternatives or do without, let’s stop being a disposable society. Please also adopt a stretch of footpath, road, canal, river, coastline and do a litter pick. We can all do our bit to be responsible and to protect what we enjoy. If we all do our bit, we can help towards plastic free coastlines.

ABOUT SIAN SYKES

Sian used to work in London in the fast-paced advertising industry, working up to 18 hours a day. She decided to make a career change to have a better work life balance and now runs a paddleboarding business in Wales. Sian is a regional rep for Surfers Against Sewage (environmental charity) and she is passionate about raising awareness, educating and inspiring others to reduce their daily consumption of single use plastics. Her trip around Wales was single use plastic free, she collected plastic pollution along the way and inspired others to make a pledge against plastic.

Sian is an ambassador for Starboard UK, Peak UK, Water Skills Academy and Aquapac. Further details can be found at www.psychedpaddleboarding.com

SUPPORTERS ON EXPEDITION:

Starboard UK;Aquapac; Peak UK; Finisterre; Hilleberg Tents; Patagonia Outdoor Food; Revolwe;Waterskills Academy; Flapjackery; Eastwood Media; SMG Group Europe

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An interview with‌ Laura Bingham

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Laura was the expedition leader for the world first in successfully paddling the entire Essequibo River, Guyana from source to sea. Laura was one of the trio comprised of Ness Knight and Pip Stewart who completed the 1,000km expedition in 72 gruelling days. The Paddler magazine met up with Laura for an interview to recount this remarkable feat.

ESSEQUIBO Laura, Pip and Ness

R U N N I N G

T H E

Laura paddling by Peiman Zekavat ThePADDLER 23

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hen did you first start kayaking?

We all started kayaking at the same time, about six months prior to our expedition leave date!

So when and why did the idea of paddling the Essequibo first come to mind?

So the idea was originally mine, just after I had Ran (Laura’s son), I was talking to Ed (Laura’s husband) about expeditions and he told me about the expedition he did the logistics for in Guyana: Lost Land of the Jaguar with Steve Backshall. He painted a wonderful image of this virgin jungle with Jaguars, monkeys, and all sorts of animals! And then he said, “Can you believe the Essequibo has never been descended?” And then the idea pinged into my head!

What type of training did you do for the expedition?

We focused mainly on our water reading skills, we knew we would never perfect our skills enough to be competent in all grades of water, so with the help of the Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre and David Bain from NRS, we managed to get our water reading level high enough that we had the confidence in ourselves to correctly analyse whether we were capable or not of running different rapids.

Have you all paddled together before on expeditions?

Only on our training trips!

What were the main objectives for the expedition?

Before we start – just let our readers know a little about yourself, background, etc.

I may be best known for cycling 7,000km unsupported across South America without touching any money. I’ve has also sailed across the Atlantic and spent four years travelling the world. In 2017, I completed a more personal challenge – becoming a mum for the first time to baby Ranulph in June.

“I had just had a baby and wanted to show that a mother and father are both capable of caring for their baby whilst staying true to who they are. We both owe a lot to expeditions so by sharing parental responsibilities we can both continue to follow our dreams and keep adventuring. Whilst I was away, it was Ed’s duty – and he really looked forward to it!”

There were so many main objectives, but to name a couple, we tried to highlight sustainability and how to move through an environment so its preserved for the next person. We attempted to highlight the effects of mining on the environment and how it’s not a sustainable income. We also tried to highlight how working as a team is vitally important and lastly I tried to highlight equal parenting. My husband stayed at home looking after our young son whilst I followed my dreams, Ran and Ed came out to visit me after six weeks and it was so magical. My son is so confident, happy and secure! And that just proves to me that, for us, we are living the right life.

You have to travel light in such circumstances, what type of kit did you use?

On this occasion we used DD hammocks and tarps as they are the go to kit in the jungle. There isn’t a specific type of kit we use, it’s all very individual to the person. And it’s basically, “Can I do without this?” I didn’t take a towel because I’m very happy putting on wet clothes on expedition but Ness and Pip did take a towel because for them, the weight of the towel is worth carrying to dry themselves. It’s all individual preference.

https://theessequibo.org

Laura standing in the river by Peiman Zekavat

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Some people must have said you’re crazy to take on the expedition, particularly in the light of the tragic death of Emma Kelty only a few months beforehand. What was your response?

What happened to Emma was extremely tragic. We spoke to a lot of safety experts to make sure we knew as many ways as possible to stay safe. We travelled in a group of 5-10 people, with 2-5 local guides at all times so they we were fully informed of any particularly dangerous areas.

What were the main dangers?

Jaguar, snakes, spiders, scorpions and caiman.

Thankfully these are all quite predicable dangers and as long as we did everything by the book, we wouldn’t be in too much danger. When we approached the lower Essequibo, we came into contact with people and the mining areas.

Ever really worried or scared?

One night that Pip let out the loudest scream I think Ive ever heard! She’d had a nightmare that she was being attacked by a Jaguar and at the moment in her dream that the Jaguar pounced, her phone battery pack fell on her in the hammock. I thought she was being attacked!

On a lighter note, what was your most embarrassing moment?

I was wearing an old sports bra that I had previously used for pumping (breastmilk) so it had little holes in it, I forgot and when I wasn’t wearing a top, my nipple came through. Thankfully it was just Ness that spotted it! Pips may have been when she tried copying me and weeing out her hammock and ended up weeing in her hammock and on her sleeping bag!

Ever a point when you came close to abandoning the expedition?

Twice, when I missed Ran so much.

Can you tell us about one stand out moment in the 72 days?

When Ran and Ed were visiting us, I had been ill for four days and the day I felt better we all went down to the river and played in the water. I was holding Ran and Ed was jumping in and out the water, I have never heard a baby laugh so loud in my life! It is quite possible THE happiest moment in my life.

What have you witnessed about the best and the worst of our world and environment on your travels?

Some of the worst has been some backwards thinking men, who don’t see women in the progressive way that others do. I find that personally very hard. Also the effect man-kind has on the world, it was a huge eye opener going from pristine virgin jungle to mining and logging areas.

https://theessequibo.org

The best has always been the wildlife, the delicate innocents that nature has and her unwavering ability to claim things back. And the kindness of strangers, how people from all walks of life can open a hand out to you, in a time of need.

If you could head anywhere to paddle, where would it be and what appeals about the location?

I’ve heard some wonderful things about Sweden and its beautiful water ways but I don’t think anything could beat the remote jurassic feel to the upper Essequibo. I could only describe it as Eden, and I think in high water, it could still give the adrenaline junkie a little ride for his money! But it’s the feel of the area that just captivates.

What’s the one piece of advice you would give to somebody thinking of such an expedition?

Make sure you know all the dangers, how to mitigate them and know your abilities.

It was a remote journey which meant we had a medivac and medic on standby in case of emergencies, and you need to truly know your competence level, expeditions aren’t a place to ‘see if you can push your ability and try this epic waterfall’.

The training is done at home or in places where you can get medical attention fast. Not in remote areas.

What are the qualities you’re looking for in your paddling partners on such an epic adventure?

If they can take a good joke! haha. No, it’s how able they are to see alternative points of view and how they work through conflict. I think Ness, Pip and I worked so well because we all really dislike conflict!

We all try and talk about things as calm as possible. I think if youre team are open and can honestly, calmly talk through everything, you’re set!

What do you do to relax?

Work on my vegetable patch. I find having my hands in dirt really grounds me. Excuse the pun. That physically connection to the earth just hits my core and relaxes me.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

With a set up passive income and a great career around me so that I can focus the majority of my attention on setting up a charity idea I have and working with other charities to help make change.

I need to try my best right now to put my oxygen mask on so that later in my life I can help others do the same.

Main photo: Laura action rapid shot by Jon Williams Far left: The team at the source by Peiman Zekavat

Left: Jon Williams (videographer) with Anthony Sho Sho paddling by Laura Bingham

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Quickies…

If you could paddle with anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be?

My husband.

Laura walking across bridge

by Peiman Zekavat

Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?

Keira Knightly.

Ness pushing a wooden dug out

by Peiman Zekavat

Are you a bathroom/shower singer and if so what do you sing?

I used to be and I used to make up my own songs!

After having a child, I now don’t have time!

Facebook or Twitter?

Instagram.

An ideal night out for you is?

Camping and toasting marshmellows or sausages on a fire.That was mine and Ed’s second date.

https://goo.gl/maps/uVcmPCBEA9w Ness popping Laura abscess on armpit

by Jon Williams

What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?

A Down jacket to double up as a pillow or just a pillow.

What would I find in your fridge right now?

Veg, baby meals, meat and a GU chocolate cheesecake that I’ve been waiting for my husband to leave to eat.

If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?

BBQ! Because its an English summer and we have to make the most of eating outside! We only get to do it one week of the year. Haha.

What’s the most boring question you are often asked?

“Whats next?” Or “What was the best and worst moment/highlight.”

Pip and wai wai children

by Peiman Zekavat

If you could be a superhero for one day, what superpower would you choose and why?

Flying or being invisible so I could move stuff around my families houses to freak them out. I’m annoying like that. My FAVOURITE thing to do is jumping out at people to scare them.

Favourite sport’s team?

Who ever is winning. Ha.

Favourite film?

Forest Jump/The Notebook/ 10 Thing I Hate About You. It really depends on the mood.

Favourite musical track?

Fight song by Rachel Platten.

What three words would you use to describe you?

Loyal, goofy and ambitious.

Peiman Zekavat (documentary director) In dug out

Ness pulling dug out with machete

by Peiman Zekavat Finish by Jon Williams

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CLARO t h e

r i o

By Sal Montgomery Not many people haven’t heard of, or at least seen photos of the rio Claro.the river famous for the ‘teacups’, or ‘tazas’ in Spanish. For me, seeing photos of these super clean waterfalls several years ago, were what made me want to visit Chile.

the rio Claro, literally translating as ‘Clear river’, is 2-3 hours south of the big city of Santiago, near a good sized town named Molina. Load up your truck with supplies here, as once you leave Molina and head towards the Parque Nacional radal Siete tazas, you won’t be seeing anymore shops, houses or even many people for quite awhile.

As you drive up the valley you will become speechless, especially once you spot ‘Salto la Leona’ (below). i cannot provide you with a more worthy description of the beauty of this place other than simply stunning.

Above photo by Sal Montgomery Main photo by Anja Füchtbauer

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Photo: Eli Castleberry

Sal on the SieteTazas (SevenTeacups) ThePADDLER 32

Drive further up the dirt road and the speechlessness suddenly transforms into extremely-excited-toddler mode! For you will find the first section of beautiful, clean boofs.Welcome to the Siete Tazas (seven teacups).The only thing that can tear you away from this position, is the fact that you know a little further up the valley is many more…

The two most well-known sections are the Siete Tazas (seven Teacups) and Veinty-dos Tazas (twenty-two Teacups), and rightly so because they are awesome!

Imagine waking up and being able to spend all day lapping two sections made up entirely of super clean waterfalls in one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever been! Not to mention it’s usually hot and sunny!

SEITE TAZAS

The Siete Tazas (seven Teacups) is a great warm-up or introduction to the river, with (as you’ve probably guessed) seven beautiful, clear water, super clean waterfalls.You don’t have to be a waterfall expert to paddle this section however, in fact many kayakers paddle their first waterfalls here.The beauty of this section is that each waterfall ends in a big, deep, flat pool- allowing for a cheeky roll if required!

Although this is the more straightforward section it is by no means mediocre! There’s some pretty substantial free-fall here and all the drops are super fun! It’s also an awesome place for the more advanced kayakers to work on their boof. It would be difficult for anyone not to enjoy this section- it’s a paddler’s playground!

As it’s a much shorter section, it is less committing than the two higher up sections, however it’s still ‘once you’re in, you’re in’ in nature. Getting out the canyon would be extremely difficult, so although you don’t need to be expert waterfall runners you do need at least some of your team members to be strong paddlers and experienced in rescues in the case of any swims.

Photo by Anja Füchtbauer

Overlooking the last two drops (roughly a 15-footer in to a 30-footer) is a viewing platform, so you will more than likely be applauded by a gaggle of tourists!

It’s also the perfect spot if you want photos of you hucking the two larger drops of the section. Look out for tarantulas on the walk back up!

VEINTY-DOS TAZAS

The Veinty-dos Tazas (twenty-two Teacups), yep you’ve guessed it, has 22 waterfalls and is super fun from start to finish.The walk-in takes about 40 minutes depending on how good at carrying your boat you are, I’ve heard of groups taking up to two hours.This hot hike is soon forgotten about once you get to an interesting put-in! Here you can seal-launch (probably not advisable) or lower people-in-boats on ropes.

You’re then straight in to it, immediately starting with a sweet flare boof.

From then on you are treated to probably some of the best boofs, flares and hucks you have ever paddled. If you like paddling super clean waterfalls then you will be in heaven.

Although none of the drops or rapids are super complex, there are some that require quite specific lines and this isn’t the easiest river for scouting (it’s impossible to scout at some points), so it’s advisable to go in with someone that knows the river.This will save you an incredible amount of time, which means more laps!

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Photo: Sal Montgomery

All photos: Eli Castleberry

https://vimeo.com/262946273 ENTRESALTOS, GARGANTA DEL DIABLO

The lesser paddled section, known as the Entresaltos (In between Drops), is sandwiched between the Veinty-dos and Siete sections.The Entresaltos has a reputation for being more of an undertaking than the other two sections and is only an option in low water.

As described above, the Teacup/Tazas sections are pretty much pure waterfall runs, whereas the Entresaltos is more of a combination of waterfalls and rapids. Extremely narrow in parts, with interesting twists and turns throughout its course, continually keeping you on your toes! The waterfalls in this section are also very interesting, the most famous one being ‘La Garganta del Diablo’ – Throat of the Devil.The impressive, 180-degree twisting waterfall, falling deep in to the unscoutable canyon ahead.

(Kayak Session have just published an incredible photo that Eli Castleberry took of me running this spectacular waterfall from our trip this winter – check out the most recent magazine to see it!).The auto-boof above Garganta is also guaranteed to make you whoop and grin like a little kid!

A small team here is essential.The river is extremely narrow at times, and some of the eddies are very small. A big group in here would be asking for trouble – not ideal when escape is near on impossible.

Once past all the major drops and rapids, the river passes through narrow passages of basalt walls and waterfalls. Now you can sit back and enjoy the beauty as the river winds it way to the take out.

Interesting, exciting and stunning, you won’t forget this river for a long time.With something to offer most abilities of paddler.This was an incredible start to my winter season in Chile and I would strongly encourage anyone that has the chance to go and visit this amazing place to do so.The Parque Nacional Radal Siete Tazas really is a paddler’s paradise.

THANKS FOR READING!

Big thank you to both Eli Castleberry and Christof Reich for the many amazing shots, not to mention many late nights of editing! Thank you to Anja Füchtbauer for her beautiful shots looking down in to the canyon. Also, Dave at Pucon Kayak Hostel for giving me the chance to work in such an incredible place with great people! And lastly all the awesome people I shared this special trip with. Overleaf are a few of my top tips for anyone interested in visiting the Rio Claro.

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INFORMATION

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•

Stock up on supplies in Molina before entering the park

Whistles are essential. Once one of you paddles over that horizon line whistles are pretty much your only form of communication.

Small teams work best on this style of whitewater.

Splits are not optional. Veinty-dos and Entresaltos are relatively long sections, with no easy way out and lots of potential opportunities for breaking or loosing paddles!

Get out of bed! A sunrise lap of the Veinty-dos is a must!

https://goo.gl/maps/5kEg4tN1EdE2 • •

•

•

With it being a National park wild camping is not permitted but there are a couple of nice campsites as you drive up the valley in Ingles Park.

Allow at least a couple of days there, more if you can.

Stay up late and see the amazing sky of stars!

And most of all – if it’s not already, then get this river high up on your list!

A choke up could be fatal in some parts of this steep, narrow river; check for current wood situation.

Check levels – things could get a bit too exciting in there with a lot of water, but you could come away with a sore back if not enough water!

Many of the bigger drops are not scoutable, so if you don’t have anyone in your team that has run the river before then be sure to do some research before going in.

Photos: Christof Reich

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Campsite in Odnes

OYFJORD Grand, mysterious and beautiful Story and photos: Monica Gundersen Nærøyfjord (Naeroyfjord) As Norwegian as it gets.A fjord so beautiful that one might believe it’s staged.Towering mountain sides sit like thrones on either side of the fjord, so steep in some places that not even the trees can grow roots. More than 400,000 visit this fjord every year and this year, I’m one of them.

I can see the weekend blinking at me like the Northern Star. What to do? Where to go? The weather forecast shows rain for the entire west coast of Norway, so we can just pick and choose. We’re choosing the best, we’re paddling through Nærøyfjorden and we’re going camping.

We pack up our gear, strap the kayak to the roof of the car and off we go. Without a plan. “We’ll take it as it comes,” states my paddling friend. In the midst of it all, I almost forget to pack a map. The further away from Bergen we get, the better the weather. By the time we make it to Gudvangen and the fjord, we’ve almost forgotten that it was even an issue.

The sun seems to shine through the clouds, the fjord is like a mirror.Very little wind with small puffy clouds stretching along the mountain sides. We carry our kayak to the water and fetch our gear from the car and I start to wonder, how much food should we bring? Are we going out for the whole weekend? I was the one asking the questions, whilst my paddling friend simply looked a little confused and dumbfounded at me. In his mind he’s already out on the water. I take the lead. I’ll bring all the food and gear we need for the whole weekend. Better safe than sorry.

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Finally on the water The feeling you get when you sit in the kayak and get ready for a trip is indescribable. Relax, take a deep breath, put everyday life behind you and in front of you lies nothing but adventure. What are we going to experience on this trip?

It’s already late Friday afternoon, but the evening is bright and nice. No sign of rain. No, I know, we weren’t supposed to think about that. We pass the ‘Norway in the nutshell’ ferry that travels back and forth like a shuttle. Inflatable boats fly past, they can’t possibly see anything going so fast – they’re noisy as well.

We paddle on, as we want to get away from the noise, be one with nature and find the peace. We’re not in any hurry, paddling slowly. It’s important to take in the life along the fjord, to paddle slowly past the old villages, where the farmhouses in Bakka and Tufto date back to the 1600s. The people who lived there were skilled labourers and traders, so it’s easy to picture the workers out in the fields and children running barefoot between the houses.

RIMSTIGEN

The ferry still stops in Tufto for those who wish to look around. From here, we could’ve walked all the way back to Gudvangen, if need be. We glance up at the mountain side over the village, where far in the distance you can see a hiking path called Rimstigen – a beautiful name. It’s obvious that from here it’s a steep hike and your climbing skills will come in handy, however, you are rewarded at the top with a breathtaking view.

The goal for today is Odnes, the perfect place to set up a tent on the flat, green grass. Over in the woods we surprisingly find an outhouse, where we can hear the roar of the waterfall behind it. Down on the beach is a small fire pit. I was looking forward to sitting by the fire tonight, looking out over the fjord, lost in my own thoughts. “Bud, did we bring any dry wood to start the fire?” Nope, that’s still in the car. So much for that.

However, a good meal cooked with a storm kitchen and great company, that we do have. Out on the fjord there’s a seal swimming back and forth, close enough for us to see it, but too far to eternalize it on film.

The silence is suddenly broken by the sound of a motorboat passing. It’s pulling 18 kayaks on a rope!

They’re probably heading back to Gudvangen, getting ready for the next day. This day is over, we crawl in to our tent and drift off to the sound of the waterfall.

The next morning, when I look out the opening of the tent, the fjord lay like a mirror in front of me. There’s no wind, but a few clouds that are slowly raising to

Paddlers in the fjord give way to a clear and beautiful morning. Breakfast just disappeared. I assume we ate it, but we’re to busy gazing over the fjord to notice. Eventually we pack up our stuff – are we going to paddle further on today, or are we heading back? My paddling friend says he want’s to head back and experience the same trip from the other direction towards Gudvangen. So that’s what we do and get a whole new experience.

Soon we meet some of the local residents of the fjord. There is a farm on a small green patch of land in a cove. The old farm houses are worn from years of rain and wind and there are lambs roaming freely in the area. They haven’t been taught to be afraid of us, so they come right down to the water – they’re curious. maybe they’re wondering where we come from or if we’ve brought them any snacks? After a while we’re not so interesting anymore, so they turn and walk away. We pass another small farm and you begin to notice how the houses are lined up like dominos along the hillside. For anyone wanting to live in this majestic natural setting – it’s paradise.

AURLANDSFJORDEN

Safely back in Gudvangen, we pack up the car and drive to Flåm. We’re no longer in Nærøyfjorden, strictly this is Aurlandsfjorden, which again is a part of Sognefjorden but neither signs nor natives call it anything else. The weather is getting worse, but we’ve decided to paddle to Undredal, so that’s what we do.

On the way we pass more of the fjords locals. Some goats, hunting for food, are perched nearly vertically on the edge of the mountain. That bush in the corner is too tempting to pass up, so they’re climbing skills come in handy. But if they fall, they will drown!

When I look out the opening of the tent, the fjord lay like a mirror in front of me.

There’s no wind, but a few clouds that are slowly raising to give way to a clear and

beautiful morning

We passed charming houses a long the way

The wooden bridge across the fjord

Kayaks in tow

Farmhouses in Bakka

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We continue onward and pass a waterfall. This side of the fjord is not as exciting. The sheer steepness of the mountain doesn’t leave room for people or wildlife.

So we spend the trip talking while we paddle toward today’s goal, Undredal.

HUGE WAVE

A large cruise ship passes us just before we reach Undredal, on it’s way out of the fjord. I turn my kayak and get a quick picture before we paddle further.

Large boats don’t usually make large waves, so I don’t give it anymore thought. Fortunately, I turn a minute later and see huge waves heading our way. While I turn my kayak at record speed I shout out a warning to my friend, as the waves are approaching fast and they look scary. My instinct tells me to paddle through them, so that’s what I do. I make it over the first wave, but the second comes on too fast and I cut straight through it. The water rushes over me and for a minute I lose my breath, but I keep paddling on, eyes straight ahead. This is how I keep my balance and avoid rolling out of my kayak. When I catch my breath I hear “Yoohoo” not far away. My paddling partner is also thrilled he’s still safely in his kayak.

We get to land, wet and still a little shaken, where we carry our kayaks 100 metres to the campsite. It’s started raining now, and it’s really pouring – not the ideal weather to put up a tent and try to get warm.

Luckily the residents of Undedal have made a service building with facilities and we can sit with a roof over our heads as we make dinner. As the evening fades we get to know some of the other camping guests.

They’re a diverse group from Canada, Israel, Germany and a few from Norway. Some we talk to a little, some a lot. They tell us a little about where they’re from but mostly they’re interested in camping pointers for Norway. We enthusiastically share our knowledge. It’s been pouring all night, but we barely notice, we’re having such a great time.

Sheep farm

When I peek out of the tent Sunday morning it’s almost sunny and the fjord calmly awaits. After breakfast we’re going back to Flåm, but this time on the other side of the fjord. The fjord is wide here and it takes time to get across as we paddle in silence. It’s not as fun to paddle long distances, but it gives you a chance to get a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery. Safely on the other side, the first thing we do is make for an old boathouse that’s patched together like a quilt, with a view from the second floor. It’s incredibly charming, and assumably a paradise for the neighbourhood kids, even if it’s cold during the winter.

Above: Goats balancing on the cliffs. Below: Large boats can make large waves

I shout out a warning

While I turn my kayak at record speed

to my friend, as the waves are approaching fast and they look scary

ThePADDLER 44 BOULDERS

We keep seeing traces of rock slides where boulders have fallen from the 1,800 metre high mountains that surround the fjord. Some have just missed the boathouses, or maybe there is a boathouse flattened under the boulder?

The last village we pass is Aurland, broadly known for the production of the Aurland shoe. In the glory days of the 1950s and 60s they produced 30-40,000 pairs of shoes. Further up the mountain we can see the road to Stegastein and decide that next time we come, we’ll drive up there and gaze out over the fjord.

We’re still interrupted by boats rushing by, but there’s space for everyone, so we can continue on our way without second thought.

https://goo.gl/maps/vA3q3vq48BD2

On this trip we’ve had both rain and shine. We’ve been soaking wet but also nice and warn. We’ve paddled in silence and let our mind wander, or talked at great lengths about whatever crossed our minds.

The water has been calm and mirror-like, but also rugged from the passing boats. Every second has been a joy and an experience of a lifetime. A memory to keep with us forever.

The Norway in the nutshell-ferry

Big boulder

The view towards Aurland

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The team behind the team - Peak UK Read more on page 14

From Source to Sea Read more on page 20

National Go Canoeing Week Hightlights Read more on page 8

Early Summer 2018

Photo Credit: Nicola Cliffe

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Contents

3

Welcome

Access & Environment

From David Joy

4

Access & Environment Charter

16

Membership

News News

5

GoMembership

News p5

Performance

17

GoMembership p17

Coaching and Leadership

Performance Update

7

Performance Update p7

National Go Canoeing Week Hightlights

British Canoeing Launch the new Paddlesport Instructor

18

British Canoeing Launch the new paddlesport Instructor p18

Adventure 8

From Source to Sea - Pip Stewart

Promotion

From Source to Sea p20

Promotion

Let’s go somewhere - Costwold Outdoor

12

The team behind the team - Peak UK

14

Protect your paddling gear - Dry Bag

24

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

Hightlights p8

20

4

Welcome

Welcome to this early summer edition of Canoe Focus.

Our Olympic and Paralympic athletes have got off to a great start this year, with some outstanding performances and results for the slalom and paracanoe teams in their respective European Championships and some strong performances too for the sprint athletes in the first two World Cups (page 7).

We know that our senior international athletes in all of our disciplines help to inspire the next generation and it is really pleasing to report that the Olympic and Paralympic athletes attended more than 440 different events last year in their role as ambassadors and to inspire the nation.

Of course it’s not just our athletes that can inspire others and I was excited to see the recent launch of our Women’s Ambassadors’ Programme. Every one of our ambassadors have a fantastic story to tell and are simply in love with paddling. I urge you to take a moment to read their inspiring stories on our website.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Pam Phillips at Paddle in the Park. Pam is happy to share that she is 65 now and fully hooked on the sport training eight hours a week in the summer months. She took up white water paddling after responding to a Facebook advert inviting her to a This Girl Can series of sessions at Lee Valley and as they say, the rest is history.

Pam’s story is a classic example of the power of data and digital advertising. We have recently published new privacy notices on our website, which show how we are operating within the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and how we use member’s data.

and with our new database and communication tools, we will provide a much improved membership service and more personalised communications.

We will be using digital marketing as a key tool to encourage would be and novice paddlers to engage with skills and safety sessions in clubs and centres all over the country.

National Go Canoeing Week was a great example of this working in action this year and there were over 300 sessions held during the week (pages 8-9).

Congratulations and thanks to the hundreds of people who coordinated and delivered these activities.

Finally I want to share with you the progress we are making around our Access and Environment Charter (page 16). Over 650 responses have been received to the open consultation and these are being analysed to further inform the Charter.

Within the consultation we also gathered lots of case evidence about where disputes have arisen and we will use this in our campaigning from Autumn onwards, to show that real issues exist and why the status quo is not acceptable.

In June and July we have a series of meetings arranged to discuss the Charter and access issues with key groups and individuals including several MPs, the Minister for Sport, the National Farmers Union and the Angling Trust. We plan to release the Charter in September and hold a formal launch in Westminster later in the year.

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

We are very protective of this data. We store it securely and we don’t share it with anyone else.

We take our compliance with GDPR very seriously but equally, maximising the power of data and digital marketing is very important too.

We have recently announced our first campaign around the Charter with a nationally and locally driven coordinated rivers clean up on National Rivers Day on 23 September 2018. We are hoping that hundreds of members and clubs will become involved and raise the profile of the access and environment issues within their localities.

We have started work to invite clubs to register all of their members, as either full or associate members of British Canoeing, and to promote our membership through digital marketing and partnerships with the trade and retail to the tens of thousands of paddlers who are not members of clubs.

This really will be an example of Stronger Together in action. The summer is here and it’s full of promise. I hope you enjoy some long, warm and sunny days on the water.

We remain on track to increase our membership from 32,000 members in 2016 to 75,000 by 2021

David Joy Chief Executive

5

N E WS

adors Paddle Clean Ambass

You can find all the latest news from British Canoeing on our website or by signing up to our FREE newsletter. www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/membership/join-us-online-here

Hurley Classic leads the way for environmentally friendly paddling events!

We love this video from this year’s Hurley Classic which Click here hightlights the changes to read they made, and will be more striving to make in the future to ensure the event is more environmentally friendly.

hted to British Canoeing is delig Clean announce three Paddle Champion Ambassadors; Paralympic canoe Emma Wiggs, two time nnie Pe slalom Olympian Fiona llist Tim and Olympic gold meda ort us to Brabants, who will supp promote clean sport.

Click here to read more

Performance round up It’s been a fantastic start to the Click here season for our GB squads as medals to read and successes are coming in from more across the disciplines. You can find all our performance news on our website by going to www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/ news/olympic-paralympic

Michaela Strachan joined us for National Go Canoeing Week!

Click here to read more

a busy day in May 2018 was e got Saturday 19th Meghan Markl d an ry ar H ce e and most England. Prin p Final took plac Cu FA e th , ed en’s marri Canoeing Wom sh iti Br e th y, tl importan unched! ssadors were la Paddling Amba a wide range ors come from ad ss ba am n te ls of the The part at all leve ke ta d an es lin on is of discip l have in comm al ey th g in th desire sport. One usiasm and the th en of s ad lo their bucket ddling! omen to go pa w e or m e ir sp to in

Click here to read more

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

Michaela Strachan, the wildlife presenter and outdoor enthusiast famed for her work on programmes such as The Really Wild Show, Countryfile and Springwatch joined us this year as an ambassador for National Go Canoeing Week 2018! You can read more about National Go Canoeing Week on page 8.

n’s noeing Wome a C h s ti ri B e Meet th assadors Paddling Amb

SPRINT NATIONAL CHAMPS, WWR NATIONAL CHAMPS, FREESTYLE EUROPEAN OPEN & POLO BRITISH OPEN

WWW.BRITISHCANOEING.ORG.UK/COMPETITION/WHATSON

WWW.BRITISHCANOEING.ORG.UK/COMPETITION/WHATSON

SLALOM BRITISH OPEN DIV 2 SLALOM COMPETITION RAFTING NATIONAL CHAMPS BOATER X NATIONAL CHAMPS

Performance Update

7

Five medals for GB at Slalom European Championships Great Britain claimed five medals at the 2018 ECA Slalom European Championships in Prague.

In the men’s C1 Ryan Westley became European Champion, winning his first senior title. Inspired by teammate Adam Burgess, who was lying first, he pulled off a stunning clean run, which was 1.57 seconds quicker than Burgess who claimed silver.

Great Britain’s success in the women’s C1 continued with World Champion Mallory Franklin taking the silver medal.

Adam Burgess, Ryan Westley and Fiona Pennie

Franklin, Kimberley Woods and Bethan Forrow making her senior international debut, combined forces in the C1 team event to win gold to retain their European crown.

Fiona Pennie got her season off to a brilliant start, claiming bronze in the women’s K1, her third European medal in this event.

Britain top the medal table at Paracanoe European Championships Great Britain’s Paracanoe team dominated the European Championships in Belgrade winning four gold medals, three silver and a bronze.

In the Va’a there was a breakthrough gold medal for David Phillipson in the VL3 who claimed his first European title, with teammate Jack Eyers winning the bronze.

Emma Wiggs became European Champion in Va’a VL2 for second time, with teammate Jeanette Chippington claiming the silver medal. In the kayak events Emma Wiggs made it double gold by winning the women’s

David Phillipson

KL2 with Charlotte Henshaw winning her second successive European silver.

In the women’s KL1 race Jeanette Chippington was upgraded to gold after Maryna Mazhula was disqualified.

The victory was Jeanette’s sixth European title.

Paralympic bronze medallist Nick Beighton won a superb silver in the men’s KL2, an upgrade from his 2017 European bronze.

The Great Britain sprint team have made a strong start to the season, with three medals at the season opening World Cups in Szeged and Duisburg.

Richmond paddler Lizzie Broughton took a wellearned silver medal in the women’s K1 5000m in the opening World Cup of the season in Szeged.

A week later in Duisburg Lizzie proved she is the athlete on form by winning gold in the women’s K1

Katie Reid

1000m event, crossing the line over a second ahead of Karin Johansson from Sweden.

Katie Reid claimed a fine bronze medal in World Cup 2 in a competitive women’s C1 200m due to the event being added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games programme.

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

World Cup medals for Katie Reid and Lizzie Broughton

8

Here’s some highlights from the week… e r u t n e v d a m o r f d r We hea

rs …

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

st rer, journali tu n e v d a h it up w er We caught to discuss h rt a w te S ip ter P me one and presen aw her beco s h ic h w n itio ngth latest exped addle the le p to r e v e le eop oned of the first p ngside seas lo a r e iv R o t. uib Ness Knigh d n of the Esseq a m a h g Laura Bin adventurers re

ne with natu t out, be at o ge to ce n a cted. You the ch feeling conne t “Adventure is u o b a ’s it ly es but Ultimate ned rat at tim w ro d a - and yourself. e lik k o feel alive.” ents, I may lo re makes me feel the elem tu n ve d a ; rs illion dolla I feel like a m

National Go Canoeing week took place during May half term and across the country there were paddlers taking to the water and clocking up a record breaking 57,574 miles!!!

You can read our full interview on page 20

Pip Stew art

We were joined by Michaela Strachan

…

9

t and outdoor enthusias The wildlife presenter e programmes such as Th famed for her work on tryfile and Springwatch Really Wild Show, Coun or for National Go joined as an ambassad Canoeing Week 2018 mes you not tried it before someti “With anything, if you’ve l Go go and that’s why Nationa need a reason to give it a sh. It’s Mich pu a aela St because it gives you rachan Canoeing Week is brilliant, if you have the es, niti rtu po op e tak ays Alw it! try to son rea a the water.” the first time, get out on chance to try paddling for

Click here to read more

Dean Dunbar - Adre

naline Junkie!

With over 80 activities tic ked off his b from across ucket list the globe, ea rning 20 worl and a numbe d firsts r of records along the wa to believe th y, it’s hard at Dean Dun bar, a self co adrenaline ju nfessed nkie from Sc otland, and P Equipment S alm UP ambassa dor, is registe red blind.

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Click here to read more

ught up with hi m ahead of Nati find out why he onal Go Canoei ng Week to added paddlin g to his catalogu e of adventurer .

bar Dean Dun

he t n i e l d d Pa t a sh a l sp We made a

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Water The National to d e d a e h rs addle Hundreds of p le in the Park. d d a P r fo e tr n Sports Ce

hops and fun te water works hi w om fr ; er s and ty on off o the latest boat m There was plen de to ce an having the ch ge to ‘come competitions, to in the trade villa rs re tu ac uf an top m equipment from families! r beginners and fo ts en ev ’ it y and tr

Click here to read more

e s Challeng Three Lake

r e e L a ke s C h a l l e n g e .

Gary Partridg e took on the Three Lakes a racing surf during NGCW ski and now in to p s th e le a d time of the T e r b o a rd for overall hree Lakes! A s part of the broke the reco challenge Ga ry rd for the Loch Awe Challen ge Route.

His reason was trying to beat his previous tim and his motiva e, which he did, tion was to go on an adventur and log a fast ti e with his friend me. s Lake Bala – 0:54 :00 Lake Win dermere 1:40:0 Loch Awe 3:32 0 :00

..

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

R e c o r d b r e a ke r s – T h

Click here to read more

10

l i m e h t p u d e k c o l c We

es!

our ing offices, to e o n a C sh ti ri cross the our B e hundreds a From staff in th to t n e m alm Equip water and partners at P we all hit the s, ile m d e itt subm country who nture! r The Big Adve fo g lin d d a p got Click here to watch staff from Palm Equipment take to the water

Click here to read more

Paddle Pick Up Erin Bastian, one of our British Cano eing Women’s Ambassadors lead an all-female grou p of adventurers on a 240km Padd le Pick Up Expeditio n, covering the length of Wal es, along with fello w Women’s Ambassador Clare Osborn.

Click here to read more

e Da This Girl Can Cano

y

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Canal, with to the Oxford k o to ls ir g d an is Girl Can Sixty women b’s annual Th lu C e o n a C t visitors Distric und the site, ro a Banbury and p u t se s ith gazebo women, Canoe Day. W adventurous to lk ta to y part ortunit ysio and take h p had the opp a h it w p lite”, warm-u “Meet the E challenges. in games and Click here to read more

11

Thames S E Group, Canoe Ca 120miles mping Clu ! b,

Steve Waters, 10 Miles!

We hope you enjoyed National Go Canoeing Week and got out on the water! The campaign will run again next year during May Half Term!

or for bassad m a g noein miles! xley Ca u H s s itted 8 e J m b u s y Bag The Dr

vigation a Circumna Raasay Ron 194 miles!

Expedition,

Timothy Inman, 2 miles!

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

12

Our experts can help you start your journey, wherever it takes you. Find everything you need for your next adventure, with over 250 of the best brands and kit made to last, only at Cotswold Outdoor. With warmer weather on the way, it’s time to start exploring canoe trails across the UK, making the most of the great outdoors.

There’s nothing quite like an adventure; big or small, we’re here to help you prepare with a few top picks for lightweight camping so you feel inspired to get out there and explore more.

Ortlieb Dry Bag PD350 59L www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Keep your kit dry on and off the water without worries. Seriously waterproof with welded seams, proven roll-closure and stiffener bar, this bag is 100% impermeable.

Great protection and enough volume for all your gear, plus added stability and easier loading thanks to the reinforced base.

MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit The perfect all-in-one cooking system for lightweight adventurers. This pocket-sized stove kit doesn’t take up unnecessary space but offers everything you need for a quick hot drink or meal after the day’s adventures.

13

Vango Pulsar Pro 300 Tent 2018

GoPro Hero 5 Black

A tent for everyone, from beginners to those who are well broken-in to the wonders of the great outdoors. Designed with unpredictable British weather in mind, this tent adapts to adverse weather conditions, in particular strong winds. Get a secure and sturdy pitch every time and put it up in record time leaving more time for adventure.

Rugged, durable and waterproof up to 10m without the need for casing, the addition of a SuperSuit allows you to take it down to 60m, making it perfect for most, if not all of your underwater needs. This is GoPro’s toughest camera yet. Relive your adventures in stunning 4K video and enjoy hands-free control when you’re out and about exploring. Improved low-light capture means you can get that shot of the sunrise from your tent flap, whilst Advanced Video Stabilisation allows you to capture life smoothly, wherever and whenever you choose.

Jack Wolfskin Smoozip +3 Sleeping Bag

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Venture WV Sleeping Mat

An innovative piece of kit, designed with you mind.

The S-shaped zip follows an intuitive flow of movement, making it easier to open and close the bag, so you can jump out of bed and into adventure. Extra insulation equals optimal comfort, even on chilly nights by the water.

Warmth, comfort and compressibility for three-season use. This mat offers great protection from the cold ground and provides ultimate stability via the horizontal wave baffles. A great night’s sleep makes for great adventures.

*Full T&Cs apply. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Selected lines are exempt. 10% discount only on bikes. Only valid upon production of your British Canoeing membership identification instore or use of valid discount code online. Offer expires 31.12.18.

Need help preparing for your next adventure? Pop into your local store and one of our experts will help you to discover your great outdoors with kit from the very best brands.

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

Explore more this season with our exclusive 15% discount* for all British Canoeing members.

Shop in-store or online at cotswoldoutdoor.com.

14

THE TEAM

BEHIND THE TEAM If you follow canoeing gear in any form, chances are you will have come across Peak UK’s gear - whether you’ve seen it on an athlete, compete in it yourself or an owner of some of their recreational products.

We headed to The Derbyshire Dales to chat to Pete Astles, founder of Peak UK, on his long standing partnership with British Canoeing and how his company has gone from a small idea, developing products with friends in the late 1980’s to providing world leading equipment for international athletes and Olympic gold medallists.

Providing equipment to British Canoeing athletes for the past 25 years, he chats to us about helping lead the way to British Olympic gold with innovative equipment to becoming one of the most in demand kit supplies in the world of competitive paddlesport, what he has up his sleeve for Tokyo 2020 and how he is behind Stronger Together to help grow the future of paddlesports.

“The Stronger Together strategy is like a breath of fresh air. People are interested in what we do and want to work together.

“The more who get behind British Canoeing and join the trade partnership, the more we are all reinforcing the message that we are all working together to promote the sport.” Says Pete.

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Pete’s journey started with a gap in the market.

After finding that the equipment sold in paddling shops wasn’t up to the standard he thought it needed to be, he decided to try it for himself.

Being a paddler himself and having friends who were on GB teams meant he had an instant audience to test his products with and with great success.

“Right from day 1 I was involved in canoe slalom

and my friends were athletes, so straight away leading athletes began to use my equipment and because of that word of mouth spread, and quickly international paddlers heard about us. So we started right from the beginning as a high level performance niche market brand.

“Ever since then we’ve followed our own interests with the line - from canoe polo and white water to sea kayaking; and now I’m a dad we’re making kids stuff. So everything we make at Peak has followed our own interests.”

Innovation has lead the way from the very start, from personalisation and full colour printing for London 2012 to provide individuality and team identity, to the marginal turned considerable gains of the Racer ST which Joe Clarke was using when he was crowned Olympic Champion; Pete explains how the world’s leading athletes are now banging on the door in demand for Pete and his teams products.

“The racer ST we made for Rio is part of what’s called the marginal gains project, but the garment was so advanced and revolutionary that it was a considerable gain and we possibly gave Joe the edge on the gold medal with that one. It was great to work with those guys and so amazing we got the result too.

“What happened after that was pretty much every leading slalom athlete in the world was straight onto us, and we now provide many of the slalom legends with this product because it was such a considerable advantage.”

15

You can read more about this years Slalom kit reveal day with Peak here

For the team at Peak, the pride of the product goes way beyond the production process and their involvement is viewed as playing a huge part in British success.

“For us we feel like we are part of the team, the achievement is something we have been involved in. The team here at Peak are like a family and it’s great when the athletes come and see us and show their appreciation, especially to our machinists.

“My team here feels like we are part of the wider team and it really inspires us to keep on doing a good job.

“We’re always developing new ideas and for 2020 we may well have something up our sleeve….”

Racer ST The Racer ST is a ground-breaking three-inone garment. It combines a paddling jacket with a spraydeck and buoyancy aid for the ultimate streamlined performance. Rather than using the PFD as the main source of buoyancy the Racer ST holds around 30 percent of its flotation in its spraydeck, leaving just 20mm flotation foam on the athlete’s torso. This allows the paddler to get closer to the slalom gates, cut the racing lines tighter and ultimately race at higher speeds down the course.

The Racer ST assisted Joe Clarke to Britain’s first K1 Olympic gold medal and David Florence and Richard Hounslow to their second Olympic silver medal in two Games.

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

After more than four years in development, It was approved in time for the British team to compete at the penultimate ICF World Cup event prior to the Rio Olympics. The secret was out and the canoeing world was stunned.

16

CHARTER Recent consultation with our members on access and environment, has made it crystal clear that access on and along our waters was their number one issue for British Canoeing to campaign for change. This will enable paddlers to have more opportunities to paddle more places without the risk of conflict.

The access and environment team have been extremely busy in the preparation of the Access and Environment Charter. We are thrilled that members have been actively involved in finalising the contents and we are now confident that we have a clear way forward to approach Government, and influential partner organisations on a sustainable, fair and responsible way of sharing our waters.

To give you an update on some of the activity which has taken place, the team has: >> travelled to 11 regions to visit our members to discuss their views on our way forward through regional access and environment consultation meetings and had brilliant feedback via the online survey >> Met with a number of existing partner organisations including the Canal and River Trust, the Ramblers, Sport and Recreation Alliance and British Mountaineering Council as well as developing new partnerships with the Wildlife and Countryside Link to garner expert support for our campaign

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

If you would like to get involved and require any further information, please contact ben.seal@ britishcanoeing.org.uk

>> Been able to speak to Government influencers through new contacts at DEFRA, and MPs including a fellow paddler, Andrew Percy MP for Goole and Brigg. >> Met with the Scottish Canoe Association and Scottish Natural Heritage to learn see how open access has been managed through the Land Reform Act. We have also met representatives from the Welsh Assembly to ascertain their thoughts about the Welsh Government’s consultation to increase public access along water. This follows a joint comprehensive response from Canoe Wales, British Canoeing and their members.

But the work hasn’t stopped. The draft of the Charter is now under consultation with some national experts in this area and are busy collating all the feedback from the online survey. We have built some fantastic momentum behind the campaign and we plan to continue. The Charter will officially launch later this year.

Following the launch of the Charter in early September, British Canoeing will be celebrating World Rivers Day on 23rd September by promoting a mass national clean of all waterways. We will be kicking off our pledge to collectively ‘protect and improve the health of our rivers’ by encouraging clubs, regional development teams, members and anyone passionate about their local waterway to collect litter and build our baggage total.

Details of how you can get involved on World Rivers Day will shortly be announced, but we see it as a fantastic opportunity to engage your local MP with the Charter, to raise the profile of our sport and emphasise the need to back our access and environment campaign.

GoMembership

17

Our new membership portal is now live, and it’s even easier to login, view and update your details and renew your membership.

Login from the homepage using you membership number as your username, and follow the “Forgot Password” to set up a new password.

You’re able to view qualifications and course attendance, view your membership information and renew online. You can also search for upcoming events in your local area or by event category.

Canoe & Kayak Insurance The additional insurance offered covers canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. The cover includes your craft, paddles, helmets, spray-decks and buoyancy aids.

The insurance covers for accidental damage, white water and all levels and types of racing.

You can choose from single or multi craft cover, and the price will depend on the value of the canoes, kayaks or stand up paddleboards to be insured.

For full details please visit: www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/membership/ why-join-british-canoeing/boat-insurance

Membership Cards We have recently introduced e-membership cards.

When members join or renew, they will receive a PDF of their licence with their payment receipt. It’s a great way to prove your membership from the moment you join or renew, and you don’t have to wait for your printed card to arrive before getting out on the water!

Don’t forget to renew!

There’s lots of reasons why you should renew your membership: If you’re a paddle on a regular basis If you use licensed waterways If you want to know you are insured and have peace of mind that you get legal liability cover following negligence, nuisance or trespass If you want to show your support for our campaigns If you want to save money on being licensed, insured or through discount codes

It is simple to purchase the insurance with your membership; either online through the membership portal or over the phone.

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

Why not share with a friend and encourage them to join!

18

British Canoeing announced the launch of the new Paddlesport Instructor award on 3rd July, which is designed for people whose main focus is to deliver paddlesport taster/starter sessions and short journeys in very sheltered water environments.

The two day course aims to help prepare candidates for their first paddlesport instructing role, ensuring they are ‘primed and ready’ to support taster sessions for people new to paddlesport. >> Only prerequisites are Home Nation membership and Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT) >> Two days of combined training and assessment >> No workbook but optional eLearning is available >> Available in a range of craft including closed and open cockpit kayaks, sit-on-tops, standup-paddleboards, and open canoes

Full details are available on the British Canoeing website. www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

The NEW Paddlesport Instructor course will be available from 1st January 2019.

19

As part of British Canoeing’s commitment to reviewing the coaching and leadership awards, it is with great delight to announce the new Paddlesport Instructor qualification which will be launched in January 2019, replacing the existing Paddlesport Instructor course.

The qualification has undergone significant changes through consultation with the industry, including clubs, providers, centres and coaches. The British Canoeing qualification has been developed to support the work of the instructor in introducing people to the exciting world of paddlesport through fun games and inspiring sessions in a very sheltered environment.

Lee Pooley

If you are interested in completing your Paddlesport Instructor qualification, you have the option of whether to wait until the new qualification is launched or attend a course in 2018. We would recommend you undertake the Paddlesport Instructor course in 2018: >> If you require a working qualification before 2019 >> You are looking to work in sheltered water, rather than very sheltered water environments >> You are looking to become a coach. Although the Paddlesport Instructor is not a prerequisite of the Coach Award, it can accelerate your journey through the Coach Award pathway if it is completed first. Therefore the current Paddlesport Instructor qualification is a great stepping stone to the Coach Award.

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

Head of Coaching and Qualifications at British Canoeing

Shall I wait until 2019?

20

FROM SOURCE Pip Stewart

Image by: Jo

hn Oakley

Introducing Pip Stewart Now back on dry land, we chat to Pip Stewart, an adventurer, journalist and presenter whose latest challenge alongside seasoned adventurers Laura Bingham and Ness Knight, saw her become one of the first people ever to paddle the length of the Essequibo River in South America from source to sea.

After nearly three months in the remote jungle, hiking, kayaking and immersing herself in the life of the indigenous Wai Wai community, Pip tells us what possessed her to take on the challenge in the first place, how the power of teamwork got her through and her plans now she is back on dry land...for now!

Hi Pip! Lovely to meet you… welcome back to the UK! How are you finding being back on dry land!?

I think I’m still suffering from reverse culture shock!

Having spent nearly three months in remote jungle it has been a jolt to the system landing back into London life - the noise, the consumption, the fast pace - it’s manic.

You hadn’t done much paddling before you decided to paddle the length of the third largest river in South America… what possessed you!?

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Nope, it’s fair to say my paddling skills were limited, I’d tried it a bit on holiday in New Zealand - and hated it. I was recovering from glandular fever at the time and was absolutely shattered. I’d ruled it out as a sport entirely. I am so grateful I gave it another go as I love it now. Before I went to Guyana I was invited to spend a day at Lee Valley with Olympic gold medalist and Red Bull athlete Joe Clarke. That was a lot of fun and although I spent most of the day swimming I came away feeling massively exhilarated.

The Essequibo trip came about as Laura Bingham is a friend of mine. Her husband, the explorer Ed Stafford (best known for walking the length of the Amazon), had done some filming in Guyana and said it was absolutely stunning, like Disneyland for nature. He planted the seed of an idea in Laura’s mind and it grew from there. She then roped in Ness and I and the rest is history...

Image by: Reza Pakravan

Image b y: Savio

Martins

21 How was the training on the lead up to the expedition? Can you talk us through a typical days training?

Because we knew our skills were limited (non existent!) we tried to recruit a team that could help. Chris Murin from The Leicester Outdoors Pursuit Centre was fantastic, he helped teach us various paddle strokes and safety. Andy Oughton also took us out for training days and suggested we go to the British Canoeing Symposium which was a really fun weekend in Lakeside, Cumbria. I was blown away by how friendly the paddling community were - and how much help, advice and assistance we received. It’s amazing how fast you can progress when you put your mind to something and have the right team in place.

Meeting David Bain, from NRS, was fantastic. Not only did NRS sponsor our expedition, David (and his girlfriend, Gabrielle Ridge, also a canoe slalom athlete) also took us out to Wales on training trips on the River Dee and the Tiefi, where we did multi-day trips focusing on how to read water, paddle technique and generally building our confidence on the water. It’s amazing how quickly you can go from feeling exceptionally nervous to more relaxed when you’re in safe hands.

I also got myself a personal trainer, Dan Peterson www.instagram.com/dpetersenpt/ who was amazing at helping me develop paddling specific strength.

We focused on a lot of core and stability exercises.

Where did you train for the expedition? How quickly did you pick up the skills you needed?

Wales - the obvious choice for a hot, humid, jungle expedition… Ha ha. The climates could not have been more different. We were in dry suits in Wales (note to any other newbies, make sure ALL the zips are done up properly, especially if you’re liable to capsize. I made this error. It was a cold lesson!)

Because we had a great wider team in place it was amazing how quickly you can learn. We did a white water course at the British Canoeing Symposium and it was great to see how much more confident I became - even in a weekend.

Image by: Jon

Williams

One thing to stress Pip Stewart with local community though is that when we headed out to Guyana we were all acutely aware that we were not high-level kayakers. Knowing our skillset was key when it came to choosing what rapids to run and which ones to portage around. That was the beauty of the Essequibo in a sense - it was a challenge for us but not so technical that we couldn’t do it.

Any paddler in search of serious white water would probably overlook this river but for us it was perfect!

Your latest adventure with Ness Knight and Laura Bingham took you through some pretty tough terrain both on and off land. Was there ever a point where you thought you couldn’t do it?

The whole team

>>

Image by: Bain, Kayak Wales

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

ms

Image by: Jon Willia

To be honest, not really. There were points where I wondered ‘what the hell am I doing’ but there was never a moment where I wanted to pack it in. On the hike to the source of the river I got my foot stuck in a log at one point and wiggled it around to try and

22

>> free it. As I did so I must have disturbed one of the most deadly snakes in the jungle - the labaria snake.

Thankfully it didn’t strike, as that could have been fatal. For a few days after I did wonder what I was doing. We were in dense jungle, days away from medical help and that incident really helped hit home how isolated we were.

Fear was an emotion I felt a fair bit - from hearing the call of the jaguar, to grunts of territorial caimen, to rapids - but, as in daily life too, it’s a case of trying to rationalise the fear and get your mind back under control. It is a bizarre feeling though when you paddle past a 16ft caimen and see anaconda in the water!

Somewhat different to our training trips in the UK...

We had a rule as a team that if one of us felt uncomfortable with any of the rapids we wouldn’t run them - and discussing which line of the river to take with the whole group before we went down was super helpful. This trip illustrated to me the power of teamwork. If you’d have told me a year ago that I’d even be on white water I wouldn’t have believed you.

For serious kayakers the rapids we ran may look super easy but for me they were a serious challenge!

How did it feel when you realised you had made it to the end of the expedition and you’d become one of the first people, alongside your fellow adventurers, to complete this challenging route?

It was an incredible feeling. We enlisted the help of the indigenous Wai Wai community who live in the remote Essequibo to complete the journey. On the hike to the source, Nigel, Jackson, Eron, Nereus and James joined us (as well as our cameraman Peiman Zekavat) and on the river we had Ant and Romel (and cameraman Jon Williams). The Wai Wai’s collective knowledge of the jungle and the river was insane.

We really couldn’t have done it without them. I’m pretty sure I’d be dead in the jungle somewhere if it wasn’t for the Wai Wai. I think part of doing more challenging adventures is knowing your limits - and when you need to enlist support.

Knowing that as a team we’d achieved way more than I would have as an individual was an amazing feeling.

Laura, Ness and I, belly laughed down the river and on those hard days the power of sisterhood really lifted us up. We also met a woman called Fay who runs a lodge called King William Adventures halfway down the river. She’d paddled a lot and wanted to join us as well - so our group grew in size and Fay became a brilliant team member too. I’ll never forget that gigantic team hug at the end. A lovely memory.

Image by:

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Pip Stewart

Jon William

s

after long day o

f paddling

ravan : Reza Pak Image by

23 Now you’re a paddling expert, if you had just one day to paddle anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Geez, I’m no expert, ha ha!

Tough call but I’d probably head to Scotland. The north-west coast is insanely beautiful.

I also met Al Pace who runs Canoe North Adventures in Canada at the British Canoeing symposium. Not only was he and his son incredibly helpful in terms of helping us plan a route in Guyana, his pictures of paddling in Canada looked immense. Would love to paddle there.

What advice would you give to anyone undertaking their own adventure, what top tips would you share?

1. Remove those doubts from your head that say you can’t - and don’t be afraid of laughing at yourself when learning a new skill. I was utterly rubbish a few months ago when I started kayaking. I spent more time swimming than I would have liked when learning to navigate rapids! Just laugh.

2. If you’re attempting a more challenging adventure reach out to those with experience, you’ll find people are usually very happy to help. The outdoors community is fantastic and we have some seriously amazing teachers here in the UK. Upskilling is fun and you’re likely to meet like-minded people who you’ll want to go on adventures with.

Image by: Jo

n Williams

s

n William Image by: Jo

Pip Stewart take

s on rapids

sitting Pip Stewart mmock in jungle ha

Paddling was obviously a huge part of your latest adventure. What was your paddling highlight?

Just how much I enjoyed it! I found it to be almost meditative on the flat sections - you really feel immersed in the landscape and part of nature. It was such a joy to spend the last few months on the water. Rapids aside, paddling is an extremely peaceful activity.

Will you be continuing to paddle here in the UK? We’ve just launched a new challenge route in London just to tempt you…

Hell yes! I AM IN.

www.instagram.com/ pipstewart/ twitter.com/Stewart_Pip

Image by: Peiman Zekavat

Canoe Focus Early Summer 2018

www.phillippastewart.com/

24

Protect PROTECT your paddling gear

In the summer, rivers, lakes and water parks are at your beck and call, it’s not an option to stay inside on hot days but there’s one major downside - UV rays hammer your active gear.

Fact. They’ll fade the flashes of colour on your kit and if your paddling gear is made from neoprene (which 90% of kit is) the seams will degrade over time if exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Paddling gear is not cheap so it’s worth protecting your kit, the simplest way to do this is to ensure it dries inside or in the shade. But then you have the problem of indoor puddles or damp gear when your next session comes around.

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The Dry Bag will solve your UV protection needs The 300 denier material stops harmful UV rays reaching your gear, while the black outer material contains heat from the sun’s rays helping to dry your wet gear. And if you’re worried about the unpredictable British weather the outer material is also showerproof so your wet paddling gear will continue to dry naturally even when the weather acts against you.

To protect your paddling gear, store and dry it in a Dry Bag, wash in non-soapy water after use and try to avoid snagging it!

Saturday 15th September 2018 Race entries are online at https://canoe.ie/liffey-descent/

Irish Coast Paddling Championships September 22-23rd 2018 Race Entries at www.irishcoastpaddling.com Location: Greystones South Beach, Co. Wicklow. Ireland Race Details: Ireland's first international Surfski, SUP, Sea Kayak and Outrigger Canoe race.With two open water race distances of 22km and 12km and multiple classes there will be an option to suit all levels.

Prize Fund of â‚Ź55,000 provided by main sponsor China Silver Asset Management Limited

CONTINENT

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K A Y A K I N G

Kate Culverwell and Anna Blackwell

T H E

Story: Anna Blackwell As I pushed away from the steps and dipped my paddle into the water, a cheer erupted from the crowd of friends and family that lined the bridge above us. Glancing over my shoulder, I tried to soak in every detail of my surroundings: the choppy water lapping against the Houses of Parliament, the expanse of blue sky overhead, even the scaffolding wrapped around Big Ben.

Sitting just in front of me, I could see Kate’s head swivelling from side to side as she did the same. Before I knew what was happening, the powerful pull of the Thames was whipping us under Westminster Bridge to a chorus of encouragement and farewells. We were off.

It was day one of our four-month expedition, tandem kayaking from London to the Black Sea in Romania.

Many months of preparation, training and research had led to this moment, and yet it somehow did not feel real. Six months earlier, I had stumbled across an advert online seeking a female teammate to join a world first 4,000km kayaking journey. Having completed a number of adventures over the last five years, from walking 1,000 miles across France and Spain by myself to a five-week solo trek across the wilderness of arctic Sweden, I was on the hunt for the next ‘big one’. Something about the advert in front of me piqued my interest.

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Despite knowing very little about both the person advertising and the adventure, I fired off a brief email expressing my interest in filling the vacancy. A rapid email exchange established that Kate Culverwell, the advertiser, had received over 80 responses from women all around the world since posting the advert two months prior. Bizarrely, it also transpired that we lived a few miles from each other and had attended the same school, though at 19 years old Kate had been five academic years below me. A few days later we spoke on the phone for the first time.

Within minutes, the conversation had deteriorated into fits of laughter, an indicator of what was to come over the subsequent months.

LOSING HER DAD

After hatching the idea of crossing the continent by kayak earlier in 2017, Kate became fixated on making the project a reality. Over the following months, it evolved into something more for her; after losing her dad to pancreatic cancer a few years before, Kate decided that this world first journey provided the opportunity she sought to raise vitally needed funds and awareness for the disease. Through our expedition, we are aiming to raise £50,000 for the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action, a target we are speeding our way towards thanks to the overwhelming support and generosity of so many people.

During our initial phone call, Kate and I discussed and agreed upon a mutual desire to find a scientific project which we could support in a proactive way.

It took a few months of searching to find something suitable but we eventually stumbled upon FreshWater Watch, a citizen science research branch of the Earthwatch Institute.Through our collaboration with them, we are collecting water samples and data along our route, looking specifically at the effect of urbanisation on the health of freshwater ecosystems.

Having decided upon a charity to raise funds for and research to contribute to, we were then left with three key areas to focus on in order for the expedition to come to fruition: training, the route and logistics and funding.

FALCON ROWING & CANOE CLUB

The first of these was the most straightforward and within a few weeks of forming our partnership, Kate and I joined our local kayaking club, Falcon Rowing & Canoe Club, Oxford. Until now, our experience was limited to holidays and more ‘recreational’ kayaking, something that was about to change. Under the guidance of the club’s perpetually kind and enthusiastic president David, our technique and skill level improved until we felt confident and excited at the prospect of spending four months in a kayak together. A brief

period on the Isle of Wight ensured we were equipped with the skills needed for the initial coastal sections of the route as we made our way around the Kent coast.

Though things went smoothly on the whole, the process was not without its hiccups; during a particularly cold snap in late December, we somehow managed to capsize our kayak on completely flat water, resulting in an unintentional swim in water that was so cold we resurfaced gasping and spluttering. We also faced a constant battle with the weather and had frustrating weeks at a time where the unrelenting rain and snow resulted in the river being almost constantly flooded or unsafe to paddle on.

THE ROUTE

Creating a route and working on the day-to-day logistics of a transcontinental expedition was more challenging. Our route was meticulously pieced together through relentless hours of poring over maps, charts and satellite images of Europe. Starting in central London, we would follow the River Thames to the Kent coast for a week of paddling to Dover, from where we would kayak across the English Channel.

Once in France, a network of canals and rivers awaited, leading us across the border to Belgium, back into France and south to Strasbourg. From there, we would join the Rhine, Main and eventually the Danube, the final body of water on which we will kayak the remaining 2,400km through ten countries before finally reaching the Black Sea in Romania. If the prospect of crossing the English Channel was not challenging enough for us, our route included over 200 locks, many of which would require portage around.

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However, in order for us to put our newfound kayaking expertise into practice on those waterways, we had to secure enough funding to cover the costs of our equipment and kayak, supplies for the duration of the expedition, insurance and first aid courses, the support boat accompanying us across the English Channel, as well as a contingency fund for when things inevitably did not go to plan.

Thus began the long and arduous affair of approaching companies for financial support or donations of kit, networking, letter-writing, placing phone calls and applying for grants. We had given ourselves a mere four months to get everything in place, the pressure of which motivated us into working relentlessly on top of our training schedule. On more than one occasion we were saved by strokes of luck, such as having the perfect tandem sea kayak donated to us just as we were on the verge of having to pay for one to be custom built.

Somewhat against the odds, by the time our start date of April 21st rolled around, we were ready to commence the expedition. Our first day surpassed all hopes and expectations. We were joined by two friends, Alex and Spike, experienced kayakers who provided support through London and for the start of the Kent coast. All four of us were equally mesmerised by the sights we paddled past, starting with Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, followed by the London Eye, Tower Bridge (which

opened just as we passed), and later the O2 Arena and the Thames Barrier. We all knew London well, but getting to experience our capital city from the perspective of a kayak on the river was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

KENT

A few days after departing from London we found ourselves navigating around Kent. The first few days were balmy and calm, but no sooner had we waved farewell to Alex and Spike than the wind and waves picked up. We were then faced with almost a week of battling headwinds and tides, making us very glad for the time we had spent training on the sea on the Isle of Wight. Despite frustratingly slow progress (due in part to a whole day spent huddled in the safety of our tent as strong gusts threatened to flatten our canvas shelter) we eventually completed the coastal leg of our expedition. We crash-landed on our final beach as thick fog tumbled down over the white cliffs, an almost palpable sense of relief washing over us.

After the ordeal around the coast, Kate and I couldn’t help feeling a little nervous about attempting to cross the English Channel. We need not have worried, however. After a few days of waiting for the gale-force winds to die down, we received the all clear from the support crew at Full Throttle who were to escort us across the busiest shipping lane in the world. On the

We crash-landed on our final beach as almost palpable sense of relief washed over us morning of our crossing, we were greeted with a glassy and still sea, the sun shining overhead and barely a breath of wind in the air. Paddling out of Folkestone Harbour, Kate and I observed how calm we felt about what we were about to do; any nerves we’d had earlier in the week had evaporated in the sunshine.

Just over five hours and 38km of paddling later we reached the French shores, shoulders aching and tired, but happy nonetheless. My dad was ready and waiting with a bottle of champagne on the beach, joined by a number of bemused French locals who had innocently been trying to enjoy a sunny Friday afternoon.

CALAIS CANAL

It was only when we set off on the Calais Canal that it felt like our expedition was beginning in earnest. Until that point, we had been on relatively known territory in our home country. Those days were behind us now and we felt a mix of apprehension and excitement at the prospect of what was to come.

It wasn’t long before long we were fully in the swing of expedition life. Now over a month in, we’ve lost track of the number of nights we’ve spent sleeping head-totoe in our tent, the mountains of pasta we’ve hungrily

thick fog tumbled down over the white cliffs an

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devoured at the end of a day of paddling, and the nettle-ridden banks we’ve awkwardly hauled our kayak up as we try to find a route around yet another lock.

Though the sun has continued to shine almost every day, there have been plenty of challenges to overcome thus far: coming to terms with an almost disturbing number of dead rats floating past us on French canals; the frequency of barges heavily laden with cargo, stretching up to 100 metres in length and creating wash that threatens to overturn us; the daily struggle of trying to find a suitable and subtle spot to pitch our tent so we can sleep peacefully, not to mention the locks.

Come what may, certain things can be relied upon to ensure the smiles rarely leave our faces. There’s the beauty of a peaceful evening spent paddling undisturbed along a pristine stretch of river, or the unquestioning generosity of locals who, though they may not fully understand what we’re doing or why, are determined to offer what assistance they can. This has come in the form of cold drinks on a hot day, food and snacks to replenish our energy, and on more than one occasion, a home to call our own for a few days.

FRIENDSHIP

However, throughout each day the aspect that brings us the most joy is our friendship. Despite initially coming together in an almost professional capacity as expedition teammates, Kate and I have found in each

INFO

Website: kayakingthecontinent.com

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other someone with whom we can dissolve into fits of giggles in even the most dire of situations, or depend upon to whip out the chocolate when it’s most needed. The mutual trust and companionship is what makes the remainder of our expedition such an appealing prospect and gives us the confidence to tackle whatever may be thrown in our path.

THANKS

We would like to say a special thank you to our sponsors who have made this expedition possible: Elsevier, Mullenlowe Group, Will It Make the Boat Go Faster, Mamma Mia Pizzeria, ADPR. Thank you also to our equipment sponsors: Overboard, Reed Chillcheater Ltd, Peak UK, Pure Hydration, Helly Hansen, Wescom.

PROUD PARTNERS:

t: +44 1629 732611 e: info@peakuk.com w: www.peakuk.com e Jacket. Explorer Zip PFD. Paddler: Doug Copper. Greenland. Image: Pete Astles. Gear: Adventure Single

CLAP

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More than just an acronym

By Bill Vonnegut ACA L5 kayak instructor There are many acronyms used in the paddling community. I honestly can’t recall all of them. CLAP, on the other hand, stands out as exceptionally valuable.Whether paddling with friends, teaching a class, or on a club paddle, CLAP is the common language of safety and group management.

Communication Line of sight Awareness Position of maximum usefulness.

Words we often hear but don’t always implement. How can we utilize CLAP so that its principles become natural rather than just another item talked about during a class or safety talk, soon forgotten. More than just an acronym, CLAP is a method and style of paddling.

When introducing CLAP to a group, I often find that my emphasis lands on A. For, as with many things in life, awareness is the key and it is needed to make any of the other parts of CLAP functional.

Awareness is needed by paddlers to put themselves in the Position where they will have Line of sight to Communicate.

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Awareness

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Awareness (A) is where we use our knowledge and skills to steer through what may come up. A is also sometimes interpreted as Avoidance, where we try and steer around things, but this too falls under awareness. Besides all of the things we need to be aware of while on the water, awareness starts long before you leave home.

With good awareness you will have checked conditions, (temperature, wind, waves, current, surf), determined distance to paddle and chosen appropriate dress and gear to bring. You may decide you should stay home or even decide not to launch when you get there. Awareness continues with consideration of how many paddlers there are and their skill level. Are you the most experienced or the least? Is this a class you are taking or are you the leader? Awareness is all-encompassing.

COMMUNICATION

If you have ever taken a paddling class, you are likely familiar with being asked: “What does the C stand for?” Communication. How do we communicate?

Radios, whistles, paddle signals, voices… There is more to communication than just that.

What about when you are planning the trip? You check conditions and talk to friends about a destination. So before even arriving at the paddle you have already started communicating. People show up and start talking about ideas for the day. After the paddle we may stop for refreshments and reflect. If this is a class we might call it a debrief. Reflecting locks the day’s events into our memory so the next time the group paddles together less active communication may be needed. This process can create a team.

For example, about a dozen friends and I recently did a rock gardening trip in the coastal waters of Mendocino. The first day we met at the put-in, arriving from various locations. We said hi, geared up, then carried boats down to the beach. Before launching I lightheartedly said to the group, “Time for our safety talk,” to which a friend replied, “Ok everyone be safe.”

We all laughed, but not because we were dismissing the importance of a safety talk but because just the reminder was enough. This team of experienced paddlers have consistently used the language of CLAP for years as their style of paddling. It has become natural with practice to the extent that much communication is unspoken.

Local Sheriff: “Are you part of those crazy kayakers”

As we flowed with the waves through and over the rocks that day, we came upon a passage with high rock walls which the group passed through. Both the far end and exit of this channel had large breaking waves so timing was needed. The main group stopped at the entrance letting a few head through and exit before they entered. We got the whole group through successfully, reaching the open water on the far side.

our memory

Reflecting locks the day’s events into

so the next time the group paddles together.

less active communication may be needed ThePADDLER 83

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A few of us

paddled in again for some more fun by way of another entrance. This entrance also needed to be carefully timed between wave sets and included crossing the opening of a large hole between the rocks before getting back to the exit channels (a fun spot). One boat got flipped while timing the hole crossing and was pushed next to the rocks, limiting the ability to roll and causing a swim. There were a few of us positioned on the ends of the channels. We were able to calmly and quickly back deck carry the swimmer across the hole and push the boat across to perform a rescue. Once all situated, we timed our way out and went on with our day.

TEAMWORK

One reason this rescue was so efficient was our utilization of the principals of the CLAP acronym. The area we were paddling formed a triangle with limited lines of sight. After the full group cleared, when I went back into this area to play, I Communicated to a few people my intention, I paddled toward the entrance and a couple of my teammates Positioned themselves where they could have Line of sight to both the entrance and the staging area for the exit.They did this automatically

As I paddled out of the slot after the rescue, I looked up on the cliff and saw two deputy sheriffs, one with climbing gear and swim fins, standing on the cliff overlooking where the rescue had just taken place. They had climbed out and been watching us for some time.

Two days later we came across some friends who had launched from the same location on the day after our trip. They told us the story of getting questioned about their skills and plans for the day by the local sheriff, “He asked if I was a part of those ‘crazy kayakers’. He said while watching them on a bluff one of them actually came out of their boat near the rocks!”

The position of maximum use is variable and not only depends on where people are paddling but also on a paddler’s individual skills. For example, what about the person in the front of the group leading paddlers on a

trip? What is their responsibility in this position? Besides needing to know the destination and route choice they need to be comfortable enough to actually be turning around regularly.

STRUNG OUT

There have been times I have been on group paddles and the person out front ends up being the paddler who is the most nervous. They paddle along, often with a tight grip on the paddle not comfortable enough with their skills to turn around for fear of capsizing. As the wind and chop increase they tend to go faster, their focus becomes more on survival than group awareness.

This leads to the group getting strung out over a large area with some paddlers increasing speed in an attempt to keep up with the lead while others, often newer paddlers who have yet to develop a strong forward stroke, trail at the rear. This can be problematic as those in the rear can sometimes be more likely to capsize because of their experience level. This type of situation could be avoided by regularly practicing CLAP.

we waited in the position of maximum use to assist others who ran the feature

without direction because they had the Awareness of where they could be of maximum use. Then once a couple of us ran the first part, we waited in the position of maximum use to assist others who ran the feature.

This teamwork is what made the rescue routine rather than escalating into an incident.

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Paddling with a club is always a good opportunity to practice CLAP. When I post a club trip I specifically speak about pod dynamics in my safety talk, since I like to enjoy myself and not spend time keeping the group together. I make it clear that the person who is in the lead is in a Position responsible for keeping the group within Communication distance. It should be possible to transfer a message from the rear to the front of a group.

Lead Paddlers need to be Aware of the whole group, be able to turn around often getting Line of sight. I suggest if someone finds themselves in the front and uncomfortable with this, simply slow down and let someone else take the lead. The next person may feel the same way so they back off their speed resulting in the pod getting tighter instead of more spread out.

Eventually someone who feels comfortable ends up in front. I have found that using CLAP in this way works well, though sometimes a few reminders are needed.

CLAP is a way of paddling that can be utilized throughout the paddling community until it becomes a paddling style. It naturally creates a team of paddlers that are aware and looking out for each other.

Bill Vonnegut is an ACA L5 kayak instructor and a founding member of the Neptune’s Rangers rock gardening crew.You can find Bill paddling the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean or at Pacific Coastal Kayaking.com.

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HIGHLANDS In love with the North West Story and photos: Mal Grey

The North West Highlands are usually thought of as everything beyond the Great Glen, that massive fault line that splits the northern half of Scotland in too, and itself offers one of British paddling’s most popular challenges, the Great Glen Canoe Trail. This route, though, is never far from civilization and facilities. The adventures to be found further north, though, are in wilder country and the merest glance at a map gets the pulse rising slightly. The outline of the amazing coast, with its many inlets and myriad islands, promises complex coastal paddling. Inland, the contours pack

together to form steep sided mountains, not high in global terms, but complex and not to be underestimated. What lies between these hills, filling the glens and inlets, is what draws us north. Lochs.

Many of the lochs of the Highlands are pretty big, often studded with islands, and make great destinations for a few days paddling and wild camping in their own right. Perhaps the real joy, though, comes from linking the lochs together, turning a canoe camping trip into an expedition with portages across the wilds. And we’re not spoilt for choice, there are so many trips. Some are well reported, if you search for them, but sometimes its most rewarding just to look at a map and follow those blue lines.

The trips in this article try to describe some of the feel of adventurous paddling in this wonderful part of the world. What has made it extra special, more satisfying, and more fun, is that these trips were carried out as a bunch of friends and families, with young children along for the ride. There are not many youngsters who have been able to experience such adventures as these before the age of 10. Followers of the Song of the Paddle forum will know these kids as the ‘Pirates’, and these are their adventures as much as ours.

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Assynt – astonishing conditions on Loch Sionasgaig

It’s a long drive from the south east of England to the far North West of Scotland.A full day at best, though often broken with an overnight stop. Sometimes I wish the Highlands were closer, but a little hardship makes the rewards even sweeter.As you drop down towards Inverness on the A9, or turn north from the “frontier town” of Fort William, the sense of excitement is strong, and ahead of you is a land of loch and mountain, of coast and isle, the perfect place for some of the best canoeing you’ll ever have.

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Assynt – Loch Lurgainn

Assynt - rafted to sail along Loch Veyatie

was fabulous.

The following morning

As we rose, mists swirled around us, but we could sense brightness above

Fhearna, to Fionn Loch. Here we would spend a few nights, before the big test, the portage across a mile or so of trackless terrain to Loch Sionasgaig. Another couple of nights would be spent here, then we’d return up a different portage to Veyatie once again to complete the circuit.

THE SHIEL CIRCUIT

The head of Loch Shiel is these days better known for the viaduct at Glenfinnan and its associations with Harry Potter, as well as its place in history as a gathering place for Bonnie Prince Charlie and his doomed followers. Its also the starting point of one of the best canoe touring trips in the Highlands, and one Easter a few years back found us on its shores, contemplating the adventure ahead. We would paddle the length of this huge loch, before dropping down a short river to the sheltered bays of Loch Moidart on the coast, followed by a slightly scary, for a first-time sea paddle, rounding of a headland into Loch Ailort.

Our first wild camp was in a lovely spot on the north shores, where we sat by the fireboxes watching a huge full moon rise over the mountains beyond. Here, many of the group were introduced to ticks, especially Ade, who turned his drysuit inside out and laid it on their home to dry…

Later in the trip, after exploring the atmospheric Burial Island and watching a huge white sailed sea eagle visit our second camp, we portaged the short tidedependent rapids at the end of the River Shiel, to enter Loch Moidart, a delightful sheltered loch where islands offer a choice of wild camps. Here, though the skies were sunny, we spent a day wind-bound, though that day, living on an island in this wild and wonderful spot, remains one of my favourite memories of the trip.

The trip was completed by a remarkable day, after a very early start, paddling on a gentle but glassy swell round the rugged coast.This felt committing at the time, but with good weather and careful tidal planning, we achieved it in safety on a wonderful sunny day. A final night on the shore, watching the sun set over the Inner Hebrides, brought this amazing adventure to an end.

This was an amazing trip. After a day paddling in pretty bleak weather down the loch and river, after a short but hard portage from Cam Loch, we arrived at our proposed camp on Fionn Loch. What a location this was, a perfect flat spit of land between river and a sheltered bay. We were, though, tired and cold, and had experienced something of the harsher nature of this wild landscape, for some of the kids were chilled and unhappy. Shelter, food and warmth soon brought us all back to life, but it was a reminder of how quickly things can turn.

The following morning was fabulous. As we rose, mists swirled around us, but we could sense brightness above. Suddenly, the clouds broke and above us rose the magnificent outline of the remarkable spine of Suilven, that most dramatic of peaks. We climbed it that day, most of us, a day of pure joy as we sat on the ridge and gazed down on the stupendous landscape of Inverpolly below.

The portage to Loch Sionasgaig was tough. We were learning all the time, each crew working out its own preferred method of getting piles of bags, and a boat, across heather and bog. My own preferred method in this terrain is the “pulk haul”, attaching the canoe by painter to a belt and using walking poles to drag it. I have to carry at least one load of bags before doing this though, we don’t travel light on these Easter trips with kids! A great sense of comradeship arose during this trial, everybody doing more than their bit to make the passage as easy as it could be, and with plenty of breaks to hand out snacks and chat.

Assynt - Pirate Tent

ASSYNT

My favourite part of Scotland, if not the world, is Assynt. A wonderful landscape of iconic hills rising steeply above a wild land studded with sparkling lochs.

The following Easter, our thoughts turned to here, and to something more physical. A trip with proper portages. We planned a route that would take us down Loch Veyatie, the shallow river of the Uidh

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LOCH SIONASGAIG

A true jewel in the crown that is Assynt. No roads reach its shores, so anybody who spends time here has had to work for it. In the middle of the loch Eilean Mor, the big island, has a few fabulous spots for camping. After a battle to get there from our portage, in strong winds and waves that had us approaching our comfort limit, we awoke the next morning to a scene that will never, ever leave me. Silence cloaked the hills, and the loch, like a mirror of mercury, lay under a circle of the remarkable hills of Inverpolly, to whose slopes clung wispy, fluffy clouds. As I sat, dumbfounded by the view, the eerie calls of divers cried out mournfully, echoing from the towering walls of the hills. We were soon on the water, each of us just silently paddling alone and soaking up the magic of this place.

The return the following day was even harder work. It was uphill to Fionn Loch. The sun was shining, and after an early start we broke for breakfast at a ruined croft, before commencing the main part of our portage. For some reason, this was a brilliant day. As we battled along, the group straggling out over the moorlands, a sense of how ridiculous this was made it great fun. At times, there were bags, boats and kids strewn across the landscape, but not a drop of water was visible, just heather and bogs.

With a sense of relief, but also of great accomplishment, we found water once more, and put in, after five hours of hard work, onto a bay of Loch Veyatie.The wind was rising and, remarkably, it was behind us.This meant we could raise a sail, and, rafted together in one happy group, we enjoyed a remarkable voyage to end our trip.

A few years later, and we returned to the area to paddle on Loch Lurgainn. Not an expedition, as such,

Assynt – sunset and camp below Suilven Loch Morar – marshmallows are always welcome

as we spent three nights in one place and only did two short portages, but it was still a wonderful trip, living beneath the towering hills of Cul Mor and Beag, Ben Mor Coigach, and the ridiculous pinnacles of Stac Pollaidh. A perfect beach and a small woodland was a wonderful adventure playground for the kids, and one of the best wild camps I’ve known.

LOCH MAREE

Another Easter, another loch. This time, the elements and the landscape were less forgiving. Having made our way onto the lovely islands of Loch Maree, the most beautiful part of one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs, we set up camp on a beach, seemingly sheltered from the prevailing winds. That night, first of the trip, the storm arrived, swinging to the northwest and straight into our bay. With winds hitting force 10, we

straggling out

As we battled along, the group

over the moorlands, a sense of how ridiculous this was made it great fun

Assynt – treasure hunt on Eilean Mor

We spent a couple of days on an aborted attempt to portage to Fionn Loch, 4 kilometres to the north of Loch Maree. Using trolleys to portage up gravel tracks, we were making reasonable progress, though it was extremely hard work, when there as a loud bang. One of the trolley tyres had exploded, both inner tube and outer, and couldn’t be repaired. We had no choice but to return. Again, though, nobody minded, it was a lovely day, and we spent another 4 hours pushing back to Maree, after two days taking canoes for a walk for no reason.

were battered all night, none of the adults getting much, if any, sleep as we clung to our tents. Being pitched on sand, we’d tied down to rocks, roots and anything we could, as the pegs were pulling straight out. As the rains got heavier too, the very beach beneath me started to wash away, and the rising loch grew steadily closer. At times, the tent almost inverted onto my face, and never has a sunrise been so welcome. With it came an easing of the wind, and we emerged to a scene of devastation. Our tarps had all collapsed or ripped, and our belongings were strewn across camp. Our hands were cold, raw and cut from the battles in the night to keep everything tied down.

Thoughts turned to retreat.

Suddenly, though, the sun broke through and warmth reached us. Coffee hit the system, and within a remarkably short time, we were all smiling and laughing again. Retreat was not an option, onwards we would go, but we did move to a more sheltered spot.

That trip finished with a couple of nights on Isle Maree, where once more we were rewarded for our efforts by a magical still morning, where the mighty mountain of Slioch was reflected in the perfect clear waters of the loch.

MORAR AND NEVIS

Up until now, we’d mostly stuck to inland lochs. We’d had some battles with wind and waves, and had to make some decisions to stay put or amend routes because of them. We’d learnt lots, and grown in confidence as a group. It was time to take to the seas.

The circuit of Lochs Morar and Nevis, with a portage between, is a classic of the west coast. Its often done by sea kayaks, but also open canoes. Not many have done it with kids, though, for these are serious waters.

Morar is an immense loch, the deepest in Britain and with a dark reputation. Loch Nevis is an almost fjordlike loch, tidal, of course. Its exit is open to the westerly seas, and its currents are mysterious and not entirely predictable.

We spent the first couple of nights happily on the sheltered islands of western Loch Morar, before the hard parts of the trip began. Paddling down the loch,

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the wind was mostly behind us, but the waves were steadily rising and the paddling not without its difficulties. This was serious stuff, laden as we were, and we were glad to reach the sheltered point that hides the little jetty at the start of the portage north to Tarbet on Loch Nevis.

I’ve heard this described as a “monster portage”.

It isn’t. Well, not compared to others we’d done before, for trolleys could be used throughout, and the distance was just a kilometre. There is, though, a fair old climb from Morar to the summit, so its not entirely without effort.

Arriving at Tarbet, a lovely spot but without obvious nice camping areas, we had a bit of a quandary. The waves were now too high for onward paddling, but the field full of sheep poo wasn’t that appealing. There were no obvious other options, and, as this is a small community and therefore we’d need permission to stop, we sent the mums and kids off to ask if there was somewhere we could pitch. The outcome was, no. Not a chance we’d be allowed to camp there. Instead, we’d be put up in luxury in the estate bunkhouse that had almost been finished and even came with two fluffy brand-new pillows each! Highland hospitality at its best. We ended up staying several nights, as the weather turned and there was no way we could risk the sea loch and escape. This was a great holiday for us, our host Dougie a marvellous chap, and made for a very different adventure.

Eventually, the forecast was better, at least for a short while. With high tides just after sunrise, we were up early to paddle on the slack, when the wind was also lowest. We paddled out onto the bay, waving goodbye to our genial host, and took a line straight across Loch Nevis to the northern shore, which we intended to hug until Inverie.

Loch Maree – the Money Tree

The wind was low at first, as we paddled beneath the wild hillsides of Knoydart, but as we neared Inverie and had to pass the headland into its bay, a force 5 arrived, coming straight at us from the open sea to the west. This was probably the most serious part of all our adventures, for progress could only be made by zig-zagging to avoid being broadside to the waves, on which there were plenty of whitecaps now. We fought around the corner, very thankful to reach shelter beyond. After a break in Inverie we headed out to the point at the northern tip of the loch, Rubha Raonuill, where we found a lovely sandy bay and flat camp spot.

The next morning, we awoke, slightly nervous, ready to cross the open kilometre of water that separated us from the mainland, which we would then follow to Mallaig. Fortunately, conditions were kind, the winds low, and with just a modest swell, and our crossing was without incident. Only as we approached the harbour itself did the waves start to grow, so we decided not to push our luck any further and finish the trip here rather than continue to Morar.

Assynt – Pirate landing

Loch Maree - portage to nowhere

Loch Maree - outstanding conditions

Loch Nevis – Rainbow over Rubha Raonuill

Loch Morar view from camp

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ThePADDLER 96 A FEW NOTES ON PADDLING WITH KIDS IN WILD PLACES

Firstly, you are going into serious places with small people who are reliant on you to keep them safe.

However, a little planning makes it perfectly possible to take kids on almost any trip.You have to be willing to stop more often, err on the side of caution, and change plans to take advantage of changes in conditions when you can. Everything takes much longer with kids, especially things like taking down camp in the morning, and you need to allow for this.

As paddlers, you also soon realise that younger kids aren’t here for the paddling, though they mostly do enjoy it.They’re here for the camping, the adventure playground that is a wild camp will entertain them all day, every day. For this reason, its important to have lots of time when you’re not travelling. Many of our best days have been those where we’ve done nothing, wonderful times spent just living outdoors, gazing at the scenery, playing the guitar on a beach, hunting for driftwood, and just relaxing, whilst the kids run about and look after themselves. One joy of island camps is that they can’t run far, and hopefully you’ll hear the splash if they do!

As the non-parent on our trips, I’m not in a position where I can claim to give many real hints and tips on the huge amount of planning that the mums and dads have to do to make these trips happen. All I’ll say is that kids will always have wet socks and wet trousers, whatever you have told them not to do, so bring lots of those! Also, that you need to know their clothing is good, and will keep them warm, and that these trips will never be lightweight ones, you need that back up of a little extra gear, and a few luxuries.

Finally, when the weather turns, and things seem a bit bleak, you can pretty much guarantee that the last people to get fazed and fed up are the kids, they just adapt and take it in their stride.

WILDERNESS IS A STATE OF MIND

Mal has recently launched his own website, showcasing his photography, his writing and hopefully inspiring others through these, and through a regular blog, to get out there and have their own adventures, either further afield or close to home.

www.wildernessisastateofmind.co.uk/

Loch Nevis in rising swell

RESOURCES

Websites: Pirate trips via Wilderness is a State of mind: https://www.wildernessisastateofmind.co.uk/scotland Paddle Points: Loch Shiel: Assynt and Inverpolly: Loch Maree: Morar and Nevis:

www.paddlepoints.net/PaddlePoints.php?PP=5245&r=389 www.paddlepoints.net/PaddlePoints.php?PP=3715&r=471 www.paddlepoints.net/PaddlePoints.php?PP=3614 www.paddlepoints.net/PaddlePoints.php?PP=1327&r=676

Publications SCA Guides Scottish Canoe Classics: www.pesdapress.com/index.php/product/scottish-canoe-classics-2nd-edition/ Scottish Canoe Touring: www.pesdapress.com/index.php/product/scottish-canoe-touring/

01479 861 256 www.glenmorelodge.org.uk

Join us on Scotland’s famous rivers, lochs and coast Offering the full range of British Canoeing coaching, leadership, performance, safety & CPD modules

qualifications

white water kayaking

open canoeing

Stand up paddle boarding

sea kayaking

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Paddler Ligitas Stravinskas running the Bunker Rapid on the SoÄ?a

SLOVENIA K i n g

& o f t h e

A l p s

Story: Alistair Williams, BA outdoor Activity leadership and Coaching, University of Derby At 06.00 on 31st May 2018, i was one of a group of 22 students and one staff (Derek Burdett, senior outdoor technician), who set off from the University of Derby in Buxton on a trip to paddle the River soča in slovenia.twentyeight hours later we arrived at our campsite and were joined by tom parker of ‘tom parker – Coaching and guiding’, Chris Brain of ‘Chris Brain Coaching’ and paul smith of ‘Rock and Water Adventures’.

Our first experience of the River Soča was an afternoon of swimming in the cold but clear water just below the Trnovo campsite – learning techniques regarding swimming safely out of the flow, both with and without a paddle.

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Some of us had been kayaking in

Scotland on a university residential trip in the previous month, but the first two days were a slow warm up for a lot of the paddlers, with me only hitting my ‘rhythm’ in the afternoon of the second day. These sections were grade 2 heading into 3 and useful in getting the group used to what to expect from the trip. A few students with more experience were taken down the more technical grade 4 Otona section and the grade 3 paddle back to the campsite.

Catrina, Abbie and Josh Anderson

section called ‘The Krsovec Gorge’, which several of the group ran. The bunker and section below, was personally the most challenging section to me, as it included some larger drops, one of which I swam on, but conquering my fears was definitely confidence building. That evening we popped over the border into Italy, to sample real Italian Pizza.

The fourth day, Ed, Dan and Ligitas were delegated equal size groups to look after and act as ‘river leader’. The section leading down from Sprnecia 1, to the campsite, was repeated in the afternoon, for around half the group. I felt the section where Ed led my group (the group being coached by Paul Smith) was technical enough for Ed to be challenged but within reason. Also, having other students in charge allowed for camaraderie before we headed to the get-out for lunch.

Paddler Derek Burdett on the Soča

On the third full day in Slovenia, the whole group was taken to the Bunker Rapid, a grade 3 rapid, to try different sections of it, playing around on the top, middle and bottom sections, as well as playing around in the pool at the bottom. After lunch, the group ran the section leading on from the Bunker rapid down to a

Paddler Derek Burdett running the Krosovec Gorge on the Soča

Paddlers Catrina Green and Abbie Cruz on the Soča

Day five was a shorter day on the water, with the entire group paddling down from Toni’s camping, down to Sprnica 1 and around half running down to the campsite. This day culminated in an entertaining trip to the local bar in Trnovo, where an alcoholic coffee drink was shared from a multispouted grole.

During our final day in Slovenia, Ed, Dan and Ligitas led some of the group down the Otona section, with the rest of the group walking in for the final grade 2/3 gorge. It was here that we had a mini-race to determine who would take the seven places to compete in The King of the Alps Paddlefest, which we would be travelling to later that day.

There were seven places, four men and three women, with the men’s spaces being hotly contested among the students. In the end, the men’s places were settled as: Ryan Craig, Daniel MacDonald, Ligitas Stravinkas and Ed Dix. The women’s places went to: Kirree Radcliffe, Dainora Jureviciute and Rosie Allport.

Lead paddler Alistair Williams on the Soča

I personally enjoyed this final gorge section the most out of all the sections on the Soča, due to its combination of small technical challenges, lack of danger if you swim and fast flow of the current.

Myself, and also the rest of the group, felt elated getting off the river, before heading on to the Italian leg of the trip.

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We then spent the rest of the day travelling from Trnovo to Moos, in the province of South Tyrol, a predominantly German-speaking area of Italy.The next morning, some of the group paddled the river Passer, from the classic put-in, to the start of the Marathon Race section. After an interesting run of this section, the group returned to the campsite, in time for the festival briefing and the Friday night party.

Paul left the group here, to head up to Germany to work with Bath University Canoe Club.

King of the Alps, start of the finals race

The following morning, the group set off early, to get the ten racers (the seven students, plus coaches Derek,Tom and Chris) into position for the beginning of the race.The race had mixed results, with Tom and Chris coming 65th and 73rd, respectively. Derek, Ed and Dan, came in at 91st, 93rd and 94th, staying close together for the entire length of the race. Rosie, Lygis and Dainora were held up by swims, but managed to get themselves over the line with some assistance from other paddlers. Kirree and Ryan swam early on and registered as DNF.The Marathon Race was followed by a grand final for the top 20 on a section of grade 5 water, where we could spectate almost within touching distance of the racers as they headed over and through waterfalls.

King of the Alps, Intimidator Rapid, Finals Section

King of the Alps, start of the Marathon race

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Just arrived at the Campsite

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The races were followed by a larger party on the Saturday night, where everyone let off a little steam, whether they had paddled or not. There was a slower get up the following day and Derek took the students out for lunch, but not before Tom and Chris headed off to France for more kayak coaching. We then slowly packed up, before starting the final leg of journey back to Buxton.

I enjoyed the trip overall, despite being nervous about it going in, with the size of the group being a bit intimidating. King of the Alps showed me that the kayaking culture is full of kind and weird people who love kayaking and love partying almost as much. I have come off the trip having never felt so positive about my own kayaking and I look forward to what my future in the sport holds.

https://goo.gl/maps/7UL9vgpfS6m50/

LINKS:

www.Derby.ac.uk/OutdoorDegree www.facebook.co.uk/OutdoorDegree www.tomparkercoaching.co.uk www.chrisbraincoaching.com www.rockandwateradventures.co.uk www.king-alps.com

https://youtu.be/7QpMYLuJaEw

Swimming practice in the SoÄ?a

Design /

/ www.lacrevettegrise.com

Available at CanoeAndKayakStore.co.uk

RIVER

W1

TRACK

BLAST

PULSE

WARRIOR

YOU CUSTOMISE, WE BUILD, YOU RIDE Rider : Louis Hétier (Loulou) Photo : ©www.jeremy-bernard.com

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OC1CANOE O U T F I T T I N G A N D T R I M M I N G A W H I T E W A T E R

Part one of two by Phil Miller owner of Black Snow Canoe Outfitters http://blacksnowcanoeoutfitters.co.uk

Outfitting and trimming your new boat is one of the most important facets of paddling and yet most people know very little about it and it’s often overlooked.

The detailed technical designs of modern OC1s mean that they are designed to sit on the water in a certain way, which may not follow old school principles.

Most current saddled boats are asymmetrical in their hull design and so need setting up as per the manufacturers guidelines.

We each will have our own paddling preferences but boats perform at their best when trimmed correctly, taking into account the paddler’s build, style, etc.

The purpose of this article is to share some of the key principles in outfitting and trimming your boat effectively. Outfitting refers to shaping the saddle to achieve good connection and fit (a balance between connection and safe exit).Trim refers to how the boat floats on the water; this alone can have a huge impact on how the boat performs.

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The principles for outfitting and trim apply to all current OC1 designs, but we’ll focus here on the Silverbirch Rebel 11.3. The other models in the range use the same saddle and outfitting kit. These boats range from sub-9-foot to just over 11-foot with varying rocker profiles. The shorter the boat and more pronounced the rocker, the more trim sensitive the boat will be; small movements of the saddle fore and aft will make a larger difference.

The 11-foot boat won’t be as trim sensitive because of its length, but making it overly bow light could cause the stern to drag, for example.

You may also need to make an allowance for your paddling style, especially for the shorter boats. Most whitewater boats are designed to be paddled up front, but your particular style should be taken into account – are you an aggressive, over-the-bow type of paddler or do you have a more relaxed neutral style?

What we’ve learnt at Black Snow is to first outfit the boat, without gluing the saddle, then take the boat for a float test. The key to getting the right trim is in the detail – being able to see how you look in the boat on the water is a great way to prove whether you’ve got it right. This is your opportunity to experiment from a neutral position (in this case for the Rebel, as designed) and get a visual of the trim. Photos here give an idea of what good and bad trim looks like but there are also online blogs and videos to help, for your particular model.

YOUR NEW BOAT

Whichever Silverbirch model you buy, it will arrive fully laced, and complete with bulkhead saddle and sidewall kit plus some handy tools to help you outfit the boat, including a tin of glue.

You will need to fit the saddle and outfit the boat and this can be daunting if you’re not familiar with the basic principles or haven’t done it before. Boats are purposely sold without outfitting in place in order to accommodate paddlers of different shapes and sizes and to allow the paddler to make adjustments once they’ve got the boat home and on to the water.

Specialised retailers like Black Snow offer a full outfitting service, including a float test to ensure that your boat is fitted to you – this is great news if you don’t want the responsibility of doing it yourself.

However, the sense of achievement in outfitting your own boat should not be underestimated; it’s part of owning one of these boats, and you may continue to tweak your outfitting as you become more experienced.

Whatever your shape and size, you will have a ‘centre of effort,’ which is your balance point in a kneeling position. What we’re trying to do is to get that centre of effort aligned correctly in the boat, which in turn gives you the required trim.

HOW TO CUT AND SHAPE THE SADDLE •

•

• •

•

•

•

Remove all thwarts and lacing from the boat. This allows the boat to flex open so that the saddle can be removed. You will need a knife with a serrated edge, such as a bread knife, which makes an effective tool for cutting foam.

The best way to cut and shape foam is to mark your cut lines with a marker pen and ruler. There is a huge risk of making mistakes in working by eye. Start with small cuts; you can always take off more later.

Larger paddlers may need to cut the backrest first in order to give them room to work on the hooks (see below).

The height of the saddle. Before you start cutting, the key decision is what height to set your saddle at. Supplied saddles are approx. 10 inches high. Seat height for most people will be 8-9 inches but may range from 7-10 inches, dependent on paddlers preference. Your comfort is very important but height is generally determined by the size of the paddler.

Mark the cut line following the contours of the saddle. Cut to the waste side of the line initially and the final shaping can be done using the Surform tool supplied. This applies to cuts for the hooks, backrest, etc. too.

Cutting the hooks. You’re aiming for two things; to get your seat bones sitting on the saddle, and to get your legs splayed so that your knees locate in to the chines of the boat, on the knee pads. This creates a stable triangle to give you better control and stability.

The saddle comes with a shim; tear it out if it needs removing or glue it in if it needs to stay.

Slowly cut your way in to the hooks marking pinch points with a marker pen; make small cuts and remove little and often. Keep jumping back into the saddle and test the fit. It will soon start to take shape, so that you can refine the fit using the Surform. Take your time.

MAKING THE CUTS •

•

•

Cutting the backrest. A larger/taller paddler is likely to need to take off a vertical slice of the backrest but a smaller/shorter person may not need to take off any. Phil is 6-foot tall, and does not take anything off the backrest, except for creating a slope of 10-15 degrees; a personal preference. This leaves a saddle where he can dig deeper into the hooks.

The biggest mistake that people make is in cutting too much off the backrest. What this does is move you too far back in the boat, which makes it harder to get the saddle to fall correctly under the thwarts to achieve correct trim.

Use a ruler and mark the straight cut lines and blend your cut lines into the contours of the saddle. As above, cut above the waste line and refine using the Surform tool.

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FLOAT TEST •

• •

• •

Put the saddle and thwarts back in and arrange to take the boat to a nearby river or lake, for a float test. Ideally, take a friend and a camera; you will need to take a series of photos as you try different positions.

Before you go, set the saddle up under the thwarts.

Float the boat; move the saddle fore and aft to find the neutral trim.Then draw a line on the hull to mark the front of the saddle.This is your start point. Mark a couple of alternative positions either side of that mark (say an inch or two either side) and paddle the boat to see what suits you best. Experiment!

Take photos of you in the boat, with the saddle in each position marked, so that you can see how each position affects the trim. Take photos of you in your catch position as well.

The tip is to number each marked position and note which photo relates to which position so that you can marry the photos up when you get home, see top left photo.

GLUING THE SADDLE • • • •

•

At the bottom of the saddle spine where it touches the hull, find the centre point and make a small mark to show the centre line, on the saddle front and rear.

From the chines find the centre point of the hull, and mark it, roughly where the front and rear of the saddle will fall and draw a centre line, slightly longer than the saddle.

Position the saddle over the centre line, aligning the centre marks at both ends of the saddle to it.

Mark the footprint of the saddle on the hull.

Remove the saddle; repeat the process with the kneepads.

You can mask off outside the marks if you’re worried about overspray but most glues spray accurately. Apply two thins coats of glue to both the hull and saddle, allowing each to gas off/touch dry before bonding the saddle (and then knee pads) into position. Butt knee pads inner edges up against the saddle. Always follow manufacturers instructions relating to glue; most glues are hazardous and flammable and need well ventilated space.

DISCLAIMER

Ensure that you have successfully practised a dry and wet exit from the boat with a newly fitted saddle before using it on moving water. The saddle should be a comfortable fit with good connection but in no way impair exit from the boat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phil Miller owns Black Snow Canoe Outfitters based in Staffordshire. Over the last few years they have perfected the creation of bespoke saddles to fit individual paddlers.

Today they specialise in offering bespoke canoe outfitting and custom boat builds and are an official dealer and demo centre for Silverbirch canoes.

FURTHER REFERENCES

Further detailed information on outfitting your boat is available at the Black Snow website: www.blacksnowcanoeoutfitters.co.uk, and Facebook page www.facebook.com/blacksnowcanoeoutfitters/

Part 2 to follow (next edition); airbags, lacing, sidewalls

SILVERBIRCHCANOES.COM

GEORGIA

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A

W W

T R I P

T O …

Story: Andi Brunner Photos: Andi Brunner and Max Irman This winter, a friend told me about the Bzhuzha race in Georgia, a part of the Extreme Kayaking European Cup 2018. So Tom and I decided to go. I was really looking forward to this trip, mainly because it was something new as I had never been to Georgia before, so I didn’t know at all what to expect.

With this article I want to provide you with some information on Georgia and the race itself.

BEFORE THE TRIP

As always when you have to fly somewhere, the trip actually starts at home – in this case, Austria, with booking the flight, organizing a car, trying to keep your luggage under the allowed weight, etc...

I booked the flight, which was pretty easy this time because Wizz Air is cheap and they have no problems with transporting kayaks. They do offer that you can travel without normal luggage to get it even cheaper – so I just took hand luggage and my Jackson Nirvana. On the one hand, it made all the packing easier as I wasn't allowed to bring too much and on the other hand, it was quite a challenge because I had to pick the most important stuff. In the end my boat was way too heavy and I had to wear almost all of my clothes. But usually they don’t even check the weight, which was fortunate for me.

THE MACHAKHELA

I arriving in Georgia in the middle of the night and luckily, we found someone who picked us up at the airport. With little sleep and a lot of driving we came to the first river: the Machakhela. The Russian guys

said that there is a great upper part but there is a 30-minute walk to the put-in. So we decided to go for it. After 15 minutes of hiking we were stopped by a Georgian soldier. He told us that we were not allowed to go there because we were too close to the Turkish border.

Although our Russian friends tried to explain to him that we would be descending to the river in a few hundred metres he refused. At least we didn't have to walk all the way back because they let us join them in their truck. I had second thoughts on this as they raced along the dirt road as if there were no tomorrow – I should have decided to walk back!

In the end we paddled the middle Machakhela, which was really enjoyable with continuous Class IV with many small drops. There’s one rapid in this section you should scout since there are siphons within it.

Afterwards, at the take-out, there were some Georgian people relaxing and invited us to join them.

They offered us some home-made wine and a classic Georgian food named Kachapuri. Actually we didn’t really speak to them because they didn’t understand us, however, the people are very friendly!

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ThePADDLER 114 FOOD AND SLEEP

For dinner, we went to a restaurant where the prices are very cheap, in fact ridiculously so! Two big portions and a drink for five Euros – awesome and the food is really tasty.They use plenty of meat, potatoes, cheese and butter. So we also went to the restaurant for breakfast because it saved time, tasted good and was cheap.

For the night, we had a small room in a hostel but after a few days we started sleeping in the tent close to the festival site. In general wild camping is no problem in Georgia, where it is similar to Norway, the people seem to be happy when they see someone enjoying their country. We also decided to make some sightseeing time during our trip on the advice of Egor.

THE BZHUZHA RACE

Some days before the race we started to train and became confident with the lines on the Bzhuzha river.

The Russian guys told us that the Bzhuzha is one of the most beautiful rivers in Georgia and indeed, it was really amazing! You have both easy whitewater with pretty steep and challenging rapids. There is a top section starting from the dam that is not very long but super nice. I would classify it as a Class IV+.

After this one you have the middle Bzhuzha – a long continuous Class III-IV section with one solid Class IV rapid in a small gorge. It is a one-metre drop which is quite hard to boof and you go deep if you do miss the boof!

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ThePADDLER 116 BZHUZHA RACE FESTIVAL

The Bzhuzha Race Festival started on Thursday evening with the opening ceremony with all the participants going to Ozurgeti town.Then the mayor gave a speech as well as Egor, the organizer and the chief of the Georgian Kayak Club. Afterwards there were Georgian dancers who delivered an awesome show!

On Friday the race started with the qualifiers. The course started on the last rapid of the middle section going down about 400 metres of Class III, where I had a pretty good run and shot the fastest time.

In the afternoon, the first 32 of the qualifiers were allowed to participate in the BoaterX. The course was brutal! Two downstream gates and two upstream gates where fighting was inevitable...

In the finals with Marco Babuin, Vladimir Kazanskiy and Filip Jancar, I felt like a cat surrounded by lions. In the second upstream gate it was like being in a pinball machine! Somehow I still managed to get third.

The first day had already been really exhausting but the second day was pretty intense too. In the morning we had the long race on the middle Bzhuzha, where I already knew the lines and tried to keep my speed all the way through. I did very well and won the race.

Afterwards the top 15 athletes from the long race were allowed to do the slalom race, which was a very challenging course. For me the goal was to get through all the gates without touching them. I managed to do that but the compromise was that I wasn't too fast, ending up on fourth place.

At this point I was looking forward to the last race – the extreme sprint. This one was on the upper part so it was difficult whitewater with no gates… Oh yeah!

Although I was really fired up, I felt tired from the other races on the same day, didn’t have perfect lines but didn’t make any big mistakes either. So you can imagine I was so happy when they told me that I won the race! I then realized that I was the overall winner of the Bzhuzha race, the first championship of the Extreme Kayak European Cup – what a great feeling!

For the full results, check this link: http://bzhuzharace.com/bzhuzharace2018_results.pdf

After the winning ceremony the party started and it was an awesome night! However, I had to take care, this was a Russian party and could have destroyed me more than the racing...

All in all it was a great experience and I would definitely go to Georgia again!

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T H E

M A G I C

Story: Nick Troutman Photos: Nick Troutman and Peter Holcombe This January Emily and myself were invited on a last minute winter Grand Canyon trip with the Holcombe family. It was a tough decision, but we chose to make it happen.We quickly dropped everything and tried our hardest to make this dream turn into fruition.

A N D

CANYON

B E A U T Y

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ThePADDLER 120 Once grandma was on board to take the kids for over two weeks, we realized that we could make this dream into a reality. We dove in head first, collecting camping gear, choosing our food, gathering cold weather gear and bought our flights to Vegas.

Once we landed in Vegas we were picked up by the Holcombes in their RV with kayak trailer in tow. We spent the evening (and well into the night) packing up our gear, deciding what was necessary, double checking our food and other necessities and loaded up our Jackson Kayak Traverse’s. The next morning we got up early to make the six-hour trek to the put in.

After our National Park Ranger briefing and one last burger, we made camp and were ready to go. The next morning marked our launch day and we were all eager to hit the water and get our first strokes in. We got on the water and started to head down stream knowing we had 14 days and 280 miles to go.

The first couple days are some of my favourites with touring red walls, huge caverns, and cool side creeks. We started to realize that the weather polarized between the mid-day sun and evening sunsets. It would be such a drastic change were you could be wearing shorts in the sun, or you could be in the evening with a down jacket, full body fleece, winter hat, and long socks and still cold!

We had a couple days were we were able to meet up with some other friends of the Holcombe family who were all on a rafting trip, we shared camp and enjoyed the social aspect, their evening acoustic guitar music and some delicious cooked meals.The morning after sharing camp with the rafts was the coldest. Everything was frozen – our water, gear, tent, everything.

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As we kept going I felt like I was going deeper and deeper into a rabbit hole, as I started to forget which day it was, started to forget about the outside world and simply got engulfed into the magic and beauty of the Canyon.

When we got to Bass Camp, we decided to have a layover day to explore and hike around whilst enjoying the sunshine after a couple of cold days. We kept going and made it down to Deer Creek and did some more gorgeous side hikes. One of my favourite experiences was paddling in the aqua blue waters of Havasu Creek. It is mind blowing the contrast on the travertine blue waters vs the clear greenish waters of the Colorado River.

It was incredible to get lost in the natural beauty with both the flora and fauna. The canyon walls were like reading a history book, I couldn’t stop trying to imagine what these canyon walls have seen. I am always blown away with the quality of the whitewater in the Canyon, tons of huge wave trains and cool twisting rapids, with a handful of perfect green surf waves sprinkled throughout.

By the end of the trip both Emily and I were excited to head back to see our kids, though it was hard to want to leave knowing that we never really know when we might be back. Luckily for me, I took a fair amount of video and photos and I can dive back into the canyon for just a moment as I glimpse back at the smiles, happy moments and memories made from our amazing trip.

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WW SUP in the French Alps

Story: Valentin Illichmann Photos: Franck Debaecker It’s mid-May,Valentin Illichmann and I are standing in the ski village of Obergurgl in Austria.Valentin’s Volkswagen Passat is crammed with stand up paddling boards, paddles and snowboards and together with Kai Steimer, we are on our way to the Outdoor Mix Festival, a heady mixture of extreme sports and live music (www.outdoormixfestival.com/en/).

Embrun, the venue of the festival, is a cozy mountain village in southern France and the place for Whitewater adventures in the French Alps. On our way to Embrun we pass the winter sports area of Obergurgl, where the night before, fell one metre of fresh snow, which we want to take advantage of again. So Obergurgl, here we come.

Snowboarding makes you happy but also tired. We still have a few miles ahead of us, so back up the highway. Unfortunately, the road, over which we wanted to continue to Italy, is still blocked. With the plan to be at the destination tomorrow morning, we quickly search for another route and then find ourselves seven hours later at a service area shortly after Milan again. “Just get up tomorrow, then we'll arrive on time!” Says Valentin. We have an appointment, with a camera team that will accompany us during the multi-day whitewater trip and Outdoor Mix Festival.

French Alps

The water colour is a stunning turquoise blue and we meander along it through the breathtaking landscape of the

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The next morning we finally pass the

Italian-French border. I'm still completely knackered from yesterday's snowboarding and take a little nap in the passenger seat while Valentin drives. When I wake up, I cannot believe my eyes – we are in winter wonderland. There are thick white flakes and everything is covered with snow but we didn’t want to go on a winter holiday. We even have summer tyres on it. This means for us that we have to wait several hours at a service area until the wild snow is over, the roads are cleared enough and we can now finally put the last kilometres to Embrun behind us.

The warm, pleasant morning sun shines in my face and I hear a river splashing and it feels like a dream after the journey through the snow. After making it over the icy pass the previous evening, we finally escaped all the hardships of the journey and camped on a beautiful parking lot by the river. Summer has arrived!

The festival doesn’t take place until the weekend, so we have a few days to put our whitewater SUP skills into practice.

SANDSTONE CANYON

Quickly we squeeze into our whitewater gear to enjoy the cool water. The tour, which is planned for today, is set in a beautiful sandstone canyon. The river is not particularly difficult, it’s good for us to paddle as a warm-up and flows evenly. The water colour is a stunning turquoise blue and we meander along it through the breathtaking landscape of the French Alps. In the bends, the flow increases so there are slightly higher waves and the balancing is really fun.

faith in the team. To discuss, to co-ordinate different possibilities and, of course, to plan how to tackle more extreme water. This means discussing where the rest of the team is when a paddler travels to a location that sometimes presents dangers.

There is not much going on the river, we are all alone here, no kayakers, rafting boats or hikers on the shore, not even anglers. Perhaps that is why nature is so much more important to us here than in Bavaria, where it is much harder to navigate a river without coming across other water users.

The weather is really good and at the end of the day, we sit comfortably by the campfire, our neoprene suits drying whilst hanging in the sun. Fortunately, we have enough food in the car so we do not have to go to bed hungry tonight. Tomorrow morning, everything must be ready again for the next section of the river.

"Lower in the knees and now paddle on the right side and off to the drain, perfect", sometimes I need some more tips to master heavy rapids cleanly and free from falls. Fortunately, I have the German champion, as well as the runner-up in whitewater SUP as a coach.

Valentin also has whitewater rescue/safety training qualifications too. Again and again he mentions that, whilst on the river, it is very important to have strong

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ThePADDLER 130 FRENCH DURANCE

The morning starts with the same beautiful spring weather as yesterday and after a relaxed breakfast, we head to our next stop. We drive through lonely old villages, where there are more sheep than humans, or so it seems. The bumpy dirt roads it goes straight to the put-in. The small tributary of the French Durance known for whitewater athletes, is only a few kilometres long but worth it for whitewater SUP.

Whilst paddling, a high cliff wall emerges directly after the first bend, from which a large waterfall gushes out.

There is little wind to disturb the falling water, where individual drops are creating a luminous rainbow. The scenery is so beautiful and untouched, it feels to me like another world. The flow of the water is much stronger today as we glide really fast on our white water boards through the landscape, however, again and again, a few hard rapids stop us.

At these points, we navigate to the shore and recce the passage, where the line is discussed and remembered well. Swimming could be uncomfortable despite our full equipment of helmets, life jackets, knee pads and thick wild water shoes. The previously

discussed line does not seem to be ideal, because Valentin suddenly takes a different route around the stones. In hindsight, he tells us that on one passage the water was too shallow and our fins would have struck the bottom. It was difficult to see when surveying from the land, however, we now know the right way through the keyhole. What an adventure!

BREATHTAKING

All the nature and mountains that I have seen over the last few days have been breathtaking and we finish with another indescribable day ending at the campfire.

Rocky walls with caves and waterfalls, turquoise waters with white pebble beaches and the whole time on the water, we saw no other humans, except the camera crew. The whitewater SUP is really worth it!

You are in beautiful natural surroundings all day, where the adrenalin levels are high because of the fast river flow. At the same time you have to concentrate very hard, so as not to make any mistakes. Sharing all that with good friends and ending the evening at the campfire is twice as much fun.

The Outdoor Mix Festival is getting closer and we are slowly leaving our adventure nature road trip week behind us. We talk about the last days and their events and at the same time we are preparing for the next three hard racetracks at the festival. Then we can show what we have trained for here on the river.

Thanks Embrun, for your great wild nature. What a wonderful trip!

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Bedford Embankment. 14TH & 15TH JULY 2018

Bedford Invitational Stand Up Paddle Board Race Start Time 14th July @ 7.00 PM (For novices and people new to racing)

Bedford River Festival is a bi-annual event that attracts over 300,000 spectators to celebrate the River Great Ouse, the jewel in the crown of our town. It is the third largest outdoor event in Europe.

Come and compete in front of a large and supportive crowd.

Entry Fee ÂŁ20 which includes a free T shirt and some prizes.

Meet at 6pm at the Watersports Arena

Contact us for an entry form @ info@canoetrail.co.uk or call 01234 825499 / 07934 861692 or visit www.canoetrail.co.uk