The Paddler Issue 52 Early Spring 2020

PADDLER 25 canoeists and their

ezine

The mellow side of

Interview with

The International magazine for recreational paddlers Issue 52 Early Spring 2020

FAVOURITE rivers and lakes

PUCON Steve Brooks Freestyle

CANOEING Bruce Kemp WW the Piatua River

ECUADOR Stephanie Gloutney

Interview with

JEFFALLEN

COLIN SKEATH Win a McConks SUP

COMPETITION

ManVs Hell

CHALLENGE Sal Montgomery Coaching

TRACKING

Dave Rossetter

24-page early spring issue of

CANOE FOCUS British Canoeing roadshow Inspiring women to paddle Kim Woods – canoe slalomist

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BRITISH CANOEING

CONTENTS

La Sabliere in lower water, France Photo: Mal Grey Editor

Peter Tranter peter@thepaddlerezine.com Tel: (01480) 465081 Mob: 07411 005824 www.thepaddlerezine.com

Advertising sales

Anne Egan Tel: (01480) 465081 advertising@thepaddlerezine.com

Design

2b Graphic Design Limited

Cover: Jeff Allen Photo: Lee Kirby Additional thanks to: Kevin Callan, Adrian Cooper, Robert Egelstaff, Adam Evans,Tim Gent, Ray Goodwin, Mal Grey, Richard Harpham, Kelvin Horner, Cliff Jacobson, Peter Knowles, John Kelly, Andy Lee, Pete Marshall, Becky Mason, Paul Mason, Jon Ontario, Andy Oughton, Dave Rossetter, Colin Skeath, Greg Spencer, Martin Trahan, Angela Ward, Graham Warren, Hap Wilson, Hadas Feldman,Vaughan Roberts, Jeremy Snyder, Katrina Skeath, Davis Gould-Duff, Sandra de la Comb, Simon Morse, Brian Taylor, www.shaunhazellfilms.co.uk, Paul Klonowski, Marc Ornstein, Ray Halt, Phil Carr, Turnip Towers and www.kayakpaddling.net

Not all contributors are professional writers and photographers, so don’t be put off writing because you have no experience! The Paddler magazine is all about paddler to paddler dialogue: a paddler’s magazine written by paddlers. Next issue is Late Spring 2020, with a deadline of submissions on Mar 20th 2020. 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 magazine is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved.

Reproduction without prior permission from the editor is forbidden.

008 Competition

Issue 52

Early Spring 2020

WIN a McConks SUP package worth up to £760

010 Testing, testing

Pyranha R9II and the Titan Nymph

022 The coach

Tracking by Dave Rossetter

028 An interview with…

With Jeff Allen

038 Our favourite water

By 25 of the world’s best known canoeists

068 The real Ecuador

By Stephanie Gloutney

077 Canoe Focus British Canoeing’s 24-page magazine

102 An interview with…

With Colin Skeath

112 An intro to freestyle canoeing

By Bruce Kemp

118 The mellow side of Pucon

By Steve Brooks

128 Man Vs Hell

By Sal Montgomery

Subscribe to the print issue:

132-page, perfect bound, litho printed. Six issues delivered to your door only £27.49 (UK) Single issue £4.99 (UK) https://thepaddlermag.com/subs-print-paddler/ Special for British Canoeing members £20.99 (UK) Single issue £3.99 (UK) www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/membership/benefits/communications/

Read the free digital issues:

NEW HTML5 version optimised for phones and tablets @ http://paddlerezine.com Page-flip PDF style, including current and all 51 back issues by leaving your name and email address @ https://thepaddlermag.com/subs-paddler-ezine/

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Rowan James, Muluate, Ecuador – photo Jack Grace

STAND

ThePADDLER 6

“Why would you

SIT”

when you can

That’s one of the questions we used to get asked occasionally by canoe and kayaking club committee members, says Andy McConkey of McConks SUP.

“Can you give a quote for some paddleboards?” Is the other question we get asked much more regularly by club members, and sometimes committee members. That used to be qualified with statements like, “but I just need to get the committee to agree” or “but don’t hold your breath.”

But it seems that the tide is turning. We’ve had lots of canoe clubs taking advantage of our pre-season preorder prices and ordering fleets of inflatable paddleboards from us this year. And clearly with less resistance from committee members than previously.

That’s obviously great news for us as a company – and we’re flattered by the way the canoeing world has taken McConks to its metaphorical bosom! However, it’s also great news for the clubs. Standup Paddleboards have been shown to attract new and younger members to clubs. Partly because, let’s be fair, SUP is fashionable at the moment. But it goes way beyond that.

SUPs are such as easy transition for nervous newbies.

No capsizing, no rolling, no decks to trap you into the boat. These are all key skills that, ultimately, new members will learn as they progress into boats.

However, just having the SUPs will allow those nervous newbies to develop paddleskills, water balance, and overcome their fears of natural water.

To say thank you to the paddlesport community that has taken us to its heart, we’ve teamed up with British Canoeing, the Paddler magazine and SUP Mag UK to give away one of our premium inflatable Standup Paddleboards.

WE’RE GIVING AWAY ONE SUPERB SUP PACKAGE

One lucky entrant to the free prize draw will have a choice between the 12’8 Go Explore (perfect for touring and adventuring on flat and choppy water) or 11’ Go X Wild (perfect for whitewater). See opposite for entry. They also get to choose from one of McConk’s premium 100% carbon paddles.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GEAR

To find out what type of paddleboard is the ultimate for your size, ability, and paddling arena, check out our new SUP selection Wizard @ https://mcconks.com/the-sup-selection-wizard/

And, if you want don’t know whether you need a one, two or three piece paddle, what type of dihedral suits you best, or whether you need a fibreglass or 100% carbon shaft, you can try out our brand paddle selector @ https://mcconks.com/how-to-choosea-sup-paddle/

Photos: Kathy Marston (http://www.kathymarstonyoga.com)

HOWsimply TO ENTER go to‌ https://standuppaddlemag.co.uk/ win-a-fantastic-mcconks-sup-package/

GOOD LUCK!

Leave your name and email address and that’s it Terms and conditions on competition entry page. No purchase neccessary.

Photos: Jonathan Kivell (www.instagram.com/jonnyksup)

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ThePADDLER 10

Testing, Pyranha 9RII

www.pyranha.com

By Sal Montgomery www.salmontgomery.com Photos:Turnip Towers: www.turniptowers.co.uk Reproduced courtesy of: www.kayakpaddling.net

Being a fan of the original 9R, I was hesitant about a re-make. It’s now more obvious than ever though that I was wrong! Having only returned from paddling in Ecuador a few weeks ago, I can now say with confidence that the 9RII is my first boat of choice.

When I was planning my trip, I had envisioned a month of low volume, steep creeks. I’d seen the classic shots, watched the paddling edits and read the river guides. Everything pointed towards a grade 4, boulder garden heaven. It was around this time that we’d had some rain in the UK and were

The R9II test can also be seen here amongst other great reviews: www.kayakpaddling.net/pyranha-9r2-kayak-review

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testin

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It took just one day to decide (with relief!) that the 9RII characteristics are not only well-suited to the lower-volume runs, but also the chunky ones too! It drives smoothly and tracks really well, helping you to keep your line and avoid having to paddle like the Duracell bunny. I particularly appreciated the boat’s manoeuvrability when I’d needed to change direction quickly to avoid a big stopper or make a

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

m .co

Once I got to Ecuador, I realised that my preconceptions about the paddling were completely out. As I should have expected for the rainforest, it rains often and a lot! The reality is that there’s a complete mixture of whitewater styles, everything from narrow steep creeks, to wide, high volume runs. I hadn’t paddled anything of much volume in the 9RII, however, there wasn’t much time to dwell on this as it had rained considerably the night before I arrived and the rivers were pretty full!

e will b nd it ed a iew rev uct od

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE PYRANHA 9RII IN ECUADOR

res t to pa

Both low volume in nature and full of technical moves, such as catching tiny eddies mid-rapid and making challenging attainments; as well as numerous boof ledges and rock flares. I had my 9RII on these runs and was loving it! The manoeuvrability and responsiveness of this boat is incredible. It drives really well and compared to some other creekboats it’s relatively easy to get on edge, helping you to get the nose up and over features, and therefore staying on line and moving more smoothly. I quickly decided that this was going to be the perfect boat for my upcoming Ecuador trip!

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

being treated to some sweet levels on our local runs. For me, these were the Upper Dart and the East Lynn.

The Paddle r ez ine te

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tight thread the needle style line. As I mentioned before, the ease of putting the boat on edge greatly helps with getting the nose up and over features, this was especially true when it came to punching waves or boofing holes.

As well as all of this, I felt stable. On high-water days, the waves would be barreling, the rapids were big and pushy, and even the eddies could become hard-work because of the size of the boils.

However, I very rarely felt unstable or that I was having to work particularly hard to stay upright.

PROS AND CONS OF THE 9RII

Cons. This is not a boat for cruisey paddlers. If your paddling style is generally pretty chilled, only putting the necessary strokes in as required then you probably won’t get along too well with the 9RII. This kayak was made to be driven and in the right hands she’ll glide, fly and skip. If you leave her to float, she’ll soon loose direction and ungracefully flop her way down the river. Not pretty.

The 9RII is a pretty big boat. For most people this is a pro rather than a con, but for us shorties – a bit of time and effort to get the fit right is required.

Anyone that knows me will also know that I hate outfitting, but it’s super important and for me is a definite game-changer where it comes to this boat.

I’m a big fan of the optional addition, referred to as the ’hooker’. It’s basically an adaptable, extension of the thigh brace and allows for increased contact with the kayak and therefore improved control. It does cost extra, but I think it’s worth it.

Pros. I think the above pretty sums up the pros for what is in my opinion an awesome kayak! For the active paddler, this boat is fast and agile, whilst still being stable and controllable. Essentially it has all the great characteristics of the original 9R but amplifiedfaster, more responsive, more manoeuvrable, and even more fun! Pyranha have successfully made a sweet boat even sweeter!

SPECS:

Length M: Length L: Width M: Width L: Volume M: Volume L: Weight M: Weight L: Weight range M: Weight range L:

272cm / 8'11" 287cm / 9'5" 65cm / 25.5" 66cm / 26" 310l / 82(US)gal 340l / 90(US)gal 22kg / 48lb 23kg / 51lb 65-100kg / 143-220lb 75-125kg / 165-275lb

ULTRALIGHT KAYAKS award winning design, class leading construction.

WWW.TOOTEGA.COM

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Helly Hansen Women’s Jeloey Jacket www.hellyhansen.com Anne Egan

FEATURES: l l l l l

l l l l

l l l l

Helox+ technology PU fabric construction with coloured backing Fully wind and waterproof Welded seams Back yoke with ventilation holes underneath for extra comfort YKK® Vislon front zipper Front placket with retro buckles and hidden snaps Hanging hood with cord adjustment Welded on hand pockets with flaps and snap button closure Raglan sleeves Adjustable hood with rain drainage Inside Helox+ technology print PU repair kit included

This jacket has that very classy, classic look of old, with its three quarter length styling and the bright (essential) yellow look from the sixties and seventies.

Constructed in polyurethane with Helox + technology, this is all you will need for those April showers. Inspired by an old classic Helly Hansen style, it incorporates a retro buckle closure, to provide the best protection against rain and bad weather in the spring and autumn months.

As is normal with all Helly Hansen clothing, plenty of attention has been paid to the detail on sealed hand pockets with flaps, snap button closure, and its adjustable hood with a rain drain makes the Jeloey a unique, distinctive and very practical jacket, plus it’s comfortable and has enough room to wear the required, if needed, layers underneath.

I really do like this coat, very well designed, excellent quality materials, waterproof, comfortable and if you do pick the yellow, you won’t get lost!

Colours: Essential yellow and white.

Sizes: in XS, S, M, L and XL.

HH RRP prices: UK: £120.00 EU: €130.00 Store and online prices could be cheaper.

Helly Hansen Men’s Moss Anorak

AND PLAY AGAIN REWIND LG, MD & SM SIZES COMING SOON

www.hellyhansen.com Peter Tranter

The Moss Anorak is 100% waterproof with a hip length design. Inspired by Helly Hansen’s heritage from the city of Moss, the Moss series is a collection of rainwear made in soft PVC free PU fabric. The anorak is of a shell design to keep you dry, so for insulation and warmth, you would need extra layers beneath.

To keep the anorak breathable there are vents in the back and its constructed from a very tough material that feels soft and rubbery, whilst the inside is of a smoother material that feels great next to the skin. It’s a good and roomy fit, so plenty of space if you do need extra insulating layers.

The Moss Anorak differs from the Moss Jacket because of the addition of a hood plus a large front pouch instead of side pockets. The Moss Rain Coat also has an hood plus a removable insulation layer.

Purchase in one of the cark colours and it’s the perfect rain coat built for the harshest of conditions but with the refined styling to wear around town. If you do plenty of isolated activities, buy the orange version and you’ll always be found. A perfect jacket for the wet spring months that lie ahead.

Colours: blaze orange, forest camo and navy blue.

Sizes: in S, M, L, XL and XXL.

HH RRP prices: UK: £100.00 EU: €110.00 US: $100.00 Store and online prices could be cheaper.

FEATURES: l l l l l

PU main fabric Large main front pocket Ventilation holes under back yoke Welded seams PU repair kit

W W W. D A G G E R . C O M AVAILABLE IN EUROPE FROM PALM EQUIPMENT

Thepaddler 16

Titan Nymph

www.titankayaks.com

By Phil Carr www.unsponsored.co.uk

Slicey kayaks are on the way back. After years of super short and relatively high volume playboats, the ‘old school’ makes a return. Now old school is relative, for some of you out there it may be a blast all the way back to 2010! However, I’m talking about going back to the 1990s and early 2000s. This is great news as those boats were super fun. Add in some modern design thinking and better outfitting and these new slicey kayaks have a lot to offer a wide range of paddlers.

One of the newest releases is from Titan Kayaks and we’ve had a pre-production Titan Nymph in for review at Unsponsored for almost two months. Other than the graphics (missing on this one) and some tweaks to the outfitting, this kayak is the same as the final production version.

Now let’s get this out of the way.There have been quite a few comments about how similar this kayak is to the Pyranha Ripper, Dagger Rewind, etc.

Looking at the computer design of the Nymph could lead you to the conclusion that this boat is identical to the Ripper. Closer inspection of the real thing shows that these boats are very different.Yes, they both have high volume bows and low volume sterns but the devil is definitely in the detail.The Nymph and the Ripper and indeed the Ripper and the Dagger Rewind are different boats.

For reference the Pyranha Ripper in medium is 274cm in length, 62cm wide and has a volume of 235lt.The large Ripper has the same length as the medium but is 63cm wide and 271 litres.

The Nymph is 274cm long (same) is 65cm wide, which makes a huge difference and a volume of 250 litres. Much wider than both the Pyranha Ripper and the Dagger Rewind.

Trademark profile

The view towards the bow is interesting as it shows Titan’s trademark profile as seen on the Rival.

Pointed and rounded at the same time! There is a hell of lot going on the hull with rails, edges and hull profiles fading in and out. Given that this is very almost the same as the bow on the Titan Rival, I would suspect that the Nymph should be able to ride high, surface well and punch through just like its stablemate. Given the flat rear deck this is a must, you’d spend your time back looping otherwise.

Compared to the Ripper, the hull of the Nymph is way wider. The deck graphics are missing on this pre-production version. Expect that large flat area to be filled by the cool Nymph logo.

The rear is super thin. I can’t recall many plastic boats getting this kind of low profile. Possibly the Liquidlogic Session, but it had a different overall profile.

The basics are covered – ratchet back band, hip pads, some seriously good thigh braces with padding that extends right down the side and a full plate footrest. The full plate system is simple and works well. The plate can be adjusted so the gap between it and the shell of the boat is minimised.

ouTfiTTiNg

This one has space for a water bottle or throw bag to be housed but no bungee cord. Is this doesn’t appear on the production version it would be an easy fix. It does appear on other Titan boats with this ‘Reactor’ outfitting system.

The back band is pretty good and easy to get it cranked up. At the rear of the seat padding you may see a white area. This is where the padding is fastened to the seat with a plastic plug. I’m not sure what life this Nymph has had before landing with me but that seat padding has pulled away from the plug.

The plug pulls out of the seat and can be sorted out quickly. Something to watch out for though.

The hip pads are secured to plastic plates that are riveted to each of the seats posts. This boat needed

one of the plates swapped out due to the rivets being pulled out. I suspect this may have occurred when one of the previous paddlers had pushed down on the system too much as they entered the boat. A message to Titan saw a replacement along with an option to use rivets or bolts arriving at Unsponsored HQ within a couple days. Over the few weeks I have had the boat, I haven’t had an issue getting in and out that has resulted in further damage.

Grab handles appear well made and easy to hold. It would be good to see some security bolt being used on at least one set. Maybe the one on the front deck.

STABILITY

The Nymph feels pretty stable on the water, with the length of the kayak and the width working well together. This may sound strange but there are number of designs (old and new) out there right now that need forward movement to get a good sense of stability due to having a long and narrow hull.

Stability is good, as is forward speed. The relatively long waterline and slightly chined hull aid this. The rocker feels about right with the bow being able to punch through waves and holes as expected.

TITAN NYMPH available on line at www.good2go-equipment.co.uk

RRP £750 Pre order with custom colours available for £650 Order before end of April 2020

ThePADDLER 17

ThePADDLER 18 The boat feels nice and fast, whilst it is super easy to dip the stern when you want. And importantly it is also controlled enough that it won’t do its own thing and catch you out. The Nymph feels well balanced and not at all nose heavy despite the bulk of the volume, and plastic being up front. This means that the Nymph shines as a river runner. Stern squirts and pivot turns feel well controlled and balanced making eddylines super fun again.

The Nymph also surfs really well and flat spins easily, but I did have to remind myself that the Nymph is way longer than my last play boat which was a Dagger Jitsu. I also had to think a little more about edge control. Once reminded a full 360 rotation flat spin on the face of the wave in the Nymph took me right back to the early 2000s. Superb!

At £750 the Nymph offers superb performance and versatility at a great price. You won’t get the slickest or most fancy looking outfitting system around but you do get a well-designed kayak that will appeal to a wide audience. If you get the chance to try one out I would highly recommend it.

SPECS:

Length: Width: Height: Volume: Weight: Weight range:

274cm / 8'11.8" 65cm / 25.6" 34cm / 13.3" 250lt / 66gal 22kg / 48.5lbs 60-105kg / 130-232lbs

AS Watersports, Exeter, EX2 8DP

01392 219600

WWW.ASWATERSPORTS.CO.UK

Kayak • Canoe • SUP O Only the best brands. All under one roof. In-store & online.

2019

WINNER

ThePADDLER 20

RIVERS PUBLISHING

38 Southey Street, Keswick, CA12 4EF, 017687 73686 (mobile 07899 750099)

Canoe and Kayak Map of Britain (new edition)

detail – there are some excellent paddling websites that show this. If you would like to contribute then please email us at riverspublishing@gmail.com.

We will acknowledge all contributions and offer a complementary map where appropriate.

www.riverspublishing.co.uk

By Peter Knowles

Thank you and happy paddling!

Rivers Publishing are pleased to announce that we plan to publish a new edition of this popular map in May 2020.

The first edition was published in 2012 after two years work and with help from a lot of contributors.

It immediately became a best seller and has since sold a record 14,000 copies over the last eight years!

That’s a lot of copies bought and we hope a lot of people inspired to get out there paddling!

This new edition will be a complete update to reflect the changes in the last eight years. We will be using a new base map to show new roads, etc. and then we will of course update the specialist paddling details as necessary.

Contributions We welcome suggestions for updates to the paddling details, however please remember that the object of this map is to show the ‘big picture’. On a map of this scale, we obviously cannot show the fine

Join us on Scotland’s Lochs, Rivers and Coastline DISCOVER LEARN ADVENTURE QUALIFY www.glenmorelodge.org.uk

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Learn, develop or qualify with Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, located in the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Our goal is to inspire adventure by teaching beginners, coaching intermediate/ advanced and delivering training and assessment courses for leaders and instructors.

Open canoeing

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Qualifications

Amazon Woman http://darcygaechter.com

By Darcy Gaechter

Darcy Gaechter is the first ever woman to kayak the entire Amazon River!

Before her amazing feat, Darcy Gaechter was already know in kayaking circles as one of the best whitewater kayakers in the world. But something was gnawing at her – she was already a successful small business owner and had a great group of friends and family around her – yet she felt pressured to do ‘one last big thing’ and then settle down and live a ‘normal life.’ Get a ‘real’ job, have kids, have a retirement account…

So she sold her successful outdoor adventure business and embarked on a whopping 148-day journey that began on her 35th birthday. Starting at the mythic source of the Amazon River up in the Peruvian mountains, she would tackle raging class 5 whitewater for almost an entire month, with one dynamite filled canyon thrown in. Darcy and her two companions would encounter illegal loggers, narco-traffickers, murderous ‘Shining Path’ rebels, and ruthless poachers. She would navigate Peru’s notoriously dangerous ‘Red Zone’ and plead for mercy at the hands of the Ashaninka people who were convinced she and her fellow kayakers had come to steal their children’s organs.

But the toughest journey was inside her. With blistering lips and irradiated fingernails, Darcy would have to find the courage and strength to challenge nature, cultures, social norms, and her own expectations of who she is and what she really wanted her life to be.

Amazon Woman speaks to all of us feeling trapped by our deskbound, online society. This a story of finding the courage and strength to challenge nature, cultures, social norms, and oneself.

Amazon Woman now available for pre-order on amazon @ https://www.amazon.com/DarcyGaechter/e/B0851KRSNQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

www.kentcanoes.co.uk Tel: 01732 886688 Email: info@kentcanoes.co.uk KAYAKS|CANOES|COURSES|TECHNICAL CLOTHING|SAFETY GEAR|ACCESSORIES

COACH

ThePADDLER 22

t h e

WITH DAVE ROSSETTER HEAD OF PADDLESPORTS AT GLENMORE LODGE

Where the focus, is always on the paddler

Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre

This is the second of a series of articles looking at the traditional skills within open canoeing.

Covering ropes, poles and sails we will look at ways to keep our journey going in wind or flow either with or through the environment.

Last article was all about single rope to help descend rapids. As the avid canoeist looks to travel further afield at some point, they will end up needing to move through the environment – either up wind or up against flow. Some of us seek out these opportunities where we are moving up river into a new watershed or just get caught by the wind being against us. Having multiple solutions to keep moving and if those options can keep the canoe in the water then moving becomes easier.

An under-utilised skill and one that canoeists should have in their locker is that of ‘tracking’. By understanding your ropes – when to use them, how to use them, knots options and how to store them when not in use, will greatly add to their expertise as a canoeist who can keep travelling.

TRACKING

This article will cover these few key points to help you with…

INTRODUCTION

While on expedition I am aiming to keep the journey going and looking to keep the canoe travelling. The wind changes on you and you end up having to move up wind - by utilising ropes we have another option for moving the canoe up wind! While not many travel up river, there are certainly canoe routes that will link waterways together, which will mean the canoeist needs various options for controlling the canoe and moving against the flow. On expedition, my canoe is loaded and heavy. If there is a way to keep it floating, the water can take the load and therefore the journey continues with minimum ease.

This article is a continuation of utilising ropes to help you. I will look at: • Length and type of ropes • Storing ropes • Where and how to tie them onto the canoe • The tactic of ‘tracking’

In later editions we will look at other travelling options including poles and sails.

Tracking: The use of rope(s) to move the canoe. Most often it is about the canoe going up against flow or wind used to ‘track’ the canoe somewhere. Can be done with one or two ropes per canoe.

Fig. 1: anchor points inside canoe

Clean line principle: This started as ensuring all throwbags had large loops removed from the bag end and all loops removed from the live/free end. However, it has extended much further into thinking about loops, snags and knots in the system and removing where possible. In the outfitting hence we are using ‘free’ ropes with no bags and one end tied into/onto the canoe at strong point.The rest of the rope is then kept free when in use and stowed in bags/pouches while not in use.

throwline. My throwline is kept for throwing or in addition to lining or tracking. There is no issue with using your throwline for being part of a tracking system. Be mindful then that if you need to throw to someone who has fallen in you are down a throwline.

So perhaps only use in low risk environments.

‘CLEAN LINE’ PRINCIPLE?

TYPE, LENGTH AND COLOUR?

These come up a lot in conversation and for me it is usually 15-20 metres length, 8-10mm thick of floating rope that are different colour to my painters. That means it is easy to recognise and therefore easy to find when required. Having them longer allows the boat to stay on the water and get further away from me. The further away the canoe is from me the easier it is to control – think about flying a kite.

I have gone for a rope that has a higher breaking strain (1,000kg), which means they can hold the load and be used if you ever need to haul on them (mechanical advantage systems). I also keep them separate to my

Ropes and moving dynamic water can be a lethal mix.

Whatever we do we need to keep the system as clean as we possible can. No tying the rope to us, no wrapping round our hands! One hand one piece of rope. Ultimately that way if we need to it is easy to let the boat go.

Safety note: Ensure the ropes are secure in the canoe when not in use.The rope could easily double as a swim line but would not be nice if it comes out and floats around, potentially snagging on rocks or you!

Fig. 2: rope colours

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Fig 3/4: storage bags as options

STORING ROPES IN CANOE

Once we understand the clean line principle, we need a system inside the canoe to help apply it. Ropes and water can be a lethal mix and with the potential to have up to 40 metres worth pf rope, plus your painters all rolling around your canoe, means the entrapment issue is massive. Having ropes that can be multiple use or tidied up is crucial for keeping things neat and accessible.

‘HOW TO’

There are various ways to get the canoe ready for tracking. The choices you make will be dependent on: • How long you need to track for.

• The type of conditions and how strong they are.

• The complexity of the environment – on and off the water.

• Your individual set up and preferences.

Fig 5: single rope option

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjMltscvNPo

In general, the easier the terrain on land, the easier the water, the closer and consistency of the flow/wind then one rope would be suitable. The single rope doesn’t give as much control as the canoe stays closer to you. It does, however, make it quick to set up, quick to get moving and quick to tidy away when finished.

The rope essentially is a big loop from the stern of the canoe up to you and back out to the canoe, passing underneath and attaching to the seat with a clove hitch.

Caution: We have created a loop here which we need to be aware does go against the ‘clean line principle’.

Ultimately it is a boat at the end of the line, and we should be able to aware that people are on the bank and that we are moving a canoe. If you can’t manage this risk, then this is the wrong option.

Fig 6: painter under seat one side, under canoe and back to seat

TO BRIDLE OR NOT?

Controlling the front of the canoe is crucial.The front is the control line and to hold the canoe there is often the need for a bridle. A bridle is essentially a rope that fits round the hull of the canoe. Like many things there are many ways and many differing thoughts about how to set up the bridle.

In this article I am using my bow painter. Reasoning – It’s there already! Long enough and strong enough to the job and doesn’t require carrying anything additional.

How – take the painter from the that is attached to your strong anchor under your bow seat. From here it goes under the hull of the canoe up to the other side of the bow seat. I then attach to the seat using a clove hitch. Other option here is to use a separate piece of rope or webbing. Whatever option you use ensure that it is good quality with a strong breaking strain (min. 800kg).

Fig 7: painter as bridle

Top tip: If you ever need to set up mechanical advantage to move a canoe that is broached/pinned then the addition of a bridle is useful to know.

ATTACHING TO THE BRIDLE

Due to this all being below the hull of the canoe and not wanting to cause drag when tracking I prefer not to use anything bulky or heavy. I prefer to use a rolling hitch. Once tied it is easy to slide to where you need it and then holds and grips the rope when under tension. At the end of tracking it is very easy to undo and the ropes go back to being ‘clean’ and ready for use again.

Fig 9: rolling hitch

Fig 8: painter clove hitched to seat

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Fig 10: single rope with bridle

Fig 11: dragging ropes

Fig 12: two ropes being used

CONTROL

What is critical with any form of tracking in any conditions is that the canoe is trimmed correctly. Trim is the footprint the canoe leaves in the environment.

This is commonly thought about as the weight distribution front to back along the length of the canoe. Regardless of moving upwind or upriver then the back end of the canoe must be the heavy end.

This engages the stern in the water and keeps the bow light. The stern acts as a keel and allows you to ‘drive’ and accelerate the canoe using the back rope.

This moves the canoe out away from you and starts it tracking. The bow line is to help control the angle. To open and it stalls and drags sideways. To narrow and the canoe accelerates back towards you into the bank and out of control.

TWO ROPES

Once you have the principle, then add a second rope to increase control and manoeuvrability of the canoe.

However, managing that much rope can cause a bit of issue in terms of handling the rope. My best advice is always to be as close to the end of the ropes as you comfortable can.

The further away you are from the canoe the more stable it is and easier it is to manage. It creates less drag as you track and allows you to keep tension in the

Trouble shooting: Trim: stern heavy regardless of environment Stern line: accelerate the canoe Bow line: control the angle If the canoe is dragging, then loosen stern line and tighten bow line

If the canoe is heading to your bank, then loosen bow line and tighten stern line

If the canoe is stalling or is proving difficult to hold – change your angle by moving closer or further away from the bank (think of vectors) / change your angle by where you are holding the rope (the angle of your hand or arm can make it easier for you.

system. If you must be close, then my preference (if the banks allow), is to let the rope drag behind me. Of course, you could work with your partner as working together can make is so much quicker and easier.

This is where having different colour ropes really helps.

Understanding what end is attached to where speeds up your response to any change that is required.

Summary An under-utilised skill that will help keep the canoe and the journey moving. From loaded canoes on expedition, to getting up round a headland against the wind ‘tracking’ is an option. Whether you use single or double lines is a matter for you, your set up and your location – either way get out there and explore!

Next time ‘sailing’ – solo, tandem and group sailing.

Happy paddling / coaching / leading!

Dave has been involved in the development of the new awards and provides expert advice throughout the industry on all things to do with coaching, safety, leadership and personal paddling. He is passionate about all things paddling.

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An interview with…

Jeff Allen

EXPEDITION

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Interview: Peter Tranter Photos: as stated BEFORE WE START JEFF – LET OUR READERS KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, BACKGROUND, ETC.

I’m a sea kayaker, British Canoeing coach and International Sea Kayak Guide Association guide. I was born in North London in 1962 and joined the army in 1978 as a boy soldier, leaving in 1987 and moved to Cornwall in 1988/89 to study traditional boatbuilding and to be near the sea. I stopped paddling and pursued sailing for a few years but in the late 90s got back into sea paddling, setting up in business in 2003. I’ve been working as a professional guide/coach ever since.

The making of a Canon advert in northern Norway. Photo: Lee Kirby

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ThePADDLER 30 HOW DOES KAYAKING ON THE OCEAN GIVE YOU PARTICULAR SATISFACTION?

I feel happiest when I am on the ocean, especially where the ocean meets the land, this has a particular appeal to me. You can feel the raw vitality of water, energized by the wind and shaping the land, it’s a timeless action and never fails to leave me feeling totally invigorated, truly energized. A sea kayak, apart from being such an evocative looking craft, is also the perfect vehicle to explore this environment.

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO LONG AND DIFFICULT ADVENTURE EXPEDITIONS?

It’s part challenge/adventure but in the bigger part for me it is about the journey, I like the changes that come over me when I am on a journey. For the first few days there are big adjustments taking place, comfort, exposure, energy, letting go of land things, etc. However,

after a few days everything starts to come into focus.

There are so many distractions in life, on an expedition, especially in remote areas, the foundation level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs comes keenly into focus, where your main concerns of clean air, food, water and protection come into play. As the journey progresses you take on a meditation in motion, journeys like this offer you the opportunity to not only explore coastlines but also to explore yourself, you can spend time in reflection.

WHEN PREPARING FOR A LONG EXPEDITION IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS – WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES YOU LOOK FOR IN A FELLOW TEAM MATE KAYAKER?

It is definitely more pleasurable if you like one another but that doesn’t have to be the case, however, you do need to have respect and a good degree of tolerance.

Tolerance is made far easier if you can establish shared goals at the start of the venture. So to bullet point my answer I would say: l tolerance; l shared goals; l solid basic personal skills; l previous experience and l humour.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE CONDITIONS FOR PADDLING OR ARE YOU HAPPY WITH WHATEVER MOTHER NATURE BOWLS YOUR WAY ON THE DAY?

I am happy as it comes, but that’s not to say that I don’t enjoy a following sea and wind, especially when the tide is with me.

On shoot sipping coffee from a Kuksa. Photo: Lee Kirby

WHAT’S THE ONE FAVOURITE PIECE OF CAMPING KIT YOU COULDN’T DO WITHOUT??

I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff over the years and because I paddle in a range of environments, that’s hard to say. On a practical level my sleeping system is pretty important to me.The relationship you develop with a good sleeping bag and mat is certainly more important now than when I was younger. I would say my favourite piece of equipment is however, a Kuksa, which is a small wooden mug, hand carved by the Sami of Northern Scandinavia. I got mine from a Sami Camp after rounding Nordkap so has sentimental value too.That and a good camp knife, one that I can use for filleting fish, splitting wood or sparking life into a fire.

“Afterwards the bones in my hands hurt for months and the outer toes on both of my feet

remained numb

for weeks afterwards, I lost more than a stone in less than three weeks.

www.expeditionpaddler.com

HAS ONE PARTICULAR EXPEDITION LEFT ITS MARK UPON YOU, PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY?

The Japan circumnavigation was and is still, the expedition by which I judge all others by. It was about 5,000 miles long, had numerous lessons in store for both myself and my paddling partner, Hadas Feldman, from Israel. I experienced so many physical, mental and dare I say, spiritual changes on that journey. However, the one that left its biggest physical and mental impact was the speed circumnavigation of Ireland, that was a lot of physical pain, in both the build up in training and in the delivery. We were knocking out some very big mile days and spending long hours in the kayak on a day-to-day basis and all of that takes its toll. Afterwards the bones in my hands hurt for months and the outer toes on both of my feet remained numb for weeks afterwards, I lost more than a stone in less than three weeks. We called the expedition ‘into the wind’ and afterwards Lizzie, my wife, said that the wind had literally gotten beneath my skin, making me quite difficult to be around.

Difficult landings and hard routine: Harry Whelan on our ‘Round Ireland’ epic.

Photo: Jeff Allen

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Speaking with penguins, S.Georgia. Photo: Hadas Feldman

MENTAL WELLNESS IS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST FOR YOU - HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

When I left the military I was certainly in a state of confusion, anxiety and emotional suffering, this manifested itself in various ways. PTSD wasn’t recognized or spoken about then, but on subsequent research that is probably the label I would have been tagged with. I don’t like labels, but in this case, if I had had a greater understanding of my condition, I would have been able to do something about my situation. It wasn’t really until I started to spend more and more time on the ocean that I started to reflect and analyze my past life experiences, being in nature and on the ocean was a form of healing I think, although I didn’t realize that at the time.

Since then I have paddled with a lot of ex-service personnel who have been diagnosed with PTSD and others suffering from various mental health issues and have witnessed over and over again, just how beneficial engaging with nature is to the positive human spirit.

The sacred cake plate to commemorate our ‘Round Ireland’ record, presented by paddling legend, Mick O’Meara, after he had the cake and ate it. Photo: Vaughan Roberts

Above: Rock arch NW Honshu, Japan. Photo: Hadas Feldman Below: Humpback whale, Malangen Gap, Norway, Image Jeff Allen

HAVE YOU CHANGED AS A PERSON AS A RESULT OF YOUR EXPEDITIONS?

Yes, I believe so and for me these changes are positive.

I have grown to appreciate my own company and am quite happy left alone to operate in my own little bubble. I certainly appreciate the wilderness more than I ever did before, certainly before I got into exploring the coastal environment and my connection to it, is at a deep personal intimate level.

I feel at home in remote areas and I am happiest, far from the madding crowd, these changes are probably a curse to others however, after all, my love of doing what I do, takes me away from family and home. Often, then when I do return home, I disrupt the rhythm that has been established in my absence. I can also be irritable and unsettled when I return from a trip, especially if it has been a longer personal expedition rather than a commercial trip. My focus on a personal trip is about me and the goal, on a commercial trip it’s all about my clients.

OF THE MANY THINGS YOU DO,WHICH ONE MAKES YOUR HEART BEAT THE FASTEST?

Right now it is sailing and swimming. Sea kayaking still makes my heart sing but now I am also exploring other ways to go further afield and to share activities on and in the water.

YOU ARE NOW LEFT TO CONCENTRATE ON EXPEDITION PADDLER – HOW’S IT GOING?

I’m not in a rush to establish Expedition Paddler and I certainly don’t want to just replicate what I first created in my previous business. I am now in the process of developing new wilderness expeditions and course content to best represent what I have to offer the community, I have always prided myself with being original. I’ve never copied the crowd and have always tried to be creative, that way I understand what I deliver intimately and when I deliver it, it is with a passion. All of my paddling enterprise has been developed and delivered with passion. I am starting to combine some of my expeditions with an expedition support/delivery yacht and to that end have recently purchased a steel sailing yacht, pretty much capable of sailing anywhere I choose to go, so the aim is to reach even further afield in my expeditions.

www.expeditionpaddler.com

Surf landing in a Rockpool Taran 16 Photo: Kristoffer Vandbakk

WHAT’S THE MOST ENJOYABLE ENCOUNTER WITH WILDLIFE THAT YOU’VE HAD?

I have been exceptionally lucky with wildlife and its hard to choose a favourite. Lizzie and I were almost engulfed once by two feeding Humpback whales in Arctic Norway and I have been followed by some fairly large sharks of the meat eating kind before. However, I think my most moving experience was having two juvenile dolphin swim beside me, playing around the cockpit and bow wave of my kayak, for what seemed like hours, whilst two very large battle scarred matriarchs watched me from just a few feet beyond my paddle stroke. They weren’t threatening in anyway but I could feel who was in control.

Once, with Hadas, we paddled into a bubble net of Blue Fin Tuna in Northern Hokkaido. Dolphins and shark were shooting beneath us and we really were stuck in the middle of the food chain and I once had a dolphin leap over me as I punched out through the surf zone. As I say too many experiences to mention here but the young dolphins were certainly my most magical.

IF YOU COULD CAPTURE JUST ONE ‘FEEL GOOD’ MOMENT IN YOUR TIME ON THE OCEAN – WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I would say it was whilst paddling down the Pacific Coast of Japan, we were on our last night of the expedition and to seaward there was an electrical storm arcing out on the ocean. The energy was intense and we had elected to paddle at night because of thick fog and numerous fishing boats flying around in the day. The experience was tinged with a sadness that you feel as something unique is about to end. We had spent six months together living from our kayaks and navigating our way through numerous challenges and I was sad it was coming to a close, but then the sadness was penetrated by the realization that nothing was ending, it was in fact just the beginning and that right there, right then, I was exactly where I was meant to be, doing exactly what I was meant to do, and everything felt just perfect.

AFTER ALL YOUR YEARS ON THE OCEAN,WHAT STILL SCARES YOU ON A PADDLE?

Landing through big surf on an unknown beach is pretty scary, I think once you get hurt by something that has absolutely no knowledge that you’re even there, especially an area devoid of others, you start to pay it endless respect, but it also excites me, fear does make you feel more alive.

I feel at home in remote areas and I am happiest, far from the madding crowd, these changes are

probably a curse

to others however, after all, my love of doing what I do, takes me away from family and home.

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I’M A PADDLER AND GOING ON VACATION,WHERE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

Northern Norway. If you’re an experienced kayaker, fly into Tromso, hire a kayak from my friend Bjorn and explore those Northern Islands, If your not so experienced come with me and I will show you some incredible views that will take your breath away.

WHAT’S THE ONE LOCATION YOU HAVEN'T PADDLED THAT WOULD BE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Greenland is next, I am hoping to sail there next year from Cornwall and paddle the east Coast of Greenland and then sail on to Northern Norway, ending in Tromso.

IS THERE ANY ISSUE THAT STOPS YOU SLEEPING AT NIGHT?

I’ve been known to sleep through most things and I have nothing that keeps me awake at night, except stitches in my lower abdomen right now.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Be patient, follow your dreams, learn to breathe properly, meditate more and stay active, eat well and drink more water.

Jeff and Harry celebrating the finish of ‘Round Ireland’ record. Photo: Vaughan Roberts

Midnight sun, Senja, Norway. Photo: Lee Kirby

WHAT THINGS IN LIFE ARE STILL A MYSTERY TO YOU?

Humanity is a mystery to me, we have the capacity for the greatest good and yet also the greatest bad and yet as a race we more often veer towards the negative, I think the further we remove ourselves from the natural world, the worse things will get, we live in a society that is governed by finance, protected by credit cards and double glazing, and we need big changes in our society and in what we as a society consider to hold true value.

IF YOU WERE GOD FOR A DAY,WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE TO THE WORLD?

I’d make the Earth flat and balance it on the back of a turtle. I’d also return to the days of sail and oar, the days before plastic and diesel, although I’m sure that has its downside too.

www.expeditionpaddler.com

Aerial view of Jeff and Harry having rounded Mizen Head.

Photo:Vaughan Roberts

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Quickies…

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

Neptune

Self duo portrait at the start of the final three day push to finish Ireland

Pick two celebrities to be your parents…

Popeye & Olive Oyl

On the water portrait, Connecticut, USA. Photo: Larry Shore

Which one sportsman or woman has inspired you?

Muhammad Ali, or Bill Tilman if you include mountaineers

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

Yes, Wandering Star by Lee Marvin

Name one film star you would love to get naughty with?

Betty Boop

Favourite film?

Captains Courageous (the 1937 original)

Celebrating rounding northernmost point of Japan, everything is south now

Jeff and Harry about to cross to Dingle.

Photo: Vaughan Roberts

Cats or dogs?

Big slobbery dogs

Facebook or Twitter?

Instagram

An ideal night out for you is?

Dry campsite, good campfire, moonlight, good company, whisky and a surf launch next day

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

A yacht

More coffee in Kuksa. Photo: Lee Kirby

What’s in your fridge right now?

Salmon, venison, hummus, oat milk, cheese, salad, chocolate, butter and eggs

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

Omelette or salmon

Dog Sledding, northern Norway.

Photo: Active Tromso Hadas and Jeff, Japan

Who are your kayaking buddies?

Harry, Ed, Jim, Hef, Rod, Tom and Rich

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

Is this your car?

Finally, any final shout outs?

Mike Webb at Rockpool, one of the most honest and genuine guys in the business, Lendal Paddles, Kokatat, the boys at System X Nick and Ant, finally Bjorn and Tore, my northern brothers……

Many thanks Jeff for all of your help on this – I really appreciate it.

Waterfall Alaska Expedition. photographer unknown

rockpool it’s all in the detail

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We asked

25 well-known canoeists… a simple question…

FEATURING

Kevin Callan

Adrian Cooper

Robert Egelstaff

Adam Evans

Tim Gent

Ray Goodwin

Mal Grey

Richard Harpham Kelvin Horner Cliff Jacobson

Peter Knowles John Kelly

PADDLE? “Which is your favourite

Andy Lee

Pete Marshall

Becky Mason

Paul Mason

Jon Ontario

Andy Oughton

Dave Rossetter

Colin Skeath

Greg Spencer

”

Martin Trahan

Angela Ward

Graham Warren Hap Wilson

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#1 Algonquin, Ontario, Canada

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Kevin Callan

“When asked what my favourite route is, I’ve always replied that its the next one I’m going on. I’ve written several paddling guide books, and trekked across countless lakes and river (and portages), mostly in Ontario, Canada.

“Queitco Park is made for the canoeists. Killarney is the most scenic, Lake Superior is the most mystic, Temagami has a network of ancient waterway trails that need to be explored. But Algonquin is the most familiar to me.

More info on Kevin: https://kevincallan.com

Also see Kevin’s Youtube channel at: www.youtube.com/user /KCHappyCamper

“There’s something to be said about the familiar. A few years back, when turning 50, I embarked on the epic Meanest Link – a 420km canoe route, complete with 102 portages that add up to 68km. It was so epic I wrote a book about it – Once Around Algonquin: An Epic Canoe Journey.

“It’s made up of tales: stolen whisky, bloodthirsty mosquitoes, and an unexpected paddle through the middle of Huntsville’s famed bathtub race.

Throughout the (mis)adventure, I share some of the rich history of Ontario’s oldest park and my aspirations for its future. I guess it’s kind of like Bill Bryson’s Walk in the Woods, with a dash of Bill Mason’s Song of the Paddle and a pinch of Sigurd F. Olson’s Lonely Land.”

Dordogne, France

Adrian Cooper

“I’ve paddled all over and so many rivers or sections spring to mind as favourites. It was a determination of mine to paddle the upper section of the Allier, having paddled most of the interesting sections below, of course we canoeists all love to visit the Dart Loop but that has become passé.

“As a choice, plenty of people will have visited the Drome and enjoyed that and I’m sure you will get someone else offering the Soča in Slovenia and the Ottawa was glorious. I might have plumped for the Tarn Gorge, the Herault, the Eden or the Spey.

“However, the rivers we remember most are so often where we enjoy the company of those we are paddling with. When my wife wanted to join me on my French holidays we chose all the lower grade rivers in the Massif and the Dordogne is the river we returned to most and so has most memories.

“From Argentat to the confluence with the Vezere, there is 120km of grade 1 and 2 with little much harder, there are villages and chateaux cut into the cliffs and campsites for touring. Our preference is to pick a town like Beaulieu or Souillac and do day trips 25-30km up or down river picnicking on pebble beaches along the way. What could be a better holiday?”

#2

Below: Kevin in the rain. Bottom: Adian’s brother-in-law and his daughter and Adian’s dog, Chalkie

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#3 Okavango Delta, Botswana

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Robert Egelstaff

“When I was an active mountaineer it was said that you were only as good as your last climb.The same could be applied to canoeists and if so then fortunately my favourite place to canoe is the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.

Robert is based in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He is a member of Haverfordwest Kayak Club and has paddled on all seven continents. As a BCU Level 5 Coach and an Honorary Canoe Coach, he was actively involved in the development of canoeing in the UK. Robert has made many early canoe descents of wild rivers in northern Canada including the Bonnet Plume, Mountain and the Hood including the first full descent of Wilberforce Canyon. His extreme adventures also include the first crossing in modern times of the Bering Strait by kayak and the first, and only unaccompanied, recreation of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ‘most famous open boat journey ever made’ from Elephant Island to South Georgia. He remains active as a sea kayak guide in both the Arctic and Antarctica.

“The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is what remains of a lake that dried up ten-thousand years ago and is where the Okavango River meets the Kalahari Desert. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

“Our dug-out canoes were poled out to remote islands in the delta where we camped overnight. At dusk and dawn we walked across the low-lying scrub, breathing drifting clouds of back-lit dust from herds of zebras, watching the stretching necks of giraffes and hearing the muffled baritone roar of lions. One evening a large bull elephant came close to our camp, threatening to trample our tents and forcing the guides to throw a burning branch from the camp-fire at him. It bounced off his back in a blaze of sparks and frightened him away.

“Trying to pole the dugout canoes was like balancing on a slackline for the first time. We were learning to canoe all over again. Capsizing is undesirable as both hippos and crocodiles patrol these waters.

“Time spent with the gentle people of the delta was very special. Our guides are not instructors or coaches, they don’t even wear PFDs. They wear ordinary clothes and use canoes as a means to an end rather than an end in itself – as did the First Nations people and the French-Canadian voyageurs. Many are middle-aged women, with families, who pole the canoes with energy and style.

“For this time in our lives we touched the Earth and shared this magical, wild place with the local people and all the animals who make it their home.”

SILVERBIRCHCANOES.COM

#4 LochVeyatie & Fionn Loch…

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Adam Evans

“For me canoeing is best when I’m travelling through and immersed in somewhere expansive and majestic.

“Loch Veyatie and Fionn Loch and their iconic wilderness mark as one of my most glorious places to journey a canoe. A place devoid of roads and buildings, the enormity of the landscape around it is rugged to the horizon.

www.outdoor instruction.co.uk Ethical and professional coaching and guiding for… caving, canoeing, climbing, navigation, expedition and wilderness skills.

https://adamjevans.co.uk Personal and professional performance coaching

“I relish a journey where I can enjoy the versatility of skilled canoeing through the wilds. Sailing open waters, catching gentle river eddies and returning up river via poling and lining through shallow shingle rapids. This all helps me keep engaged and adapting on my journey.

“It’s such a magnificent place. I’ve heard stags bellowing at dawn in the rutting season, and watched the clouds from the summit of Suilven parting to see our canoes parked on the waters edge below.

“It’s one or those places where you can give yourself permission to just sit and drift in your canoe, and simply savour the moment.”

Piteälven, Sweden

Tim Gent

“Asked to name my favourite colour, I might be able to narrow it down to a choice of three, no make that four. I have the same problem with music, food, authors, films… So the challenge to choose just one lake or river looked tough.

“As it is, thinking about where I’d most like to be dropped right now with a canoe, the choice isn’t difficult at all. That would be the Bidumiedno, or Piteälven.

From its birthplace high in the mountains close to the Norwegian border, this mighty watercourse is over 400km long, crossing the Arctic Circle to fall at last into the sea on the Swedish Bothnian coast. Over that impressive course, the Piteälven is extraordinarily varied.

“Vast sky-reflecting lakes are connected by a river that one moment runs broad and gentle, the next raging loud and unpaddlable, at least not by me. Braiding and reuniting, littered with islands, this is still a wild river, its course unrestrained, the pine and birch-strewn banks home to few but the reindeer herders who call this land home.

“Mind you, there would be one minor problem if my wish were granted right now. I’d have to wait a few months for the thaw.”

Photos: Tim and Susannah Gent

#5

Tim Gent shares his enthusiasm for and experience of travelling and camping from a canoe in his book: Canoe Camping.

Take a look at his website at: www.timgent outdoors.com/

Scotland, UK

Below: Adam on Loch Veyatie. Bottom: Susannah Gent at Piteälven

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#6

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www.RayGoodwin.com

Read the full story of Ray’s paddle of the Bloodvein at: https://paddlerezine.com/ ray-goodwins-bloodvein/ Also see Ray’s Youtube channel

Bloodvein River, Manitoba, Canada

Ray Goodwin

“A float plane start, pictographs on Artery Lake, stunning scenery and finishing at Lake Winnipeg: it has all the ingredients for a great canoe journey.

“I first paddled the river with my partner Lina and subsequently with customers. There has been the conversations and companionship of the river. We have portaged along the same trails as the Indigenous Peoples and voyagers and paddled the same water as birchbark canoes. It is an historic route. We have scrambled to find a campsite surrounded by lake and marsh as trees exploded into flame as a forest fire reignited in high winds.

“So many of the campsites are stunning, from islands in the midst of waterfalls and rapids to ones high above the river on rocky bluffs. I have sat and watched beaver working away below and been stunned by the majesty of the Aurora Borealis.

The Bloodvein

“And yes, the number of lessons I have learnt from simply being on this wilderness river as well as the need for caution: I took a massive swim from being overly bold in very high water. Not only has it been a privilege to paddle it four times, but the river has taught me well.”

#7

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www.wildernessisa stateofmind.co.uk

Read the full story of Mal’s paddle of the Gorges du Tarn at: https://paddlerezine.com /the-magnificent-gorgesdu-tarn/

Gorges duTarn, France

Mal Grey

“I have a special affinity for the north country, the wild lochs beneath Scotland’s rugged hills, and the wood-lined lakes of Scandinavia. So for me to choose somewhere warm and southern for my favourite paddling place might seem to be a surprise.

“Yet though the magical highlands are probably my favourite places to spend time, the best actual paddling I have done is undoubtedly that deep in the Gorges du Tarn, France. Beneath towering walls of pastel-coloured limestone, and slopes of fragrant pines, sparkling clear water make their way down the 60km canyon of the main gorge.

“Much of the river is of modest grade, the perfect place to relax and drift as you gaze, awestruck, at the cliffs above you, where huge Griffon vultures wheel, tiny dots in a blue sky. Deep clear pools are separated by rippling little rapids, just enough to keep you interested.

Gorges du Tarn

“And there are some sections of simply wonderful grade 2 rapids, touching a higher grade at times, that are amongst the very best trad boat paddles I have done, where every eddy can be hit, every wave train enjoyed, all the time with those immense walls drawing your gaze ever upwards.”

01479 861 256 www.glenmorelodge.org.uk

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#8 Yukon River, Canada

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Richard Harpham

Canoeing the Mighty Yukon River – Land of the Midnight Sun

It’s the great, big, broad land ’way up yonder, It’s the forests where silence has lease; It’s the beauty that thrills me with wonder, It’s the stillness that fills me with peace.

Robert Service – Spell of the Yukon

Richard has become a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society.

You can follow his adventures at: www.richadventure.com He also runs www.canoetrail.co.uk, with his wife Ashley in Bedfordshire

“The Yukon River has been my spiritual escape since 2010 when I first stood on its broad banks contemplating a 700-mile canoe journey from Whitehorse to Circle, Alaska. That first trip offered so much with bears, wolves, beavers and a vast wilderness to explore with every paddle stroke.

Whilst the exact wildlife on offer can be a lottery, the living history of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 is guaranteed, with old paddle steamers, road houses, dredges.

“Since then I have led various expeditions and trips to the Yukon in winter (exploring in minus 70 below) and paddle trips in early summer with our company Canoe Trail working with local outfitter

Up North Adventures. I also took part in the Yukon River Quest in 2016 covering the 440-mile trip in 59 hours; 36 minutes, which was a tough but rewarding challenge.

“Every trip since has given me a greater connection to this mighty river (1,980 miles) and unique wilderness with highlights including 30-mile river (National Heritage River), Hootalinqua shipyard, a wild lynx less than 10 metres away, the iconic Dawson City, (Home to Robert Service and Jack London) and of course the incredible light show of the midnight sun. Don’t be shy get in touch if you want to know more about this bucket list destination.”

Soča River, Slovenia

Kelvin Horner

“As most people already know I have a soft spot for the Soča River in the Triglavski National Park, Slovenia. Although the Soča is a grade 3 paradise, it attracts paddlers of all abilities due to its sheer beauty.

“An early morning (before the tourists) venture to the source of the Soča, lets you know that this is a really special river. The first time I went there I walked into the water by mistake, it was so clear, I couldn’t see where the air finished and the water started!

“I love the way this river starts off with a low water feel in its upper sections and gradually increases in volume and push as you progress downstream. One of my favourite sections is the Abseilstrekke/Otona section, it has a remote feel with amazing grade 3 paddling with the occasional harder rapid thrown in for good measure.

“On the banks of my favourite river is also my favourite campsite, Kamp Lazar. So here’s a HUGE shout out to Edi and the team for creating the perfect environment for river tales to be told…

“See you on the water.”

Photo left: Julien Rouget

#9

Sweet Skills is a page from Silverbirch team paddler Kelvin Horner. Here he shares tips, techniques and insights to expand your knowledge, progress your boating skills, and to guide you in mastering their application on the river. www.sweet-skills.com

Below: the Five Finger Rapids on the Yukon. Bottom: SoÄ?a River

Ali Johnson Photography

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#10 Hood River, Nunavut, Canada

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Cliff Jacobson

“The Hood River is by far my favourite. When our six-man crew canoed it in 1982, tens of thousands of caribou dotted the land. They strolled quietly through our camps (not touching a guyline!), swam beside our canoes, new-born babies in tow. We observed over 500 muskoxen, four grizzly bears, two wolves and one wolverine. It was common for several fish to simultaneously strike one lure!

“A decade later, I canoed the Hood again, this time with a crew of eight men and one woman – Sue Harings, my bride to be. Sue and I were married at the top of Wilberforce Falls on August 12th, 1992. The story is in my book – Canoeing Wild Rivers, 5th edition.

“The Hood is diverse. There are big and small lakes, huge pounding rapids and shallow rock-gardens.

Good campsites abound almost everywhere along this tundra river. Paddlers should be competent in Class II+ rapids and have a tough attitude towards bugs and bad weather. Portages are long and tough (three plus miles around Wilberforce Falls) so physical conditioning is a must. Access is by charter float plane from Yellowknife, NWT. It’s a long, expensive flight.

#11

“Wilberforce Falls drop 160 feet through a three-mile canyon. By comparison, the U.S. Niagara Falls drops 160 feet. The view from on top is amazing!”

Loch Lomond, Scotland, UK Buy Canoeing Wild Rivers, 5th edition at: www.cliffcanoe.com

John Kelly

“Loch Lomond is not only my favourite place to canoe, it is the reason I canoe. It took a while though.

“Up till I was 10 years old, we had a caravan at Rowardenen on the banks of Loch Lomond. I remember being in the caravan and seeing a canoe paddled round the point. In it was a man with his dog and his camping gear. I watched as he paddled up the loch and out of sight – it looked like the best thing ever – It still does. I wonder how on earth it took me nearly 30 years to get around to fulfilling this dream.

“Loch Lomond has everything I need in a paddling place. The islands provide remote locations where you can get away from the crowds in no time. You can have the thrills of big waves and wind or the stillness and calm of a clear crisp day. All of this in the majestic scenery of a national park surrounded by mountains.

“With any luck there will be kids seeing me paddle who will follow this path in less time than it took me.”

John is the admin of www.songofthe paddle.co.uk

Below: getting married at the top of Wilberforce Falls. Bottom: Loch Lomond

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#12 Mountain River, NWT, Canada

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Peter Knowles

“I always love this question of, ‘What’s your favourite river?’ I know one answer is, ‘the last river you paddled’, but that really isn’t true – just imagine if you had a bad swim and lost your boat!

“I suggest that it is things like fun, scenery, an element of ‘wilderness’, and for me, I think diversity is important – I hate long, flat, straight, boring rivers!

Peter Knowles has led some 40 expeditions and many first descents around the world. He is one of only a handful of Brits to be elected to the International WW Hall of Fame

www.riverspublishing .co.uk

River Rothay “I am lucky to live in the Lake District and one of my favourite rivers is the River Rothay. I strongly recommend the full experience of the ‘three lakes mini expedition’, – it’s mainly grade 2 and only 9km long but has lots of interest. Put in just upstream of Grasmere village, bimble down the youthful Rothay into Grasmere Lake, paddle across this, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains.You then have a fun stretch of easy WW river down to Rydal Water. Cross this and continue on down the river, again more WW fun, skirting Ambleside, pause for a quick surf on a super little wave below the weir here, then continue into the River Brathay, past the roman castle, and finally you pop out onto the vast

expanse of Windermere and a busy maritime scene of yachts and steamers.Take out here at Waterhead for a trip that has an amazing diversity and is a hugely brilliant paddle! (See Canoe & Kayak Guide to N.W.England for more information).

What’s my favourite longer trip?

“I started paddling some 50 years ago, and soon realised that I loved long multi-day trips. I have since spent a dissolute life, running major rivers around the world. The question is often asked, ‘Pete, of all these amazing rivers – what was your favourite trip?’ Well, it wasn’t some epic Himalayan first descent – my ‘best trip’ has to be an open canoe trip we did down the Mountain River in Canada in 2007. All of our small team voted this our ‘best trip of a lifetime’. Check it out on the internet and put it on your dream bucket list!”

James River, Virginia, USA

Andy Lee Above: Photo by Andy Lee Outdoors, lining my Swift Raven Royalex solo canoe through Jackson Falls on the headwaters of the James River of Virginia.

“The mighty James River of Virginia is five miles wide and 200 feet deep as she enters Chesapeake Bay on her way to the Atlantic. She spawned a nation from the first settlement at Jamestown Island and now hosts naval shipyards, navy bases, army bases, major cities and charming villages.

“She has survived naval battles, floods, droughts, pollution and exploitation to become America’s home river.

“Her beginnings in the Allegheny Highlands in far western Virginia are far more humble.

Beginning at a spring fed farm pond she forms a mountain stream barely deep enough for canoeing. As she makes her way to the sea she has something for every level of canoeist. Lovely flat water sections, blue ribbon trout and smallmouth bass fishing, boisterous rapids like Balcony Falls, Choo Choo, Z Dam, Pipeline and the world famous Hollywood before she arrives at the Richmond Falls Line and turns tidal.

“Only a handful of paddlers have ever paddled all 500 miles to the sea. We treasure the James River and her headwaters rivers Jackson and Cowpasture. Famous tributaries with fantastic canoeing include Craigs Creek, Maury River, Johns Creek, Rockfish River, Hardware River, Slate River. Paddling for everyone.”

#13

www.andylee outdoors.com

Below: Mountain River. Bottom: James River

Grasmere plus paddlers into the Rothay

Above: Photo used by permission of Cate Clifton, www.RVAPaddlesports.com, Richmond, Virginia, shows Thomas Pollard paddling his Esquif Nitro in Choo Choo Rapid, below the American Coast Railroad bridge over the James River.

Left: Photo by Andy Lee Outdoors, hammock camping with my Swift Raven Royalex solo canoe on the headwaters of the James River of Virginia.

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#14 Great Slave Lake,NWT,Canada

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Pete Marshall

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been able to paddle some of the most stunning areas of the north. From the Moise and South Nahanni rivers, to the waterways of the Yukon and rivers running into the Arctic Ocean, it’s impossible to say which one is my favourite.They’re all unmatched. How can I claim a favourite? But I do…

“I’ve been to the east arm of the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories twice and both times was overwhelmed by what is surly the most perfect place in the world to put a canoe. Here thousands of islands rise from the deep cold waters.

“Small trees cling to the thin soil and lichen covers the ancient, orange rock. I could spend a perfect summer hopping from one island to another, exploring the bays and rivers that flow into this cold, stony body of water and spend my nights watching the aurora borealis flicker over the water.”

Gatineau River, Quebec, Canada

Becky Mason

Becky paddling on the Gatineau River.

Photo: Reid McLachlan

“I get this question a lot. It's a tough one, especially if you steer clear of trite answers like “my next trip”. As I consider it I find myself thinking about my local watersheds. Which brings me to the river that flows past our house: the Gatineau River, or Te-nagàdino-zìbi in Algonquin

“Initially, perhaps I didn't appreciate my river enough – after all I was off on exotic paddling adventures. However, slowly over many years she has become part of me. I have paddled many of her tributaries and some, but not all, of her 360km length. Her waters now flow deep within me. I have felt all of her moods, travelled on her in every season and seen many of her charms.

“In my travels I've witnessed what is done to rivers in the name of progress. The Gatineau has not escaped this fate; she has been dammed, logged, polluted and abused in innumerable ways. But many that love rivers have stepped forward. These people form groups. These groups take action. This action makes change. This change protects our local rivers. So I urge all paddlers; take a second look at your local waterways, get out there and explore them, enjoy them, and protect them!”

#15 Becky is a major contributor on the redcanoes website offering all types of advice on canoeing at: www.redcanoes.ca

Below: Great Slave Lake. Bottom: Gatineau River

Above: Becky teaching her classic canoeing course on the Gatineau River near her home.

Photo: Reid McLachlan

Left: Becky Mason and her husband Reid McLachlan running Cedar Rapids at Gatfest on Upper Gatineau River. Photo: John Foster

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#16 Thunderhead Prong of the…

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Paul Mason

“I’m always experimenting with the transition zone from water to rock. Normally a canoeist would not consider this zone a viable paddling area. However, choose the right shaped rock, a little water, add gradient and all kinds of new lines open up down a rapid.

For more info on Paul and his coaching and courses see: www.canoeinstruction.co

“That is my recipe for a great day of open boat, low flow creeking. My favourite venue would be the Thunderhead Prong of the Upper Treemont in Tennessee. It’s a walk up and if you walk up too far, it’s even better. Almost no water, rounded rocks, it’s like skiing moguls… but in a canoe.”

Paul scrub on the Upper Tellico.

Photo: Jimmy MacDonald

Lake Superior, Canada & USA

Jonathan Ontario

“A few years ago, I could have only hemmed and hawed about a favourite amongst the hundreds of lakes and rivers my canoe has floated on over the years. However, after moving to the north shore of Lake Superior in 2018, the answer comes in a heartbeat.

“Azure waters with 30-foot visibility, wild and rugged coastline, innumerable bays, islands, and tributaries to explore and truly world-class trout fishing – the most vast lake in the world is a seemingly never-ending play land for paddlers.

“Of course, a great lake such as Superior requires extreme caution with its year-round frigid temperatures and wave heights regularly exceeding a metre or more, but, when the waters cooperate, there’s nothing better for me than the big lake.”

#17 Jonathan Ontario, Backcountry Angling Ontario

www.youtube.com/back countryanglingontario

Below: Paul ‘Knife Edge’ on the Moose River, NY state. Photo by Alex Guimont. Bottom: Lake Superior

UpperTreemont inTennessee, USA

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#18 River Soar, Leicestershire, UK

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Andy Oughton

Photo: Marin Aldridge

“Well, what a tough choice, of all the wonderful places I have had the privilege to paddle, with some amazing folk.The places and people are hugely important in my recollections of canoeing trips and adventures that I have enjoyed.

“Choosing my favourite has to bring me back home, to my playground as a child, the first place I paddled as a Scout, the river best known in every season and at every level. It is the River Soar, Leicestershire’s finest, paddleable from Jubilee Park in the south and flowing 32 miles north to join the Trent.

“As a canalised navigation, it offers a great variety of paddling loops using the original water cause and sections of ‘navi built’ canal. It has industrial heritage, towns, hamlets and open flood plans, always something of interest. It can be gritty and urban but equally, in the early morning light out towards Coats Mill or Normanton, it can have the tranquil beauty of any river I know. It should be on everyone’s touring wish list along with all the other iconic rivers such as the Wye and Tweed.

#19

“It is a river that I have in my blood, the bacteria probably literally. I have enjoyed working with groups of all ages at the outdoor pursuits centre on its banks. I paddled the Quorn Loop, sometimes, twice daily when I worked at Beaumanor Hall. In partnership with the Canal & River Trust I have enjoyed developing the Soar Tour Trail (www.soartour.org.uk), one of the first projects to benefit from the ‘Friends of the Trust Fund’.

As the chair of PaddlePlus Canoe Club, I have introduced hundreds of people to paddling on the Soar, many going on to experience many other rivers but still regard the Soar as their home waters.”

Rannoch Crossing, Scotland

Dave Rossetter Read Dave’s full story on the Rannoch Crossing at: https://paddlerezine.com/ rannoch-crossing-byopen-canoe/

“The amazing Rannoch Crossing is an absolute favourite. Connecting multiple stunning highland lochs with some amazing rivers it is quite simply a canoeists paradise! From the high wet moorland, all the way to the sea, combining all the skills required to travel it is truly awesome!”

Dave provides expert advice throughout the industry on all things to do with coaching, safety, leadership and personal paddling. He is passionate about all things paddling. www.glenmore lodge.org.uk

Below: Abbey Park. Photo: Shaun Monkman. Bottom: Garbh Ghaoir

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#20 Loch Sunart, Lochaber, UK

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Colin Skeath

“If I had to choose just one place to paddle for the rest of my life it would be Loch Sunart. Around 19 miles long and off the beaten track it provides peace and tranquillity and a constantly changing, beautiful vista.

“It is coastal and as I paddle blissfully along I'm regularly surprised by glimpses of otters, seals and porpoises breaking nearby or an eagle soaring. Where the loch opens out, I feel a sense of exposure as I’m drawn into this wild landscape. I feel connected to the sea and the possibilities of adventure.”

Far right: Katrina Loch Sunart Main: Loch Sunart looking towards Beinn Resipol Right: sailing a 15' prospector on Loch Sunart

Only Fools & White Horses is available at: https://source2-sea.co.uk/our-book/ It will also be available online through Amazon and all major book stores from the end of May.

Carinthia, Austria

Greg Spencer

“A road trip to Kärnten (Carinthia) should perhaps be on everyone's bucket list. One route enters through the incredible Lienz Dolomites following a road trip up the legendary Ötztaler Ache (site of Sickline).

“Another takes in the Großglockner High Alpine Road (beneath the highest mountain in Austria) and allows a detour to the Pasterze Glacier: the longest in the Eastern Alps.

Alternatives include approaching through Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Italian Dolomites or even Kranjska Gora in the Julian Alps of Slovenia.

“Carinthia nestles between all of the above. It stretches either side of the mighty River Drau (Drava) and its mightiest tributary, the Gail (Zilja) along the border separating Austria from Italy and Slovenia. The most spectacular jewel of this Austria wonderland is Weißensee: a seven-mile long glacial lake perched high in the mountains. This is ‘the white lake’ – so named for the colour of the water, which comes from the chalk in the surrounding limestone alps.

“Weißensee remains our favourite spot, but elsewhere in Carinthia, we find literally thousands of lakes. Our favourites include Faaker See, Packer Stausee and Längsee. It’s not ‘canoe country’ for hard-as-nails expeditions, but the whole region has got a magic which keeps drawing us back!”

#21 Greg is an open canoe advocate associated with events and initiatives across Europe, in everything from steep creek racing to canoe sailing.

Below: Loch Sunart. Bottom: River Drau, Carinthia

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#22 Yukon River, Canada & USA

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MartinTrahan

“From May 19th to July 27th 2016 (70 days), i was part of the Pull of the North expedition. We paddled the mighty Yukon River (3,200 kilometres - 2,000 miles) from Lake Bennett (British-Columbia, Canada) to its mouth in the Bering Sea (Alaska, USA).

“The team was documenting the story of the many native communities that still live along the river and how the modern world and shifting environment were changing their traditional ways of living on the river.

Adventurer – long distance canoeist

Banff Mountain Film Festival ambassador / Quebec Tour

Instagram: @martin_trahan_canoeist

“The Yukon River provided majestic scenery and landscapes of great beauty. The snowcapped mountains, the clear water, lush fauna and flora have made me experience strong emotions. What we saw after each bend was always a surprise and wonderful. I loved the sense of freedom of being out there in the wilderness in a very remote place. Life on the Yukon River was so easy and I miss it.

#23

“The glorious midnight sun allowed us to travel any time of the day. We were never stressed to find a camping spot before night falls. There were lots of grizzly bears and the most vicious mosquitoes and black flies but we got used to it.”

Photos: Jay Kolsch

Loch Moidart, Highland, UK

Angela Ward

“Loch Moidart is a wonderful place and holds very special memories for me. At the end of the River Shiel, Loch Moidart can be accessed by either lining the canoes down the tidal drop or by paddling straight onto the Loch, depending on the tide.

“Being able to travel effortlessly from fresh water onto sea water at high tide meant that we soon accessed the south channel and as darkness was falling, found a perfect location on the shores of Faodhail Dubh to set up our tipi base camp. The following day, we were greeted by clear blue skies and glassy calm waters.

“Cruising along in the warm spring sunshine, we were afforded stunning views across to the snow-capped islands of Port Mor, Eigg and Rhum. At one point, we were followed by a solitary inquisitive seal as we journeyed towards the ruins of Castle Tioram, which was the highlight of a perfect day.

“I think that’s one of the wonders of coastal paddling. There’s very much a feeling of the sea being a dynamic life force. The scenery changes with the ebb and flow of the tides and there is the surreal opportunity to walk on seaweed-strewn land when the seabed meets the sky.

“This is the magic of Moidart.”

All photos by Adam Evans

Read about Angela’s full expedition on the Moidart at: https://paddlerezine.com /moonlight-on-moidart/

Below: Martin on the Yukon. Bottom: Angela on Loch Moidart. Photo : Adam Evans

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#24 Scottish Highlands, UK

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Graham Warren

“My favourite waters are those small streams that permeate the Scottish Highlands and provide vital links between larger waterways for the enthusiastic canoe tripper.

“They make possible some spectacular and challenging canoe routes, and give access to some of the more widely spaced and ruggedly beautiful lochs. There is a thrill in bringing a canoe route into existence from a first tentative look at the tiny blue lines, gradients and contours on the map.

Graham runs Moosehead Canoe and Paddles website at: www.moosehead canoes.co.uk

“Often you have to trust your imagination to bridge the gaps where the blue lines end.

Such routes provide a sense of adventure that I simply do not get from paddling on lochs or rivers alone. Following these linking streams is constantly interesting; sometimes wading, sometimes straddling your boat, lining, punting, reading the stream’s intricacies in order to get through once more to open water.They lead you to hidden, secret places far from the crowds, and foster a subtle and intimate appreciation of the wild.

#25

“They show that bigger is not necessarily better. My most memorable link-up was down the Gleannan Salach stream, which with just inches of water floated us a full mile on the journey from Inchnadamph to Clashnessie and the sea.”

Bloodvein River, Manitoba, Canada

Hap Wilson

“After paddling and charting over 100 great Canadian rivers, this is a most difficult choice for me. Many of these rivers I’ve paddled multiple times; the Lady Evelyn in Temagami, where our Ecolodge is located, I’ve probably paddled more than 200 times, both directions and never tired of its magnificence.

“There are wonderful whitewater rivers, like the Coppermine in NWT or the Pigeon in Manitoba but… if I were add up all the nuances that make a river rise above the current, it has to have the following attributes: 1. Challenging whitewater in all three seasons; 2. A rich First Nations cultural contribution; 3. Fabulous campsites that offer good fishing, easy access, fun rapid play-time, level tent-sites and available firewood; 4. Remoteness and moderately low traffic; 5. A viable provincial duty-of-care stewardship; 6. Unparalleled aesthetics.

“Not many rivers, even in Canada, can offer all of these in one package; some rivers come very close mind you, but the one that stands out for me is the Bloodvein River in north-central Manitoba. It drops 350 feet from the highlands of Ontario, flowing 225 kilometres into Lake Winnipeg.

“That translates into more than 80, ‘pool-and-drop’ rapids. You can access the headwaters from distant points, but most people opt to fly in from the village of Bisset. It’s one river of many great rivers that flow into the east side of Lake Winnipeg.”

Below: Andrew Birdsall and Mike Morris in the Highlands. Bottom: Hap on the Bloodvein

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ECUADOR T H E

R E A L

but it’s under threat…

Words Stephanie Gloutney Photos: Jeremy Snyder The first time I ever left my country, Canada, I travelled to a place I thought I’d never go.

A place that is home to some of earth’s most important and fragile ecosystems. It sets the scene for biodiversity with over 5,490 species of mammals alone and countless birds, reptiles and plants (Ecuador Environmental Issues & Resource Extraction).

This region, packed full of rich and diverse culture; found directly on the Equator in the south west corner of South America, is known as Ecuador and the Amazon rainforest. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit this unique country twice and surprisingly have had two very different experiences. Upon my first visit, I was in the country for a tenday guided tour. Our tour guide, Ivan, was a local who was extremely passionate about his country and eager to show us all the gems it possesses. I had a wonderful time and was given one view of Ecuador: an exotic place full of wildlife and culture.

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colourful markets I was brought to

filled with people who were proud of their culture. I experienced the hospitality of an entire village that took my group in and made us part of their community for three days. They were selfless and offered us everything they had as our own. They arranged a festival while we were there, and we played a four-hour long soccer game and attempted to learn each other’s language. Then we ventured into the rainforest to experience the place I’d thought I’d only ever see on Green Planet or through National Geographic. A wild and exotic place that possessed leaves as tall as the average person and ant

nests the size of two basketballs. Although I had a personalized experience, I was given the typical tourist treatment in some ways.

By this I mean, that when we drove over landscapes we were told about the mountains and their history, but never would our tour guide mention the leaking oil pipeline running across this scenic view, or the fact that the mountains used to be covered in trees and now had been clearcut for farming. THAT would have ruined the view.

THE SECOND TIME

The second time I travelled to Ecuador, I was there for six weeks with the World Class Kayak Academy, a travelling whitewater kayaking high school. This was a completely different visit from my first, as I was there with a different purpose. I was not there to be a typical tourist – I was there to be a kayak tourist and explore the country’s rivers. I was about to be immersed in its culture and see Ecuador in a raw, more exposed state.

I kayaked down a river during a flash flood and went to places that only a very small portion of the world

will ever go. Although I could go on for hours about all of my experiences from this trip, I think that perhaps just recounting one memory may be more meaningful: the day I spent on the Piatua River. Now as far as Ecuador whitewater goes, the Piatua has been a hot topic lately, but I’ll get to that later.

On the weekends, my school would venture farther away from our camp and explore new rivers. During one of our weekends my school decided to drive up a gravel road in our big bus towards the Piatua River put-in.

The Piatua River is situated in the Napo Province of the Amazon rainforest and the river itself is in the jungle away from towns and cities. On our drive up there were a lot of places where I thought for sure we were going to have to get out and push the bus up the steep hills, but our bus driver got us there. Once we arrived, we began to put on our gear as we ate fresh pineapples and wafer cookies.

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Once we were all set

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and no longer hungry, we got briefed. I could see that our teachers wanted us all on our A game as we were more isolated from society, roads, and hospitals than usual.While walking down to the river itself, I realized the Piatua was a river that is truly in the rainforest.When standing on its bank you can easily get lost in its beauty and completely forget about society and all the comforts we’ve created for ourselves.

Upon putting on the river I was told by a local that it had rained the night before so today would be a snake day and that everything I’d ever heard about the rainforest (giant spiders and ants, venomous snakes, etc) was true and to watch out on the shores if I got out of my boat. Our teachers had machetes in their kayaks so in case of a flash flood we could bushwhack our way away from the river and through the dense jungle.

With all of that in mind, we pushed off the shore and started downstream. It was a continuous river full of boulder gardens and boofs, a paddler’s paradise, our paradise for the day. Part way down the river, one of my friends was pulling on a vine that was hanging off an overhanging tree over the river. The local we were paddling with yelled from across the river, “Don’t pull on that! You’ll either drop a snake on yourself or pull the whole tree over.” All day I felt as though we were in some sort of illusion, it was hard to believe when you looked around that it was even real. I’d never been to such an incredible place before, it truly did look like something out of a movie.

A COMMON LOVE

The day turned out to be much longer and hotter than we’d expected. I had not brought enough water and we were all exhausted, dehydrated, and hungry. That however, did not change a thing, this river was too epic to be mad or bothered by any of that. As we got to the take out, there were tons of people on the shores swimming, jumping off the bridge and swinging off a rope swing. Music was blaring and I felt a connection with all these people, as we all shared a common love for the river and the country itself. This was by far one of the best days of my life.

As I took off the river that day I was handed a Piatua Libre sticker and was reminded as to why I was there in the first place. I was not there just to go paddling, I was there protesting.Yes, that day my school was paddling to help save this beautiful place. The Piatua is threatened by a hydroelectric project. This hydro project would have been built right at the beginning of the Piatua paddling section and would have deprived this portion of the river of 90% of its flow. This in turn would have had grave impacts for the paddling tourism in this part of the country and left the river as an ancestral heritage site rather than a valuable resource.

Alongside this, the communities that depend on the river would have suffered from minimal water flow. It is important to remember that Ecuador is a growing country with expanding energy demands and thus must find ways to support these demands. However, the dam proposed would not have produced near as much power as promised, and would have been a costly investment (“Ecuador ‘must promote hydroelectric projects,’ minister says,” 2019).

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A BATTLEGROUND

Alongside this, Ecuador has a grand potential for hydro electric power and does not need to dam rivers that are already well defined paddling destinations (M.Terry, 2019). This issue is not one that is unique. All over the world, free flowing rivers are being dammed without proper means of research to determine whether or not the dams will actually produce the energy promised. The fight to save the Piatua became a battleground to fight for not only this one essential sanctuary, but all the other free flowing rivers in Ecuador as well.

Thankfully the hydro project proposed on the Piatua has been suspended for the time being, however, the fight to preserve this and other thousands of precious habits, tributaries, ecosystems, and water systems in Ecuador and the rest of the world still continues. The Piatua case is still under evaluation and a final verdict as to whether it will be preserved as a free-flowing watershed still is yet to be determined by the courts.

It will most likely be one to two years before the final decision is made on this subject (M.Terry, 2019).

Whenever, I look at my Piatua Libre sticker, I am reminded that day could very well have been the first and last time I ever paddled this river. I think of all the beauty and value that would have been flooded and deprived of resources for hydro. This was Ecuador in a raw state. This was different from the first Ecuador I visited, it was an Ecuador that was equally as beautiful, an Ecuador that at that moment was free and a place for all to be free at the Piatua Libre.

WORKS CITED:

Ecuador “must promote hydroelectric projects,� minister says. (2019, September 2). Retrieved from https://www.hydroreview.com/2019/02/07/ecuad or-must-promote-hydroelectric-projectsminister-says/

Ecuador Environmental Issues & Resource Extraction (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.anywhere.com/ecuador/travelguide/environmental-issues

M. Terry, personal communication, December 10, 2019

protect yourself from the elements www.liquidsports.co.uk

Members invited to British Canoeing Roadshow Read more on page 6

Kim Woods’ journey into Canoe Slalom Read more on page 11

Could you inspire other women to Paddle?

Read more on page 17

Photo Credit: David Townend

Early Spring 2020

In partnership with

We are the everyday explorers, living life outdoors.

Let our experience inspire yours and discover expert adventure.

15% discount for British Canoeing members

Trusted by our partners since 1974 cotswoldoutdoor.com Full T&Cs apply. Please see online for details. Offer expires 31.12.20.

Let’s go somewhere

Contents

3

Featured interview

Welcome Welcome

4

Kimberly Woods

11

News News

5

Kimberly Woods p11

Go Paddling!

News p5

Membership Members invited to British Canoeing Spring Roadshow

6

Stronger Together Highlights

7

Get Ready for Go Paddling 2020!

14

#shepaddles Club Champion Funding Announced

16

Could you inspire other women to Paddle?

17

Could you inspire other women to Paddle? p17

British Canoeing Spring Roadshow p6

Coaching and Leadership British Canoeing Awarding Body announces the NEW Performance Coach Award

Feature 8

Upcoming Events The Tay Descent Returns for 2020!

20

What’s On?

21

Adventure Malawi Kayaking Disaster p8

Top five places to explore by boat in North Wales

22

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

Malawi Kayaking Disaster

18

4

Welcome This is a big year in so many ways: it is Olympic and Paralympic Year, we are hosting the European Slalom Championships at Lee Valley, hosting the Freestyle World Cup in Nottingham and beginning to put together our next set of milestones and targets as we refresh our Strategic Plan. It is also the year of opportunity for our Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign to get real traction and action.

The countdown to Tokyo has well and truly begun.

For those selected, their winter training camps and hard work has been focused to ensure that everyone is in the best shape possible. With all boats qualified for Slalom, most Paracanoe boats qualified and Liam Heath assured for Sprint, there is a lot to play for early in the season as we seek to secure final and further sprint boats. I am confident of further success with our paddlers’ dedication deserving of reward.

We are well on track for the events we are hosting and what an exciting spectacle there is in store.

We would love to have as many of our members supporting our paddlers so please get your tickets early and come along to support our team in full voice. The World Cup Freestyle in Nottingham is a precursor to the World Championships in 2021.

We shall host those World Championships on the 35th anniversary of the White Water course opening in 1986. It will be something special.

One thing we are assured of in our community is the discovery of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things and it is always a delight to showcase them in Canoe Focus. This edition is no exception with Alex Hill’s amazing (almost disastrous) paddle in Africa leading to a wonderful educational legacy. The way Alex turned adversity into positive action is a lesson to us all. Another extraordinary person featured here is Kimberley Woods – a fine ambassador for our sport and a genuine medal prospect for Tokyo. So often and in so many ways extraordinary paddlers do extraordinary things so if you have a story - let us hear it.

To continue to serve our members well and to provide and extend opportunities we need to ensure that we are clear in our ambition and efficient in our execution.

We want to be ‘best in class’ at serving our diverse membership and we need to assure ourselves that what we are seeking to do is what you value. As we refresh our plans and look to build upon current achievements we hope that as many members as possible will attend the ‘roadshows’ listed during March and April. We have tried to ensure a geographical spread to make it as easy as possible for people to attend. Please come along – your voice is vital to help us shape the future you want.

This is an exciting year in prospect – make sure you are fully part of it.

Good paddling, Professor John Coyne CBE Chair British Canoeing

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

N E WS

Receive regular updates plus exclusive discounts for our partner products with a British Canoeing membership.

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

ICF Paracanoe Committee hosted

by British Canoeing British Canoeing were pleased to have hosted the ICF Paracanoe Committee meeting in London in January. As part of our international relations programme, supported by UK Sport, British Canoeing hosted Committee members from all continents for the annual face to face meeting followed by the Classification Sub-Committee meeting.

Not only is the hosting of such meetings important in us playing our part to support the ICF but it provided the opportunity for British Canoeing representatives to informally meet with ICF Paracanoe delegates to build relationships and collectively discuss our sport.

Energy Generator Hire to power British Canoeing Events British Canoeing has announced that Energy Generator Hire has been appointed as an event partner for three of its major events over the next 18 months.

Award winning Eilidh Gibson selected onto groundbreaking programme Canoe Slalom athlete Eilidh Gibson has been announced as one of 40 participants to take part in a unique campaign led by women’s sports charity, the Women’s Sport Trust.

Angela Hannah retires from competitive canoeing Two-time Olympian Angela Hannah has announced her retirement from competitive racing after a fantastic career in Canoe Sprint. www.britishcanoeing.org. uk/news/2020/two-timeolympian-angela-hannahretires

Two golds for GB Ocean Racing Team GB’s Ocean Racing team picked up a fantastic two gold medals as they competed at the 2020 Ocean Racing World Cup in Lanzarote.

On a 40km ocean course where over 200 competitors from 19 countries were in action across the events, Tom Mason picked up gold in the 60-64 category and Jon White also won gold in the para race - backing up his silver medal won at the 2019 World Championships. www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/ news/2020/two-world-cup-gold-forgbs-ocean-racing-team

New Coaching Podcasts Launched British Canoeing Awarding Body is pleased to share the NEW Coaching Podcast which explore different coaching topics with the Coach Developers from British Canoeing, with the aim of helping you develop your coaching practice.

Lee Pooley, Sid Sinfield and Pete Catterall host episodes talking about all things coaching. The team will explore a range of topics and invite guests to join them in various episodes. www.britishcanoeingawarding. org.uk/resource/britishcanoeing-coaching-podcast/

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

Energy Generator Hire will provide high quality event equipment for the ECA 2020 European Canoe Slalom Championships at Lee Valley White Water Centre as well as the 2020 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup and the 2021 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championship, both of which will be held in Nottingham at the National Water Sports Centre.

5

6

Members invited to British Canoeing Spring Roadshow British Canoeing is inviting members to attend consultation events, being held across the country this spring, to help us shape the next strategic plan for paddle sport.

For further information please email info@britishcanoeing. org.uk

The roadshow will visit 14 locations in March and April and aim to provide members with an opportunity to: > Hear about the progress made towards the ambitions within the current four-year strategic plan, Stronger Together > Comment on what should be included in the next strategic plan for 2021-25 > Meet with and raise questions with British Canoeing CEO David Joy, senior staff and Board Members

Please register your attendance in advance for the events. To register: britishcanoeing. formstack.com/forms/ stronger_together

> All events start at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7pm.

Date

City/Town

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Tuesday 17 March*

Maidstone

Wednesday 18 March

Aldershot

Thursday 19 March

Lee Valley

Monday 23 March

Birmingham

Tuesday 24 March

Northampton

Tuesday 31 March

Liverpool

Wednesday 1 April

Stockton-on-Tees

Thursday 2 April

Kendal

Tuesday 7 April

Castleford

Wednesday 8 April

Nottingham

Tuesday 14 April

Bristol

Wednesday 15 April

St Austell

Thursday 16 April

Bournemouth

Wednesday 22 April

Norwich

Venue Maidstone Canoe Club Mill Meadow, St Peter’s St, Maidstone ME16 0SN * New date to replace Friday 20 March Runway’s End Outdoor Centre 1 Forge Lane, Aldershot GU11 2RE Lee Valley White Water Centre Station Road, Waltham Cross EN9 1AB Ackers Adventure Golden Hillock Road, Birmingham B11 2PY Nene White Water Centre Bedford Road, Northampton NN4 7AA Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre | Crosby Coastal Park Cambridge Rd, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 1RR Billingham Forum | The Causeway Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees TS23 2LJ Kendal Wall | The Lakeland Climbing Centre Unit 27, Lake District Business Park, Kendal LA9 6NH Greywood Hall Altofts Lane, Whitwood, Castleford WF10 5PZ British Canoeing Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, NG12 2LU Canoe Avon | Saltford Rowing Centre Bath Road, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3JS St Austell Arts Centre 87 Truro Road, St Austell PL25 5HJ Poole Harbour Canoe Club 33 Newmans Close, Wimborne BH21 1XA Norwich Canoe Club Whitlingham Lane, Norwich NR14 8TR

Stronger Together Highlights

Our membership categories have been updated we launched our new membership platform

Since Stronger Together was launched in March 2017 great progress has been made across our 11 ambitions and 67 action plans. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Go Canoeing was rebranded to Go Paddling and we launched the new Go Paddling website

7

Over 250 international medals across the competition disciplines have been won

Our Star Awards have been reviewed and the new Personal Performance Awards have been launched

We’ve published 175 Canoes Trails and our online resource Paddlepoints is now available for you to find places to paddle.

Our Clear Access Clear Waters Campaign launched in Westminster

We have recruited 20 #ShePaddles ambassadors

We secured the rights to host five international events between 2019 and 2023

Member communications have improved in satisfaction rates annually since 2017

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

New e-learning opportunities have been established with 46,000 coach engagements since 2019

8

Malawi Kayaking disaster It was a kayaking expedition that went wrong and nearly cost a young man his life.

Now he’s thanking the villagers who saved him by building a brand new nursery school for the small village of Chazuka in Malawi.

With no previous experience of paddling, it was an ambitious aim for Cheshire born Alex Hill to kayak the length of the three Great Lakes of Africa. The windy season had just begun and Lake Malawi was producing swells of up to 15 foot high. Despite the advice of the local people, ever the optimist Alex, continued with his mission and launched his boat into the water.

The blissful scenario of paddling a serene lake didn’t last long. Violent waters exploded around his boat, spinning him in all directions and flooding the insides of his yak. Forced to abandon ship, Alex had no choice but to try and swim back to the safety of the shore.

Washed up on the sands of the Malawian fishing village, Chazuka, Alex was met by a gaggle of startled children.

Trying to ease their fears of his surprise arrival, Alex sought to befriend the villagers. Soon he was kicking a ball crafted from recycled plastic bags and string around with the children, and unbeknownst to him, was being taken under the wing of the locals.

As the evening of his ordeal came around Alex was invited to dinner with the village Chief who formally introduced him to his people.

“I was made to feel safe and protected by the kind and generous people” he said.

For the six months following his near-fatal expedition, Alex stayed in the village, which would soon become his second home, immersing himself in the community and learning the local language of Chichewa.

Wanting to return the kindness of the people of Chazuka, Alex began teaching the children English underneath the shade of a mango tree. It was only when a young man came to Alex to ask if he could be a teacher at Alex’s school, that he realised he had somehow unintentionally begun a school in the village.

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

9

In the three years since, Alex has worked with the local community to build The Chazuka School, which officially opened its doors in February 2019 providing education to 25 pupils and work for two teachers, who have become role-models to the young children.

The school belongs to the community and aims to empower the children and families of Chazuka, to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence, to create lifechanging opportunities for themselves.

Over the last year, Alex has been lucky enough to build a strong team of dedicated volunteers and trustees and in November 2019, the team achieved recognition as an official, registered U.K. charity. Known as The Chazuka Project, they provide strategic and financial support to the school.

The team has ambitious goals for 2020. There is still some building work to be completed, uniforms to provide and educational resources to buy. Providing access to clean water is a top priority as currently the school staff have a 40 minute round trip to collect water for the children. A recent trip to Malawi enabled the team to build relationships with key stakeholders in the region and a focus on creating a progression pathway for the children to progress their education after nursery is being established.

Alex never set out to start a charity; it was all rather accidental, serendipitous perhaps. It came from a genuine desire to return the love the village people had shown him, but he hasn’t looked back.

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

Find out more at: thechazukaproject .org

The Chazuka Project, alongside The Chazuka School now stands as a beacon of hope in the village as education gives a child a brighter future.

Presented by

presented by

briishcanoeingevents.org.uk

11

Kimberley Woods has been a member of the British Canoe Slalom teams since 2012, has won a total of nine individual international medals and has been part of the World Championship gold medal winning team three times. With a home European Championships in May and the Tokyo Olympics in July, this summer is set to be huge.

We sat down with Kim to find out about her journey into the sport.

“I got into the sport after being inspired by my auntie who was a paddler and won a silver medal at the 1994 Junior World Championships. I used to watch videos of her racing and as soon as I could swim I was allowed in a boat and was hooked.”

What are you looking forward to the most about the European Championships?

What does it mean to you when you see spectators cheering you on?

“It means a lot. To see so much interest in the sport is amazing – and shows how much it’s growing. I hope the European Championships will inspire even more people to get involved whether it’s kids taking part or parents becoming volunteers.”

“The atmosphere. It was incredible at the World Cup last year, competing on home soil is always a special feeling. We are truly grateful for the support we receive from UK Sport and the National Lottery to fund these events. Racing at home gives us a huge advantage over other nations.”

Tickets are on sale now at britishcanoeingevents .org.uk

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

Watch Kimberley in action at the 2020 ECA European Canoe Slalom Championships, presented by Jaffa

WHAT MAKES AN

ADVENTURE?

“I first got into paddling through the Scouts.

Ten years later, I now have my own boat and help to introduce more people to the sport.”

Jaye Thornhill Cotswold Outdoor Store Expert Kingston upon Thames

Cotswold Outdoor know a thing or two about adventure. They’ve been preparing people to explore the great outdoors since 1974; for Store Manager Jaye, preparing for an adventure out on the water is what he does best.

If you’re looking for advice, inspiration or the right kit before heading out on the water, speak to the experts at Cotswold Outdoor and receive 15% off the very best brands as a member of British Canoeing. Read the full interview and learn more about Jaye’s paddling journey at cotswoldoutdoor.com

“Adventure is really just about trying something new and exploring somewhere you’ve never been before, especially with friends who are like-minded.”

01.

The right kit

Jaye’s paddling essentials Salomon Speedcross 4 GTX Shoes Available in men’s and women’s

Rab Nucleus Pull-On Fleece Available in men’s and women’s

Icebreaker base layers Available in men’s and women’s

Lifesystems Waterproof First Aid Kit Black Diamond Headtorch Exped Drybags

We’ve been where you’re going cotswoldoutdoor.com

In partnership with

02.

LOGO

The best destination “My all-time favourite paddling experience was doing the Brent Loop in Algonquin National Park in Canada, spending 8 days out on the water with a really good team.

Going on a trip like that has taught me so much about paddling, teamwork and even myself; I will never forget it.”

03.

The perfect fit

“Working for Cotswold Outdoor has really helped me with my own outdoor adventures, especially in terms of the training I receive. That kind of experience allows me to assist customers with choosing new kit or help them to get the most out of their existing kit.”

Let’s go somewhere

14

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

15

Are you ready to Go Go Tokyo?! We’re kicking off the Olympic and Paralympic fever in style with Go Paddling Week.

From 23rd - 31st May, Go Paddling Week is your chance to get take part and experience the thrill of paddlesport in the run up to the biggest sporting event in the world.

But, you don’t need to be an athlete or even experienced on the water to get involved in Go Paddling Week. All you need is a love of the great outdoors, and the inquisitiveness to jump in a boat to explore the amazing places paddling in nature can take you.

We need to share our sport with those who share a love of adventure, the outdoors and nature. Got someone in mind? Then bring them along! This week relies on the paddling community coming together to show strength in numbers and showcase the wide variety of ways people love to paddle.

So, what do you have to do to be a part of Go Paddling Week?

The simple answer is, get in a boat and go paddling!

But we want to inspire you a little more than that, so rather than giving you a list of ideas we thought we’d let the pictures of your time at last year’s Go Paddling week do the talking….

Now it’s your turn to get creative, think outside the box and plan your paddle for Go Paddling Week 2020.

Where will you go?

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

For events, activities and adventure ideas visit: gopaddlingweek.info

16

shepaddles club Champion Funding Announced British Canoeing are excited to have secured funding for a new #ShePaddles Club Champion programme.

The funding, which comes from the Sport England Workforce Diversity Fund, provides a fantastic opportunity for clubs to engage more women and girls, particularly from BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) backgrounds.

“We are lucky to have a sport which in itself is hugely diverse. This funding gives us the chance to reach and engage with those who are currently underrepresented in paddling.’ Cadi Lambert, Go Paddling Engagement Officer The funding allows British Canoeing to extend their current #ShePaddles project into clubs, by recruiting 100 #ShePaddles Club Champions. The club champions will be mainly chosen from clubs in high population areas, such as large towns and cities. They will be taking the lead on ensuring there is excellent provision

for engaging with and developing female paddlers within their club. In return the champions will have the opportunity to qualify as a Paddlesport Instructor.

Ten of the club champions will have a further chance to take the Paddlesport Leader qualification.

“This Sport England funding allows us to develop current female club paddlers, by providing the training and assessment for a recognised British Canoeing qualification. They, in turn, will become inspiring role models for future paddlers’. Chris Earle, Head of Participation and Club Services.

Applications for the #ShePaddles Club Champion role opened on International Women’s

You can find out more about the role and apply here

Day, March 8th.

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

For events, activities and adventure ideas visit gopaddlingweek.info

17

Could you inspire other women to Paddle?

For the last two years our British Canoeing Women’s Paddling Ambassadors have been doing a fantastic job of sharing their love of paddlesport and inspiring others to do more.

We want to continue their awesome work by choosing our ten new #ShePaddles Ambassadors for 2020.

Applications opened on March 8th - International Women’s Day- and will close on Sunday 12th April.

All applicants must be available to attend the Ambassador Induction Day at the ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships at Lee Valley. You guessed it, the successful applicants get to go to the European Championships for free!

What makes a great #ShePaddles Ambassador?

Our paddling ambassadors go beyond just having a passion for paddlesport. They all have a great story to tell about why they paddle and how it has helped to change their lives.

We are looking for women with an engaging social media presence, who want to help us to grow female participation in paddlesport, both online and in their local community. It’s your chance to share your successes, failures, top tips and awesome images - we want the reality of the sport to shine through.

Whether you’re a recreational paddler, a coach or an athlete it doesn’t matter. You could have been on the water all your life or only just started on your paddling journey. Maybe your paddling compliments all your other fantastic outdoor adventures. Whatever stage you’re at, you just need to be super keen on sharing your adventures with your social media followers and love our sport!

Applications opened on March 8th International Women’s Day- and will close on Sunday 12th April.

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

To learn more about becoming an ambassador and to apply click here.

18

British Canoeing Awarding Body

announces the NEW Performance Coach Award

Ideal for experienced coaches looking to improve their coaching provision for the paddlers they work with, the new award is focused on applying sophisticated practices for the performance and long-term development of paddlers.

This new qualification follows an extensive four year review of all Coaching and Leadership awards. This included a full review of academic research, feedback from learners on the programme and an industry wide consultation.

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Aligned with the Coach Award Pathways, 21 coaching qualifications will be available within the Performance Coach qualification, across all of our main disciplines and environments.

The learning journey is personalised to every coach who undertakes the programme and as an experienced coach, you will steer the direction and focus of your learning based on the most relevant areas to you.

No workbook or portfolio will be required and support will be provided through mentoring interventions and developing your coaching in context.

During the extensive review and consultation process, the review highlighted a requirement for training and recognition of the work that Heads of Paddlesports, Chief Paddlesport Instructors and senior positions within clubs and centres carry out. Further work will be carried out to support the development and learning of individuals within these positions.

To find out more watch our video: youtu.be/f_ ipOrHY-Xo

19

British Canoeing Awarding Body will look to roll out the award from 29 June 2020. The following milestones will be completed over the coming months: February 2020

British Canoeing Awarding Body will be training the Facilitators, Mentors and Assessors

The NEW Performance Coach Award will be avail able throughout the UK

0

British Can oeing Awa rding Body and National Associatio n websites will be upd ated with course do cuments

Further updates will be promoted via the British Canoeing Awarding Body website, Delivery Centre websites and the ‘Catch up with Coaching’ newsletter.

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

29th June 2020

29th June 202

20

The Tay Descent Returns for 2020!

Scottish Canoe Association is delighted to announce the return of the Tay Descent later this year. Supported by EventScotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters events fund, the Descent forms part of Scotland’s year-long programme of events and activities aimed at shining a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape.

‘Your Tay, Your Adventure’; is a programme of events celebrating Scotland’s longest, most scenic river and all it has to offer, which the Tay Descent is part of.

First run in 2010, the Descent follows the River Tay into Perth and showcases the diverse forms of paddlesport with all types of paddlers taking part. Previous events have seen unusual crafts including coracles and 2013 was the first year which saw the use of Stand Up Paddleboards.

This year’s event will take place on the 30 August during what we hope to be a hot and sun drenched weekend! Paddlers from far and wide are invited to participate and whilst some will be out to break records, others will be taking a slower pace, enjoying the majestic scenery that the River Tay offers.

Stuart Smith, SCA CEO, said: “It is fantastic to have the Tay Descent back in the calendar - the event is such a great opportunity for paddlers to experience the Tay and celebrate the diversity of paddlesport.

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

To find out more and register your interest head to: www.canoescotland. org/tay-descent

“We look forward to welcoming paddlers from across Scotland and the UK as well as further afield, to share in this experience and are delighted to broaden our partnership with Willowgate Activity Centre. We also very much appreciate the support from EventScotland and Perth & Kinross Council to enable the Tay Descent and the wider Your Tay, Your Adventure programme of events to take place - celebrating the River Tay and Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters.”

Marie Christie, Head of Development at Visit Scotland, said:

“Scotland is the perfect stage for watersports and this exciting programme of summer events will showcase the opportunities for adventure on and around the River Tay.”

What’s On? MAR

21

Slalom Senior, U23 and Junior first round of National Selection Holme Pierrepont Sat 21st March 2020

MAR

28

British Rafting 2020 National Selections The National White Water Centre - Canolfan Dŵr Gwyn Genedlaethol

Sat 28th - Sun 29th March 2020

21

MAR

28

Sprint Regatta - Open and National Senior Championships – including Senior Sprint Selection Holme Pierrepont Sat 28th - Sun 29th March 2020

APR

4

Slalom Senior, U23 and Junior second round of National Selection Lee Valley Sat 4th - Sun 5th April 2020

APR

18

Extreme Slalom National Championships and National team selection Lee Valley Sat 18th April 2020

MAY

15

Fri 15th - Sun 17th May 2020

25

Sprint Open and National Junior and Paracanoe Championships – including Paracanoe National and Paralympic Selection Holme Pierrepont Sat 25th - Sun 26th April 2020

JUN

6

Sprint Open & National U23 Championships Holme Pierrepont Sat 6th - Sun 7thJune 2020

Canoe Focus Early Spring 2020

Slalom 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships Lee Valley White Water Centre

APR

22

Top five places to explore by boat in North Wales British Canoeing are excited to announce they are working with Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre, bringing a range of special offers and discounts for both individual members and affiliated clubs.

From preferential prices on a range of carefully selected courses, to discounts on accomodation, instruction and equipment hire, there is something for everyone at Plas y Brenin. With that in mind, get your paddles at the ready and explore with Plas y Brennin’s guide to some of the best places to paddle in North Wales...

5 great paddling routes to explore in North Wales Afon Dwyryd From Minfford to Tan Y Bwlch, this serene jaunt begins in the open and exposed countryside before winding along narrow and twisty water travelling inland. This route is perfect for paddlers of all abilities.

Craft:

Any

Technicality: Simple (keep an eye on wind direction and tides)

Bala Lake One of the biggest inland expanses of water in North Wales complete with tributaries to explore, Bala Lake is a canoeists dream to paddle around.

Craft:

Touring craft (Canoes and touring kayaks/sea kayaks)

Technicality: Simple in easy conditions, open and exposed when windy

Upper and Middle Conwy For the more experienced paddler, the River Conwy, set just outside of Betws Y Coed, has stretches of moving water up to grade five test pieces and stand-alone drops.

Craft:

Any

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Technicality: Simple touring journey (if the tides in your favour, potential for a hardcore mud wade if it’s not….)

Mawddach Estuary For confident and capable tourers the Estuary is a beautiful trip through southern Snowdonia.

Craft: Any Technicality: Confident and capable tourers

Upper Afon Mawddach For experienced paddlers the Upper Mawddach is arguably one of the most enjoyable white water trips in North Wales.

Craft:

River Craft (White water kayak or Specialist Canoe)

Technicality: Grade 4 (two drops of grade 5 one drop of grade daft)

For information about paddling trips in North Wales can be found on the Plas y Brenin website

British Canoeing Members Offer > Access to preferential prices on a range of carefully selected Plas y Brenin courses across the year > Privately book a Plas y Brenin Coach, Leader or Instructor, from just £270 for a full day out. > 10% discount on climbing and mountaineering equipment hire

Clubs can also access > Hire of Moelwyn Bunkhouse (sleeps 16) at £195 per night (usual price £276). > Train the Trainer days, or multi-day courses, tailored to meet the needs of club members.

Full details of the offers will be promoted through the British Canoeing member and clubs e-newsletters.

Check out all British Canoeing member offers: www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/membership

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ThePADDLER 101

EPIC An interview with…

Colin Skeath

ThePADDLER 102

From climbing El Capitan to the first circumnavigation of Britain by canoe…

Interview: Peter Tranter Photos: Colin Skeath, Davis Gould-Duff, Katrina Skeath and Sandra de la Comb

The first and most obvious question is how did you start out in what is a very successful career in paddling?

I was initially introduced to kayaking when I was a member of an outdoor pursuits group at school, I enjoyed it but wasn’t very good. Things changed after a trip to Harrisons Rocks, I was instantly addicted to climbing – a pursuit that completely gripped me and I could never imagine a time when I wouldn’t climb. However, in 2010 Katrina and I bought our first canoe to give us something to do when the crags were out of condition. It was great to learn new skills and see the world from a different perspective. Gradually climbing gave way to canoeing and here I am.

Leaving St Kilda.

Photo: Katrina Skeath

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ThePADDLER 104 WITH THE CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF BRITAIN IN THE BAG,WHAT DRAWS YOU TO ULTRA-LONG AND DIFFICULT EXPEDITIONS?

I think it stems back from my climbing days. I was never at the forefront of climbing and I would always be repeating routes, which was great, but I always liked the idea of doing first ascents. In canoeing this was easy as there are so many firsts to do. I think coming from a climbing background gave me a fresh perspective on the possibilities of adventures in an open canoe.

WHEN PREPARING FOR A LONG EXPEDITION IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS – WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES YOU LOOK FOR IN A FELLOW TEAM MATE CANOEIST?

A lot of what I do in a canoe isn’t technically difficult, so they don’t need to be the world’s best paddler, but what they do need is stamina – both physical and mental.

On my last big trip, Katrina and I spent 29 hours in our canoe and covered around 100 miles in open sea. We were attempting a 200-mile crossing of the North Sea from near Cleethorpes to Holland. After 60 miles, we were paddling in the pitch black of night against a strong tide and we realised that we were not going to make it – but we still needed to paddle out and selfrescue. This paddle out for us was a 40-mile slog to Cromer, in the dark across some major shipping lanes.

This would be a serious paddle for anyone, let alone two paddlers who were already spent with no back up support. There is a moment when you could panic, the land is miles away, it’s dark, you’re exhausted and there is always the possibility of being squashed by a big ship, but you need to remain calm.This is when you are really tested, when it goes wrong. My partner needs to be able to remain rational and make good decisions when the going gets tough.

WHAT’S THE MOST ENJOYABLE ENCOUNTER WITH WILDLIFE THAT YOU’VE HAD WHILST PADDLING?

WHAT CANOE AND EQUIPMENT ARE YOU USING?

If I’m paddling or sailing solo, then I’m in a Hou Prospector, but if I’m out tandem with Katrina then it’s our trusty Swift Temagami. Freebird Paddles (previously Downcreek) are my go-to paddles. I use their Big Dipper and SwanKing (a cross between the Kingfisher and Swan paddles). My expedition sailing equipment is from Solway Dory, but I also use an Endless River solo sail as a quick and easy alternative.

For clothing, I choose PeakUK.

I’m very lucky in that my local playground is the coastal waters of the west coast of Scotland. I regularly see seals and otters playing in the water or eagles soaring above me as I paddle along. I’ve had dolphins swim alongside me and seen the odd Minke Whale breach in the distance. But the best encounter for me was when Katrina and I were paddling out to St Kilda from North Uist.There was no wind but a big swell. It was hot and almost unbearable in our dry suits.

We had both been seasick and were feeling ill. Our progress was painfully slow and we were on the verge of turning around when Katrina pointed out to sea and shouted, “Colin, look, there’s a shark… or a whale… or something,” and sure enough, just 20 feet from the bow of our canoe, a Minke Whale breached the surface several times, taking our minds off our pain.This was a real moral boost for us both – we perked up, laughed at Katrina calling it a shark, and put more effort into our paddling until we reached our destination.

https://source-2-sea.co.uk

Paddling on the Caledonian Canal.

Photo: Katrina Skeath

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Launching from Happisburgh on the UK circumnavigation.

Photo: Katrina Skeath)

To have an idea of a journey on a map and then to turn it into reality is really satisfying. But I also love the freedom, not just of travelling but of decisionmaking. When Davis and I were on the tip of Anglesey on our UK circumnavigation, we chose to cross to the Isle of Man and then to Northern Ireland. This was our decision, no one told us to do it, there was no precedent. This is a freedom, which is found in all aspects of canoeing, from crossing a loch in a strong wind or going down a grade 3 rapid – you make the decisions.

WHAT’S THE ONE FAVOURITE PIECE OF CAMPING KIT YOU COULDN’T DO WITHOUT? I love my True North Big Tarp. It is superb. If I can, I’ll use this instead of a tent.

IF YOU COULD CAPTURE JUST ONE ‘FEEL GOOD’ MOMENT IN YOUR TIME PADDLING – WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Paddling around Mull with Ray Goodwin. Superb weather, stunning scenery, and good company.

https://source-2-sea.co.uk

HOW DOES OPEN CANOEING ABOVE ALL GIVE YOU SATISFACTION?

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE CONDITIONS FOR PADDLING OR ARE YOU HAPPY WITH WHATEVER MOTHER NATURE BOWLS YOUR WAY ON THE DAY?

There aren’t many conditions that I don’t like. Wild, windy days are great for canoe sailing. Bouncing along waves just on the edge of control is guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SCARED OUT THERE AND

BY WHAT?

Yes, two things can send me to jelly, one I have experienced the other I have managed to avoid but it scares me anyway.

Big ships I have experienced.They are fast, difficult to judge and they can’t see you.There is nothing more frightening than having a big ship bearing down and you don’t know if you should paddle forwards backwards or sideways to get out of its way.

The other thing that scares me is thunder storms. A big black cumulonimbus cloud threatening lightning when you are on a big open crossing and there is no escape is the stuff of nightmares. So far I’ve been lucky.

WHAT’S ON THE BUCKET LIST?

To complete the North Sea crossing with Katrina, and I want to do a big solo trip but I’m not sure yet what it will be.

YOU RETIRED FROM THE POLICE FORCE IN 2017, ANYTHING YOU MISS ABOUT POLICING ON THE FRONT LINE?

I loved my job, have some great memories and friends but have moved on and look to the future with only the occasional glance over my shoulder.

Left: Launching from Happisburgh on the UK circumnavigation. Photo: Katrina Skeath Below: Paddling to Singing Sands near Kentra Bay, Scotland. Photo: Sandra de la Comb

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Six months after buying my first canoe, I attempted the DW with a work colleague. I went on to complete this race four times.

Photo: Katrina Skeath

I started open water swimming 15 months ago. I swim three or four times a week all year round, usually in Loch Sunart. I also love to play my guitar.

I’M A PADDLER AND GOING ON A TRIP,WHERE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

The west coast of Scotland has so much to offer. Beautiful coastal paddles, white water rivers and multi-day expeditions. If I had to choose just one place - you can’t beat Loch Sunart.

https://source-2-sea.co.uk

YOU’RE AN OUTDOOR PERSON, WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN NOT PADDLING?

WHO DOES THE MORE CANOEING - YOU OR YOUR WIFE KATRINA? Paddling - about the same. Sailing – I do more.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU…

I broke my back and wrist in 1988 after falling from a climb in the Peak District and spent my time in hospital filling in my police application form.

WE HEAR YOU HAVE A BOOK COMING OUT, CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

I’m so very lucky, I live in a beautiful place surrounded by great people. I get enthusiastic about things. I love swimming and playing my guitar and there is always another canoe adventure to plan. Above all though, I have an amazing wife.

Only Fools and White Horses is the human story of Davis Gould-Duff and I making the first circumnavigation of the UK in an open canoe. It describes how Davis began the trip with only 12 days canoeing under his belt and my limited experience in a canoe. I talk of the ordeals of being caught in the huge tide races off the Pentland firth, the profound effort it took to round Flamborough Head and the relentless waves of the Thames Estuary amongst others. On a more personal level, I talk of the strain that this journey put on my relationship with Davis and the difficulties I faced.

The book gives an insight into a major expedition and the physical and mental challenges faced. Above all, I hope it shows the possibilities of the open canoe at sea.

I would like to see a kinder more tolerant world where dishonesty isn’t the new norm.

It will be available online through Amazon and all major book stores at the end of May, but it is available to buy now directly from me via the following link - https://source-2-sea.co.uk/our-book/

ARE THERE ANY ISSUES THAT STOP YOU SLEEPING AT NIGHT? Mice in our loft, they keep me awake most nights.

YOU LOOK A VERY HAPPY AND CONTENTED MAN –WHAT’S THE SECRET TO YOUR GOOD FEELING?

IF YOU WERE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE TO THE WORLD?

WHEN AND WHERE CAN PEOPLE BUY THE BOOK?

Leaving Aberdeen whilst circumnavigating the UK with Davis Gould-Duff. Photo: Katrina Skeath

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Quickies…

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

Ernest Shackleton.

Pick two celebrities to be your parents.

Homer and Marge Simpson.

Which one sportsman or woman has inspired you?

Reinhold Messner.

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

I think the neighbours would have something to say if I did. But given the chance I would belt out Georgia On My Mind.

Favourite film?

Highlander. It’s so amazingly bad, with appalling effects and a Frenchman playing a Scot and a Scot playing a Spaniard, that it’s just brilliant. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it!

Cats or dogs?

Dogs.

Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook. I just don’t get twitter.

An ideal night out for you is?

Eating curry with friends.

River Awe. Photo: Katrina Skeath

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

My Guitar.

What’s in your fridge right now?

Not a lot to be honest, we need a trip into town… milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt… just the essentials.

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

If I’m cooking it will be a Venison dinner. If Katrina’s cooking you’ll probably get a toasty.

Who are your canoeing buddies?

Katrina, Ray Goodwin, Lina Patel, Martin & Nikki Aldridge, Lennart Bal and Sandra de la Combe.

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

“Is canoeing the one with a single oar?”

Finally, any shout outs?

To Davis Gould-Duff who’s now living in Canada.

Many thanks Colin for all of your help on this – we really appreciate it.

Paddling around Ardnamurchan Point.

Photo: Colin Skeath

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FREESTYLE Introduction to

C A N O E I N G

Words: Bruce Kemp, Paul Klonowski and Marc Ornstein Photos: Bruce Kemp, Paul Klonowski, Marc Ornstein and Ray Halt

After many years of paddling on rivers and creeks, up to Class II + – and more than a few multi-day Canadian canoe trips – I figured I knew how to paddle a canoe pretty well.

Some time ago I came across freestyle canoeing, more or less by accident. My first exposure to freestyle was a short demonstration of what I later learned is called ‘interpretive freestyle’, which involves paddling a choreographed routine to music. I was thoroughly smitten, astonished even, at the complete control the paddlers had over their boats, and the almost effortless, subtle, and in some cases nearly imperceptible ways they were using their blades and bodies to bring about dramatic responses from the canoe.

They were ‘as one’ with the boat. I wasn’t particularly interested in the music and ‘dance’ facet of this activity, though it was fun to watch, but I sure did want to learn how to handle a canoe like that. It was the skill level, the utter at-homeness in the boat – call it the ‘advanced touring techniques’ – that caught my attention.

I soon took some freestyle paddling lessons, in all four ‘quadrants’, as they are known, and learned a bit about these advanced paddling techniques. I had expected that these manoeuvres – ‘tricks’ if you want to call them that – would be cool and fun to do, and indeed that is certainly the case. But I was not at all prepared for another aspect of learning about freestyle paddling, which aspect became apparent to me the first time I paddled a creek back home soon after my first lessons.

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And that was, just how useful the techniques

I had been learning can be to one’s “every day” paddling, on whatever kind of water one may find oneself. I tried using them on a gently moving creek; and then on rivers that were moving more quickly; in small riffles and larger rapids. I just consciously applied the techniques wherever I was paddling, and found they really worked.

paddler are of

I was hooked; as I learned more, I found just how versatile and effective all of this was in any and every paddling situation. As time and practice have progressed, all of it becomes part of one’s paddling repertoire, one’s paddling vocabulary, and I’ve found that in a given situation I just respond, without thinking about it consciously much at all, including with a canoe load of trash, on a river cleanup. As someone has said, “Most freestylers do most of their freestyling on the rivers and creeks back home they paddle all the time.”

Any time you paddle, there are numerous forces acting on the canoe – you as the

It is often the case that freestyle paddling is seen in the broader paddling community as a quiet water activity only. It is certainly the case that freestyle instructional symposia are conducted on small and sheltered ponds whenever possible. There’s a good reason for this, but it’s not because such conditions are the only place you can use freestyle; it’s because quiet water is simply the best arena in which to learn and practice these techniques and manoeuvres.

like wind, waves, and current. Because these freestyle techniques require a high degree of communication between paddler and boat, and a strong emphasis on precise and efficient use of the blade, they are simply best taught and learned in a situation where all other forces are minimized as much as possible. In that situation, a paddler knows that whatever the canoe does, it does because of whatever s/he did to influence the boat with blade and body position. How better to learn paddling skills when you have no one to blame but the paddler?

QUIET WATER

Any time you paddle, there are numerous forces acting on the canoe – you as the paddler are of course one of those, but there are also other things

course one of those, but there are also other things like wind, waves, and current

And then there’s the ‘interpretive freestyle’ end of the spectrum, where folks experiment with the various manoeuvres to see just how far one can take them, what ways you can make the canoe behave, and how smooth you can make it all look, while paddling a rehearsed routine to music – sort of like figure skating, with the not inconsequential advantage that the water doesn’t hurt as much when you fall over.These are the folks who are exploring, pushing against the boundaries of just what a paddler and canoe can do together… a small group of folks who are driving the sport to its limits, and thereby re-defining those limits.

However, the simple fact is that most people who learn these techniques never do, nor do they ever intend to, try the interpretive side. They just want to learn to paddle better, have less muscular pain at the end of the day, and become a better partner with their boat. The techniques learned in trying to perfect those more dramatic moves work equally well in real life, and freestylers use them all the time, though generally they are not carried to the extremes one sees in exhibitions.

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There’s rarely any need to heel the canoe down to the rail for instance, or pitch it as dramatically as one sees in interpretive freestyle. One usually doesn’t need to do a 180 – except eddying out perhaps – 90 or 120 will do just fine in most real-life paddling. While using these techniques on a river, one can glide gracefully from one side of the river to another as the current or obstructions suggest; sweep into a stopping position parallel to the shore, rather than have to shove the boat bow first and damage your hull.

In turns on the river you may be heeled over a bit to help facilitate the turn, but the gunnel is not even close to the waterline, and yes, you’re still just comfortably, normally, kneeling with your backside perched on the canoe seat.

You may sometimes find yourself exploring some serpentine channel, only to find it to be a dead end, too narrow to turn around. This is where those

weird cross-reverse manoeuvres actually have an application – you just move your body into the transverse position, and simply paddle back out, no problem. And if you should come upon a tree stump or rock in the middle of the river, you’ll know how to sideslip gracefully aside, without ever breaking your rhythm or stride.

All paddling instruction is ultimately about boat control, and freestyle is one of several paths to that goal.Yes, some of us dabble a bit in interpretive freestyle, because we’ve discovered it’s just a whole lot of fun. Beyond that, pushing the limits – both yours and the canoe’s – is about the best learning tool there is. It’s just another in the already lengthy list of ‘ways to have fun in a canoe’. The fact that these techniques so greatly enhance the enjoyment of our ‘every day’ paddling back home, is a bonus.

You can learn more about freestyle by visiting our website at

http://freestylecanoeing.com

While there, click on ‘The Cross Post’, for many more articles on freestyle canoeing.

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PUCON

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Will kayaking the biggest rapid of the class 3 Rio San Pedro

The mellow side

Just the mention of Pucon conjures up images of kayaks dropping off big waterfalls. However, there is another side to Pucon that does not often get a mention and that is its mellower side!

Story & photos: Steve Brooks

How do you think all these great local kayakistas learnt to kayak? It may look so natural for them kayaking the steeps and waterfalls of Pucon, while adding their own flair or influence into the moves or drops they kayak but they had to start somewhere and Pucon with its surrounding area, has it in abundance!

Pucon is situated on the shores of Villarrica Lake, some 730km from the capital Santiago, in the south of Chile. Standing over the town is the impressive snowcapped Villarrica Volcano.Villarrica is one of the world’s most active volcanos and it also has a few ski lifts working in the winter. If you visit Pucon in the early spring, you can combine ski (or snowboard) touring up to the rim of the volcano with amazing vistas out to the many surrounding volcanos and lakes that make this region so unique. If you come in the summer, then a hike up is also worth the effort – if you ski bring a set of fiegls, or big feet, as it is way quicker and funnier descent!

Volcano Villarica

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The Rio Liucura is a great place to learn

and the sections are set away from the road. The lower river flows through dense forest, where there are many eddies and easily attainable lines down the pool drop rapids, which gives you the ability to concentrate to nail your line and relax, recover or refresh your mind before the upcoming rapid.

The upper river is quite different in character. At first you meander down the river, going with the flow for a few kilometres then one time when it goes around the corner it will drop into continuous class 3 with a bit of gradient! Plenty of rocks are about to catch eddies and your read and run skills will be put to the test on this fun little river. Towards the end, it starts to mellow out and works its way past ranches, stunning lodges and you can even finish by some hot springs!

The Lower Trancura is a fun big and bouncy section that includes different channels and different moves to make. There is one rapid you may want to scout as it can take you by surprise as there can be a big hole at the bottom! The take-out is right on the outskirts of Pucon and it’s a river that can be done anytime of the year. With a few days kayaking these two rivers, your confidence will be up and your skills sharpened!

The stunning crystal clear waters from Lago Panguipulli heading into the Rio San Pedro

RIO FUY AND THE RIO SAN PEDRO

Within a day’s drive of Pucon are some stunning rivers. Heading slightly south you will find the Rio Fuy and the Rio San Pedro, both of which are in the Los Rios (the rivers) region of Chile. The drive to the river is stunning and there are plenty of vista stops where you can look out over a huge lake, with haciendas and rural communities spread around the base of a volcano.

The Rio Fuy is a great paddle with bouncy rapids, clear water and more views of snowcapped volcanoes. The lower section is a short stretch that gives you the opportunity to go and kayak a few laps as the shuttle is easy, the put-in or take-out is effortless and it just becomes more and more manageable with time spent on this river.

Steve

at the put-in for the Lower Truful Truful

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David Joos running a sweet rapid on the lower section of the

RioTrancura

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The Rio San Pedro is also close to Pucon and the Fuy and is often regarded as a mini-Futaluefu. It has probably the clearest water we have ever encountered. As you leave Lago Rinihue and begin to work your way down to the rapids, you can just roll over and see the volcanic rock, river bed and even fish as you float on by upside down! The action soon picks up as you kayaking some big waves and bouncy rapids with feeling that you are in the middle of nowhere.

The Rio San Pedro can also make a good mellow, two-day self-support multi-day trip, grilling fish, meat

or vegetables over an open fire and camping under the stars with no light pollution, is a great option. If you have never done such a river trip, then what a river to start out with! The Rio San Pedro is a firm favourite of our team of instructors/guides.

RIO TRUFUL TRUFUL

To the north of Pucon, is the Rio Truful Truful. It takes 2-3 hours to get there but it is well worth it! The putin for the upper section is by the border of Conguillio National Park and at the base of the Llaima Volcano,

the setting could not be more dramatic. Once you have worked out how to get down to the river it makes a statement as soon as you slide in.

The upper section is continuous class 3 that just never stops. The river whisks you down as you negotiate a few sticky holes around blind bends and overgrown bush but as long as you are on top of your game you will have plenty of fun kayaking it – just remember to scout the take-out just above the gnarly Truful Truful waterfall. The waterfall has been kayaked but only at certain levels and the lead is extremely tricky!

The lower section begins below the waterfall and so if you want to get a bit of a feel of what the upper section is like, then do the lower part first.

Though it is just the first third of the river that is similar in characteristics with the upper, it is not as continuous but still has the power and strength.

Once the main rapids have disappeared you begin a nice float out to below the town of Melipeuco, just keep an eye out for strainers and if the river has changed its course into the trees by the side.

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER

Indigenous trees in and around Pucon

For kayakers, October and November are the biggest water months, with the sun getting stronger, the snow starts to melt and couple with the odd intense spring shower, the rivers can feel a little intimidating if you are not used to so much water. If you are comfortable kayaking on the Imst Gorge section of the River Inn in Austria for example, you

The Chilean Lake District

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will enjoy the extra volume that October and November bring. Just remember October in Chile is the equivalent of April in the Alps, if the temperature drops then snow can be expected at lower elevations. Great news if you can ski and snowboard as there will be powder up on the volcanoes!

DECEMBER AND JANUARY

In December and January, the weather has become more stable, the temperature is rising and the rivers are now at their medium levels. There are more tourists around in the town of Pucon, which provides some nice people watching when drinking a coffee and eating cake at one of the many cafe’s in town. There’s also a good vibe in the town, where you can easily get carried away at one of the many bars during an aprés kayaking celebration!

FEBRUARY

By the time it gets to February, the place is packed! The downside of Pucon’s reputation as the adventure capital of South America, is that there are thousands of tourists around. The roads become blocked into the town, hotels, hostels and camp sites are close to overflowing and the price to stay becomes more expensive! The restaurants are full, the staff no longer have time for a chat and it just is not fun. If we are in Chile in February, we escape south and head to the emptiness of Patagonia!

MARCH

When March arrives and autumn slowly creeps in, the rivers drop, giving the intermediate kayaker the option of running some of the classic sections in Pucon. The rivers have lost much of their strength and sometimes what can be an extremely intimidating drop on the Upper Trancura to a class 3 kayaker will now have them focused and ready to drop in! The town has also calmed down, people have time to chat and again it is nice chilling either outside catching the last rays of sun or by a fire enjoying a drink once the sun has disappeared!

High fives for running the line, flipping and staying in your kayak!

Steve and David kayaking on the Rio Palguin in Pucon

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Main photo: Steve and Will kayaking on the Lower Fuy

These are just a few of the mellow rivers that Pucon and its surroundings have to offer and you can combine a mini-road trip to various destinations. For instance further north you will head into the Bio Bio Valley where the upper section reaches Class 2 and the lower section Class 3 with its huge volume of water making for some fantastic surf waves.

To the east of Pucon is the stunning Rio Aluminé in Argentina and you can look up a previous edition of The Paddler about an article I wrote for that amazing place. Finally further south of the San Pedro you can head to another favourite of ours – the Rio Petrohue and the list is endless!

Needless to say that with so many options for rivers and adventures it is not just the hard core kayakers hucking big drops and gnarly rapids in Pucon, there is something for every kayaker!

Come over and visit, you will not be disappointed!

STEVE BROOKS:

Steve has lived in Austria now for over 20 years and from being a place to come and work seasonally on the river, to a base camp and finally making Austria his home! Steve’s love for kayaking and adventure is infectious and this can especially be seen in the kayak school he set up eight years ago. Based out of the Arlberg Region in Western Austria, the school runs courses for beginners plus coaching and instructing kayakers through all the whitewater grades, including creeking and river running. In-between the kayaking season in Austria, Steve can be found kayaking and leading courses, adventure trips and expeditions in the Soča Valley, Indian Himalayas, Peru and Chile in South America. He speaks Austrian German like a local and is trying to work out if he speaks Peruvian, Chilean or Argentine Spanish. When he is not kayaking, he searches for that perfect powder run in the back country in his home mountains of St Anton am Arlberg or riding his Royal Enfield Bullet in search of undiscovered rivers in the Himalayas.

For more information check out: www.gokayaking.at and www.gokayaking.at/blog

Left: Steve kayaking on the Rio Truful Truful

MAN

HELL

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V s

Words: Sal Montgomery Photos: Simon Morse, Brian Taylor and www.shaunhazellfilms.co.uk On the 21st February four friends, Richard Brooks, Rob Harris, Sal Montgomery and James Ibbotson, set out to paddle a section of steep, technical whitewater repeatedly for 24 hours. Located high up on the moors, they would likely face bitterly cold weather conditions, including snow storms and strong winds, whilst taking on difficult rapids in the dark.This was guaranteed to be tough.

The ‘Man Vs Hell’ events were initially started by close friends, Rich and Rob. The intention was to push themselves further than they thought possible, seriously challenging their physical and mental capabilities and raise funds for life-changing charities. It had been nine years since the last Man Vs Hell, where the pair of them completed an impressive seventeen laps of the Upper Dart in 24 hours. Maybe this year the record would be beaten.

The team, which now included Sal Montgomery and James Ibbotson, decided to raise vital funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice Charity, who work to improve the lives of Children with lifethreatening or life-limiting health conditions, as well as their families.

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The Upper Dart High up on the moors of Dartmoor, approximately five miles of pretty continuous whitewater.

Depending which guide you read, this section is anything from grade 4 to 5. Most paddlers would agree that this section is around the grade 4 mark, with things cranking up in higher flows.The run starts at Dartmeet, located between Ashburton and Poundsgate and finishes at Newbridge.

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Sal’s account…

Noon on the Friday, the team put on the Upper Dart River, at Dartmeet. Water levels were good, the sun was almost shining and several other paddlers came to join us for our first lap. Stoke was high, with smiles and banter all-round. I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t nervous though. I was very aware of the fact that this was the start of probably the most difficult task I had ever undertaken. Not only was I attempting to paddle continuously for the longest amount of time I had ever paddled for, but also in what were likely to be very cold temperatures.

I’d been paddling the river daily for almost three weeks now and had bared snow, hail and sleet. Some mornings I’d used my paddle to break the layer of ice off my kayak seat. There were multiple occasions that felt brutally and bitterly cold, but each evening I would be able to put warm, dry clothes on and sit by a toasty fire. That would definitely not be the case this time though!

For me the most daunting part during the lead-up were the night-time laps. We would be trying to paddle rapids with limited visibility and therefore with minimal room for error.

The Upper Dart starts pretty chilled and at anything but high levels tends to be a fair bit of rock dodging to begin with. Things then start to get steeper and faster, particularly as you drop in to the ‘Mad Mile’ section. A series of ledges, rocky channels, small drops and slides take you speeding past the golden woods of Dartmoor National Park. The two most well-known rapids, Euthanasia Falls and Surprise Surprise then follow, before the river drops back down in difficulty for the long, but straight forward lead out.

As with any river, once you’re familiar with the lines life does get easier. However, there’s many rapids on this section, hence there’s many lines to learn and you can’t really turn off your concentration at any point.

This was going to be especially true during the night. If anyone got into difficulty whilst it was dark, assisting them and keeping control of the situation was going to be challenging.

Between 12.00 and 17.00, we managed to get five laps in the bag. These laps were hugely helpful for

practising our lines together, ready for the next 12 hours of darkness that would follow. Once the sun dropped and dusk took over, we attached a light to the front of each of our kayaks. Due to the lights only being capable to project a short way in front of you, it was tricky to plan very far in advance and reaction skills were relied upon heavily. However, even just having a small amount of light around you definitely helped and made it possible to keep an eye on where everyone was.

A particular highlight for me was leading and looking back to see the train of lights descending down the

rapid behind me. I’d told Rob the night before the event that I was bricking myself about paddling in the dark and he had simply replied that I needn’t worry, it’s magical paddling at night. I can now say with confidence that he was completely correct and it’s one of the coolest sights I have experienced whilst on the water.

Despite the limited visibility, we managed to keep our lap times relatively quick and consistent, generally around 40-46 minutes. By midnight we had completed 12 laps,

L to R Rob Harris, James Ibbotson, Sal Montgomery, Richard Brooks and Mike Rees-Clark

keeping control

If anyone got into difficulty whilst it was dark, assisting them and of the situation was going to be challenging

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To read about more of Sal’s adventures or to donate towards the team’s fundraiser then head to Sal’s website or instagram pages-

www.salmontgomery.com & www.instagram.com/sal.montgomery

ThePADDLER 132 which the whole team were pretty happy with. A massive contributor to this was the amazing support team that dedicated their time to helping us through the challenge.The core members of the support team included Shaun ‘Shifty’ Hazel, Sarah Harris,Tom Rainey, Nick McDonald, Brian Taylor, Rowan James, Brandon Lark, Meg Edmonds, Paul Stewart and Simon Morse.

After every single lap these guys greeted us at the takeout with encouragement, force-fed us hot drinks and home-baked goodies, as well as repeatedly driving our shuttle.

ABSOLUTE LEGENDS

Tom, Rowan and Brandon were absolute legends and put a huge amount of time and effort in to hanging hurricane lanterns in some of the trees along the river.

Placed above most of the major rapids, it was a welcome sign that you were coming up to something significant. As well as a reminder of how awesome your friends are.

As well as all these superstars, a surprising amount of other people came and got involved over the 24 hours.

Many paddlers came and joined us for a couple of laps, or did our shuttle, or simply came to cheer us on. All of which was greatly appreciated and definitely helped with motivation to continue. Friend of Rob’s, Mike, started out doing a couple of laps with us and actually ended up staying with us for the entire 24 hours!

As the hours passed, we became more and more exhausted. Our bodies were being continuously exercised, whilst working hard to stay warm, with the only rest being on the 10-minute drive back to the put-in after each lap. A couple of the team members suffered from many hours of nausea and even vomiting, with James having to dip out at lap 16.

Fortunately he felt well enough to join us again towards the end, after a couple of hours sleep.

As expected the night laps were the toughest, purely because of the amount of concentration required and for how long we had already been paddling.This was especially true when leading. From around 03.00, after nine hours of darkness and intense focus we all keenly anticipated the sun rising. Finally at about 06.00, dawn broke and our minds could relax a little. It felt like cheating to be able to see more than a metre in front of you!

18 RUNS

As the sun rose, so did moral. Despite still having another six hours until completion, we’d got through the night and the end felt so close now. We just needed to keep going a little longer. Through the morning various paddlers joined us for more laps and by 10:30 we were up to 18 runs. Myself and Rob discussed the likelihood of being able to get to 20 laps before our cut off time.

We’d put on the water at 12:10 the day before, so we decided that the lap would only count if we were finished at 12:10 again today. We weren’t sure if we could achieve it but a new wave of energy, excitement and motivation took over and suddenly we were running to the van. Once on the river, we picked up

vomiting

A couple of the team members suffered from many hours of nausea and even

After nine hours of darkness and intense focus we all keenly anticipated the

sun rising

ThePADDLER 133

ThePADDLER 134

Richard Brooks, James Ibbotson, Sal Montgomery, Rob Harris and Mike Rees-Clark

speed and worked hard to maintain it throughout the run. Nineteen laps down. Run to the van. Throw boats in the back. Morsey boy-races up to the top.

At 11:35 put-back on river. We use everything that’s left in us, which isn’t a whole lot but the end is ridiculously close now and soon it will all be over. Our bodies are sore and we don’t have the ability anymore to think of anything other than our lines, but we press on.The lead-out feels longer than ever but we manage to maintain our pace. As we come round the final corner, we can see our friends on the bridge waving and cheering. It feels amazing. No matter what the total number of laps end up being, we will feel proud. We pushed ourselves incredibly hard for the last 24 hours. Working as a team, with the help of some amazing people, to achieve a goal that initially felt near impossible.

20 LAPS –WE DID IT!

We use our final reserves to sprint to the last eddy. We pull in and I check the watch on my buoyancy aid shoulder strap. 12:10. We did it – 35 minutes top to bottom, our fastest lap of the whole challenge!

Friends run down, hugging and congratulating us. It’s one of the best feelings and I certainly won’t be forgetting it for a very long time.

HUGE THANKS

None of this would have been possible without the amazing support crew that showed up voluntarily, giving up their time, comfort and many hours of sleep. We can not thank you enough. Huge thanks to both Rich and Rob, for organising the event and also letting me be a part of it. The whole experience has taught me a lot, but in particular I have been reminded of how incredible the paddling community is.

To the heroes that continuously provided food and drink, repeatedly drove shuttle and giving hugs when needed…

To the boys that took the time and a lot of effort to place lanterns along the river to guide us through the night…

To the people that joined us for laps, seriously helping with moral and keeping us going…

Rob Harris and Sal Montgomery

To the people that sent kind messages of encouragement and congratulations…

To everyone that donated and helped us to exceed our target for our chosen Charity, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice.

We are SO thankful to each and every one of you!

N EW !

Fantastically foamy obstacle fun run!

Saturday 16th May

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Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds

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