Fri, Sep 24 2010, Sat, Sep 25 2010, Sun, Sep 26 2010 - Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking (View Original Event Details)
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Eleven of use drove up on Friday afternoon to get a jump on traffic and get there with light to set up and get supper made. Saturday morning came quickly with a 7am start with breakfast., by 8 we were signing waivers and by 9 we where getting fitted with our boats and gear. The weekend was an overcast kind of fall weekend. The tree colours are just starting to change. High of about 18C and low of about 10C. The water was cool but bearable with a wetsuit and splash jacket on.
We brought our boats down to the water and quickly got wet by doing some wet exits. For the reminder of the morning we worked on our strokes and boat maneuvers. Back to camp for some hot food.
After lunch we paddle up river to the rapids. A short portage to the top of the rapids. We played around in Jessop’s chute area just downstream of piano rock So far so good, no wipe outs!
Next came the river swim. We jumped in up stream of piano rock and floated thru the class 2 waves and swam to the eddy on river right.
OK, now we have the fundamentals down we headed down the rapids in a train of kayaks. We all made it down to the final hole where we lost a few people. Luckily, they came out the other side after a few seconds.
Paddling back to camp was a mixture of excitement and fear in the eyes of some. We were all getting a little cold after spending all day on and in the water. There were on and off again showers all day. Back at camp we got some dry clothes on and decided to go out to supper to a nice home cooking place on the outskirts of Barry Bay.
We had a full day and decided to turn in early.
Sunday morning started with a quick breakfast and we were back on the water. Well 9 of us were. The combination of cold and fear claimed the first 2 people from our group.
Back at Jessop’s chute we spent more time practicing our tilts and strokes. We walked the river and scoped out the rapids and figured out where the V was and some eddies. Back down the river we practiced eddy turns. I think most of us made it down the rapids upright. Back to camp for a warm lunch.
After lunch we got immediately wet with practicing our kayak rolls. That’s cruel! Well the cold water claimed another 4 people! Were down to 5 lads now heading back up to the rapids for a couple of runs. This final group showed their stuff by hitting and sticking some micro eddies. Well there were a few wipe outs but no harm. Back at camp we had a nice fire waiting for us. We all got into dry clothes and had a nice supper in Bancroft before our drive home.
See you soon.
Gary
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