Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Today in order to avoid the crowds Hannah, Will, Dom and I decided to paddle the Teign which was at an OK level, I certainly wouldn't want it much lower. No swims for me today as I am getting the hang of this OC1 now.

  Today I took the OC1 that I had refurbished over the summer out for its maiden white water trip on The Dart Loop . I was paddling with Hannah, also in an OC1 and Leon in a kayak. I was inpressed with how quickly I got to learn how the boat responded and although I had a swim when I clipped a rock, it gave me a chance to test out my new Typhoon Multisport Hinge drysuit which I collected from AS Watersports on Monday. It worked and I stayed dry.

In early July I managed to bag this little beauty from a friend who was selling. I have been looking for one of these style boats for 2 years now so I am very pleased. This is the 11.2 ft Dagger Ovation OC1 Whitewater Canoe.  Then it was a case of rip out all the existing buoyancy (and put on eBay), take rotted spars to my dad to make new ones and reset the saddle and foot pegs.   Rotted spars removed Excited as I was, I had to put it in the store unfinished until I got back from Malawi. As soon as I got home I was straight back on it New Oak ones made by Dad whilst I was away A quick spin down to  AS Watersports  to collect the new air bags and it was time to start kitting it out again.   Palm 60" Canoe Air Bags and cord  After a few puffs (and nearly passing out) I switched to an electric pump Air Bags inflated, strapped and laced. I repeated the above for the other end and then all that was left to do is fit...