Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Lower Dart with Plymouth College students today.  3 kayaks for me whilst Mr Rees had 3 Open Boats. First time on White Water for all the students (apart from one) and as always, the Lower Dart was a perfect intriduction.  A few swims of course but then Hot Chocolate in the Salmon Leap Cafe to finish whilst Mr Rees and I went to get the minibus back

Today I was working for Plymouth College with some Year 9 students looking at Navigation on Dartmoor. It was very wet and windy and we survived outside of the minibus for half a day before running back to the bus for some food and warmth. With rain falling on and off all day, it was clear the Dart would be good to go. After we dropped the students back to school, Olly and I jumped on The Loop section which was much better than yesterday. We had planned this all along and my car had been pre positioned at 7am this morning making it pretty quick and easy to get a run in and be off again before 6pm

A bit of low water fun on the Teign and The Loop (Dart) today with good friend Olly. Seems the camera was not working very well

A quick blast down The Barle from Tarr Steps with Hannah and Mike before having lunch in The Tavinty in Dulverton. Good levels today and loads of paddlers out on the river including a large group of 20 plus paddlers.

Back on The Dart today with Dan and Mike. A classic run of the Loop and Lower but with a little detour. We carried the boats about 300m up the Webburn before blasting back down onto The Dart to continue playing. Good levels just on the slab and this gave a good play wave at the bottom of triple. As always, coffee and food at The Salmon Leap Cafe to finish off the day.

Today, we had an early start before the river levels got too high and spent the morning mostly portaging The River Lynher near Callington. We did paddle a bit in between the scores of river wide trees (I think it was only 3) that we had to walk and drag the boats around. According to the locals, who were very friendly, they used to see lots of paddlers but not many over the last few years. Even with no trees blocking it, I would still not describe it as a very exciting river. I am not keen to return at any point in the near future, We then had a very nice lunch at Louis Tea Rooms which I highly recommend before going to look at the River Teign. However, it was 2pm by now and we decided that we had already done enough paddling over the last 2 days and walked away as we are both ack on the river later in the week

Today was a busy day. This morning, Olly and I were drinking coffee and cake, think about the day and discussing should we run The Loop or The Lower section of The River Dart and should we canoe or kayak? As we were unable to make a decision we came up with a plan (now about 10:30am) - do it all!! So, my van to the end of the lower dart, all boats in Olly's van. Up to the top of the loop, canoes off and ready to launch (11:45), canoe down the loop and down the lower section, off at the cafe and lock up the canoes (13:30). Drive my vehicle up to the egress for the loop, pick up Hannah, up to the top (13:55), kayak the loop, Hannah left us here and Olly and I continued down to the cafe at Buckfastleigh. Blag a lift back up to New Bridge and load all the boats. back drinking coffee by 16:30

This is the second week I have been working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd managing an activity week for a group of apprentices from Bridgwater and Taunton College .  Only 30 clients, and 7 instructors this time. Still 4 minibuses and 2 trailers to sort out. Here are a few pics of what they got upto We had groups out kayaking and canoeing, mountain biking and on a mini expedition across Exmoor.

A lazy lap of a low "loop" on the River Dart today with Hannah and Will. It was like a slalom trying to avoid the rocks but a super chilled out easy paddle followed by lunch. A few other groups seen on the river but not as busy as I expected. Please rain soon and give us some water back in our rivers.

L3 Outdoor Education students from Bridgwater and Taunton College afloat on the Exe today from Bolham down to Tiverton. Nice levels and other that a portage round the Salmon steps a great little jaunt with only one swim per tandem boat. Both swims in awkward places min you so had to work a little harder than yesterdays " Bimble on the Barle "

A nice bimble down The Barle today from Tarr Steps with Hannah before lunch in Dulverton. Lowish water but still above the required level for environmental protection. My paddling trips are becoming more about the availability of nice coffee and food afterwards these days rather than finding challenging rivers to paddle. I should probably up my game soon and get back on the harder stuff.

Out for a pootle down the Lower Dart today with Will, Hannah, Paul and Ben. A single blade day with both Open Canoes and OC1's for a lowish paddle down to the cafe for lunch. I had full intentions to practice some upstream work but the draw of coffee and food was too strong so that will be saved for another day.