Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Today I was out on The River Dart "Lower Section" with some Lower Sixth students from Plymouth College . A couple of them in kayaks with me and a solo plus tandem canoe with Olly. Great fun had and some excellent river running skills shown. Also some excellent river swimming skills shown by the majority of the group.

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

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 "

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.

On the lower part of the Upper Dart today looking at portages, tracking, lining, rescues, poling and of course paddling and leading each other on the rapids in between. Then it was a quick break, and a drive round to Stoke Gabriel to complete a 3 hour night paddle up the tidal section of The Dart to Totnes. A long day but lots covered and a very pleasant evening for the night navigation exercise.

Today I was on the River Dart (The Loop section) on the first day of an Advanced Canoe Leader training (previously 5 Star) course being run by Gary Peverill of I nspiring Adventure . Lots of skills and leadership styles looked at today as well as refining our existing paddling techniques.

We managed to find enough water to float down the Exe from Bolham today. We really need rain but this section of the river is doable even when low. One really nice side effect of teh lack of rain is how clear the water is at the moment. Quite cold though.

Today I took the Bridgwater College Level Three Outdoor students to paddle some of the Exeter Canal Loops . What a day with low (zero) wind and sun. A quick blast down the 2 weirs out of Exeter and then it was helmets off and a relaxing paddle with the tide down to Countess Weir Bridge. A short 10m portage and back on the canal to Double Locks and lunch before paddling back up to the minibus and home.

  Brrrr it was chilly today but OK if we kept moving. A one bladed jaunt from Tarr Steps to Exbridge down The Barle and The Exe just for fun with Hannah and Heidi. The levels were lowish so plenty of time (and opportunity) to mess about including trying to pole down through the play wave (pic above) though I didn't actually manage to stay in the boat.

Out on The Dee for the second day of my 4 Star Assessment. Again, the Silverbirch Broadland 15 made me look good and we had a very warm and sunny day on Grade 2 (we lined down The Serpents Tail) looking at river leadership, rescues, poling, lining, skills and tandem paddling. Thanks to Gary and Ian for a very relaxed but professional assessment. I was left to get on with it and there was no "standing on my shoulder" but they seemed to notice everything and I am pleased to say the canoe passed and so did I.