White Water Safety Session

24/03/24

A beautiful spring day greeted us as we met at 9.30am at Devils Bridge, Kirby Lonsdale. The threat of a cold wind didn’t really materialise so we enjoyed the sun all day, in and out of the gently flowing Lune, 0.43m at Hornby. 

We quickly carried boats and kit down the meeting area higher up from the river bank, for a team briefing. After an outline of the objectives for the day, Mike H explained that the session would be split into 4 areas for the practice of rescue techniques and rescue practice, with one club leader in charge of each – swimming to the river bank (Phil Clayton), throwline rescues (Rob Hitchmough), rescuing a swimmer with a kayak (Mike H), and recovery of a swamped kayak and paddle (David Woolley). 
We were asked to buddy up into 2’s or 3’s, with each of the 4 areas running concurrently and expected to last about 1 hour each, with a quick bite of lunch around 12. 
For our group of 3, we started with the swimming session first, then towline rescues, followed by rescuing a swimmer and lastly recovery of kayak and paddle. We had an added bonus of an impromptu session at the end of day, of recovery of an unconscious kayaker and how to flip the kayak and paddler in one move. 

Each of the 4 rescue areas covered a great amount of detail and discussion in each. The leader started with a briefing of the topic, followed with practical and active participation by each of us. I couldn’t list all of the detail here of each of the 4 areas but some of top tips for the day that were commented on were – 

-Using a paddle when swimming facing downstream was much easier than expected. 
-Presenting the kayak at the right angle (bow or stern) to recover a swimmer is vital. 
-David’s technique of emptying a swamped kayak by leaning away from the upturned boat was very effective. 
-Active swimming to the river bank is key. 
-Rotating your stroke between swimming front crawl and backstroke allows you to move through the eddy line and into the eddy. 
-Don’t let go of the throwline after throwing it to a swimmer…….
-Flooded, upturned kayaks are very heavy and slippery. 
-Throwline bags with a large neck are much easier to repack. 

As this was the first time I’d be able to join one of these events, I can say that I found it hugely beneficial and would highly recommend that all river kayakers attend these type of events. I also learnt that my dry suit is no longer dry………

A very useful, practical and eventful day helped by the spring sunshine. 

Many thanks to the 4 session leaders and the swimmers – Clare, Megan, Sally, Natalie, John S, Paul H, Ed, Sten, Graeme W. 

Graeme

Edgy trip down the Lune

21/03/24

Nothing too edgy on the Lune today, a nice level of 0.68 (Killington Gauge) for our journey from Rawthey Bridge to Rigmaden Bridge.

Mike S was our leader for the day following on from what sounded like a fairly epic day on Tees.

We met initially at Killington Bridge so we could walk along the gorge to discus it as a venue for future park and play.

From the launch at Rawthey Bridge we had a quick warm up and then it was down to the Lune confluence.

As usual the currents at the confluence were quite confused, we spent some time breaking in and out with varied success.

We particularly focused on our edging and using our shoulders to promote tilting the kayak, this was a continuing theme for the rest of the trip.

John B was using a canoe from an older generation that was lacking any edges, however Mike had John successfully turning the kayak by tilting, even without using his paddle.

The wind on the flat sections made paddling little tiring but there are enough rapids to help you on the way.

On these we concentrated on picking our lines and eddy hopping and controlling our edges.

There were a couple of spills on the way which Mike expertly fielded, we were quickly on our way again.

Egress was from the East side of Rigmaden Bridge, negotiations for using this side are still ongoing.

Using the West side involves either a very long drive via Kirby Lonsdale or a narrow lane(limited passing places) from Killington Bridge.

Thanks to Graeme W for organising and Mike S for leading.

Open Boat Ribble Assault on Ribchester – From Clitheroe

22nd Mar 2024

Whatever did the Roman’s do for us? Well…..when Petillius Cerealis marched into Ribchester in 72 ad, with his legion of Roman soldiers, in their galea helmets and segmented armour, he inadvertently created a pocket of outstanding culture and history. Today, nearly 2000 years on, peace seeking visitors converge to examine the Roman relics. Following in Petillius’s footsteps, our legion of LCC marauders, dressed in their own suits of Palm, Peak and Typhoon, and high density polyethylene hard hats, crossed the frontier via the river Ribble into darkest Lancashire – to mount an assault on the rather excellent cake trolley of the Potter’s Barn cafe. 

In Control

One of the gd 2 sections

Zephyrus, the Roman god of the west wind, attempted to thwart our infiltration with F5 – gusting F6 headwinds. Alas, the determined 9 in their longboats, were not to be defeated. The blueberry and almond slice (with ice cream) and rocky road provided too much of an incentive to impede the fearsome, hungry invaders. Even the weir of death at Great Mitton, with it’s 4m towback, closed ends and uphill exit slope weren’t a deterrent. 

Ouch!

The weir of death

A really grand day out on new water for most, in a different part of the world. Open views, sandpipers, oystercatchers, redshank and a kingfisher (to name a few). Hard work at times, but with the warmth of spring and decent sunny spells, it was a relatively easy job. Partly a warm up for the upcoming trip to Sweden, various matrimonial partnerships were challenged in the tandem test. I think Ian and Julian are still on speaking terms?

A marriage made in heaven!

Maximus Mcrerie

Thanks to Ian McCrerie, for leading the incursion, and to Robin, Mike H, Linda, Ian Murgatroyd, John S, Julian and Mike Powell for being outstanding river companions.

Pete Riley

Level at 

1.15 / 1.01 – New Jumbles Rock (Mid Medium on RC – bank full!)

0.49 / 0.43 – Lock’s Weir