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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
| > Home > Newsletter > Canoeing > An Autumn Sunday on the Ure |
An Autumn Sunday on the UreAfter several days of rain, then a couple of dry ones, the rivers were in good nick. The weather forecast wasn't very good, with heavy rain and winds due to cross the country on Sunday. but luckily, the level was spot on. A motley crew of nine met at Sleningford Mill, and putting as many boats on as few cars as possible, set off to the put in at Hack Falls. The half mile walk to the river is a bit of a drag, well a lot of one actually but happily most of it across fields. The water was running well, and in a few minutes we were at the lead in to the top of Hack Falls This was the hardest bit of paddling that Sarah had come across, and she was strangely quiet when we looked at the route from the bank. A big roller coaster ride down the middle, through a big hole and break out into the eddy at the bottom. Three of us sat in eddies part way down to provide some safety cover if needed, the rest following one at a time. Matt came first and all but disappeared in the hole. Sarah followed, with a fixed stare of concentration, all the way down, and made a very unladylike remark - relief of tension of course - or did she say I was looking well? Once we had all passed this point, it was a bit more relaxed. Mickley Weir came next, and Gareth decided to demonstrate just how well a small stopper can hold a Dancer, and Carol showed us how unstable a Canadian is when only the two ends are supported. Nothing much to worry about until Tanfield Weir and Sleningford Rapids, so we persuaded Johnny to show us how good his drysuit is, so Sarah could practice her rescues. A fast and bumpy, and for some, wet, ride down the rapids and the trip was over. A good first trip of the season. Pete Bridgstock |