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Not the Tyne Tour

4th & 5th November 2000

The Tyne Tour weekend can always be relied to have a good time. A water release from Keilder ensures good river levels, and the Ceilidh on Saturday night after Hexham town fireworks just adds to the event.

Sadly, this year, the weather made me question the wisdom of going. I had visions of horrendous water level, especially in Warden Gorge, and camping in a sea of mud, if the river wasn't flowing over the site. So, on the Thursday night, looking at the floods in the area, I decided to call the trip off.

Now, canoeists and kayakers are nothing if not optimists, so a few phone calls on Friday and Saturday and we had a trip on. The Upper Swale and its tributaries give exciting paddling in high water, so our reporter in the area, Westy, was tasked with seeing if they were in condition. Saturday night, and guess what, NOT ENOUGH water!!! Options ranging from Arkle Beck to York High Street were thrown around. Eventually the old favourite of Barnard Castle to Whorlton on the Tees was agreed upon.

10 O'clock start at Barny, in bright sunshine after driving up through thick fog. Westy had the only fog free trip, which did allow him to see to mend his puncture on the way. By the time cars were moved, the fog had come down, and there was the distinct possibility of losing touch with each other on the river. Anyway a quick count up, eleven boats including the double. Once on the river, things were moving quite fast, with good water. Andy and Janet got the swimming bit out of the way within a hundred yards of the put in, so they could concentrate on the paddling for the rest of the day.

There were little drops with good waves, plenty of play spots and waves to surf on the run down to Abbey Rapids. Here we put on some safety cover, and eddy hopped down. Shaun was thrown in when he hit a rock, but was quickly back in his boat. I was sat next to Anne at the side, chatting merrily, when an eddy caught me and put me over, a swift roll, hitting my head on Anne's boat on the way up, hopefully before anyone noticed - surprise, surprise, it got me again. After rolling again, I moved!

Lots more play spots, waves and fun and we were soon at the run in to Whorlton. An inspection was needed to check the right line, then once cameras and throwlines were ready on the sides, one by one we all plopped over the fall, then carried the boats back to the cars.

That would have been the end of an interesting day, but Westy found that by blowing his spare tyre up, he had caused a problem with valve, and it had gone flat. The SOC formula one pit team then set about putting Richard's spare onto Dave's car. Pity it was the wrong size really.

All in all, nearly as good as the Tyne Tour.

Pete Bridgstock

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003