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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
| > Home > Newsletter > Canoeing > Thoughts on the River Wear Descent |
Thoughts on the River Wear DescentFrom Stanhope to Wolsingham (or nearly)(Thinks) "What good conditions, not so much water as to make it scary, not so little as to trap, pin or otherwise invert me on naughty rocks. Yippee, lots of haystacks, this is fun." "Lean downstream, lean downstream (a bit like Left Hand Down a Bit Lieutenant Phillips). I am enjoying this so much that the next rapid (described by the permanent optimist amongst us as "just a bit bouncy") is going to be a piece of (dry) cake. Not so, big hole draws me away from the main run of water, naughty submerged rock grabs me and turns me over." "Water not too cold. Why not have a go at rolling up? So stick paddle up out of water and twiddle it about a bit, audience might be impressed. Don't go daft or they'll be expecting an actual roll, besides there might be another naughty rock waiting to grab my head whilst upside down. Time to pull rip cord. Plenty of boats in vicinity, most encouraging." "Don't let go of boat nor paddle. Listen to all those people saying "grab my boat", but how do I do that with boat toggle in one hand, paddle in t'other? Answers on a postcard please. Winner may win low mileage Perception Corsica (see below)." "I have seen enough of the Wear from the leaping salmon's viewpoint, time to get out. Lots of helpers, must thank them afterwards. But smooth line of my lovely boat marred by water-gushing gash, so no chance of relaunch. Possible to repair? Very doubtful. Sale value Nil? Trade-in value Nil? New boat - Too soon to say." To be continued? Mike Rickard |