NEWS LETT VOLUME 9 ER ISSUE 1 S P R I N G 2 0 1 9

The success of this newsletter relies on contributions from YOU! From the Editor an incredibly supportive Coaching If you've been on a trip, Development Group to nurture both in a race, or just have an he newsletter is slightly late this aspiring and existing coaches & leaders, but opinion or some news you want to time, but in my defence I was that only thrives because we have a culture share, please send it to Tkayaking! where generosity is the norm - where it’s [email protected] I’ve just got back from Wales on the Club’s usual to donate your time and skills to help Articles can be long or short “Easier Trip”, and it was an the Club as a whole, whether that’s on the (between 250 and amazing weekend. It’s been a while since we water, in the gym, or something only 1 500 words) and did a trip focussed on more gentle (grade 2/3) tangentially related to : joining the will ideally be white water, and it proved to be really committee, painting the Clubhouse, repairing accompanied by some pictures. The popular. We had a whole range of abilities, boats. In many organisations, this kind of deadline for from those at the beginning of their thing is taken for granted – a few stalwart submissions for the whitewater journey, through to intromediate helpers toil away in the background, and next issue is 1 0th and improver boaters, and on to paddlers everyone else passes by, oblivious. It’s May, 201 9. starting to take leadership roles on the river. fantastic that MCC isn’t like that, and that a Mark Corti, Editor There were nearly 20 of us on the trip, and large proportion of our members do get [email protected] with lots of willing river leaders we had plenty involved in helping out – and that volunteers of flexibility and could split up into multiple are always valued and appreciated. Thanks, groups on different rivers and really make everyone! sure that everyone was paddling at the right See you all at the AGM on Friday, 1 5th 5% NT level. March at 7pm! 1 OU On the drive home, I was reflecting how ISC UB lucky we are at Maidstone Club that By Mark Corti, Editor D CL we’ve got so many people happy to volunteer [email protected] R S their time. Of course, it helps that we’ve got FO ER MB ME

New House Farm, Kemsing Road Wrotham, TN15 7BU Tel: 01732 886688 Open 10am - 5pm Tues - Sat Late Night Opening Thursday www.kentcanoes.co.uk Smiles all around on Llyn Dinas, at the top ofAfon Glaslyn. The start ofanother brilliant day on the river.

Page 1 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. Apparently there are fish in the Medway after all! No wonder people don't like doing capsize drills there - this one could have your arm off! to fish comes at an additional cost, either Open Access ­ An Alternative View of club membership or a day permit. On the shallow upland trout stream we any in the club will know I have use the same patch of water. discussed above, it is entirely possible a foot in several camps, I So, where to begin. I will use some that the guy who just had his fishing M a bit and I like to fish, so I can angling analogies, as these will help to ruined had paid £50-£1 00. Is he entitled see both sides of many of the make the argument. to be a little miffed on his way back to the arguments that arise. Firstly, disturbance. On lowland deep pub early? Whilst the open access argument is rivers such as the Medway, it is perfectly There is an answer here, in the spirit not solely linked to angling, I will use that possible for canoeists and anglers to co- of shared access. Why not have pre- example to make a few points. For the exist. I regularly have in my swim booked days on these rivers, so avoidance of doubt, I have written to when I am fishing (Norman!), and there is that anglers and kayakers know where British several times in this vein no detrimental effect. The only real time they stand and can avoid conflict. Fishing and have yet to receive a response. The canoeists are a nuisance to anglers is clubs or land owners could recoup their messages coming from them recently when they insist on stopping where you loss of angling revenue by charging would suggest they have accepted the are fishing. This is a momentary Kayakers a day ticket, so everybody arguments of the Open Access inconvenience, keep moving and should be happy. Fundamentalists, so may be in need of a everybody is happy. This is not so true Lastly, there is the permission thing. little balance. on shallow waters. Fish are more wary, There are places where it might just be and sit in areas where they are inappropriate to canoe any time you like. The fundamentalist argument seems comfortable, and can feed without too There is not only landowners privacy (a to be that it should be possible to drop much effort. If a kayak moves through consideration, like it or not), but security your canoe in and anywhere at one of these areas, the fish move out. It and safety. I’m currently trying to any time, with no regard at all for other may take hours or even days before the organise a paddle around Docklands. river users, landowners, or fish return. Anyone fishing will have their Getting permission isn’t an ‘Open Access’ consequences. To me, this appears as day ruined in a moment, by a kayaker issue, but one of security. selfish. They also appear to want to do who may not even be aware that anything In closing, I think that there is a good this for nothing, other than their BC just happened. On these rivers, it is just case for all river users to work together to licence. (Although they appear to be not possible to have kayaking and fishing improve access for canoeists, where happy to pay for other facilities such as successfully happening at the same time. such access is not currently possible. But white water courses). (I’ll leave the other arguments about that is the point, work, together. Relying spawning beds etc. as these should be on ancient, dubious precedent to force a I am a great believer in shared self evident). way through will encourage doubters to access, allowing all river users to enjoy Next, cost. Anglers pay for a national throw obstacles in the way and will only their sport without interference. I preach fishing licence issued by the EA. This lead to confrontation. tolerance on the Medway most weeks, makes it legal to fish, but does not confer when anglers, canoeists, boaters, any right to fish at all. In the By Keith Dacey swimmers (human and doggie) want to overwhelming number of cases, the right

Page 2 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. Rainbows and Rapids at the Adventure Paddlers Weekend eekends like this remind me of why I adore , and the WRiver Dart in particular. I’d fallen out of love with it over the last couple of years – too many disappointments as trips were cancelled at the last minute due to lack of water, too many unsatisfactory scrape runs on the . This weekend, though, looked like it was going to be just perfect. It had been raining all week, and my Facebook feed was filled with photos of Dartmoor locals enjoying the best levels for ages – runs down the Upper Upper Plym, big water on the Teign, before-work blasts down the Dart. My fingers were itching to type “Yes!” in reply to all the posts asking “Is anyone around for a Dart run in the morning?”, but I marshalled my patience and went to work instead as I should. Still, the excitement was building, a babble of voices on the mailing lists and The end ofthe Mad Mile: Sharrah's Pool (aka Pandora's Box) at a good chunky level. social media, checking the forecasts and predicting the levels. This weekend was paddling event in the calendar. the otherworldly arch of a brilliant going to be special. I’d eventually succumbed to the call of rainbow. We had a solid intermediate Water or no water, I always enjoy the the river and taken the Friday off work, group, and despite some initial trepidation Adventure Paddlers’ Weekend. It brings meeting up with a handful of other – this was the highest level that several together whitewater paddlers from all Maidstone paddlers for an afternoon run members of our group had paddled – over the south of England for a weekend down the Dart Loop. The levels were everyone swiftly adapted to the pace and of paddling, kayaking movies, talks and high but dropping, which makes this run power of the flow, and were all nailing parties. It’s a chance to meet friends old one of the finest class 3 river sections in their lines and hitting the eddies with and new, to rub shoulders with pro England. As I surfed back and forth gusto. We did walk around Holne Weir – boaters and fresh paddlers, to tell tall across the jet of water sluicing through although there’s a straightforward line tales and to be an audience for those of the stone arches at Newbridge, I could down the left, missing it at these levels others. I always come away with my tell we were in for a fantastic afternoon. would have led to an unpleasant rescue passion for kayaking rekindled, inspired And so it proved: big, bouncy wave trains in the foaming trough below the weir face, to paddle more, to run new rivers and to to play on, big eddies which whipped the and we took the sensible option. There go on new trips. But when the rain gods nose of your boat into calm waters, green was almost time for another run, but we’d smile and the levels are right, this tongues of water accelerating you down had a superbly enjoyable afternoon and, weekend is, for me, elevated to the best into breath-taking stoppers, and all under with a whole weekend of paddling ahead of us, headed to the dormitory to bag the best bunks! When on Dartmoor, it’s become my custom, my personal ritual, to try to paddle from dawn until dusk. Watching the sun rise over the ancient monoliths at , seeing the rocks and eddies and pourovers slowly gain solidity as they emerge from the pre-dawn gloom, is a magical start to the day; and if you can book-end that with sunset at Holne Bridge, finally clambering up the bank in the gathering dusk, and knowing there’s a warm bar and a pint with your name on it waiting a short walk away, then you’ve had pretty much the best day’s paddling I can imagine. The sun was just rising behind a leaden sky as we eased our kayaks off the bank at Dartmeet on Saturday morning, our fingers nipped by the cold water and our breath clouding ahead of us. John Simmonds & I had arranged to meet Paul French and Jack Lamer, who Joel C making it look easy in one ofthe boulder gardens on the Upper Dart Cont'd on page 5 ...

Page 3 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. Michael Bramwell Passmore 18th Sep 1928 – 13th Oct 2018

ichael was the first President of distinguished members, paddling solo Maidstone Canoe Club. around mainland Britain and completing M a first circumnavigation of Iceland with After eventful schooling at Bryanston, and many other serious notably where he distinguished himself navigations. Michael was one of the as House Captain, Captain of Boats, workers salvaging the first floating barge School Prefect and Rugby Secretary and, that was home to Maidstone Canoe Club with the help of his tutor, started a sailing at Mill Meadow Wharf. club. While Paul Newman and Ian Bourn After serving in the Navy he returned (another of the very early members) in 1 948 and continued the family hobby could not make Michael’s funeral, Geoff of sailing with the family 47 foot sloop, Hunter and his wife attended to represent built in 1 902, Theta. This was the club and pay respects to a very good successfully raced in the Channel, North man. It was extremely well attended, as Sea and Fastnet races, and cruised to you would expect for someone so Spain and Denmark, together with two intertwined with good deeds in the county circumnavigations of the British Isles. and Maidstone. Initially living with his wife, Anne, in Geoff Hunter, Paul Newman (current Blackheath, when he moved back to Kent club president) and Ian Bourn decided to he was asked to become chairman and go to Michaels grave to remember him secretary of Shepway Manor Youth Club. with the affection he deserved from the Profits made from their activities were club and visited St Margaret’s Church, used to start the Maidstone Canoe Club. Barming, where an earlier generation of He was also asked to become involved Passmores is also buried, finishing the with the Kent Association of Boys Clubs, day toasting him in the Fusilier. which is where Geoff Hunter, our first honorary life member met him. Geoff, as By Paul Newman you will probably be aware is one of our [email protected]

agenda for any time soon. Holding tanks Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease) carried Medway Pollution are containers on board cruising boats in small mammals urine, eg. rats, which take grey (eg washing up water, continues to be present, and added to it ost of our paddlesport takes shower water) and black (eg toilet are the pathogens from the pollution place ON the water, but we flushing) water, which is then not discharged by moored boats. M always get some water on us, released into the river but pumped out to Pertinent advice: and occasionally (more frequently if sewage systems at venues provided by - Don’t ingest the water! practising closed cockpit kayak moves the river authority. There are three - Wash hands before eating (a packet of and/or rescues) we do get totally pumpout stations at present, at Allington, disinfectant wipes if travelling on the immersed in the Medway. Yalding and Tonbridge. Some marina Medway make sense – disposed of After the paperworks at Tovil , brewery moored boats are connected to the mains after use in a bin) and sweet factories upstream of the club systems (?), and the restaurant next to - Where possible, shower after paddling. shut down, the water quality in the river the Bishops Palace is also connected - Cover cuts with a waterproof plaster. passing our club improved. We showed ashore. The assumption is that boat I have read the reply letter from one of some care in our demos during the past residents will use the marina facilities and our elected MPs expressing concern and river festivals because of the deterioration not pollute the river with water discharge!! supporting the environment. She is in the water quality, caused by the I continued asking the question at every obviously not aware of this anomaly on moored boats in town discharging effluent meeting, but had no answer. Club the Medway which affects rowers and into the river and eventually decided the members can add to the pressure by paddlers and prospective swimmers. risk was too great, and stopped rescues asking the question of their MP, or the Legislation is required. and kayak rolling amongst the moored Environment Agency. To prevent paddlers from contributing boats for the festival spectators. Currently there are 21 live onboard to Medway pollution use the paddlers When the question was put to the EA, boats between the club and Farleigh code (CLEAN, DRY, not just boats but during one of the many Navigation Lock, with moorings for a further 6 at clothing too) when visiting other meetings I attended on behalf of the Club least. It is obvious these boats rarely, if waterways to prevent carrying unwanted and Region, “is there a requirement on ever, leave their moorings (many have animals back to us. the Medway as on other waterways for a scaffolding mooring systems to cope with Be aware, and think before you enter holding tank for effluent on cruising flooding), have no link to land sewage the water, e. Coli is not pleasant. boats?”, the answer was that, although systems and are very probably the Thames and other waterways have discharging everything, including faeces, By Paul Newman that requirement in their byelaws, the into the Medway. There is also a boat [email protected] Medway does not – and it is not on the right next to our landing stage.

Page 4 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. first run was with a couple of young lads, that my buddy really noticed when he hit Rainbows and one of whom only had a little previous the eddy just after the first drop of Triple moving-water experience. It was Steps. The main flow is concentrated to Rapids fantastic to see how much progress he a powerful line down river left, and there’s made during the morning, particularly a lovely large eddy just on the right – if ... cont'd from page 3 when breaking in and out. With the fast you hit it right, you can whip the kayak were with Meridian CC this weekend. flows that the Dart was providing that day, into the eddy just behind the rocks in a This was a river we all knew well, and it was easy to feel a little intimidated really satisfying way! However, at these with the water covering the slab at when sitting in the eddy preparing to go, levels, the eddy forms a powerful Newbridge we had ideal conditions for a and then it can be hard to build up the whirlpool, and any attempt to sneak out fast, no-stops run down to Newbridge. courage to really commit to the break-in. the bottom sees you quickly recirculated Paul was the most experienced boater If you don’t put some power into those back to where you started. The only way amongst us and took the lead, choosing first few strokes, you can end up wobbling out is to bravely paddle back into the some excellent lines, and we had an precariously about on the swirling waters main flow, which at this point is a roaring, absolutely fabulous time blasting down of the eddy line and risking an impromptu fast-flowing frothy wave train. With plenty what is probably my favourite run in out-of-boat experience. By the end of the of speed and edge, you’re then whisked England. It’s rare to catch the Dart at run he’d really embraced the energy of into the main line and down the remaining such a perfect level – it rises and falls the water, his kayak had firmed up under two drops of Triple Steps, generally with pretty quickly – so we were feeling pretty the pressure of more-positive paddle an ear-to-ear grin plastered across your spoiled as we negotiated the initial rapids strokes, and he was looking really face. It’s a lovely line, and not as hard as and headed into the “Mad Mile”, a series confident on the river – it was a it looks, but it is intimidating and my of fantastic rapids culminating in the thoroughly enjoyable morning. partner made several efforts to sidle out much-storied Pandora’s Box. There was By Saturday afternoon, the levels had the back of the eddy before finally gritting enough power in the water to keep all of dropped a little, and the water was just his teeth and fully committing himself to us on our toes and paddling hard – we lapping at the slab beneath Newbridge. It the hard line! caught a couple of rolls and even a swim was still a lovely medium level, and the The last of the day’s sunlight threw between us, but that just added to the fact the water was a little less powerful another rainbow overhead as we paddled fun! It was with beaming smiles that we than earlier in the day encouraged people towards the take-out, the brilliant colours shook hands at Newbridge and went our to try new things, surf some waves and against the heavy clouds which presaged separate ways to meet the rest of our hit some eddies that they’d perhaps been more rain overnight, and promising respective groups, to run some easier a little leery of in the morning. With the another day of perfect river levels water at a more-measured pace. All this, larger group, we each paddled with a tomorrow. and we still had time for breakfast before buddy – a good system with larger groups That evening, savoring a pint of heading out again! which ensures that no-one goes Tribute ale and surrounded by the babble John & I squeezed in another two unnoticed. There was still plenty of of happy paddlers, I listened as a series on the Saturday, both down the power in the water, and commitment was of boaters got up in front of the screen Loop section with different groups. The required to really nail the lines – a fact and shared their adventures with the

Cont'd on page 6 ... Lean forward and paddle hard! Tom smashing through a stopper after a very long day on the Upper Dart. Page 5 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. Rainbows and Cold Water Shock Rapids ... cont'd from page 5 here are paddling disciplines crowd. Of course, there were the where paddlers expect to get obligatory shots of people falling off Timmersed in the wet stuff on a enormous waterfalls, fabulous to watch regular basis. but somehow awkward to relate to – Playboating, kayak surfing, wave ski they’re so far above my skill levels that I racing and white water touring, to name find it hard to get inspired by them. But just a few. Adherents to these are there were some other gems, tales of All over. The calm(ish) paddle out. probably more used to, and therefore less adventures that were, perhaps, within structured approach to the river, rather prone to, the shock of sudden immersion. reach of a weekend paddler from Kent. than the more-relaxed peer paddle that They each have their attractions and Barney Prees’ “1 0 tips for making the I’d done previously - out of the other appropriate preparation and sometimes, most of UK boating” was interesting, three group members, Tom Aylen had appropriate clothing and equipment are marrying clips of paddling hard never run the river before; Dido Bashev advised. whitewater with folksy suggestions that had only run it at a low level; and the However, unless racing away from the you could apply to your own paddling. talented Joel C, while paddling at a very club, touring another river or venturing on “Put something back” was an obvious high level, was still 1 0 years old – but I to the sea, we paddle a usually placid one, as was “Try another discipline” - was confident that with Niki as well, we river, the Medway. Our intentions are to both good tips for getting enjoyable had the experience required to have a enjoy paddling ON the water. Sometimes paddling days when you can’t be running good time. In the event, this paddle we fall in. During safety and rescue the rivers you want to. “Don’t be afraid to didn’t go completely to plan – the river practices it is intentional; at other times be a dirtbag paddler” was less obvious – was, in fact, rising as we paddled it and accidental and unintended. If we know we a reminder that, if we’re prepared to forgo became a lot pushier than expected – but are likely to fall in we wear clothing a few home comforts, longer paddle trips that’s a story for another time. Tom, Dido suitable for the conditions (if we are can be done on a shoestring. I felt a and Joel stepped up when things got sensible). Accidental immersion can surprising resonance with Joe Rae tricky and paddled as a really strong always occur. Racers tend to wear a Dickens talk of his years of paddling team, supported by Paul French and minimum of clothing, even in cold across India. I was expecting another set Jack Lamer who offered assistance when weather, knowing they will warm up fast of clips of hucking picturesque waterfalls, it was most needed, and it was smiles all while paddling and aim to get out of the but in fact many of the rivers he waxed around when we finally made it back to water as fast as possible if they capsize. lyrical about were technically within reach Newbridge. – class 3 or class 4 multi-day runs, On the winding road between relatively accessible by road. A trip out Newbridge and Dartmeet, there’s a to Meghalaya, where rainfall can reach moment when you climb a gloomy 25m of during a single monsoon season, forested lane, overhung with branches would actually be an achievable aim. and scattered with the dark mulch of Finally, the video of Neil Peter’s North-to- autumnal leaf-fall, and then suddenly South Nepal expedition showed what can emerge over the brow of a hill with the be achieved with minimal resources: open vista of Dartmoor rolling away stretching the shoestring budget by below you into the mist. Sheep are hitching rides on lorries and eating basic dotted among the gorse, and you can Swimmer watching paddlers. The Medway is surprisingly local food, Neil and his girlfriend Leanne, quite often spot a pair of rough-coated chilly at the moment. together with local paddler Hari, crossed Dartmoor ponies nuzzling one another on Most paddlers are aware of the from the Chinese border in the North to a patch of short-cropped turf. It’s a dangers of hypothermia (reducing the the Indian border in the South. The moment of tranquility before you descend level of body heat from normal) either by rivers run were not new, and not to the busy paddler’s car park at prolonged immersion - the time depends particularly hard – the Bhote Kosi, the Dartmeet, and on the pre-paddle shuttle on factors such as the temperature of the Sun Kosi, and others – but by linking it can feel like the calm before the water, whether there is any water flow them together in a single expedition they tempest of the river. Today, the paddling past your body taking away heat, and became more than the sum of their parts, was over, and I was cadging a lift to be what you may be wearing, eg. Wetsuit, coalescing into an expedition worthy of reunited with my vehicle, but the moment drysuit, cagoule, etc...- or exposure to the name. of tranquility remained: a final, glorious windchill on the bank. The latter is Sunday started late. Last night’s pint arch of colours stretched across the sky, especially dangerous if unaware of the of Tribute had unaccountably multiplied framing the dark shapes of the nickering symptoms. into several more, and I wasn’t quite as ponies on the grass below. It was a Cold Water Shock (CWS) is a cause of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as I had magical way to finish the weekend. death many people fail to understand. been the previous morning. The river Sudden immersion in cold water (below was much the same as Saturday, with By Mark Corti 1 5c) causes a number of physiological the overnight rain falling just hard enough [email protected] responses that can incapacitate or even to keep the levels holding steady, and the kill. The sudden lowering of skin online gauges suggesting the river would With thanks to all the Maidstone paddlers – temperature is a strong stimulus causing continue to fall, so Niki & I took a small too many to mention - who made this such a increased heart rate and blood pressure group to run the Upper Dart. I was memorable weekend. and may even cause a heart attack in conscious that I’d be taking a fairly Cont'd on page 6 ...

Page 6 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. Frank Luzmore Memorial Marathon Cold Water Shock 6th January 2019 ... cont'd from page 7 healthy people. At the same time a “gasp” response may result in water being inhaled ell it’s not known exactly the Canoe Club and finishing at Richmond into the lungs and your breathing rate may turn of events that brought Canoe Club. It is approx. 1 2 miles with 3 increase by as much as tenfold. The ability WCatherine and myself to enter (Sunbury, Molesey and to swim well makes no difference. the Frank Luzmore race, but we later Teddington) this is the longest distance The key to surviving CWS is being alert to had conversations between us and by some 6 miles that Catherine and I the symptoms and acting quickly to protect never really got to the bottom of how it have ever raced. Additionally it is not a your airway and conserve your strength. If happened - however alcohol was not distance we have often paddled in ever you, or someone you are paddling with involved! training as we generally paddle around 8- has suspected CWS, have been recovered Two K2’s from Maidstone were going, 9 miles. from the water, there may still be the danger Catherine and myself, Bryn and Paul C We had been warned that the of secondary drowning, where any water with Paul Newman supporting; he kindly conditions were likely to be somewhat entering the lungs can cause a condition offered to help out by driving us and the turbulent (not quite the flat-water we are called pulmonary oedema. This can happen boats to Elmbridge and he then drove used to) so decided to take Richard within one to 24hrs after the incident. Look onto Richmond. Thus saving us taking 2 Clarke’s super stable Elio. out for coughing, chest pain, troubled cars and a lot of hassle and time with the So here I was on a Sunday morning at breathing, tiredness and irritability. shuttle (very much appreciated by all of 7:1 5 with the temperature a mild 5 With the Medway now in the low single us, thank you Paul). degrees and a nice clear calm day figures centigrade, be careful out there! It is necessary to explain that the finding myself at the club and due to not Frank Luzmore is a well-established having had much rain in the last week, it By Paul Newman marathon race and rather than the races looked to be a day for a good race [email protected] Catherine and I have become used to, it ahead. is a linear race and takes place on the On getting to the club Bryn and Paul river Thames starting at Elmbridge Cont'd on page 8 ...

The big Elio handles the turbulent start with finesse, no doubt assisted by the expert helming provided by Ian and Catherine. Page 7 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. Ropework & Rescues

hankfully, serious accidents are rare when kayaking – even on Twhitewater. As paddlers, this means that if we’re not careful, our rescue skills can get rusty. Of course, assisting the occasional kayaker-in-temporary-difficulty, javelining one or two paddles towards the bank, and even perhaps corraling a wayward boat that has somehow escaped from its owner’s supervision and is making a determined bid for freedom are all part- and-parcel of whitewater boating. Those are skills we use all the time, and they’re usually pretty slick. After all, everyone’s between swims! It’s the techniques required to resolve less-common incidents – often the more serious ones – which can get neglected. And that’s fine, most of the time. These incidents just don’t happen Paul & Bryn on the startline. Paul is wearing a swimming hat, which indicates a certain lack ofconfidence in his very often, and the fact you can’t instantly partner. recall how to set up a pig rig pulley system with a 4-to-1 advantage is probably not Frank Luzmore Memorial Marathon something that keeps you awake at night. Nonetheless, if you ever are unlucky ... cont'd from page 7 it was going to be interesting. With so enough to be involved in a more-serious C were preparing Bryn’s car to take the 2 many boats having to line up we had a bit incident, it’s important to have the skills at K2 boats whilst Catherine was picking up of a wait and Catherine hung back hand to make a positive difference to the Paul N on her way over to bring him to knowing that there were many more outcome. the club. By 7.45 we are ready and all set higher division crews than us of the lower A chance conversation with a friend off for the drive to Elmbridge. divisions who needed to be up front! made me realise that it’s been a few years Once arrived at Elmbridge we take the Finally all the boats were ready and the since I last practiced this stuff, and it was boats off the car, Bryn collects our super race started and off we all went however perhaps time for an update. I booked on cool upgraded RFID tagged Number from about the 3rd row back it was an Advanced Whitewater Safety & Rescue boards (so won’t be able to take any chaos; the water became really rough course, and one frosty weekend in shortcuts) and we get changed in the and boats were having trouble keeping January found myself shivering on a luxury of the club’s car park! on track as the waves caused the riverbank amidst a tangle of ropes, slings, Paul and Bryn are great team mates rudders to be lifted out the water and the prussiks, and other detritus from various giving us advice re the portages (these bows were being pushed down with rescue kits. As is traditional on these are relatively new to us and a skill we are waves riding up over the cockpits. Boats courses, we started the weekend with a still developing). However we get chatting get pushed about by waves and keeping quick show-and-tell – everyone talked to other competitors and one lovely lady a straight line is a real struggle; happily about the safety equipment they carried, from Reading, Miriam Mims Graham, with the Big Elio, a lovely stable boat, and what they used it for. These sessions also offers us advice on the portaging and Catherine managing to keep her are always really useful, because they and as they are quite a bit different from nerve through the mayhem we were able force you to re-evaluate your own those we have come across before it was to stay on track and out of trouble. assumptions about kit – about what’s really helpful; a great sport to be in when Finally, after the first mile the waters necessary, what you can improvise, and fellow competitors are happy to give started to calm down and we were off to Cont'd on page 9 ... advice. She also invited us up to the first at Sunbury. Here Reading, both to look at a boat for sale Catherine makes a really good call and and to have a paddle with them. It’s one we exit the portage about 5 places of the lovely things about these races ahead. Off again paddling fast we were where everyone is really friendly despite off to the second portage; the river is the fact that we are all competing against wide and at times still quite bouncy with each other. waves going over the bow. We have to Marathon races are split into classes avoid a few rowing boats of the type used and therefore there will be several at Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club along different starts. Bryn and Paul were first with some sailing boats. to go and started with 9 boats. They got As we approach the second portage away well. It was then time for Catherine the really fit senior men’s race who had and I to get onto the water however as started behind our race start to overtake there were 52 boats in our start we knew Cont'd on page 9 ... Mark's rescue gear. What's in your boat? Page 8 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. Frank Luzmore Ropework & Marathon Rescues ... cont'd from page 8 what you can leave behind. We’re us and by the time we are getting to the always restricted with size and weight in portage these K2s are everywhere, all kayaks, and so the expeditioner’s adage vying for the best place to portage. Ok so that “every item of gear you carry should Catherine a little panicked by all these have at least two uses” is apposite. For boats makes the decision to try to avoid instance, an open sling (like the Palm the over-crowded portage and to come Snake) can double as a short throwline, out at the lock. This means a much higher towing sling, or anchor, whereas a climb out of the boat which is not so traditional looped sling is single-use. simple, as we have to stand up and jump We spent a few hours on the up out. Catherine successfully gets out bankside, setting up increasingly- first then it is my turn and opps I end up complex pulley systems to rescue boats having a quick swim; this leaves us from fictional pin situations. It was great having to recover the boat and empty it of that the focus of this course was on water losing us about 5 mins. Fortunately practicality: all too often, ropework we make it over the portage and after a courses rely on specialist, complex gear slow start we start to settle again and such as swing-cheek pulleys and belay start making up some ground with the devices. Some kayakers do choose to boats ahead that had managed to carry this kind of stuff, and tote a clanking Bankside pulley practice with minimal resources. overtake us at the portage. drybag full of mysterious gadgets the forces involved as the rope curves Between the second and third portage everywhere they go. And although that over the karabiner means that about 40% we pass through Kingston which does have its place - perhaps on a of the energy you apply is lost to friction. according to Catherine was very sketchy mission in a steep-sided canyon Add any more than 2 karabiners to your picturesque, however I was too busy just where escape may involve full-on system and you actually end up with less concentrating on keeping my paddling in mountaineering – for the majority of force on the rope rather than more. This time and following her lead. Between paddling days, it’s massive overkill. In is the traditional justification for carrying a these portages we again had to dodge my experience, the weighty bag of couple of pulleys in a “pin kit”. However, Sailing Boats. pulleys and descenders and all the rest the wider face of nylon webbing, coupled After a steady paddle we made it to never leaves the boat and is lugged from with its thin cross-section, means that it the 3rd portage and this one fortunately one river to the next. Much better, to my slips over a karabiner-as-pulley with goes well and we make up some places. mind, to have some versatile gear and a ease. Admittedly, using a short tape So for this last part of the race we find bag of tricks to get the most from it. rather than a throwline means that you ourselves with other boats in our race and One revelation to me was how low- have to re-set the pulley regularly if Catherine is holding us on the wash, not friction a modern tape was when you’re doing a long pull – but generally, as easy as it looks, keeping the boat that leveraged around a karabiner. As you only need to move a boat a metre or close to another K2; we even managed to anyone who’s tried to set up a so before it’s dislodged from whatever eventually pull away leaving them behind. mechanical-advantage pulley system obstruction was holding it, and you can Never having raced over such a long using a throwline and krabs will tell you, then easily pull it in to shore. distance we weren’t sure how much Whitewater incidents requiring further we had to go. So despite having advanced rescue techniques come in caught up with another 2 boats we slowed basically two types: complex recoveries down concerned we would not be able to where time is not critical, for instance keep going. However we then spotted the rescuing a firmly-pinned kayak from a finish line and were able to put in a last dangerous rapid; and rescues where the burst and were bearing down on them at technique is not particularly complex, but the finish - we did not manage to overtake speed is absolutely crucial, for instance a them … but in the end we were only foot entrapment. The pulley systems and seconds apart, it was totally exhilarating. mechanical advantage setups we Once past the finish line we had to go worked on for the first day clearly come round the buoys to head back up stream into the first category - they take time to to the car at which point I asked plan and set up, and are primarily for Catherine if she was OK. There was no recovering kit. The second day looked reply and being totally out of character I much more at rescues of people, where thought something must be wrong as we time is of the essence. Despite the had both given every last bit at the end of freezing temperatures - the mercury the race however she quickly recovered struggled to hit 2C all day - the livebaiting and started chatting again, phew! We was good fun. When I’ve practiced this even managed to out run the motor boat before, it’s always been on a fairly chasing us up the river wanting their innocuous bit of river - in short, the kind expensive number board back; they of place you’re extremely unlikely ever to thought we were going home with it! need to use it. This was not the case Paul N met us by the bank and had today. The Erme is a lovely bit of grade Cont'd on page 10 ... The unlucky airbag is recirculating behind the waterfall. 4, incredibly steep but enormous fun. Page 9 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club. rope did an excellent job, waiting for me Frank Luzmore Marathon to untangle myself before hauling me ... cont'd from page 9 back to try again. become a very much important team This was really useful training - not parked the car really close which was a building after-race routine. only learning to spot the weaknesses in bonus as only a short way to carry the Back to the car we are now both the flow where you could sneak past the boat. Then a high-five with Catherine for bubbling over and neither of us could main force of the falling water, but how to we had made it. Bryn and Paul C were stop chatting, just going over the race manage ropes in chaotic water flows, already changed and drinking hot drinks the good and the bad being happy that about the importance of communication having achieved a very respectful time of we had made it to the end and were in effecting a successful rescue, and 1 hour 48 mins and placed well among not last. As we arrived back at the car more. their division. we are congratulated on our effort and It’s hard to overstate the importance of We quickly changed out of our wet received the best news as we had communication in these situations. paddling kit into warm clothes all again in managed to hit our target of achieving Good communication is often the a car park – this I think is common to all a time of less than 2 hours – we difference between a successful outcome types of canoeing and comes with the actually managed a time of 1 hour and and a botched recovery. It’s easy territory . Once changed we walked back 59 mins; amazingly all 52 boats had enough to plan a rescue when you’re all down to Richmond Canoe Club with the completed the race and we achieved a standing in a field, pretending that the all-important number board, and picked respectable 42nd place. river is running between you; it’s quite up our competitors snacks. It was my another thing to coordinate separate turn to buy Catherine and myself a hot By Ian Dann & Catherine Ayling teams of people on opposite sides of a drink and a bacon roll which has now rapid, communicating over the roaring water in a game of high-stakes multiplayer charades. For the final exercise, we worked on a rescue from a vertically-pinned boat in the middle of a rapid, utilising teams on either side of the bank. For added realism, someone drew the short straw and sat in the pinned boat - the aim was to rescue the paddler in as short a time as possible. This is probably the most complex high-speed rescue situation you’re likely to come across, and the preferred method is usually to throw two lines across the river - one upstream and one downstream of the pinned boater. By clipping the lines together with karabiner and moving the ropes down the bank in tandem, you can cinch the paddler in the middle and help them escape. This relies on good timing, and on every member of the team knowing their role - in short, on communication. Needless to say, it took Practice rescue ofa pinned paddler and boat in the centre ofa rapid. us a couple of attempts before we got it right! Ropework & airbag, which bobbed about happily As I drove back up the A303 on behind the curtain of water while we took Sunday night, the heaters blasting out hot Rescues it in turns to try and rescue it. Standing air as I tried to re-warm my frozen ... cont'd from page 9 on a slippery rock a few metres extremities, I reflected on the things I’d downstream, the waterfall looked a great learned over the weekend. It was more Part-way down, there’s a bedrock deal bigger than it had a few moments than just a grab-bag of techniques to pull waterfall - only a metre or so high - which ago. I took a deep breath and flung out when needed - it was a system of plunges into a narrow gorge. If you do it myself out over the water, my partner thinking about rescues, of approaching right, it’s a lovely move - but if you mis- paying out the rope behind me. As I the situation in a logical way, maintaining time the boof or get the line wrong, you landed, the shock of the ice-cold water an overview of the whole team, and soon realise that the gorge isn’t really slapping into my face left me gasping for recognising the appropriate solution to wide enough to roll back up in, and you breath, and I swam furiously towards the each individual scenario. But you still have become a kayaker-in-temporary- drop, trying to power through the waterfall need the techniques. Executing them difficulty. Compounding your problems is by brute strength. Just as my fingertips flawlessly in a high-pressure situation the cave behind the waterfall, which is brushed the airbag, the full force of the requires practice - more than just the undercut by a good metre or so. falling water battered me, plunging me occasional weekend training - and I’ve Swimmers can find themselves behind down into the green depths of the pool, now included “throwline practice” and a the curtain of water, pushed back into the tumbling me over and over as I was few other things in my monthly routine. cave and unable to get out. This is the pushed down. I surfaced, spluttering and Probably all of us should. scenario we practiced. shamefaced, with the rope wrapped For the purposes of training, the role around my arms and neck - not my most By Mark Corti of “unlucky kayaker” was played by an successful rescue! My partner on the [email protected]

Page 10 To subscribe to this newsletter or for more information about Maidstone Canoe Club, please visit http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/. The views expressed in this newsletter are those ofthe individual contributors and may not represent those ofthe Editor, or ofMaidstone Canoe Club.