Paddle Report

It was going to be the last real white water Lookout to Bells trip this year, so I wanted to get a few paddlers together who had been taking part in our white water skills sessions. I also wanted to be there with my video camera to record the trip.

The day's weather couldn't have been any better, 21° and full sunshine. The water level had dropped but it was still at an enjoyable level. Seven paddlers walked down the steep Lookout Hill to the Avon River below, with instructors John and Guy being there to ensure the groups safety on the river. Seven paddlers proved to be a good sized group. It meant that everyone would get a chance to play and to master the river. The 'New Generation' paddlers were Bruce, Lorna, Tony, Leonie, Brad, Brendan and Angus.

Many legs were wobbling by the time we reached the river's edge. The weather was that warm I only wore one thermal, I usually wear two thermals and a cag.

The skills development started as soon as the boats hit the water. The first challenge was to fight the current upstream to take refuge in a long pool. It turned out being more demanding for the shorter boats, but they all fought hard and reached it.

I watched and filmed the group's antics from a big boulder over looking the river. Tony was paddling my demo Dagger RPM. Brendan was paddling his new RPM. Leonie was in her Perception Priouette, Bruce, Brad and Lorna in my Wildcats and Angus in my 380.

Soon after the trip started, the group were away and surfing waves at the bottom on the Lookout Rapid. Further down at the Passage Rapid we found a great spot to practise the art of breaking in and breaking out of the current. It turned out being a great place for John, Guy and myself to check each paddler's finer techniques. I led the group away feeling pretty happy with every ones progress.

The Fortress Rapid challenged the group further as they crossed a fast current to land in a safe eddy further upstream on the other side. Success was not always guaranteed but I could see through my viewfinder that they were having great fun trying.

The group played and ferried at the Championship Rapid and Redback Run before reaching Syds Rapid for lunch. The top section of Syds (Double Scoop) had a powerful current for surfing and was quite demanding for practising the break ins and outs. By now the team were on fire, although a couple were hosed down after becoming too excited and capsizing.

The group moved down the river conquering Syds drop and stopping at the chute in Walunga Park for more wild manoeuvres. We had only seen 3 other paddlers up to that point. As they criss-crossed the river tiredness had caught up with some paddlers, but everyone managed to keep it together to Bells Rapid.

By now, I had taken some good footage for the group to ponder over. They will be able to see their own performance and see where improvements can be made. Although the 'Devils Slide' at Bells was an intimidating rapid the group let nothing get in their way as they surfed the wave above it. All the demons were let loose and the group though a little tired, (especially Guy) had a fantastic time.

Everyone in the group had improved immensely, and like paddlers possessed, they just kept getting in there carving up the rapids in fine style and improving with every minute.

Each person had their personal challenges and goals and by the days end I could see that the weeks of white water practise had raised their confidence, increased their skills and left them proud of what they had achieved.

I can see with a few loose ends tied, and just a little more technique tuition, the world will be their oyster.

Well done guys, you are now entering another exciting stage of your kayaking career.

By Terry Bolland