Open boaters on the Usk, south Wales

ezwater · Post by **ezwater** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:43 pm

Check out these shots of Brits running class 2 in winter, on the Usk in Wales. Properly boated and equipped, doing well. "Canadian" canoeing has gotten much more popular over there.

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/ ... on-the-Usk

TheKrikkitWars · Post by **TheKrikkitWars** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:25 pm

Good stuff, looks like the kind of levels that would have GDI salivating wildly

I'll have to post some north wales stuff up (assuming I ever get photos that is).

wetnobby · Post by **wetnobby** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:26 pm

Interesting to see the Zoom is being paddled as a C1...Decks all panelled in with a spraydeck fitted...

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:48 pm

nuthin wrong with paddlin class I rivers we need sumthin to train the kids on. Now about the level if we were there we would paddle it even at low water. It is more important to paddle than be a level snob. One day last week the Conasauga at three feet ( too high) the next day same river at one foot and a good time was had at both levels. It is easy too set across the big pond and make fun of a group and the levels they run river at and another thing to come run the river with that group aabd see that they run at all levels. We know you can do one of the above when are you goin to do the other?

ezwater · Post by **ezwater** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 11:09 pm

Hey Louie, here's a run in Scotland that you'll like. A GDI special.

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/ ... bber-ducky

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:41 am

looks good but cold. I would do it.

TheKrikkitWars · Post by **TheKrikkitWars** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:09 pm

ezwater wrote: Hey Louie, here's a run in Scotland that you'll like. A GDI special.

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/ ... bber-ducky

I suddenly find it ironic I've run it at about that level (and several lfeet higher, it was "somewhat less mellow"), it's about the only low water river in scotland, has a 25 footer though. When you coming over

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:30 pm

wELL my company EnergySolutions is heavily involved with a lot of nuclear plants in England so who knows. Any pictures of the 25' footer?

SkeeterGuy86 · Post by **SkeeterGuy86** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:29 pm

that scottland run looks like a blast .... wish i had a way to get my skeeter over there

and that WooZ setup like a C1 is interesting

TheKrikkitWars · Post by **TheKrikkitWars** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 9:59 pm

Louie wrote:wELL my company EnergySolutions is heavily involved with a lot of nuclear plants in England so who knows. Any pictures of the 25' footer?

Ooooh, well if you hear anything about Wylfa A/Trawsfynydd decommissioning or the construction of Wylfa B; you'd be in my neck of the woods and you're welcome to come boating/drop in for some beers.

The river in question is the Middle Etive (3/4) the big fall is Eas an Fhir Mhoir (Translates as "Big Man's Falls") more commonly called "Right Angle" due to its run in.

Video of Jon Lovell running it in his first prelude here.[/url]

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 11:14 pm

Well the approach looked a little skeetchy, the level looked good however and that is my type of drop. I'll do it.

oc ender · Post by **oc ender** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:48 pm

i'm planning a trip tu the Uk,was wondering where can i rent a open boat or c-1and gear.Love to paddle a couple of the rivers over there,class3-4.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:26 pm

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/forum.php

Some people from this site have offered to lend me a boat. If you are as trust worthy as me I'd say they might do you the same.

philcanoe · Post by **philcanoe** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:38 pm

TheKrikkitWars wrote:Good stuff, looks like the kind of levels that would have GDI salivating wildly

this link

....you sure that shouldn't be directed at the lengthy guy or the long2-boater.

TheKrikkitWars · Post by **TheKrikkitWars** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:45 pm

oc ender wrote:i'm planning a trip tu the Uk,was wondering where can i rent a open boat or c-1and gear.Love to paddle a couple of the rivers over there,class3-4.

You won't be able to rent an OC1, nor will any outfitter provide you with a traditional open canoe to take on real whitewater.

Where were you thinking of going in the uk and when? I might be able to lend you some kit and a boat myself.

As a last minute thought one of the shops did have a demo-remix that was temporarily converted to a C1 with a dagger saddle by the owner's brother, but I don't know if its still like that or if they'd let you take it out; and unless they cut you a deal I imagine the rental costs (it's £20 a day, but techincally includes as many boats from the fleet as you want to try on the nearby artificial course that day) would be pretty steep.

Also of interest to you is that Virgin Atlantic will allow you to bring a C1 and kit across on the plane at no extra cost, just notify them that you'd like to take advantage of their sporting goods allowance for your "kayak".