| Archive for westhoughtoncanoeclub.myfreeforum.org Westhoughton Canoe Club |
| Steve T |
Mile End Mill, 10 FebruaryCarl organised a trip to Mile End Mill yesterday, seven turned up (Carl, Graham S, Becky & Andy, Dave & Jon, and myself) on a lovely crisp (OK, cold) misty morning.Paddling up to the Tombstones weir we ran this, with a couple of harmless swims which needn't be gone into here, before running the three other drops & wave trains, with those who weren't 100% happy sitting out some of these and watching from the side. The beauty of a park & play site like this is that you can choose which bits to do and which not to, while you watch over the others. Also you can quickly carry back up and run it again, and since we'd each paid £5.00 for the day, we did that too. The level was well up from the last time we were there in 2006, and two of the drops had some quite meaty holes for the unwary, each drop on its own rating a high grade 2. Jon Smethurst deserves particular mention for hanging in there much longer than I would have, as he got the washing machine treatment in the middle drop, and then still going for a bow rescue when he washed out - respect is due. I think we all enjoyed ourselves. I realised that I'd forgotten most of what I'd learned on last year's intermediate white water course, proving that you really need to be out there doing it (not in here typing about it!). Hopefully our monthly trips will keep us all fresh and on form through the summer, building up through the grades so we're all ready for next winter's season. Quick competition (for those who weren't there only). To which of our club members do these belong? 
No prizes, other than widespread fame within Westhoughton CC as someone who knows too much about feet ..... Steve |
||
| Steve T |
This is interesting (well, I thought so):
http://www.whitewateractive.co.uk/SpecialpageSee-id135.html This page describes the level at JJ's according to the gauge. Yesterday it was hovering below 8.
This confirms what I said about it being bigger than last time - it was bigger than normal levels, hence the frightening state of the Serpent's Tail & Town Falls, which some of us took a look at before heading home. Steve |
||
| CarlS |
I agree with Steve, the river was well up compared to last time and was a fair challenge for our less expeienced members. We did two runs of the complete section and Steve talked me into doing the top part a third time, well having paid £5 you had to get your money's worth!
On the first run I went down the main weir and almost came to grief, I warned Andy to take a better line but he was too close behind me. By the time Jon was running it, he had listened to our warnings and almost had a perfect line, but sideways. His roll at the bottom was text book but it wasn't his luckly day and he went into a spin cycle. However, he kept his head and the subsequent rescue was not a problem, well done Jon. Some of our beginners experienced their first proper whitewater swims in a fairly safe environment and gained from this. It would be nice to come back to this site when the water's a bit wamer and do some rescue training (one group seemed to be doing this but they had dry suits on). I have made a video of the day which includes footage of the Serpent's Tail. The more I watch it, the more I really fancy having a go, so if anyone feels the same way let me know. |
||
| Steve T |
OK, but let's go when it's like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PGIRg74WNY this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G5H9jo_dS0 or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpiYVZbOXfI but not when it's like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EezNbIlMNUg (Note the slalom boats in the last video, and the rubbish bit of line throwing in the second one, missing the swimmer, but just in time for the paddler following him to roll up into it.) Actually the last one is so washed-out, both at the tail and the town, that it might be easier (but the potential swim much longer). Steve |
||
| CarlS |
Love the first breakout on the second video! Not seen the technque before, perhaps it was accidental but it looked really cool.
Carl |
||
| DaveS |
Cheers to both of you for the paddle (and swim  ) on sunday.
It was a really good day and definately more challenging than two years ago. I could do with a bit more practice I think at my roll though, the rocks definately worked as a distraction for me! 
Even with the swim it was a good day and the weather was pretty kind even if it was a little chill. I would happily go back there but not with the amount of water on some of those videos......... 
can't wait for the next outing. |
||
| CarlS |
You can watch the lastest offering from 'carl cam' on utube, just follow this link
http://youtube.com/watch?v=22bN_s21AuY I am still developing a filming technique and will keep on experimenting. The biggest problem is deciding where to attach the camera. After around 90 seconds the video features the 'hole' which we felt it would be best to avoid, as it happens a couple of us ended up going through it, great fun! I have ended the video with a shot of the serpent's tail, a project for later in the year. Thanks are owed to Dave for the additional footage of us going down the bottom drop. No music this time but I am open to suggestions. Carl |
||
| Steve T |
I do like the helmet cam stuff.
I'm currently figuring out how to fix my old water resistant camera to my old helmet. It might end up as a great big block of foam, some cable ties & gaffer tape - that won't make me look stupid at all, will it? Steve |
||
| CarlS |
No more than usual Steve 
|
||
| Steve T |
That's kind of what I was thinking anyway ..... |
||