Safety Course

CarlS · Safety Course

The cost of a closed course is £260 for as many as 10 people. This will take place on the Tryweryn and would be an ideal way of starting the new paddling season in Autumn.

We could make a weekend of it, with some people doing the course and paddling the next day or the other way round. There are some fairly good videos on youtube from which you can get an idea of if the 'top section' is for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yFpamGlPYo

The course itself is great fun and would cover areas such as throwline rescue and swimming/self rescue in whitewater situations.

What I need initially is a list of members who are interested and any dates in September that you can't make (bearing in mind that we have the sea kayak course on the 19/20th. There is no reason whay we can't go for later in the year, but it is then getting colder and the day's aren't as long.

Please reply asap.

Carl

Dave W

I would be interested and I am free first 2 weekends in sept.

Phil

Carl
Me and Lisa can do the weekend 12th/13th
The others who were interested have posted on the rescue course already but i cant say when people are free date wise because no dates were mentioned at the time it was put on

BobM

I was planning to do the course in September on my own - it is scheduled for the 13th. But if there are a group from the club doing a closed course that would be great.

Bradshaws · Saftey course

I am also free to do the saftey course on the 12th/13th sept Darren

Mike

Def put me down for it

Mel Stoddart

Only weekend I can do is the 26th / 27th Sept.
Mel

Steve T

Don't think I'll bother with this one since we're away at the end of the month and doing something earlier (Tryweryn on the 5th or 6th?)

It's a busy month for me and if I'm going anywhere then I'm going paddling, not (deliberately) swimming.

Steve

CarlS

I have asked if we can do the course on the 12th September (or as an alternative the 13th). I will post here when I get more information.

Steve, I know we have talked about paddling on the 5/6th but I am coming round to the idea of perhaps making the 12/13th an official club weekend with beginners and novices doing the safety course whilst some of us play on the Tryweryn. On the Sunday we could all paddle down to Bala. What do you think?

Subject to who is available, I am also wondering if it is time to let some of our juniors loose on the lower section, (portage Bala Mill).

Steve T

Sounds good.

I am good to paddle the lower on whichever day you're not planning the swimming course.

Portaging of Bala Mill is recommended, only if you are quick enough to get pictures of Carl & I running the drop. Last year the epic had happened before the photographer was in position.

Steve.

BobM

Unfortunately I have to be at work all day on the Saturday, but I am still hoping to do the course as an individual on the Sunday as I originally planned.

I really need to give up work, it is seriously getting in the way of my paddling!

DaveS

Carl,

definately interested in this weekend, any ideas as to accomodation?
could we try the same bunkhouse as last time - it was really excellent value. Unfortunately think that Jon is away, is there an age limit for the course? Could Harry do it?

CarlS

Dave I have booked you down for the course and if Harry is 16 on the date of the course he is okay to come as well.

CarlS

I have now paid for the course using my plastic. The course is on the 12th September and the cost is £26 each, at present we have the following people who have confirmed that they can do it:

Dave
Phil
Lisa
Darren
Mike
Dave S
Harry (if he is 16)
Graham
Adrian
Myself

The cost of £26 assumes that ten people pay, so there are a couple of spare places if anyne is interested. This course is ideal for newer members and would give you a chance to get to really know the rest of us really well!

Bob can't make the Saturday and had already booked the public course on the Sunday (you could join us Saturday night if you wished when we can then scare you with tales of how scary the course was

)

So, if people can pay me the cash ASAP that would be nice.

With regards to the bunkhouse I can't remember what it was called so have not booked anything as yet. We can discuss this Weds.

On the Sunday we can all paddle the lower Tryweryn and those are ready can have a go at the upper section.

Carl

Dave W

Hi Carl

As you know I cant make Wednesday but I will bring cash for you on Sunday if thats OK.

Are we not doing this the wrong way round. Should we not be doing the safety course before we do the Washburn.

Dave

GrahamS

Thanks Carl, Put me down for the safety course. I'll give you the money on Wednesday.

CarlS

Adrian also has expressed an interest in doing the course so if Harry is indeed 16 that means we are now full. However, if other members want to take part please let me know and I can look into what we can do.

DaveS

Carl,
I feel really awkward but I will not be able to go, as I have scouting commitments on the saturday - the district Exporer camping comp. Also Harry is not 16, he is four years short of that at the moment. If you can't fill the places then I will not see you out of pocket but hopefully you will be able to fill the places.
I can only apologies to you for the mix up but I am afraid there is nothing I can do about it now.
Sorry again.........

CarlS

Latest list of people doing course is:
Dave
Phil
Lisa
Darren
Mike
Graham
Adrian
Myself

The Bunkhouse has been booked for two nights.

This leaves two spare places so if anyone else wants to do the course please let me know. If any member doesn't want to do the course but would like to stay over on Friday/Saturday or both let me know as well.

This is going to be a really fun weekend and ideal for relative beginners. The safety course is suitable for anyone, but the lower section is probably best attempted by people who have been on the Burrs a few times.

There are some pictures below of the Bunkhouse along with a picture of Bala Mill Falls which is the grade 4 drop at the end of the Tryweryn which can be easily missed out (should you wish to)

BobM

Hi Carl,

I have managed to arrange to finish work a few hours early on the Saturday so should be able to get down there by early evening so can I please take one of the places in the bunkhouse for Saturday night? How much is it? (For some reason I thought we were camping - started digging all my gear out already - must have misread the details!)

Bob.

CarlS

The bunkhouse is £15 per night full board. We will sort out payment later.

Mike

Carl I am conscious that I have not been about for a few weeks but I am still up for this, going along with any group decisions on accommodation etc.

Shall give you payment next week.

Mike

CarlS

Thanks to those who have paid the £26 for the course itself. The club will fund half the cost of the bunkhouse so I will also need an additional £15 for each person as well, the total cost therefore is £41 each. I will send out the course notes via email, no special equipment is required, although they ask that shorts are not worn (dry suits can be provided), don't forget that on the Sunday we are paddling the Tryweryn.

Chris T

If there are still 2 places available then Matt and Myself would be interested for both days.

CarlS

Should be okay, see you at the Burrs Wednesday?

Steve T

As hinted previously I'll be travelling to Bala for the Sunday only. As per the Sleningford weekend, this will be mainly to catch up on the reports of the previous evening's excitement and to view Saturday's bruises while they're still fresh. It would also be nice to paddle the river while I'm there.

Lifts in the paddlewagon are therefore available. Graham B has, I think, taken the first place but I can take four boats (five if one is a playboat) so any more lightweight daytrippers like myself should let me know. The more the merrier/cheaper.

This has become a habit but I will be camping on the Anglesey weekend to see what you lot get up to. Does any drinking go on?

Steve

Mel Stoddart

Phil

Steve T

It's of no use to me as I won't be there until Sunday, but as the Pyranhafest is on that weekend there will be a paddler's party in Bala on Saturday night for £15 (including hogroast !). Looks rubbish, I'm glad I'm not going now.

Details on www.pyranhafest.com/ - click on "other info and activities".

Steve

CarlS

The most upto date list is as follows:

Dave
Phil
Lisa
Darren
Adrian
Graham
Mike
Chris
Matt
Myself

Two people have paid the £26 course fee and five the full £41. If the rest could pay ASAP that would be great.

The details of the bunkhouse can be found by following this link:

http://www.tynyrerwbunkhouse.co.uk/

Any member who is not doing the course on the Saturday but intends staying Saturday night should contact the bunkhouse just to make sure there are places available and settle directly with the owner (I think Bob falls into this category).

Arrive on the Friday at a sensible time and for the Sunday day trippers we will meet at the Tryweryn Cafe at 11am.

With regard to the Sunday run, Graham B will not be paddling and as a consequence that possibly leaves just myself and Steve as river leaders. We therefore reserve the right to say that parts of the river (or all of it depending on water levels) may be too much for some individuals. However, after seeing the Tryweryn on the Saturday and doing the course this is something that members may decide for themselves anyway.

As a general guide:

1) it is a grade 2+ river.
2) it is longer than the Burrs and once you are on it it is not practical to get back to the centre without doing the full run.
3) if you have been on the Washburn you should be fine.
4) the grade 4 drop at the end is one that can be portaged
5) there are some parts where some 'steering' is required and some of the waves are fairly big
6) if you have paddled on the Burrs on a fairly regular basis you should be fine
Any questions?

Steve T

Mike

OK just to clarify

We go Friday night, do the safety course, stop Saturday night, then have the option of going on a day trip with Steve.

If this is the case Steve:

Am i able to go ( ability wise )
can i have a lift with my boat in the truck?

If yes to the above i am in.!

Regards

Mike

CarlS

Hi Mike, those doing the safety course arrive friday night and do the course on the saturday. The course finishes around 4pm so if anyone doesn't want to run the river on the sunday they could either stay on the saturday night or simply go home after the course. Steve is not doing the course and is driving up on sunday morning to meet us in the centre cafe at 11am.

I don't know how much paddling you have got in since the last time I saw you (I have been on holiday), but if you are happy to accept that it may be a challenging day for you then paddle on the sunday as well. As Steve and myself have already mentioned, once you are on the river there is no access to return to the centre.

The safety course on the saturday will give you experience of being in grade 3/4 water as a swimmer, so a swim in the lower section the next day shouldn't be a problem (should this happen!), so yes I would say you can do the lower section on the sunday.

With regard to getting your boat up there there are a couple of possibilities, you don't need to be in a kayak on the saturday so perhaps Steve could take your boat up on the sunday, failing this we could arrange a lift on the Friday.

Are you joining us sunday to do the rammy run or will you be down on wedsnesday so that we can sort out what we are doing about transport?

Chris T

Both Me and Matt are planning to be there on Sunday and up for a paddle.

Carl Sorry couldn't make last Wednesday Blinking work, will however we will be there on Wednesday with cash in hand.

Chris

CarlS

We now have ten people who have confirmed they are going over the weekend. Whoever arrives first at the Bunkhouse could perhaps ask if we could possibly eat around 9pm. For the course itself there is a kit list:

Normal paddling gear, but no shorts!

They may be able to loan drysuits, in which case they ask that fleeces are worn underneath. The course will cover:

Introduction

Safe swimming

Throwlines

Chest harnesses

Foot and body entrapments and escape form stoppers.

If anyone wants more info please ask.

On the Sunday we will paddle the full river. Meeting the day trippers in the cafe at 11am.

Steve T

Sunday's daytrippers confirmed as Me, Chris H and Mad Andy.

So one more space left if anyone's up for it.

See you 11:00 Sunday although we'll try to be there earlier as parking might be a problem given that the festival's going on. I might give someone a ring Saturday night to confirm.

Steve

CarlS

Please note that the Bunkhouse would like to serve dinner at 8.30pm on Friday.

The safety course starts at 9am on Saturday and finishes at 4pm. Last weekend the centre was open until 6.30pm so can anyone guess what is going through my mind?

The water information line is updated later in the week and details are below:

Water Information Line Number 01678 520826

Release level restrictions to prevent environmental damage
No canoeing/kayaking below 7 cumecs
No rafting below 9 cumecs

Grading Guide

Release (cumecs) Upper section Lower section
7 3 grade 2 – 3

(with one grade 4 rapid)

7.5 – 10 3 / 4 grade 2 – 3

(with one grade 4 rapid)

10 – 16 3+ / 4 grade 2 – 3

(with one grade 4 rapid)

Everyone should be okay to paddle the top section before the graveyard, so we could have a bit of a play. Of course it is going to be busy on the river and the 'big boys' will be out showing how play boats should be used. I don't know if rafts will be running but we will see.

See you Friday
Carl

PS The Graveyard used to be called Daisey dell until a couple of weeks ago but we don't want to scare people so don't mention this!

No seriously the river runs through what used to be a church graveyard, hence the name. However, as Graham B will tell you it could be called the graveyard because every rock tells a story.

Oh and one more thing! It goes without saying that we will be driving in North Wales and therefore I will give my usual warning. Keep to the speed limit!

Mike

Can i have an address to the bunkhouse...

and are we at the national watersports centre?

BobM

Unfortunately I have had to change my plans. I won't be able to make it down on the Saturday night so will head down early Sunday morning to do the public safety course (at least that way you can't all scare the
c%@P out of me with tales of how your safety course went).
With any luck I will be able to find you on the river once my course finishes on the Sunday so I can heckle from the bank (or maybe throw a rope if needed with my newly developed skills!)

CarlS

The address of the bunkhouse is:

Tyn-yr-Erw Farm Bunkhouse
Glanrafon
Corwen
Denbighshire
LL21 0HE

Directions from BALA
Take A484 towards Corwen for 5 miles to Bethel Turn left and follow the lane for 2 miles to post box Turn sharp left signposted to Soar Follow the lae for a short distance until it turns right. Do not turn right: Go straight ahead up lane with No Exit sign We are the first farm on the right

Directions from CORWEN
Stay on the A5 westbound until you see the Goat Hotel on your right. Turn left here. Follow this lane for 2½ miles to the cross roads by a post box Fork right here, signposted to Soar Follow this lane for a short distance until it turns right. Do not turn right: Go straight ahead up lane with No Exit sign We are the first farm on the right

Follow this link for a map:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap...map.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

The course is at the:

Canolfan Tryweryn
National Whitewater Centre
Frongoch
Bala
Gwynedd
LL23 7NU

CarlS

Safety Course

Saftey course