Tees Barrage White Water Course

Chris T · Tees Barrage White Water Course

After the AGM a possible trip to the Tees Barrage at Stockton was mentioned. As August and September is pretty busy there is an option of making it as the trip or as an extra trip in October .

Unfortunately as the course is tide dependant currently the only release times on the website are for July and August.

It costs £7 for an adult to use the course. They used to have demo boats for hire (will have to check nearer the time)

The website is www.4seasons.co.uk

Loads of videos are on you tube here are a few

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvsxSQGjfXQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-emf_UdakU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JemYBCUbS_Q

Let me know if you are interested

Steve T

Depending on the dates, I'll be up for this.

Thanks for taking on the organisation of this one, Chris.

Steve

Mel Stoddart

Looks loke a good trip, but no free dates in August. Am still "roof rack less" at the mo anyway.

Chris T

Mel

Looking to do the trip in October

Chris

Phil

Chris me and Lisa are defo up for this one.
Any time in October is ok for us,will it be a weekender or just the day as their is a campside right near the course.

Chris T

The October Trip to Tees Barrage can be planned for the second weekend if this is going to be the club monthly trip? but release dependant.

For example the release could be from 9:00 - 15:00 or split 8:00 - 10.45 / 15.15 - 17.45. It depends if we want to travel early to get 2.5 hours on the course or reschedule to get a full day. I will have to wait for until the times are released on the website then decide. Should be on in August so there is a bit of planning time.

If this is the monthly trip this may limit the members attending due to ability the website advice is that users should be competent at paddling grade 3 and able to roll on moving water.

More details as I have them

Steve T

Chris

Do you know from your own experience how seriously they enforce the "guidelines"?

CarlS

I'm not sure how you can judge the reliability of a moving water roll, since conditions can vary and even the most experienced paddlers have swam on as low as grade 2 water when their rolls have failed. I would suggest that the best place to practise is on the wave under the road bridge at the Burrs, if you can manage to roll there on a fairly regular basis then you are probably okay.
Carl

Mike

I can swim that bit very well carl does that count!

Chris T

They have never asked me or any one I have been with for any proof of ability as a group of paddles wanting to use the course.

I also have swam on the course, lovely peat filled water.

I think it is just the site doing their 'duty of care' bit and to stop total novices going down and bailing out as soon they go over having never been on moving water before.

As the course is horseshoe shaped with a huge finish pool at the bottom there is no risk of kit shooting off down stream.

If they have paddled the Burrs regularly and up to grade 2. I think they will have no problem on the course. I have taken people down with limited grade 2 experience with no problems. If they have the confidence to stay in the boat for a rescue then Its definately for them. I would be happy to take them.

Its definitely the big umbrella thing.

Chris

Chris T

Update on the weekend

Just checked the release times in the barrage and it is only until the end of September. I will give them a ring and see if I can get Octobers to arange a firm date.

http://www.teesactive.co.uk/activ...te+water+release+times/rowid=491.

More updates to follow

Chris

Chris T

The opening times for the course for October are now on the website. The release times are as follows:

Sat 3rd 0800 – 1305
Sun 4th 0800 – 1340
Sat 10th 1130 – 1730
Sun 11th 12.35 – 1800
Sat 17th 0800 – 1250
Sun 18th 0800 – 1330
Sat 10th 1110 – 1710
Sun 11th 1100 – 1700

From experience the later the opening the more play boaters on the course meaning more time sat in an eddy

Accommodation is available in the form of a campsite next door at £6.55 per tent (2 people) website link below

http://www.visitteesvalley.co.uk/...te-water-caravan-club-park-p19031

or

Cabin accommodation next to the site at £15 per person the website link below

http://www.teesactive.co.uk/activ...ame=cabin+accommodation/rowid=495

I would suggest Sunday 4th Oct paddle with for those wanting to stay over travelling up on the Saturday around lunchtime giving time to set up have a few sherbets the course should be relatively empty first thing on the Sunday.

I'm open for suggestions and ideas

Steve T

I'll probably have to give this one a miss as I'll be tied up that weekend.

Cheers
Steve

Dave W

Sorry Chris

October is a bit of a no go for me I am afraid I will have to pass.

Dave

Chris T

After a chat at the pub after the pool session on Wednesday there are still a few up for the Tees Barrage weekend.

Confirmed date is Sunday 4th October. Travelling up on the Sunday Morning.

It will be a bit of an early start need to leave around 0700hrs be at the site and on the water by about 1000am latest to get a good couple of hours on the course.

The current plan discussed was to meet up load all the boats onto Darren’s trailer and head up in a couple of cars.

If those interested can let me know if you are planning to attend on the forum and we can sort the transport and timings out at the pool next week.

Chris

Mike

i am in

adski · Teeside

Sorry to stick my nose in

I paddle with Garstang/Ribble and we take new paddlers to Teeside all the time, we've never been asked about qualifications/star awards at Teeside but when you sign in you are agreeing to abide by their rules.

As for taking new paddlers you have to watch the tide heights:-
1.4M and below Acid Drop is in
1.9M and below Valentines will be in

We usually take newbies on a 1.9M and above. But once a year we spend a weekend there, staying in the cabins (£15 a night) we always book it for the lowest tide, this Summer it was 0.3M and Acid Drop was Huge - there was a crowd of spectators on the bridge, cheering every time someone attempted it.

I'd avoid taking newbies when Acid Drop is big cos they will have a nasty swim and it will definitely put them off. With 1.9M and above they have the excitement of dropping into cruncher and if they do swim, they'll flow into flat calmish water - But just take 'em once and they'll be addicted to it!

Have a great trip
Adski

GrahamS

Put me down for this one.

Thanks

Phil

Chris me and Lisa are in. cool no rocks

Mel Stoddart

Won't be able to make this one, but have a fun trip

Bradshaws · Getting there

Hi Chris,Mat,Mike,Graham + all your gear
I can pick you up from your homes on sunday morning around about 6.30am on 4th Oct
As for
Phil,Lisa they are coming to my house and leaving there car at mine.
please let me know if thats ok

Darren

Mike

Have you got a mini bus or something?

Bradshaws

Hi Mike better then a mini bus a rocket do need a lift
Darren

GrahamS

Thanks for that Darren - see you Sunday - can't make pool on Wed.

Graham

Bradshaws

Ok Mate see you sunday

CarlS

Thanks for organising this trip Chris, sorry I can't make it myself. Have fun.
Carl

Chris T

just checked the course and its looking good. Kits packed ready to go.

It's a low tide so it will be pumping at the bottom

yeahaaaaaa

I'll have to calm myself I'm starting to sound like Steve!!

Mike

Chris

Does this mean i will be cartwheeling before i can roll (properly)
??

lol

Chris T

Yep

Thats probrably the best way to learn

Tees Barrage White Water Course

Teeside

Getting there