Only a small group of six of us turned out on a damp grey autumn day.
But what a great day we had, full of excitement and entertainment !
The Tryweryn wasn’t releasing so clubs from all over the country who’d booked bunkhouses around Bala had nowhere else to go, so too a canoe symposium. Consequently the Dee and Serpents itself was heaving with all sorts of boats and crafts. River was quite low at .50 on the EA gauge at Corwen (about 2.5 on the gauge at Mile End Mill ). So we played on Serpents trying to make eddies and rescuing swimmers and boats from other groups (as well as our own ). great to watch a group of open boaters come through, some skilfully some frantically and some swimming, but most roping their boats through.
More entertainment when a raft appeared making its way down and we all agreed with the river so low and the gap only 4 ft wide at the tail there was no way it would fit through, we were right !! Wedged tight there was a lot of pushing and pulling and moving around the boat before the raft guide managed to bend the boat by pulling on a rope on the one side and sending everyone against the rock face that we all try so hard to avoid ! But fair play to him they got through.
Highlight of the day was Geoff”s first, and successful run of Serpent’s. Captured on video by his son and our reserve photographer Kee who is obviously better at kayaking. Did he get any dinner last night Geoff ?
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