Dee Report Saturday 15th March

We set off from the pony at 8.30 in time to meet up with the rest of the crew at Dobbies for 9.15. Rich Probert chose an extra few minutes in bed and decided to meet us at Mile End Mill. The level was .50 on the EA gauge at Corwen which is 2.5 on the gauge at MEM. So we decided to have a look at Town Falls to see whether people were happy to run it at this level, which is a bit more technical with more rocks showing. Having had a look we set of for the top car park at Horseshoe weir. Toilets were locked so their was a slight delay whilst Rob and Ricki made a quick visit back to MEM for a call of nature. Eventually on the river around 11am and we warmed up on our way down to Serpent’s. Great time here as people were attempting their own goals and there was much boat swapping with people running Serpent’s in different boats. After several runs we moved on with myself, Nigel, Rob, John, Shane and Dave bimbling on down and enjoying the wildlife, river and surroundings on such a beautiful day, trying a bit of surfing and generally having fun. The three play boaters shot off ahead intent on having time on the bottom wave before the rest of us arrived. We met them and joined in the fun before a group of seven of us set off for Town Falls. We meandered down in order to give Geoff time to have a pint and set up his camera on the balcony of the Corn Mill !! We weren’t sure how many would get into the eddy under the balcony but with 5 already there Rob decided to carry on through, Ricki broke in to follow Rob’s line so Rich P took Ricki’s spot in the eddy. I think Geoff’s video footage best tells the sequence of events but everyone got safely through, a couple of excellent rolls were demonstrated on route. We gathered in the eddy for the last 100 metres down to the get out. On the last rapid 20 metres above the get out Rob bounced off something in the water and shot into the air, he immediately knew he’d put a hole in his boat. Everyone was gutted but Rob commented himself, he wouldn’t let it spoil a cracking day.