Clywedog 20/12/2014

[Geoff]

Wrote a detailed report of yesterday just to have the page crash so won’t try again, but I would like to mention Kee’s spot of bother.

There was a river wide tree down with a line possible river left under a low arching branch. I was unsighted to this due to a bend in the river, but was informed of the line by Chuckie. As I came round the bend I saw Kee in an eddy, half under water, with Dave holding his head above water. This distracted me from my line and caused me to collide with the branch and swim.

Shortly after Kee followed me and told me what happened. Watching the footage it wasn’t the clash with John that caused it, but as Kee turns to inspect the line his boat is pulled under leaving him pinned in the eddy, braced on his paddle.
What and how he’s pinned isn’t clear, but the more he tries to free himself the more he’s pinned.

He calls for help and Dave dashes over, jumps out his boat, struggles to right Kee, checks he’s ok and happy to carry on then releases him into the flow.

Many thanks for the quick actions Dave, I cannot describe the relief to see Kee come down the river behind me.

[admin]

As a father myself Geoff I know that gut wrenching feeling of no control over a situation.I had my eye on kee and john already as the flow was where they were trying 2 eddy out,saw Kee and darted over.He couldn’t lift his paddle as the Flow was against the deck and every time he moved he went further over into the tree.I know u guys would do the same 4 me.I must say though line of sight is a must as a group+ quik thinking on a river that fast.Grt day lads hope kees ok now my arms ache

[Rob]

Keelan saves me , Dave’s saves Keelan. The baton gets passed on again , it’s good to know someone’s got your back and all ends well.

[admin]

After all of daves quick thinking rescues yesterday i feel alot safer on the river with him. It was a very sticky situation kee was in ,dave was there like a shot and new just what to do hats off to dave some good knowledge you have gained along your paddling days. A good day and all home safe

[Tim]

Good to see everyone looking out for each other. Line of sight is so important.

[admin]

It is with great relief that Kee was so efficiently and effectively by Dave as I had ebbed around the tree stump after losing my paddle. I am grateful to Geoff for explaining what happened as I thought I was responsible by entering the same eddy as Kee. I couldn’t understand how it came about because he was upright prior to me ebbing down to the next eddy. I was also appreciate Dave helping me out of a tricky situation at the same time and at the end of the trip when again I got caught out by the fast flowing water when you think you are safe. As I said before not one of my “Best” days but I hope you let “Compo” out again and I try to behave myself.

[Richard D]

As first under the arch of the tree I was unaware of what was going on behind me. Nevertheless as Rob has said and as Ian Dallaway mentioned on the 4 Star leadership training, paddling as a team definitely has its benefits with everyone having an understanding and knowledge of how others in the group will react. It is good to know that we are always looking out for each other as has been proven before. Credit to Dave for reacting so quickly and to everyone else for assisting in boat chasing and retrieval of kit. A great day all else considered and a lot was learnt.
Who’s out next Saturday ?

[admin]

I’m out Rich, if I can fit in my boat!!

[Nigel]

Having viewed some of the footage and read the blogs, well done on the team work Wombles. It enforces the need for attending safety training etc, Mr Y , executed some recently learned skills along with others in the team. I am glad all ended well and safe.

I am out Saturday Rich.

[Tim]

Hindsight is great of course and video footage shows only part of the story. I would really like to conduct a debrief/reflection session looking into this trip. Not a finger pointing exercise but a discussion based on experiences and ideas. I do it at work every week. We need to make sure that lessons from the
Vrynwy last year, Rhiw, Upper Dart and now the Clywedog are learned before moving on. Im just not being filled with hope at the moment. Im also of the opinion that this footage should not be put on public forums. We are looking like clowns on a weekly basis. Paddlers looking for a club are looking at this footage, my brother is looking at this footage, people ive never met who use the so called wombourne facebook site look at this footage. I look at the footage and giggle and then pinch myself that its our club.

[Ricki]

The Clewedog is always a fun river and I know it very well as my aunty lives right by it. Regularly walking the banks and paths of this river over the years, trees are regularly down.

Although I do enjoy watching clips of Go Pro helmets of people showing rivers and their lines with great footage, I’m going to be the first to say I want no further direct Go Pro footage uploaded of myself unless I personally agree to it, whether in a good or bad situation. I’ve come to the conclusion ‘still’ photos in a positive sense are my thing, and I’m becoming to dislike the way Go Pro’s are heading.

[Geoff]

All films have been set to private. Sorry for the damage done.

[admin]

Tim’s right about reflecting on what happened, I’m guilty of some silly action; boat, losing my paddle twice, caught in a strainer. Apart from that one of the key issues I learnt was the difference in “Pace” of the water, which had an impact on the eddies and time given to make important decisions to eddy out quickly before fallen trees and holding your position. Fortunately, Chucky, Dave came to the forefront and gave valuable assistance in dealing with tricky situations. This has been a valuable experience, whilst applying some useful techniques in retrieving 2 boats. I think that all members who attend regularly have learnt from these experiences and I’m a great believer on building on your mistakes as we develop, as well as keep safe and know your own limitations.

[Chucky]

great river 🙂

fast water, lots of lessons.

As to the videos i like to see the footage of certain features.
Geoff great footage to be able to watch and asses my line.
I can take the point of how some bits make us as a club look so maybe we need to be selective about the footage used.

maybe a discussion point for the AGM ?

[admin]

No more footage will be uploaded by me i will keep for personal record, i haven’t named wombourne kayak club on the title on youtube . After the last trip to the dart i was told to show the swims on my footage so people don’t under estimate a river . I think it is a good thing to see so you can see what went wrong and what not to do next time round . As for a group we do pretty good on a river as a team as showed on sat , the group before us had just the same messups as we did we are never going to be perfect as it is near impossible to right yourself in every situation we learn from our mistakes and move on .

[Author]

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