French Alps 2019 paddling trip Day 5 Glacier Blanc and Tour de France by John Rasquinha Today was a day for something different from paddling after most people had spent 4 days on the water, though still with an early start, setting off from the campsite at 7am. The plan was to do the traditional annual walk up to the Glacier Blanc situated within the Ecrins national park. The huge glacier runs down from an altitude of 4015 metres and can be up to 250 metres deep in parts. We began our walk up the path with glacier meltwater forming fast flowing streams and rivers coming down the mountainside alongside us. Starting early meant most of the way up was in shade and the cool morning air. We stopped for the traditional group photo on the bridge halfway and then proceeded up to the refuge at a height of 2550m and once there enjoyed some nice cool drinks and more fruity French tarts. Unfortunately, by the time we were heading back down to sun was high in the sky and we had a very, very hot walk back down, requiring another drink stop at the bottom. Whilst most of us had gently been working our way up and down, Michael and Hannah had decided to jog instead in very impressive times, looking well rested by the time the rest of us caught up! After finishing the walk, we were able to time a visit to Briancon where the Tour De France was scheduled to pass through for stage 18 which was an exciting experience! After navigating to a hill climb viewing point, we managed to see the competitors powering up along with their entourage of support vehicles, and even got to see one of the swiftly executed bike-swaps right in […]

French Alps 2019 paddling trip Day 4 Slalom Course and Upper Guisane by Nikki Aldridge The morning started with some people playing on the slalom course and others playing on SUPs on the lake… success stories all around. After a fairly relaxed morning and lunch at the campsite, we headed off to find a river… the Upper “Insane” Guisane. It started from a precarious launch spot and we were soon on our way, dodging rocks and following the water. In no time at all, we reached ‘S-Bend’. After some jungle bashing we eventually found our way to the top of the rapid and went to inspect. A few sensible people portaged while the less sensible people tackled the (quite long) rapid in small groups. It was big and fast with lots of rocks to dodge and smiles all around at the bottom. We regrouped in slightly calmer water and carried on, only to find out shortly after that Neil had disappeared… he’d apparently stopped to take photos and missed the brief on where to get back on the river with the rest of us! He was eventually rescued by Kirk and Aaron, who found him sat on the river bank staring blankly at his phone and contemplating his lack of friends and how long his water would keep him alive! Meanwhile, on the river, one of the leaders who shall remain unnamed decided to go for a swim at the first of two weirs! Just to make sure the group were paying attention, obviously! The rest of the river was a relaxed and pretty paddle, with a few bits to keep us entertained and tourists squirting us with water pistols, before reaching the get out. It was then back to camp to celebrate Ian’s **th birthday with chocolate cake and […]

French Alps 2019 paddling trip Day 3b The Lower Durance by Stuart Conway We entered the Durance from the Lower Guil, with some confusing eddy lines but everyone managed to get safely across and when we reached the undercut everyone got through it safely! We then dropped down to the slalom course where everyone surfed on the waves. Unfortunately, Aleksander capsized, and the wave gripped his paddle out of his hands, but with some great teamwork he was safely returned to his boat, which included Neil chasing down his paddle and helping with the rescue, a first! After a leisurely lunch, and once the shuttle was completed, with the van going down to Embrun, we set off down the Durance heading towards the Rab wave, encountering loads of big bouncy wave trains, Choo Choo! On arriving at the Rab wave, we pulled over to an eddy to analyse the wave and determine the line that we were to take. Mr Steer gave us a long briefing through the perfect line, avoiding the rocks and passing through the left of the main wave and then he proceeded to go straight down the centre, resulting in an unfortunate backflip and a mediocre roll. The 4 river leaders followed on to ensure there was safety at the bottom of the Rab wave in case anyone got into any difficulties. As it happened, we all got through safely, not relying on Keith’s line. Even Aleksander, who capsized but demonstrated the perfect textbook roll within the big white stuff, unlike someone else… Some of the adventurous members of the group then went back and swam the Rab wave, all went well except for two who went to the wrong bank! We then pushed on down the Durance, heading for Embrun. On the way we stopped […]

French Alps 2019 paddling trip Day 3a The Lower Guil by Sarah Gille After waiting patiently on the bus for mark to get ready the convoy set off for another day on the river. We made it down the rickety road to the get in and had a few practice rolls in the clear blue water before we set off. A few of us where starting to get a bit weary so the pleasant flow carried us down with a bimbly bounce to view the beautiful scenery that surrounded us. Strange rock formations in the shape of a hand and a large cascading waterfall. A few stop offs where made and we played on the waves and practiced our break ins. Next a bit of eddy hopping practice where I heard that a member of the less experienced and professional group in front had unfortunately taken a swim. From far far far far far far far far away it looked like a huge pour over with a massive stopper behind it. But from close up it was a tiny rock. The swimmer???? Captain Kirk. We descended to the Durance and slalom course where we practiced our surfing. Aaron was getting the hang of the big surf waves and so too was Alexander. A few of us had a play on the slide and had another run, while others sunbathed and had lunch. What fun!! More photographs……….

French Alps 2019 paddling trip Day 2b The River Onde by Craig Ford The vehicle shuttling for the afternoons paddle, The Onde, seemed to a precursor to the afternoon’s paddle. Winding narrow streets with jutting out houses designed to wreck our passing vehicles, and only one apparent line to follow. However, on to the paddle itself, four groups set off, spaced out as there would be little opportunity for finding an eddy for anything bigger than a playboat. It was a case of follow the leader, who sometimes became the sacrificial paddler sat on a rock allowing the following group to avoid the obstacle. Leaders swapped regularly as rocks and different lines caused paddlers to progress at different speeds down the Onde, which had more than good line. A combination of good paddle line choices, fortuitous boofing and overhanging trees being dodged saw the group arrive safely at the get out. The Onde even claims to have caused a hand roll, aka pushing off the bottom, but without the aid of a paddle. A river that was great fun trying to avoid being pinned against a rock with the exhilaration of getting it right and flowing down river facing the right way. More photographs……….

French Alps 2019 paddling trip Day 2a The Upper Durance by Helen Siertsema The Upper Durance is a good little warm-up river and confidence builder for the less experienced at paddling white water. Lots of easy bouncy rapids with more quieter stretches on which to take in the spectacular scenery. Today, was particularly enjoyable as the sun was out and the water blue. We split into smaller groups of four to make our large mob of paddlers more manageable thus avoiding any unruly behaviour and the flouting of white water river protocol. It was noticed that Kirk’s group were taking their time and faffing about on the river. However, Kirk was putting his group through the rigours of Line of Sight coaching which is essential when leading groups down white water. Nice one Kirkage! The last third of this section is more interesting and presents us with more bouncy rapids and opportunities to do some eddy hopping in readiness for the afternoon’s paddle. The get out is a steep boat carry before the barrage where the Durance slackens off before being sucked out by the energy companies. In previous years, my Burn was relatively easy to carry up the steep narrow path, but now I have a heavy Machno, forget it, pffffffft! More photographs……….

French Alps 2019 paddling trip Day 1 The Durance from the campsite to St Clement by Aaron Jackson After our eventful 23-hour journey on the minibus we finally arrived at the camp site, everyone exhausted we decided to have a nice chilled night. As this was my first-time out to the Alps, my excitement and anxiety started to kick in. We started our two-week journey on the Durance which was flowing very quickly. I was very nervous as this was the fastest river I have ever done. As we drifted down the flowing river the scenery surrounding us was fantastic. About halfway down we approached a rock cliff on a sweeping bend with a low overhang. Craig used the branch in the overhang to assist himself to get around, but Stuart decided to “get up and personal” with the gigantic overhang. This resulted in Stuart becoming upside down with a gentle bump from Neil and then a half-hearted attempt at helping him up resulted in a swim for Stuart. Sarah came to Stuart’s rescue by getting out of her boat to assist emptying Stuart’s. Sarah gained 2 gold stars off Keith for her heroic effort of saving Stuarts life. Soon we made it down to St Clement Slalom Course where we played on the waves and paddled the rapids. We then returned to the top wave where we practiced throw lines rescues and defensive swimming. Ron had a nice swim past the practice area as Aleksander decided to let go of his throw line. Most managed to perfect their throws and pendulum the victims (casualties) into the eddy below. Then back to the campsite where everyone relaxed and made food. Eager to get going for the next day. More photographs……….

Hilbre Island Sea Kayak Event 2019 This was the ninth year that Liverpool Canoe Club has run the Hilbre Island Sea Kayak Race based at Dee Sailing Club in Thurstaston. With the tide rolling in at a fast rate of knots it was decided to go for an on-the-water start again this year. Precisely at 2pm our event sponsor, Andy Lees blasted the hooter and the flotilla was off. With almost perfect conditions and a later start time it was sure to be a fast race again this year. Paddlers had been advised to head inshore of the racing dinghy`s at West Kirby and then to head out to the shallows around the Little Eye. The hot weather brought its own problems, paddlers needed to stay hydrated. It was great to see the numerous safety kayakers this year marked with yellow High Visibility Vests. The little eye racers rounded and returned inshore while those heading for Hilbre set off to the outside of Middle Eye and small overfalls on the end of Hilbre. When all kayaks were heading for home the 2 rescue boats (Ridged Hull Inflatables) practised rescuing paddlers with some of the safety kayakers and then shadowed the paddlers back past West Kirby and on to Thurstaston. The earlier start this year meant plenty of water for the finish. Back at the sailing club we tidied up, showered and enjoyed the BBQ and drinks provided by our hosts Dee Sailing Club. This year Go Kayaking provided a number of demo sea kayaks and items from the shop. Andy Lees, shop manager also presented the prizes for the Hilbre Island Races, the Little Eye Race and West Kirby Races. Elite Race 1st Racing Ski – Georgie Stoychev (Paddling Jacket from Go Kayaking) 1st Performance Sea Kayak – Dave Brown […]

A patch had been coned out for us at Bodfan Farm as people arrived Friday evening. Although we did notice Rabble Canoe Club (AKA Ribble) got the area nearer the loos and water! Anyway the club flag went up as the dark fell. Saturday morning the sea kayakers set off for a day trip ending back in the bay at Rhosneigr. The little boats split into 2 groups. A few went to potter about the Menai Straights checking out Swellies rock, the rock under the cardinal marker, the fish traps round the island with a house and a new rock that emerged near the channel and required an investigation. The other group went over to four mile bridge paddling over to Stanley wave for an evening play. As the BBQ was lit a few more arrived for a Sunday paddle and we were treated to a small firework display after a sunset. Sunday saw the sea kayakers heading to the Skerries, another group heading out from Rhosneigr and a couple heading home via JJ’s. A few were waiting for Fat Face to open at 10 before starting the days activities. Although the wind was a little more than expected those with bikes also headed out for a morning ride before heading for home after a late lunch back at an empty camp.  

Roof racks and spacing for carrying kayaks and canoes. Canoes and kayaks vary in length and in general the longer the boat the longer the spacing should be between the bars. However, as the boats tend to go to a vee shape towards the ends so do not sit well on flat bars if the length between them is too large. My bars have 95cm between them and boats sit well either flat or on their sides. This does not have to apply if you have cradles to sit them in but again 95 – 100cm is ideal for sea kayaks in cradles or river kayaks flat or on side. Racing boats are often carried in V shaped carriers with extra length but most general-purpose kayaks sit well with 95cm spacing. Your spacing of 65cm seems a little close but will depend on how your kayaks sits at that spacing. A 3m kayak may bounce and pitch up and down as you go over bumps. Car and roof rack spacing maybe for general luggage (eg suit cases). The width referred to in previous emails is the width of the bars and it helps to have bars that stick out a little. Try to avoid trendy sculptured bars (see photo below) recommended by some manufactures. The curve and plastic fittings at the end mean that kayaks do not sit well and in practice you cannot fit many kayaks on the bars! I recommend the Thule aero system below – with an extra 10cm on either end it is ideal for carrying several kayaks. A final word – roof racks are only rated for a maximum 75 or 100kg of weight on top. Crashing or breaking at speed with kayaks on can mean they tear the roof rack off, brake the straps […]