Trip Reports Page 3

Sandbanks to Ballard Point
15th March 2009

The forecast for Sunday was for wall to wall sunshine, and it was as good as its word. Four of us launched at Sandbanks at 10.45, having first notified the Coastguard of our journey plan. Warm, calm and not too crowded. Maybe not very challenging, but enjoyable just the same. The only potentially tricky bit is crossing the shipping channels that go in and out of the harbour. (Gin palaces there are aplenty around here.)

The water was smooth and calm, the only ripples were from the occasional gust of wind or the wake from various boats. At a leisurely pace we crossed Studland Bay and stopped on a small and very narrow beach to have a coffee and some of Barbara’s delicious chocolate brownies. We moved on around Old Harry avoiding the small surf break and paddled down through or round the chalk arches and the pinnacles. The chalk looked stunningly white with the odd pieces of black stone mixed in. We reached Ballard Point and then paddled down for lunch break at the Northern end of Swanage Bay. This was pleasant and unhurried.

The return journey was made in the same balmy weather conditions, even meeting some other paddlers heading in the opposite direction, who stopped to pass the time of day. We headed towards the National Trust café at Studland only to find that it was closed for refurbishment. There was just a kiosk open with long queues. So we were forced to eat up Barbara's brownies and share the remains of our lunches between us. Then we travelled back across the bay to Sandbanks avoiding the returning gin palaces.

Portland Harbour Night Paddle
13th March 2009

There are advantages in having a night paddle in early spring (or late winter – depending on how full or empty your glass is) in that access to darkness is at a convenient time.

We were very lucky with the weather because although inevitably it wasn’t warm, and the water in March is at its coldest, there was only F3 –4 of wind with a slight sea.

Eight members of IOPCC met at Portland Castle at 18.30. This is a very convenient place to park and launch and is relatively safe from the antisocial youth of Weymouth.

Ken spoke to the Coastguard before we left and we launched at 1900 and paddled off in the darkness towards the Mulberrys and threaded our way between them. Keeping in close proximity to each other we made our way across to the South Ship Channel. We paddled out over the Hood and under the wire and turned North to make our way along the outside of the Outer Breakwater to the East Ship Channel.

It is quite a strange feeling paddling over waves that you can’t really see but one that is adjusted to. It was cloudy at this stage and very dark. We paddled towards the red light of Fort Head where Chequered Fort is situated. We rounded into the East Ship Channel and paddled into the Fort. Landing is not allowed here but we stopped briefly for a stretch and to partake of refreshments.

Heading North East but now on the inside of the North–Eastern breakwater we paddled along to the North Ship Channel and mustered to check all 8 were together. The sky was clearing now and there were lots of stars but the moon was still below the horizon.

From the North Ship Channel we paddled the four kilometres back to Portland Castle together. There was a headwind and a lively chop at times but we made good progress and were ashore at 21.45.

An excellent trip. Thanks particularly to Ken for scurrying though a heavy workload on Friday so he could be there to look after us.

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Report by: Barbara Browning

River Tavy – Tavistock to Denham Bridge
January 18th 2009

There was snow on Dartmoor, the Dart was very high and busy so we headed to the quieter, but still high River Tavy.

There were four of us less confident paddlers led by our supremo Bertie.

A vehicle was taken to Denham Bridge and we then launched at Tavistock from the large car park.

We paddled off confidently down a small series of drops forming Grade 2 rapids. Once we left Tavistock behind, the river passes through woodland with frequent Grade 2 rapids and drops. Bertie encouraged us all to learn some river leadership skills rather than just following him down. I think we all learnt a lot from him.

At one of the early rapids we met up with a group from Kingston Mauward College. The picture shows Jamie and Alison with their dog. One of the highlights of the trip was to witness Jamie Lawrence swimming!

The first Grade 3 rapid was taken carefully – Andy had an unintended 'play' on the way down and was hugely relieved to escape unscathed.

At the next Grade 3 rapid we all got out to inspect. The longer you look the more frightening it becomes! However – we sorted out our 'line' (Water, Obstacles, Route, Markers, Safety). Bertie led and John brought up the rear – swimmingly! Bertie managed to rescue John and the boat but in doing so lost his own Werner paddles. Fortunately Bertie had split paddles in his boat and was able to continue down river until the Werners turned up.

The next big Grade 3 rapid found Ian, Barbara and John all swimming at the same time. John really lost his boat this time and ended up having to yomp his way down the riverbank for about a mile before being repatriated with his boat.

Meanwhile Barbara managed to stay upright for about 100m before taking another swim – managing to scramble out on a small rocky outcrop in the middle of the river – hanging onto paddle and boat (phew!) and got going again with Bertie's help.

The next obstacle was a weir which we portaged on river left. Following the weir it was manageable Grade 2 rapids that we negotiated successfully before reaching the take out at Denham Bridge with a few minutes of daylight to spare.

Altogether there were 10 swims. (not including Jamie Lawrence) a lost boat – subsequently recovered lost paddles successfully recovered and a pinned boat subsequently recovered.

A good time was had by all, really!

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Report by: Barbara Browning

Kimmeridge to Warbarrow
January 3rd 2009

A great and interesting paddle from Kimmeridge! Seven of us went, and it was reasonably clear but very cold. Along the coast under spectacular jagged cliffs to Warbarrow Tout, then across the bay for a bit of a play in amongst Mupe Rocks. Back across the Bay, and landed on a perfect beach just behind Warbarrow Tout.

Nobby, ever the gourmet, cooked up a hot meal, and Hilary had scones with cream and jam for afters! Rock hopping for some on the way back to Kimmeridge. Then it got interesting! Tim was surfing off the edge of the reef, capsized, and got separated from his boat. Ken & Nobby quickly set up a very efficient rescue. One group took Tim back to the cars to get him warmed up, then they got caught by some big surf which came in unexpectedly, one capsized, and two others then capsized in the process of rescuing. All close to shore, so able to land quickly. Lots of photographers on the shore waiting to capture the surf and sunset, so got more action than they anticipated! Everyone managed to get warm and dry. So a great paddle along a spectacular piece of coast, rather too much action at the end, and some lessons learnt!

 
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Report by: Barbara Browning

The Dart Loop – Newbridge to Holne Bridge
December 21st 2008

This was a trip led by Bertie and friends and included Matt and John. Barbara and Ian were Loop virgins!

The Dart Loop is a great introduction to Grade 3 white-water . The level was quite high enough although Bertie would have it that it was only medium!

After launching at Newbridge some time was spent assessing just how meagre Barbara and Ian's white-water skills were and practising the essentials. It was up to Bertie to demonstrate what one should do in case of the inevitable.

From Newbridge the river bends and drops over ledges and there are several Grade 2 wave trains. The first of the trickier rapids is the 'Washing Machine'. This is a 1m ledge which forms a towback. After this a series of Grade 2 rapids follow. Then comes 'Lovers Leap' which is a very long rapid – at this medium level we all really enjoyed this and managed to negotiate the several stoppers and rocks. After a series of wide rocky rapids a horizon line appeared ominously ahead which marks the approach of a real grade 3 rapid – 'Triple Falls'. We negotiated this one at a time, some of us more successfully than others – however no swimmers – just!

Thankfully there was some flat water after this excitement before the 'Spindryer'. This is not a rapid but a huge eddy. At this level we all managed to stay upright!

There was a bouncy wave train down to Holne Bridge where we got out and scrambled up the bank to the waiting shuttle bus.

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Report by: Barbara Browning

North Cornwall Weekend

16th to 18th May 2008

Eight of us made the journey to the north coast of Cornwall. We based ourselves at Trewiston Farm and arrived on Friday evening in time to get the tents up before dark . It wasn't really raining that heavily so we didn't get very wet.

Saturday morning dawned rather dull and grey but the weather was not bad enough to stop us from paddling .

We launched from Daymer Bay at the entrance to the Camel Estuary. Although very dull the weather and the sea were calm. We paddled out and around Stepper Point.

From Stepper Point the coast is constantly entertaining with reefs to negotiate and tall stacks. There are many caves to be explored – and Ken went in every one of them! We stopped for a stretch at Trevone Bay. Often there is surf here but today it was flat calm. We paddled on round Catclews point and as we crossed the bay it began to rain – then it rained heavily. We were heading for the new Padstow Lifeboat Station at Mother Ivey's Bay. The unlikely location of this enormous £3.5 million building was thankfully reached and it became the world's most expensive umbrella which we sheltered under while we ate our lunch. The rain eased off and we had a pleasant paddle back to Daymer Bay. A BBQ had been planned for the evening but it was too damp so instead we had a great evening at the Pityme Inn.

Sunday dawned brighter and we went to Port Quin which is a sheltered landing . This 'port' was abandoned in the late nineteenth century after the local quarry failed. There are a few cottages, a National Trust car park and a nineteenth century castle on Doyden Point.. Around Doyden point we entered Port Quin Bay which is ringed by cliffs, We paddled around the bay to a small beach at Com Head where we stopped for a leg stretch. This is a perfect little beach at low tide but disappears at high tide. Our next target was to go around the Mouls which is a small rocky island off Rumps Point. Puffins nest on the Mouls and we might have seen one? We explored the large cave on the Western side of the island.

Rumps Point is the site of Cornwall's finest Iron Age cliff castle and we could see the thrift covered ramparts and ditches constructed to keep out uninvited guests.

Ken always very keen on cave exploration decided to explore what became known as 'Spitting Seal' cave. Ken disappeared for quite some time into this cave but came out very quickly looking quite shocked and shaken. He had surprised a seal in the darkness and put his hand down thinking it was a buoy and got a very aggressive response from a surprised seal. Not as surprised as Ken, mind you!

There was a little roughness as we rounded Pentire Point into Padstow bay. More caves and rock hopping were enjoyed on the paddle to Pentireglaze Haven where we landed through manageable surf for lunch.

On the return journey we encountered tide races at Pentire Point and again at Rumps Point. It was quite a slog in the freshening breeze and choppy sea back across Port Quin Bay and we were all glad to reach the shelter of Port Quin.

Back to the campsite to take down the tents and drive back to Dorset.

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Report by: Barbara Browning