Stuart Reeve posted on October 07, 2010 02:24
Well there was apprehension when I heard that a trip was planned on the infamous River Wandle.
Having been on the Wandle only once before on the trip that turned out to be carnage, I was unsure whether I wanted to do this paddle. Having discovered Keith was going to paddle and with persuasion from Gemma I decided why not.
It was relief to wake up on Sunday morning and find the sun was shining, especially after a night of torrential rain. So to the pool I headed where we all loaded boats and set off for Merton Abbey Mills. We proceeded to get changed with MC Hammer's ‘Cant Touch This’ coming out the car stereo then started to ferry boats across the road while the shuttle took place.
We had a mixture of people paddling with 3 newbie’s to moving water- John, John and Mark. Darren was also taking Dan in the Duo and there was Robin who wanted to get back into white-water paddling.
Mike did a briefing and then onto the water we got and off we set. The water defiantly seemed lower than last time. Gary shot the 1st drop and ensured the rest of us got down it fine. In true Darren style he decided to shot the drop backwards, just to ensure Dan really enjoyed the day. Mark, John and John all shot this drop fine.
The next obstacle was the pipe that runs across the river just on a section of flowing water. Gary hopped out his boat and ensured that we didn’t all decapitated ourselves. Remy decided the best way to do this would be to capsize and then role up the other side. (Ed - It is a brave man who voluntarily capsizes on the Wandle)
I was shocked to then see a huge bit of concrete in the middle of the river. Last time I had paddles the Wandle this had not visible. The tunnel of carnage suddenly appeared!! Today I shot this fine with encouragement being shouted to paddle, lean forward phew.
There was slight wobble from Andreas but he managed to stay up right. I think a few swims occurred but everybody was back in there boats ready for the 700m dark tunnel. This is quite freaky and all you can do is keep paddling and hope that you can see day light soon.
We were soon to be at the end of the trip. We approached Bell weir, several of us decide it to shoot it.
Darren went down with Dan in the duo first followed by Gary who got sucked back in a little but also managed fine. Remy and Keith went next and managed to also survive. Ok my turn. Of course in true girl style I swam!!!
Can I blame my boat!?! Annoyed for swimming but glad I did it. Robin then shot it. Think it was a little bigger than he expected but he did want to get back into white water!!! In training for the Zambezi Andreas then shot it. Although without his paddle he managed to push of the bottom and stayed in his boat!! Dam I was the only one who swam.
Mike had continued with John, John and Mark. While Darren and Gary helped us all winch all the boats out the water.
It was a really great day quote from Keith-‘ I think the Wandle is my favourite river’ and my apprehension was unfounded.
THANKS to Darren and Gary as without the coaches these days couldn’t happen.