We paused at the top of the rapid whilst a boat and its owner were reunited. Ominous.
So far it had been easy, and that was stressful.
There was supposed to be a “harder” rapid on the river, but noone seemed to be able to remember where it was. Now the most experienced people were far out of earshot and we couldn’t see what was beyond this horizon line.
The signal came – my turn – ok here we go.
I ever so slightly held back at the lip, looking, planning, paddling and GO.
Down the tongue of green water. Through the waves. It felt bouncy so I learnt forward, putting in some strong forward paddle strokes.
Then I spotted it. Shiiiiiiiit. The left higher channel I was in, was draining between boulders into a faster, bigger main flow on the right.
If I continued on the left, I’d get beached, grounded, pinned or worse in the rocks on the left.
If I went right, I’d have to choose my moment whilst entering the strong main flow side on. Not ideal!
I had to do it… NOW!
With a hard left paddle, I chose my chute and powered my kayak river right down into the main flow.
“I’m going to fuck this up. I’m fucking this up. I’m fucking this up.”
One kayaking motto is “point positive”. Often another more unspoken one is “think positive”, so my inner monologue continued “I’m thinking I’m going to fuck this up… Oh now I’m properly fucked”.
As I hit the fast moving water, I learnt downstream, dropped my paddle in, and performed a perfectly adequate break into the main flow. Much to my surprise; my teeth, face and dignity in tact.
After a few pleasantly bouncy waves I joined the others in the eddy at the bottom.
“That was ‘exciting'”, I said.
—
My first time running the classic Middle Conwy.
Thanks to Tavi, Bill, Michelle, Eleanor and Annette for a lovely day on the river ©
Originally posted on this post on Instagram
