Trip Report: WW101 8th March, Boluisce, Spiddal

After meeting at the shed bright and early we head off to the Boluisce River in Spiddal, for some throwbag practice, tethered rescues and to run the river at a nice level.

First up on the list is live bait, so we split into 2 groups and get going. In the first group we’ve got some second years looking a bit apprehensive about the prospect of throwing themselves into the river, but after the first round everyone realises that the swimming is actually fun.. when there’s enough water to cover the rocks. The first round of ropes thrown is generally unsuccessful, but everyone nails it the second time. The general consensus is that even with experience, you still need a bit of practice. After this we regroup and talk through the tethered rescues, or dope-on-a-rope… and argue about which term to use… depending on which Sean you ask.

This is where the fun really starts, and after everyone has rescued a passive victim, the swimmers start making things difficult, and we all get to practice rescuing some who just does not want to be rescued. Despite Seanie’s best efforts to drown Eoin he is brought to bank safely, and with Eoin intact. Daz really makes things difficult by swimming well away from rescuer Rory, and Sean incurs a knee injury running down the bank after them. The doctor encounters a rock during his turn, the effects of which he’ll still feel tomorrow. After a quick lunch and warm-up we get back on the water for some actual paddling!

First up is the slalom section, with interesting capsizes, though no swims yet!

After some breaking in and out using the bow rudder, we split up again and make for the S-bend. I’m still a little wary of this after the scars on my helmet the day after the ball, so I try and stay sharp and this time make it down with my hair relatively dry. Yael is unlucky enough to demonstrate the first wet exit of the day and makes it to the bank, paddle in hand. Unfortunately, the kinetic shoots off downstream, and so boatless Yael gets Darragh’s keys and heads off to his car for a nap. The rest of us continue down to scout the footbridge.

Seanie obviously overdid the rain-dancing the night before, because there is no getting under that bridge today. So we all either portage it, or launch off the bridge, and find ourselves some eddies along the rapids below. Here the groups get muddled somewhat, and Seanie has a hissy fit trying to get the good doctor to join our group in our eddy. Apparently he always finds the footbridge part stressful… you’ll have to ask him about that one. Once we’re all back with our respective paddling buddies we push on to the rock garden. Captain-Kev-forever-my-Captain styles the line through this section and group one happily make it down to the eddy below. Onwards to the rapids before the broken weir, and too late, we spot the lost kinetic on the way, so leave it for the other group to rescue. This next part is incident-free, as we boof the weir and run it left most of the way down, then hop out to check out this new footbridge over Poll Gorm.

After agreeing that there’s definitely enough clearance, Kev, the foreign kid now living in Spiddal, makes the epic first descent of Poll Gorm under the footbridge, but leaves the back-deck rolling for Eoin Hurst. Eoin Sully follows, then I take a spot-on line for most of the way, before capsizing just clear of the hole. After some failed roll attempts, I pop the deck (see Swimmer’s Files for details), and our group get to practice some shallow water crossings and boat recovery.

We pack up and get ready to head, me laughing about my swim, when someone spots a red creeker scooting past from the other group, followed by Rory and Darragh Craughwell. D.C. has taken his job as Equipments Officer very seriously and has scorned a river-runner in favour of demo’ing the clubs newest playboat. If we had “Rolling Files” he’d no doubt have some entries from that day. Sean Security follows also, with Daz and Peyton soon to swim behind him. Group One put our rescue skills into action and recover swimmers, boats, but unfortunately not Daz’s paddle. Captain Rory sits comfortably pinned and laughs at the proceedings. These scenarios were actually supposed to be on Sunday’s agenda. Conor appears and it transpires that he too popped his deck, as Mike decided to keep the line left of the second footbridge blocked up for himself! Colin O Loan would be disgusted with the both of them so we’ll keep it quiet at polo. Once the gear is recovered, Seanie whisks Sean off to A&E to check out his knee. The rest of us get changed and loaded up, fill Yael in on the carnage and debrief back home in the shed, looking forward to Edd’s pig later. Seanie is well pleased to be the only leader not to swim or end up in A&E, and smiles his way home to write up his Oranmore swims from the day before.

Sean arrives to the party on crutches, and swim booties are had by many, though not by me, because I conveniently left before this got going. The rest bar Sean (crutches), me (vomiting) Yael and D.C. (couldn’t tell you) drag themselves back to the Boluisce for the repeat on Sunday, this time with some UL tinkers (to quote one of their own), and a token “Canadian” for company. To avoid confusion with “Kev-from-UL”, our Kev is referred to as “stud” for the day; maybe this is a reference to his antics the night before at Edd’s party, but this is just a guess on my part so I should retract it…. this is how rumours start!

The weather is playing up again and heavy hail makes changing by the side of the road a painful experience, no more than the booties getting filled with ice. The water level is not quite so high this time round, but there’s still plenty of flow to make the Z-drag practice fun. After lunch everyone runs the river without incident; must be warmed up from the day before! Either that or Edd’s pig and keg are the ideal pre-paddling meal. Poll Gorm goes swimmingly, as in without any swims… (hahaha that actually wasn’t on purpose) then its time for shallow water crossings, and everyone pulls together to rescue Seanie in the foot entrapment scenario.

Thanks to Seanie, Sean Security, Daz, and all the paddlers for a great weekend, especially the UL gang for making the trek up to us.

Paddlers

Seanie
Sean Security
Daz
Kev Kowkalosh
Conor Allen
Rory
Darragh Croc
Yael Margalit
Dr. John
Eoin Sully
Mike Peyton
Annie

Paddlers on Sunday

Seanie
Daz
Kev Kowkalosh
Conor Allen
Rory
Dr. John
Eoin Sully
Dave Pierse International
“Kev-from-UL”
Lorraine (UL)
Brian (UL)

By Annie

White Water 101 � Separating the men from the boys.

The most recent WW101 course was shrouded in secrecy, disinformation being carefully spread and rumour rife about the location, itinerary and tasks. Were we being thrown off cliffs or being swallowed by sinkholes?

This was the weekend where we were to learn pretty much everything that can go wrong on a river trip, how to fix it, and again what can go wrong with the fixing. People were nervous, with tales of compressed spines, dislocated shoulders, and wild animals circling the club.

Fear

Fear�well there�s a lot to say about this particular subject and its relationship to kayaking.

There are two things that make a good paddler, the ability to conquer/manage your fear and skill. If you are missing one of these you have a problem.

I have spent the last 6 months in Canada and during those cold months I haven�t paddled due to the freezing conditions. Last Saturday was my first paddling excursion of the season, on the Gull river about 2hours outside Toronto. The weather was perfect, the water chilly and a good group of paddlers had gathered for a barbecue and the opportunity to socialise with other paddlers.

Instructor Vacancy at Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre

Kilfinane OEC have a vacancy for a full time instructor. Closing date for applications is 4th April 2005. For more information see www.kilfinaneoec.com

Indian Ocean tidal wave disaster: Please be kind

The massive tsunami that struck southern Asia killed thousands and left millions homeless. Relief efforts are focused on basic items, such as food, clean water and medicine. Aid agencies worry about the spread of waterborne diseases. Please try and help.
Contact numbers for aid agencies
Irish Red Cross: 1850 50 70 70
Concern: 1580 410 510
Trocaire: 1580 408 408
UNICEF Ireland: 1850 767 999 Or make a Donation online to the Irish Red Cross

Double Pumping

In response to Seanie's message, I've decided to put this down on paper for any flatwater masturbater wannabes.

If you don't know, double pumping is the forward - backward stroke on one side that initiates most cartwheels (you can also plough the nose down to get up on end, but that's just brute force, no technique.)

Loops!

So, seeing as I nailed my first loop in Clifden there a while ago, and can now flatloop fairly handily, I guess I can start writing up a bit of a technique for anyone else that wants to learn.

Squirting

As part of the ongoing "Keep JK from doing any Study" campaign, it has been decided that he shall further entertain the masses with a delightful article on how to squirt.

Sessions!

Well folks, the weather's getting colder, the night's longer, and the river's higher, so you know what time it is! Sessions have begun again, and we coax the seething masses from the land onto our beloved fluid environment.

Things You Shouldn't have done as a UCG Paddler.

When people say "UCG kayak club", what do they think of? Our stunning good looks? Superior kayaking prowess? Our party animal reputation? To help us retain our god like image, here's a quick list of things to avoid, or, in some instances, forget forever:

The NUI Galway Kayak Club www.nuigkc.com