Nov
17
2014
| Date |
16/11/2014 |
| River |
Derwent |
| Level |
0.98 |
| Grade |
G1/2 |
| Put In |
Darley Bridge |
| Take Out |
Slalom Course |
| Paddlers |
Phil Miller (L’Edge), Dave Marshall (Big Dog), Sally Vetta/Frances (Blast) |
| Training Objectives |
Unstructured (last of this type I hope) |
| Notes |
Higher water than we have seen on this stretch recently. Pushing along quite quickly.
Steel Railway Bridge – all routes open, no blockages
Broken Weir – faster than usual, eddy lines strong, some good diagonals formed river left to right. Played at crossing the flow (S’s), fell in crossing a powerful eddy line with the wrong edge engaged, Leaky drysuit doesn’t help.
Town Bridge – all channels open, took the left as usual, felt easier than in low water because of the lack of rocks mid-stream. Sally appeared with Frances in the two up blast. Played in the fuller flow middle and left jets
Stone Railway Bridge – both channels good flow, very good wave on left channel for crosses, break in/out
Artist’s Corner Play Wave -
Slalom Course – Turtle Rock not visible, tripped up exiting the wave which was formed behind turtle rock. Low brace failed (needs work).
Still apprehensive paddling.
|
Nov
17
2014
I’m a late 50 something and a few years ago got into paddling flat water open canoes. I loved the outdoor experiences, the friendships and the escape from the office life it provided. The first couple of years I established friendships with a group who were of a similar age group and a similar outlook. Of course we progressed from flat water to try a little moving water. Nothing serious, just slow moving local rivers which had some very small minor riffles and weirs and that’s where the addiction started.
White water. I’m addicted.
A year ago I bought an Esquif Vertige (12’10″) royalex boat outfitted with a saddle, straps and airbags. I teamed up with another paddling friend (Phil) to share the cost of some coaching. A year on and I’m now the proud owner of an Esquif L’Edge, I’m running G3/3+ and finding the jump to the new boat quite a handful. The L’Edge is very unforgiving, it punishes me for every mistake and my confidence has taken a little bit of a hit.
So last night I decided that some of the problem was to do with my head and the way I’m approaching the step up. I bought an ebook last night ‘In the Flow’ by Jonathan Males who also writes on his blog ‘Diary of a Middle Aged Kayaker’. I’m working through the book which talks about self confidence, mastery motivation, decision making, execution and teamwork and how these affect your paddling.
In the book Jonathan discusses maintaining goals, aims, targets as a tool for managing your progression. This blog will be my training journal. I’ll work out why I want to progress, what I want to achieve and the ups, downs (emotional and physical) of the journey. Some of what I write may not be the best prose, may not be the best reading. It is intended for me as a training aid but you are most welcome to follow the journey.
Happy paddling
