White water season is here!

With white water kayaking season in full swing,

our lead paddlesports instructor, Chris Evans describes why he loves it so much.

I guess it’s no secret that the river is my happy place. It’s not one single thing that draws me in, instead I think it’s the aligning of several key attributes that become the elements that feed the beast.

"I can be left to my own devices on a stretch of river in my endless search for perfect flow"

The first being the inherent movement that you get when skills and techniques align to get the most out of the environment. The river is a force much stronger than me and when things aren’t perfect you can get instant feedback, work with the river to place your boat on the smoothest or fastest line or to allow the water to do the work and you can experience effortless flow as you travel. This effortless flow through the waters movement could be described as a weightless feeling. All these descriptive words of flow, effortless, weightlessness or linked have all come from the feel feedback experienced, as this is inherent or intrinsic it means I don’t need anyone there to tell me if a move is off slightly. This also means that I can be left to my own devices on a stretch of river in my endless search for perfect flow through the movement.

"the places white water kayaking can take you can be breathtaking"

Secondly, the places white water kayaking can take you can be breathtaking. Close to home, the UK has a huge variety of rivers for different abilities and wants and needs. Everything from scenic meandering rivers taking in jaw dropping surrounding on rivers like the Wye, Usk, Exe and Llugwy to the steep, hard and committing test pieces that are littered all over the UK. Things like the Nevis in Scotland, East Lynn in Devon, Swale in Yorkshire and of course the Fairy Glen here in North Wales. All can be described as hard and committing but have their own intricacies that can make them unique, I’ll use the Fairy Glen as my example here, a hard test piece situated just outside of Betws Y Coed with a fearsome reputation. Fairly short and roadside but with each footstep down to the put in brings more nerves and psyche in equal measure. The committing feel of the gorge walls can be seen and the first glimpses of the river are shown as an often tea (builders tea) brown hue. The contrast of slate grey walls, bright greens from the mosses and tea brown make for a very special place indeed. Get this when the suns on its way up as a ‘dawny’ (paddle before work) and everything has a certain glow.

I’ve mentioned roadside in this description and most of the rivers listed are, the steep nature of the gorge walls not only give a remote and committing feel but often mean that these stretches are untouched by people. Very little rubbish, often no metal work, very little noise from traffic and very often the loud rumble of water becomes peaceful, so long as your paddling team are into the same. This can be spoilt by whooping and hollering (I don’t mind the odd bit as sometimes the psych is so high it’s hard to control).

"Kayaking has taken me to some amazing places. From the steep granite slides of California, TO the remote and terrifying rivers of New Zealand and Nepal"

I’ve become hooked on these elements and have been lucky enough that kayaking has taken me to some amazing places. From the steep granite slides of California, remote and terrifying rivers of New Zealand and Nepal, volume rapids of the Zambezi, roadside huck fests of Norway and the varied paddling that the Alps has to offer. I can’t help but look back at the tiny, crying and scared 10 year old me at Simonds Yat on the wye with a smile. This was the start of my continual quest for the river.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, we’re ready to take you on an adventure.

To view and book a course with one of our qualified instructors, click HERE.