Nottingham White Water Weekend 22/23 Sept 07

(write up from Hugh)

……7….8….9…10…..and still the water was churning around my head as I hung upside down at the bottom of the fall into the “Looping Pool”, having been unable to roll back up. So much for being kicked out of this stopper every 10 seconds, as everyone reckoned! - So I bailed and swam out. That was my lasting memory, after Adrian had “kindly” suggested “just go and stick the nose of your boat in that white frothy bit, and see how it goes”!

The weekend started with an “entertaining” lift from Denis in his ex-Camel Land Rover, along with Melissa and Emma from Hillingdon to Nottingham. On arrival at the campsite at about 11pm, we pitched tents, and met up with Adrian, Chris and Lee and were soon joined by others from Addlestone CC. Everyone was already half way through some wine and beer, but soon we were off to our beds, with the soothing sounds of the countryside, drowned out by Lee's snoring!

7am and we were up brewing tea on stoves and getting our gear together for the day ahead. A three minute drive and we were at the white water course, where we registered, and which to a first-timer, I found really impressive. It consisted of an inlet diverted from the river Trent with a gate which was gradually lowered every hour throughout the day. This increased the flow from “low”, through “medium” to “full”. By 10am we then launched as a group into the first “holding” pool. From here, Adrian coached us down the course stage-by-stage, getting us to practise “breaking in and out” of eddies and dropping over the falls.

As the day progressed and the flow increased, it became ever more testing to our group of “beginners”, with numerous swims from most of us. However, the great thing was the many helpers all the way down the course on hand with throw lines. So as soon as anyone fell out, they were immediately thrown at least one, and sometimes two or three lines, and then helped out along with their boats, and re-launched off the sides to carry on down to the end of the course.

By about midday most of us were knackered, and opted to have a rest. However, we were then able to practise rescuing others from the side using throw lines, and having done that, they then closed the course to boats, and allowed those who wanted to, to jump in at the top on full flow and swim down to the bottom. Along the way you could practise being rescued, and then jump back in, and continue down to the bottom. The theory was it gave you the experience of being carried down a fast flowing torrent in safe surroundings - the reality was it was just damn good fun, and several people just kept going back for another go!

In the afternoon, the flow was brought back down to “medium” and it gave the beginners another chance to try again. By about 4pm, most were worn out and we then returned to the campsite.

Back at camp, Adrian fired up the bar-b-ques, and a great time was had by all relaxing with beers, food and good banter, eventually retiring to our beds, later than intended.

Day two was similar, although we also had “Adam”, a GB junior team member, coaching us down the course, along with Chris from Addlestone CC providing encouragement. Adam was sickeningly good, and as he only looked about 12 made you want to go and push him over, was it not for the fact he was so friendly and helpful!

Later in the afternoon, they held two races, in which Adrian did well in the “experts” race. It was really just a “bun fight” from top to bottom of the course, with guess who - Adam winning!

Soon after lunch, most of us were tiring, and spent time watching the demi-gods (oh, and Adrian), looping and wheeling, and squirt boats doing their “weird thing” - what is that all about??? And then we all packed up, and headed home.

Good points:

-Great company and friendly banter
-No signs of “the Trent Tummy Trots”
-Weather - good for the whole weekend
-Value for money
-Adrian's coaching (bar the “go and stick the nose in that frothy bit” incident!)
-Course - ideal for beginners - safe but testing
-Organisation by “Laser White Water”

Scary points:

-Being “munched” by “The Muncher” - see: -
-the sight of Adrian in long socks, pants and a cag halfway over his head in the car-park! (£100 not to download the photo Adrian!)

Unbelievable points:

-Emma not swimming once!
-Lee swimming more than he didn't, and still coming back for more!
-One of the group has actually been to the “Pencil Museum” (mentioning no names - Denis!)

Many thanks to:

Adrian for organising and carrying about 10 boats and associated kit on his car, and coaching
Lee for entertainment
Denis for the lift
Rescuers!