welshkate

Rich giving it the thumbs up. Whoop.

The slides were super if a little low. After the slides was a lush drop that that we ran several times trying to put into practice what Simon said we should do. Although it was a small drop, we spent time discussing the line and where to put in the key strokes. We all went slightly left to right with a right boof, trying to see the “window”.

Chris going for the right boof

Going for the follow through stroke.

Me reaching for a boofI missed my follow through stroke the first time.

I missed my follow through stroke the first time.

Missing that follow through stroke meant that I landed on the wrong edge. I thought it was all sorted, but I guess I’m still learning…that’s the one of the things I love about kayaking…the constant challenge to improve. The skills are there its  just getting that  mental side down then the muscle memory then the timing.

Rich and Chris had some really nice drops. Lovely.

Rich on the lip

Rich...boofedy boof boof

Last weekend myself and 11 members of the UHCC completed a Rescue Emergency Care (REC) course with Leo Hoare from getafix.com. I chose to do this course because as a kayaker I spend time in remote areas and the chances of getting hurt are maybe a bit elevated over my fellow urban dwellers. I have been helped out by REC trained friends on the river when I have hurt myself and the least I can do is be REC trained to reciprocate the favour, should it ever be needed.

Would you trust this man?

For my North American blog readers this course is similar to a wilderness first aid course. We started off with group discussions of accident scenarios in remote locations and talking about how we’d deal with them. Then it was onto  lessons about monitoring vital signs and checking the airway, breathing, pulse etc followed by full body checks then resus with the lovely Ms Annie.

Dealing with bleeding and shock were the order of the afternoon interspersed with emergency scenarios outside on the cold ground (it was close to 0 degrees outside…brr). We practiced bandaging bleeds and discussed the most appropriate bandages to carry in our first aid kit. We followed this up with a post match analysis over dinner at the pub.

Kevan and Elaine practice pillow bandaging

Sunday we discussed how to best deal with resuscitation after drowning, fits and convulsions. We learned how to help prevent and deal with diabetic attacks, hypothermia and anaphylaxis. A significant amount of time was dedicated to learning how to deal with fractures and dislocations, sling tieing, pillow bandage making etc. We covered spinal injuries and how to evacuate in an emergency scenario.

Evacuating Kevan who has a spinal injury

For a good chunk of the afternoon we were outdoors in the forest in role play situation dealing with all manner of illnesses, including an axe to the leg, diabetic coma, dislocated knee–cap, scratched eyeball, sucking chest wounds among others…Leo likened the scene to one from Shaun of the Dead; and that’s definitely a fair comparison.

A still fromthe film the comedy classic 'Shaun of the Dead'

After completion of this course I feel that I have been armed with the knowledge to deal with accidents confidently, rapidly and efficiently.  I highly advice anyone to do this course with the supercool coach, Mr Leo Hoare .

Pete checks me over and puts me in the recovery position

I’m back home for Christmas in wee welsh Wales. My original plan was to head up to Scotland for a little boating bootie this week, but the -16 C weather and my injured boating buddy conspired against traveling north. Chris C. (Swansea Canoes) and I decided to beat the post tryptophan blues and hit one of the welsh classics. The Mellte is a IV+ river in South Wales’  beautiful Neath Valley. We knew before we left that river levels were low, and admittedly it was a bit of a scrape down, but with the sun shining and icy bankage, this run was simply magical.

Chris at the put in

So the 50 fter was a no brainer. We did not want to run that. We talked about running the 15 fter, immediately below but a rock overhang at the top of the drop looked like it may be a bit of a head banger, so that got portaged too. We did not run the 25 fter further down the river due to lack of water, but we ran everything else. I am looking forward to returning when the mellte has more water to run some of these drops. A fantabulous day on the water.

Narrow portages

It is doubtless in my mind that SUPs is cementing itself as an emerging and growing paddlesport. On a trip to florida last weekend I was entertained by (if slightly jelous of) the SUPers. I wonder how well skills from whitewater kayaking transfer, if at all, to this cool watersport. And what better place to determine that than in the 80 degree water/air temps, but no time on that trip, so i’ll just have to return…what a shame!

A stand-up paddle boarder off for a surf