The forecasted rain had arrived during Friday night and early Saturday morning and with it a marked drop in temperature. The campsite at Low Wray on the banks of Lake Windermere looked a little empty and careworn, this was the first weekend of business for this spring and repairs were still underway from the huge floods at the end of last year.
Soon I had paddled my way to the group shelter where breakfast was cooked with the 8 pupils who had made the trip, despite the weather tea and a bacon and egg butty was soon thrust in to my hand, always a good start.
The aim of the weekend was to build upon the training the pupils had undertaken on Hikes and the white water river days in November. We launched from the campsite after a refresher on swim lines and how to store equipment in the Canoes. After a few warm up games the group navigated its way north up the shore of Lake Windermere, then up the river Brathy until progress was halted by some rapids. Here we practised the techniques of tracking (moving the boat upstream) and lining (moving the boat downstream) using lines attached to the bow and stern of the canoe while standing on bank. This expeditioning skill can save an arduous portage when rapids can’t be paddled down. After this we practised the dark art of poling (or punting) all these skills not only adding to the group’s knowledge but increase their confidence in and around the canoes. This was accomplished in heavy showers and a bitter north wind.
After a cup of tea or an ice cream for the hardy we were due to practice our rescue skills with loaded boats (without people in the water) but this was interrupted by Freddie and Alex Mason who’s enthusiasm for a game of tag meant a rescue was carried out for real! Soon after everybody practised a similar rescue and some towing as we headed home. The final session of the day was a brief swim to test the swim line system for tomorrow!
As we headed back to the tents the rain stopped and the wintery sun warmed us (well them) as we were sheltered from the nagging wind. Unluckily the hot water system was not working so cold showers were missed. A quick session on Tarpology (the skill of making shelters from tarps) resulted in a great construction in which tea was cooked and eaten as the night set in.
After a review of the day’s activities and a briefing about Sunday it was either bed or the France England match at a nearby hotel!?
That evening the temperature dropped rapidly to about -3 and those who were a little less organised then others arose from a cold night to find their wet wetsuits frozen to the washing line! After packing and sorting equipment we drove north towards Penrith and the River Eden. Lazonby to Armathwaite is a 10km section of Grade 2/3 river. This would allow them to put into practice all the skills they had learnt before, on a river similar in style (if a little harder) then the river Spey which they have chosen for their qualifying expedition.
Each Canoe and its occupants took turn in leading sections of the river talking over different strategies of group management with assistance as they progressed. The Eden is a ‘proper’ Canoe river, wide with sweeping bends and rocky rapids in a beautiful setting. The rapids are challenging enough to make it an exciting trip, but with enough pools along the way to collect any boats or swimmers that may get into trouble. Only one canoe made use of these pools, though one member of staff was seen to have ‘wee plodge’ at one point. The weather had been cool but with some sun, though this started to disappear as we did the long carry from the river to the bus. After an efficient load and change we started the long journey home only stopping for fuel when absolutely necessary.
A very satisfying weekend, some new skills put into practice, old ones used in a the appropriate situations, real learning in a real environment, the group starting to gel and begining to find ways to improve all the aspects that go with an expedition of this sort. With another training weekend early in the summer term the group are starting to look ‘smooth and in the grove’ a credit to themselves and the school.
My thanks to the pupils who put up with some testing conditions and met all challenges with good humour, and to Andrew Greensmith who was as always invaluable help.