The organisation of the safety course went amazingly, with Euan confirming his booking the week before, and Hibby securing his place on the second day of the course! Hibby also managed (while being in charge of sorting accommodation) to get the days wrong, believing that the course ran Friday to Sunday as opposed to Thursday to Saturday – since he hails from Strathclyde University we view this as standard behaviour.
After a 4:30 get up, and surprisingly little faff, we drove past Fort William to the car park in Roybridge, arriving almost precisely on time…as anyone who kayaks is aware, this is an astonishing achievement, especially considering our record for this trip. However, organised faff had us driving 50 miles back the way we came to Kinlochleven. Here we spent the rest of the day explaining why we had bought the specific items of kit we had, and learned some rescue techniques, before getting thrown (in one unlucky persons case, literally) into some lovely cold water and putting these new techniques to practical use.
That evening, as everyone else made way to their lovely warm bunk houses and hostels, the three of us drove the minibus to the car park at Spean Bridge, and prepared to sleep in the minibus. The owner of the Commando Bar made us park in their car park as it was private property allowing us to drink…and then he invited us to a lock in! Legend!!
Many pints (of Carling, Cobra and allsorts) later, we three stumbled out to the minibus to our beds. With all discomfort washed away by the alcohol in our systems, we passed out relatively quickly: though not before Euan shoved me out the minibus to lie sprawled on the ground, or before Hibby could make a drunken phone call to Emily.
9:00. Thankfully, I avoided a hangover: Euan and Hibby were less fortunate. A short, fast and windy drive to the Arkaig saw Hibby suffering more and more from the drinking the night before, to the point where it seemed more like genuine illness rather than a hangover.
At the Arkaig, we were split, with Euan in one group, Hibby and myself in the other. None of us played a major part in leading this trip though. At ‘the Main Event’ (the solitary grade 4 rapid on a grade 2 river), Euan ran it fairly successfully, though had a roll near the top; I stayed upright, but ended up running the rapid on the opposite side from where I intended; and while Hibby decided he liked the trees…he changed his mind when they ensnared him and caused him to have a swim.
Me at the 'Main Event' on the Arkaig
A quick calculation showed we still had time for another river, so we set course to the Upper Roy. An exceptionally long and windy road saw Hibby stop the bus and get out again: by this point I was starting to believe his tales of genuine illness. We kept the same group, and this time I had a chance to lead…though to my disappointment none of the harder sections. This could have been a no-swim river for everyone, but Hibby decided that after walking round the grade 4, he’d swim underneath it anyway!
After this, we returned to Spean Bridge and the Commando Bar, and though there was no lock in, it was just as awesome as the first night. This time it was the curries that were worthy of attention…they were AMAZING!!!
The final day of the course saw us heading further north to the Pattack. Awkward access precluded a second river, but this one was worth every metre. While Euan had led the Roy the previous day, Hibby and I got to lead this. Finally we were required to use the new skills that the weekend was for. The grade 4’s once again proved interesting. The first one, a small drop with the potential for a huge hole, was styled by everyone. Even Hibby dodged a swim. However, the second grade 4 (a long gorge) caught a few people out. David (from Napier Uni) suffered for using a playboat, managing three rolls after back-loops, before the fourth finally caused him to swim. This gave some unexpected chase-boating practise…before Hibby decided to miss some strokes and swim too.
David on the Pattack, right before his backloops
Hibby on the Pattack, astonished that he's not swum...yet.
Me on both the Grade 4's on the Pattack
Before going, I admit I was somewhat sceptical about the benefits of the course, and only my desire to get on some more rivers kept me going. It was definitely worth it!! All three of us (and everyone else on the course for that matter) left having learned something new, and gained plenty of river and safety confidence.
So for any intermediate paddlers out there: GET ON THIS COURSE!!
Happy paddling,
Paul
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