River Usk

Last Saturday I took a trip to south Wales to kayak the river Usk.

About 4 years ago I tried white water kayaking on the river Usk and now I'm back to do it all again. The river hasn't changed much but the features it has and the water levels mean there's always something new to learn from it and makes it incredibly fun to paddle.

To get there i had to get up at 6am to meet my group at services for breakfast at 9, for some this meant McDonalds but for me a nice bacon sandwich from Costa. With breakfast demolished and our bellies full we headed off for the final hour drive to the get on point, a lovely muddy field!
With our boats unloaded and us fully geared up for the wet and cold weather we shuttled the cars to the end point before getting our boats onto the water and making the first splash of the day, at a good time of 10:30am.

The first half of the day was raining with a bitter wind in our faces, freezing our noses and hands, but with the fun we were having we didn't mind. It was worth it!
The Usk is known for the 'triple falls' this is 3 ledges increasing in height each time, this was my least favourite part last time as i was only just starting and gaining confidence. This time however i loved them!

The first drop!
A tree had fallen into the river which blocked part of the drop, this meant we had to go to the right side of the drop and was more like a slide than a drop, we had a couple of people capsize and swim but they were rescued and back in their boats before you knew it.

The second drop!
Much like the first there was a new obstacle blocking part of it, this time a rock. After getting out and looking, much discussing on what the best route would be. In the end we decided to go down the left side with as much speed as possible. However if you went to far left there was a nasty stopper that would catch you so we had to be careful. This time however no one swam and we made our way onwards to the final and biggest drop.

The third drop!
The biggest drop of them all, this one I found particular fun. Not only is it the biggest in height but in width, which means there are a few different routes to choose from. After minimal discussion we got into our boats and waited for our chance to go. I remember the first person going down, the most confident of the group and the one with the GoPro!
We all sat in our boats and watched as he paddled away from us getting closer and closer to the edge, one more paddle stroke and he and his boat disappeared from view. Then the wait. For him to get far enough away from the drop for us to see. As he came into view the next one went, this then continued until we all made it down.

Here we decided to stop for a quick snack and drink break for those that needed it, for the rest of us it was chance to climb and pull our boats back to the top of the ledge and go again. I done this a couple of times to gain confidence and to also improve my technique.
That was when I was asked if I wanted to try it in a canoe. Now I can paddle a canoe quite well and have good balance and technique but taking it down a 8 meter drop is something else! but I done the only thing that made sense and said YES.

This lead to a quick chat about where I should be sitting in the boat, what to expect when I come over the ledge, what to do if I swam and where my safety people and ropes would be. Then came the hard part, getting the canoe UP  the drop. With some help and some rope we got it up and took it to the safe place to get in. I jump in holding the side with one hand and the paddle in the other. I remember looking up and see the whole group looking at me, watching expectantly for me to go. Well I couldn't back out now.

I let go of the side and start paddling across the river to get to the best starting place, I look up and see the owner of the canoe pointing to one side. Indicating I need to move that way as I do his had changed to a thumbs up. I start paddling towards the edge the owner makes pointing gestures and thumbs up, guiding me from the bottom, trusting that he is helping me choose the best line I follow until the canoe is over the edge, nothing I can do now but put one strong paddle stoke in.

The front hits the water and I slide forwards in the boat to the wooden thawt in the middle, I was  unprepared for this, I fell to one side and lost balance. I was swimming while holding onto a paddle and a boat that was much bigger than what i'm used to. I grab the rope at one end and also the rope that has been thrown out to me to bring me to the side.

After a quick drink to warm me up and a good laugh at me swimming, we jumped back into our boats and finished the journey with no more swims. We got off the river at about 4pm and made our way up the field to our cars and began to change into something warm and dry.
With our boats loaded onto cars and us being warm and dry we said our goodbyes and headed in different directions home, all looking forwards to a hot meal and shower.

Enjoy a video from a previous time I was on the River Usk