Getting Wet in Bala

Registered Company No 2612775

A wet grey morning greeted the 12 intrepid paddlers who assembled to take part in the White Water Safety and Rescue Course at Tryweryn. The river looked reassuringly gentle on arrival and there was a surge of confidence that was dented by the realisation that the dam hadn’t yet been released – when it was there were more than a few muttered “I’m not swimming in that” type comments to be heard.

The first act was to be issued with our bright yellow dry suits that, when we stood together, made us look like a bunch of mis-shapen bananas, then having had our equipment inspected (and mostly found wanting) we were led to the river and invited to jump in…and we did! It was fantastic, 12 floating bananas washed down the river at huge speed and swimming for our lives as eddies shot by.

After a few goes everyone more or less got the hang of it and we were able to concentrate on improving technique etc. Most of the two days was spent in the water; surfing at the foot of the weir, bouncing down the rapids and swimming for eddies – fantastic, better than any fairground ride.

In between times we had the opportunity to learn and practice rescue techniques to cover a range of eventualities. It was an excellent two days, spoiled a bit by the weather – it was really cold – but I think we all came away with new found confidence partly in our ability to help rescue colleagues, but more in our ability to rescue ourselves and prevent accidents in the first place. Well worth doing and definitely one to sign up for in the future.

We could well be running another of these courses for club members next summer - so look out for details early next year