Mile End Mill - February 2007

Registered Company No 2612775

I turned up to see what seemed like the whole of the HXCC at Mile End Mill, and a fair number doing their 4 star. I ended up with a rag tag bunch of paddlers, Guru (Ian), Bigdog, Quigley, Shamin, Austin, Simon and unlucky for me the new Chair. After all buttering up of the Chair we progressed to the water. You will never guess who swam first!!! You guessed it the CHAIR – on the smallest wave on the course too, with spectators from train and the bank watching. Moreover the Chair quickly established that he was to continue in my vain and be a Jellyfish. His image in tatters we continued down the river.

The next rapid Guru, Bigdog & Quigley took the chicken shoot whilst the more experienced took on the big rapid which had a definite line to run. I positioned myself in a small eddy to over look the whole of the rapid and enable me to point where the line was. We did this with great success. With confidence at a high we decided to try again but this time with out my pointing. This time Simon decided to capsize in probably the worst position possible and to add to the risk factors he leant back to escape his boat. Instead of rolling forwards like we say in 1*. With his face now exposed and a rather large chunk of riverbed just below the surface the kayak lurched into the air and I am sure I heard a scream from under the water. Simon surfaced with blood everywhere, Guru and Austin quickly moved to rescue the kayak. I quickly got Simon to the side, put on my rubber gloves, and administered first aid, which was ‘I bet that hurt’ and ‘I have a magic sponge in my boat’. I have to say at this point I feared the worse that’s Simons good looks where gong to be destroyed but fortunately there was more blood than damage. Simon was still conscious but obviously shocked, in his word it was like being hit by a baseball bat. We quickly and smoothly moved Simon to the campervan for more first aid treatment from Big Wata Gal. A learning point for all those up and coming white water paddlers, never lean back in a capsize drill, always practice capsizing and adopt the embryo position and roll out of your boat.

We gathered up the group and continued down the course, playing on the rapids. Shamin’s face was a picture coming down the rapids; I could not decide whether it was panic or pent up adrenaline junkie style. Austin was himself quiet but actually very good in the drops, with lots of encouragement from Bigdog & Quigley, you know “If I can do it, you can!” and it’s true. Bigdog and Quigley did not swim so could not cool in their matching drysuits, however have to give a pat on the back to the pair of them as team members who got stuck in, helped and played with some success. Down at the final drop Guru and myself battled for top honours of playboater. On this occasion the old man won although Guru contests this; either way we shone for the HXCC with some excellent moves I regretted the next day when the muscles caught up.

As we were playing I saw the usual chaos upstream a HXCC member swimming. To my disbelief it was Simon. Swimming for his life above the killer weir. I bet now Simon is reviewing his gear, shorts are not the best thing for sub-zero February.

It was a great days paddling, I hope your ok Simon as I’ve not seen you since and if you need a witness to say it was Kayaking that caused your black eyes just ask.

See you on the next river everyone.