Sutton Bingham & District Canoe Club

Symonds Yat Trip,  Sunday, May 31st, 2011

Photographs courtesy of Jane Bell and Simon Champion

Getting up early to go to Yeovil on a Sunday morning is not my usual routine! We arrived at Cartgate (well before 8am!) where everyone was hoping that good weather was on its way for our trip down the river Wye and the rapids. On the way with Jacqui (Mum) Simon, Jenny, Alex Ashford and I played car games A-Z animals.... you guys have played this way too often, felt I should get out more ! ! ! I was also being told about Splat rock, (This must have been what Dennis was on about …??)

We were the first to arrive at Kerne Bridge which was pretty packed out with other kayaks and canoes (tin cans); nerves and excitement had got to me, this was my first time on moving water and the same for several others.

With everyone on the water (yes, even me … thanks Jim and George) we began our journey.

We travelled down the river and after two small rapids we came to our first eddy, all done with ease. Jane Bell fancied a go underneath the water and had to capsize. Once she was back in we set off again. Alex Hawkins had a new, red Dagger Showdown Kayak and was getting to grips with it. We had a nice leisurely paddle for a while and the sky started to brighten. We took time to take in the scenery. It was stunning, cliffs that went up for miles and huge rocks,( with someone telling me that 'splat rock' was one of these hahaha funny . . . . Dennis)

We stopped for a bit of lunch at the next rapids after some ferry gliding. Not going to lie but this was well needed .. for me !

Back on the river we headed to 'splat rock', yes the trip had been building up to this very moment. Watching the climb to get on to the rock which was rather amusing, with kayaks lining up ready to be launched. A couple that are still stuck in my mind are young Katie Bell who went (I think) right under - so brave. Jim and Alex Ashford, and of course Dennis's rather girly scream that Myself, Jacqui, Kirsty and Caroline had scored a 9/10.

Now off to the rapids. With a quick brief from the leaders and we were ready. After Matt’s LITTLE nudge, I was first to go down. All I heard was paddle, paddle, paddle. Simon and Brian both said it was like a roller-coaster ride. Wow it was so much better! It happened so fast and was such a adrenaline rush. So quite a lot of us thought 'yep we've got to do that again'.  The power of the water and the sound. The whooping coming from the team got you all buzzed up wanting to go again and again.

The excitement stays with you, and as you watch more members of the Team and cheer them on. Had a few that wanted to experience the rapids from wrong way up (Mark, Dennis, John) and we had a great photographer (Lynne) to catch these moments! Such a short, fast bit of water and so much FUN.

When paddling back to the cars there was chatter and laughter throughout the group. Seen a couple of fishermen casting out, fly fishing watching the sun bounce of the line. They were here to enjoy the water to. Probably had some strong words for when the lot of us came through.

Now tackle those steps after the journey/ splat rock/ rapids.... to the pub???!!!! There were stories and photos and videos being told over hot chocolate of coffee or for something stronger .. good old apple juice! This for me has been the best trip so far. Thank you !!!!

Charlotte King May 2011