Just because it is the end of the winter White Water season, doesn't mean that you have to stop paddling over the Summer.
Whilst this trip is open to all Club members who have passed ITP or 2 star, it is advisable to have had some previous white water experience.
Bala and the Tryweryn
Afon Tryweryn is Dam fed, which means that the water is released by a time table at a regulated rate. This means that the river is predictable, and is a regular summer retreat for dehydrated paddlers! (Even if the water is a little bit cold!)
N.B. because the WW centre the river is fed by dam release, if it isn't releasing it can't be paddled. The centre has no control over releases and they are announced only about a week before. So no guarantees we will be able to paddle the top section (or the bottom section if April has been dry) see http://www.canoewales.com/water-level-info
The
Upper section of the Tryweryn is rated as continuous Grade 3+ and is similar to the large features on the Dart Loop or Middle Tavy. There is a short 'warm up' section just below the chipper and before the graveyard, which is perfect to hone your skills before tackling the main features. Calum's video will give you a taste
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB4QTzoFW_Y
The
Lower Tryweryn is much more beginner friendly, generally considered grade 2 all the way down, with one Grade 4 feature at Mills Falls. This is easy to portage around for those not wanting to paddle it. Here is another video of the Lower section
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2_0Gz2WM58
The Plan
This could be a prime opportunity for people to hire some white water instructors.
Coaches and instructors can be hired either for a single day, or for a weekend to offer a range of courses. some options that I would suggest include
- BCU 3 or 4 Star White Water Training (2 days)
- BCU White water Safety and Rescue course (2 days)
- Bomb Proof Roll Training (1 Day)
- Beginners white water (1-2 days)
- Personal Paddling development course (1-2 days)
Prices will vary on which course is undertaken, and how many participants are included. But typically you each course requires 4-6 people, and you should expect to pay £60-75 per person per day.
Bursary's from the Club and BCU are available for certain courses, so you may be able to recover some of the cost. Please contact the committee for more information.
For those who do not want instruction, and just want to join us for the weekend, we will also have peer lead groups running the river. Although all members of the group need to be comfortable paddling grade 3 rivers.
Accommodation
There is the
Bala Backpackers Hostel that offers dorm room accomodation for around £39 (in 2014) per weekend per person (Friday & Saturday Night). I'll probably stay elsewhere, so someone will set up a group booking. I expect the organiser will require payment in advance, and anyone wishing to back out at short notice may loose their money (unless you can find someone else to take your space).
There are also many B&B's and campsites locally.
Provisional itinerary
All down to what people want to do, who signs up, how many 'leaders' we have (or not), releases and rainfall. But from previous years:
Leave the clubhouse on Friday morning to drive the 190 miles (takes about 3:45 if M5/6 isn't too slow) to Bala in North Wales. If we arrive early enough, we will aim to get an afternoon paddle on the Dee at llangollen or the Tryweryn before they shut off the water. Then back to the bustling Bala for food and drink.
Saturday - Lots of paddling. Peer group will be on the lower tryweryn in the morning, followed by an afternoon on the Upper section? (so not too much drink on Friday because it'll be an early start on Saturday...)
Sunday - We will stay on the upper section only on Sunday. Aim to leave around 15:00 as it is a long drive home.
Transport
Depending on numbers, we will most likely take a convoy of cars. The trailer is available if anyone is happy to tow it. The cost of transport will need to be organized between each car load. Estimate about 500mile round trip, so it should cost £60-100 per car (potentially divided 4 ways).
Everyone will need to register for the weekend here.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me