Wye Canadians can be fun!

The River Wye is long. Being 251 km in length makes it Britain's fifth longest River.

Technically speaking it isn't the sea, at least not until becoming tidal as it spills into the Severn Estuary. Rising (non nautical term for starts off) in Wales, and eventually forms the lower border between the Celts and the English, separating Wales from England with one of the best salmon fishing rivers outside Scotland.

It also has Canadians on it. Canoes that is.

Today I try my hand at a bit of inland paddling for the first time in a Canadian canoe. The weather looks as if it is going to hold out for a full day, the kids are off school, so some of them come too.

A motley crew of all ages from 9 to 70 something

Taliesin wonders what happened to the other end of his paddle

There is lots of room in one of these things, which makes them good fun for the two eldest to come along for a bit of "messing about on the river", as well as space for kit and dogs. (No doubt I see the possibility of some clan camping at some later date).

Jasper the dog gets the treatment

Apparently the person in control sits at the back. I found that being at the front and using bow rudders was probably just as effective a way to point the thing the right way.

Taliesin checks out stability characteristics,
and finds them suitable for water fights

while John checks to see if the water level is appropriate

Llewelyn looks smug as he commandeered Tal's paddle

er . . . Chris gives Kath a go with his red kayak

. . . watched by all the boys

A great way to spend a day

Toys 4 boys

I've never been able to sit on a waveski without falling off. Just haven't got the balance.
I was very impressed with Tal's efforts tonight at surfing, considering this was the first time he'd ridden one.

Harry shows us how it's done

Another end to a day

Testing

This weekend we are due to go to this years Stackpole Sea Kayaking Festival. Thought it might be a good idea for Tal to tryout a seakayak to see how he got on. The last time he tried one was getting on to a year and a half ago. He's grown a bit since then, but even so it must be quite daunting to get into a 17 foot boat when you are his size.

I thought he got on rather well with it, but he decided on taking his small boat instead.

After a hot day in the office

With some very nice weather being had, I couldn't think of a nicer way to spend the evening than down on the beach, messing about on the water. The logistics were a bit of a nightmare with the four little ones, but with them all wetsuited up and a friend to keep a keen eye on 3 of them, Tal and I went for a little paddle along the coast with Chris.

Tal takes a rest

The father son pose

When we get back, the fun and games start with various piggy back rides on the boat.
Shame Chris ran out of light, there were some cracking moments.

Llew hitches a ride

Son and Surf

Had a great time taking Taliesin out for a short surf session. He took a while to thaw out though.


I borrowed a Mega Impulse and a Neutron to try out. Impulse did it for me (the bigger version). Resulting conclusion I now have to face, is that as from today, I must be a large paddler.
The rest of the day I had that afterglow feeling you get when your body finally returns to operating temperature.

Through little eyes

That's me, paddling at sunset as drawn by my daughter, Morwenna (5).


As seen by Rhydian (3). "Have you been in your kayak?" he often asks.


I get the faint impression he can't wait to get out on the water!


By Llewelyn (8)


and Taliesin (10), who started to surf kayak this year.


It's always nice to make it back home.
Happy Paddling for 2008!