72 practice runs of the whole route . It was an excellent opportunity to find out where the water would take control of me and where I ’ d have problems . Thankfully , during the practice session , I learned where my board would flip when I got things wrong . Going through a downstream gate upstream gate gives you penalties , as does touching a pole .
Penalties It was much more challenging to avoid touching a pole when stood up than sitting in my little kayak , but that was part of the fun . The wind made avoiding poles interesting at times , too – they ’ d suddenly move when you were trying to cut it fine . You get penalties if you miss out a gate or do them in the wrong order . You are allowed to go through a gate facing sideways , backwards , or however you possibly can if your direction of progress is correct . It ’ s slightly confusing to work out , but you can go through a green gate facing backwards and sideways but moving downstream with no penalty . However , you can ’ t paddle facing forward through a green gate but going upstream .
Unlike flatwater racing , you paddle on your own . You stand at the start , and each paddler awaits their turn . It was nice not to have the crazy water of a mass start but nobody to follow , chase you or set your pace against ; it is a very different experience from other types of racing . Some gates were positioned , so you had to paddle across the current . Paddle too passively , and you ’ d get swept past the gate .
Missing a gate is an expensive mistake ! I learned that it didn ’ t matter how you got to the next gate on the route ; you could paddle to where you could and put in some extra lops to ensure you didn ’ t miss any gates . But woe betide you if you accidentally passed the finish line – lots and lots of penalties . On my first kayak run , one of the judges told me I ’ d finished , although I hadn ’ t attempted all the gates . He explained what I ’ d done wrong and what I could have done differently in such a clear and kind way . I ’ d found the finish line without realising . I didn ’ t feel stupid , but like I ’ d had a good learning experience and knew what not to do next time .
Soon , it was time for my run on my SUP . I ’ m much more confident on my SUP , but my board is terrible , and it was much more challenging . I had to take much longer routes as it ’ s much less manoeuvrable than a tiny playboat . It ’ s much heavier , almost impossible to get an edge , and the more familiar step-back turns didn ’ t seem wise , as raising the nose of the board would probably hit all the poles . Again , I got a lot wrong , but I got a load of pointers for different tactics and routes to try in the afternoon session .
You get two runs for each craft you paddle with the best score counting . It felt safe to try different things to see what worked – or didn ’ t . The excellent safety team were great , and as I was waiting for my turn , I saw other people capsize , and it all seemed no bother . It made you feel confident it was OK to try but not quite make the route you wanted , and everyone got words of encouragement . The experienced paddlers made the fastest routes look easy , whereas the newer people paddled longer but less risky lines , and some were taking swims . I realised it didn ’ t matter that I couldn ’ t take the fastest , shortest routes .
Wild water sprint After the slalom was the wild water sprint race . The course sprinted along the river bank , around a gate , down the wave and along the other bank . And we were allowed to paddle as many different boats as we liked . British Wildwater had brought a trailer full of wild water racing boats , from plastic wavehoppers to boats used by the British team at the international competition level . Somebody found me a plastic wavehopper to try , and it was brilliant fun . I ’ d never even seen one before the day . They have very rounded hulls , so they sway in the water a bit like a sideways rocking chair . They feel very hard to capsize but very wobbly at slow speeds . Waiting at the start line was the hardest part .
C2 with a World Champion I was also asked if I ’ d like to try a C2 with a World Champion . There ’ s only one answer to a question like that . A lovely , smiling young woman stepped out of the crowd , got me into the boat and showed me what to do . From the start , her power was incredible . I don ’ t think many people get their first experience of paddling a canoe with a World Champion . Kerry and the team paired up with lots of others for a run of the course . They put so much time and effort into encouraging people to have a go , and it was a true privilege .
Not long after the Orton Mere weekend , the team were off to the Wildwater World Cup to return with an impressive haul of medals . Congratulations to them , and a big thank you for taking the time to encourage newbies .
Mallory Franklin Slalom Start is their youth programme , taking childen who haven ’ t paddled before through to competing . The Slalom Start Juniors have also gone on to compete at Cardington and earned themselves some podium positions . There ’ s every possibility today ’ s newcomers may go on to great achievements – the club has had some toplevel and GB team paddlers cut their teeth at Orton Mere . When she was young , Olympic silver medalist and seven-time World Champion Mallory Franklin once capsized at an event and needed rescuing .
Sunday was another two runs on the SUP and the kayak , but they had different course routes . Kate , one of the safety team members , offered me a run-in practice with her in a C2 slalom boat . I wasn ’ t going to refuse that offer either . She is so skilled and took the route I wanted to achieve but didn ’ t have the skills . Another brilliant experience . She suggested we ask if a late entry into the race was possible , and the officials agreed . Everyone was positive and encouraging from the start to the end of the weekend , and I had many more experiences than I ’ d expected . I learnt so much , and it was one of the most fun weekends I ’ ve had in a very long time .
It is an accessible sport , with the minimum of outlay on kit , and paddling whatever you have was fine . My board and kayak paddles are one step from getting it out of the skip . My kayak is 15 years old . You can join in on a cheap board and paddle some of the
course on your knees . You need a PFD and helmet ; a basic one is fine , and I got my helmet for £ 20 second-hand . One thing I ’ ve found prohibitive to getting into white water SUP is the cost of getting all the kit and coaching you need .
Brilliant value for money ! I loved that I wasn ’ t the only one with old or borrowed kit at this event . I was offered so many boats and boards to try out too . My limited bank account wasn ’ t a barrier to taking part . For the wild water race , I paid £ 5 and had four runs on my SUP , a run on a wavehopper , and a C2 . What brilliant value for money !
If you get the chance to try something like this , then please do it ! Embrace your inner idiot , let yourself mess up , and remember it ’ s OK to be a bit scared . You might just have a great time .