ThePADDLER 16
1 . Swale – scout , scout & scout !
Ironically my first ‘ worst swim ’ was not a swim as I could roll up after , but it certainly shook me . I had been kayaking for about a year and had learned fast . Regular HPP visits will do that for you . Three friends and I went up to paddle the Swale – a UK waterfall classic . It was low but paddlable , and I was excited about a proper ‘ big boys ’ trip .
We got to the get-on and went to have a look at Rainby – the second big drop . It was intimidating , but we discussed the line and went to get changed . The first drop of the Swale was relatively easy , so we went down with no problem . Then came Rainby . The others confidently went before me , and I followed soon after . I was so nervous though ; I struggled to remember the line . I wanted to get out and look again but was worried I would hold the others up , and they might be annoyed they had brought me along . It was not as if we hadn ’ t scouted it .
FACIAL IMPACT So I went down and massively over-edged . I flipped on my way down and had to roll up at the bottom . The impact on my face was huge – but luckily , much better than it could have been . I told my friends I was ‘ fine ’ and finished the river . It was only once off the water when I began to warm up that my eye began to swell . The result ? I had a black eye for months and haven ’ t paddled the Swale since .
So what did I learn ? To scout for as long and as often as I want ! Realistically my friends would not have cared if I had gotten out again to have another look and therefore had a better line . I was so nervous about letting them down that I let myself down by not acknowledging my gut feelings . I want to return to the Swale again – to show that river how much I have improved ! And to get over my fear of Rainby !
Main photo : I was very excited ! And I did do some of the drops well ! Photo : Tom Clare
Left : It was sore !