Main photo : We had been enjoying ourselves all week – despite the low levels ! Photo : Tom Clare
AT THE MERCY OF THE RIVER Being used to HPP , I tried to fight it and ‘ paddle out ’. However , the river had other ideas , and not long later , I was pulled out of my kayak . I am immediately pulled down and go on to experience one of my scarier swims . The force of the water was so great I could not fight it . Instead , I was pulled down and at the mercy of the river . When I opened my eyes , it was completely dark . Weirdly this did not panic me ; instead , I felt eerily calm . The river was more powerful than I would ever be , so what use would there be in fighting it ?
I was under for long enough that I had enough time to think . I assumed I would be recirculated to the surface at some point , and I must not waste the chance I had when that happened . Keeping my eyes open , I waited . As long as I saw the light , I stretched my hands upwards , and they broke the surface before I did . By the time my head also broke the surface , Nick was throwing me a line , and I was out .
CALM REASONING I owe a lot to Nick that day . He checked I was okay and persuaded me , through his calm reasoning , to get back on the water . If I hadn ’ t , I would have ended our Scotland trip in a very sad state of mind . Instead , thanks to Nick , I got to end it in my ( Matt ’ s ) boat . And the lesson learned ? If there is a huge hole – BOOF ! And if you are not confident enough , don ’ t paddle it !
OLYCARB
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