ThePADDLER 24
5 . Orchy – plan for the unexpected !
This was my most recent swim ( five years of paddling under my belt ) and perhaps my least preventable . I enjoyed a lovely Scottish week with friends over Christmas , I was paddling well , and we were enjoying some great levels . On the Orchy , I capsized mid-rapid . Not to worry – I can roll !
Unfortunately , despite the relatively calm water , something completely freaked me out . I got my head stuck between two rocks . I ’ ve never experienced entrapment before , and it is not something I want to experience again any time soon .
SHOCKED BY THE EXPERIENCE Whilst getting ready to set up for a roll , I suddenly stopped and could not move my head . I freaked out at this and let go of my paddles . In doing so , I could
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It had been an excellent week of Scottish boating otherwise ! Photo : Tom Clare
push myself free from the rocks . But my hand roll is not 100 %, and I was still shocked by the experience . I couldn ’ t hand roll up and ended up swimming . I got myself to the side , and my friends got my boat .
So my learning experience from this one – prepare for the unexpected ! Afterwards , I talked about this at length with friends about the experience and discussed what they might have done . Sometimes it is good to play ‘ scenarios ’ even if you think they are unlikely !
So there you have it . These are not moments I am proud of or think of fondly . But they are key moments in my kayaking development and ones I have reflected on immensely . Each of these swims led to a change in my thinking and , as such , has made me a better and overall safer paddler . I am sure you will have experienced your bad river days , and I hope that you too , were able to gain something useful from those experiences . However unpleasant they may have been at the time .
Main photo : Paddling on the Orchy Photo : Tom Clare