By Del Read
Photos:
Tom Clare
Del Read
https://delkayaks.co.uk
@del_likes_kayaking
Tom Clare
www.facebook.com/tomclaremedia
@tomclaremedia
I have debated about writing this article for a while. With each of these swims came feelings of shame and anguish. But I have had a lot of time to reflect on them all, and through these reflections, I have been able to take away valuable lessons. I am not encouraging recklessness but simply highlighting what I have learned as I gain more experience. I have written the swims in chronological order of when they happened.
1. SWALE – SCOUT, SCOUT & SCOUT!
2. ETIVE – IF THERE IS A HOLE, MAKE SURE TO BOOF!
3. TWRCH – BE HONEST WHEN YOU ARE SCARED
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 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.
