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| Reviews & Photos | White Water Safety and Rescue Trip Report 2011 | |||||
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You may recall Lee sent us a few emails inviting us to Wales with him for the White Water Safety and Rescue Course, which carried out in the Easter Holidays on the River Tryweryn, and the Dee. In the end there were five of us doing the course, Matt, Dave, Sarah, Wayne and I. Sadly we were missing Josh due to his accident and poor Stevo had a cold. Nevertheless our numbers were picked up as, Gareth, Si and Ricky also turned up to get some paddling practice for their upcoming California Trip. Lee as well stuck along for the ride, as he was of course, assessing us and in turn being assessed by the army bloke (Rob) who also taught parts of the course. The course was extremely worthwhile, we all learnt loads as well as having a bit of fun as well. Beforehand I never knew what a prussik was, or a vector or how to set up a 4 pig rig system. The course also covered the do’s and don’ts of throw lines, discussion on general equipment, as well as safety equipment. We spent most of the time fairly hands-on, and oddly for a kayaking course spending more time in the water outside the boat rather than inside it. Luckily we were blessed with the hottest recorded temperature for North Wales of that period (for a long time certainly) – so to an extent it felt like a swimming pool, but a fast running swimming pool with plants and rat urine. The course was packed with very useful tips, advice and information on how to avoid problems and keep your trips as safe as possible. If you are of a confident 2 star standard then I would certainly recommend this is the way to go. The White Water Safety and Rescue is advocated by our Student’s Union, for instance they have reimbursed my payment for this course (which was a hundred pounds – the cost of the course I think will fluctuate). As well as it is also advocated by our senior members, and it is BCU certified. The duration of the course is two days, first day being the Tweryn River Course, the second being the Dee, and I spent about 50 pounds on the weekend itself – which paid my contribution for our food, bungalow and fuel. A book called “White Water Safety and Rescue” by Franco Ferrero was recommended, http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Safety-Rescue-Franco-Ferrero/dp/0954706153 Of which I am sure I will buy and thumb through to help jog my memory. So if you would like some more information about the WWSR course and further details of what we had learnt, prod Lee. By Sammy Jones |