Page 58 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021 (Crest)

Exercise WET CADET
OCdt Hobbs
DAY 1
We set off on time with all vehicles and OCdts on board. Mr. Langford arrived first from our accommodation and sorted us out with locks and rooms. With everyone accounted for and our instructor picked up from Littleborough sta- tion, we met at a local pub for an evening meal. A quick trip to our hot tub before bed and every- one was ready to go for a day of kayaking.
DAY 2
We had a good brief on the background to organising AT including the different elements of a risk assessment and how to do some weather predictions. There was a quick assessment of the kit and appropriate wear before we headed down to the local canal. Addressing the specific needs of kayaking in this area, many of us got into kayaks for the first time and pushed off. After learning how to assess for a kayaking day, we started by learning a specific drill: Area, Bound- ary, Capsize, Danger, Emergency. After some intuitive instruction on how to traverse forward, backwards and sideways we began a few races.
With two teams set up, the games began with a contentious back and forth ball game which was only briefly interrupted with the exped leader capsizing during one of the goals. An early attempt at a regain under our instructor kept the day going. After a final relay race between the two teams, we got back in to purchase our food for the week.
DAY 3
A longer day with plans to build upon the training of the previous day. We entered the canal with increased confidence and an ability to manoeu- vre for some more intense games. Following some near capsizes from some good spirited competition, it was time to learn some capsize drills; fortunately, we had plans outside of the freezing waters of South Yorkshire in Decem- ber. After a thorough clean down of our kayaks and a quick lunch, we headed down to a pre- booked swimming pool in Rotherham. Here we learnt the fundamentals of capsize drills which
were becoming increasingly important and with some white water coming the next day, we were all aware that these drills were important. Many were partner-based and so teamwork was definitely tested as we relied on our partners to provide the platform for recovery of an upturned kayak. Eventually we each became quite con- fident and enjoyed the prospect of holding our breath for longer periods, testing out different methods.
DAY 4
A slightly more daunting day for some as we were taken out of our comfortable environment and had our skills put to the test on a controlled but more realistic scenario at Burrs National Park in a river that culminated in what appeared to be a fast-flowing weir. Luckily, the flow where we started was quite relaxed and so we got com- fortable with our new situation before progress- ing under the direction of our instructor. Most noticeable was the fact that the river created areas with different flows of water which needed controlled entry and exits by us as kayakers. Our most incidental moment was practising cross- ing a river facing upstream across different flows and where three OCdts managed to capsize, notably a confident Mr. Langford twice! Many of these incidents were captured on video for our amusement. We did, however, learn that cap- size drills are more complicated with shallower depths and obstacles in place. The final weir crossing was a satisfying end and not nearly as eventful as we had assumed from our observa- tion on the bridge previously. Having linked up with the other expedition to exchange stories, we also planned a shared meal for the evening.
DAY 5
The final long day of kayaking involved a bit of long distance kayaking over a few canal locks, mastering a few final skills with turns but more
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