Page 51 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021

Exercise CADET
PADDLE
I n n n n n the the the wake of the the the pandemic AT was limited to within the the the the UK Lesser men may have been perturbed by the the prospect of Winter AT that fax’s local ales The prize for the most unplanned capsizes went to to Mr Stratton sadly three years’ experience in the the Royal Navy did not not prepare him for the the challenge of aquatic sports A nota- ble mention goes to Mr Clarke who also spent rather rather a a a a a a lot of time in rather rather than on on the the the river The planning of the expedition was was headed up by by Mr Mr Stratton and our accommodation was was found by by Mr Mr Stone (sadly absent due to to to a a a a a a a a a a nasty case of COVID) did not involve skis but OCdts Stratton Clarke Blackhall Pennant and Channer congregated in in in a a a a a a a a picturesque corner of of West Yorkshire full of of hope and with one thing on on their minds: paddling Our ever-patient instructor Luke took the the the groups through the the the the safety briefs on on the the the the first evening and and bright and and early the the the the the the next day we we were out on on the the the the the water of of of the the the the the local canal learning the the the the the basics of of of kayaking We spent much of of of the the the the the first day on the the water splashing around getting to grips with balancing one’s ‘yak and learning techniques for negotiating around the the different parts of the the river The following two days were were spent on some faster water where we we we were were tested to our limits dealing with rapids and fast fast currents it it it is safe to say that none of of us remained dry The final day of of the the the expedition was spent back on on on on the the the canal learning and then being tested on on on our competency in in in in in in carrying out capsize capsize drills which involves having the the confidence to to capsize capsize and right one’s own ‘yak without succumbing to to the the panic of being underwater After a a a a a a a a hard day’s ‘yaking we we were grateful to to have the opportunity to to sample some of Hali-
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