Page 125 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

First Expedition swimming was to occur). Only one third more rapids, where I most certainly would
of the group would survive the next three have found myself in trouble. I secured
The next step was to go on our first days without swimming in the ice cold my boat, jumped out and observed the
expedition. Four days on continuous grade water of the Rockies. best route down. I had two choices: line
two water and intermittent grade three. It’s the boat down walking on the bank, or
clear why we came out here; you would Challenges ferry glide cutting across the top of the
never find this level of water over such a drop to the other side of the river where the
sustained period in the United Kingdom. For the most part the five stars took the route had a gradual drop. If it went wrong
We journeyed to the Kootenay River, lead guiding the four stars down the at any point, I would be going down
British Columbia. The boats were split and rapids for their assessments. Maps would backwards over rather awkward water and
rotated round being solo and tandem; normally be incredibly useful, but due dropping to most certainly swim. When I
it was a true test of teamwork to work to mass flooding a few years ago the got back in the boat, I paddled like my life
together in a boat. The nights were cold whole river had changed course putting depended on it. I made it.
camping in the wilderness, barrels of all everyone on edge, not knowing what to By the final day, with the end in sight,
our food, plus toothpaste got hoisted into expect next. The risk of capsize was never all showed no fear facing the final white
the air each evening to protect from bears. more than one small mistake away. Even water waves. Everyone had smiles of
We cooked using the open fire and with a our instructors proved this was the case achievement and awards for four and
few raw ingredients evenings turned into with the odd swim. It was on day two of five star were given out with much
attempts at Master Chef. the expedition that I faced the biggest congratulations. We had paddled over
All of our kit had to come with us and challenge of my skills. 120 km together not including our time
this changed the manoeuvrability of the For one particular rapid I was last person on the lakes. Those that did not reach the
boat and for some of us this was the first down; when I reached the eddy (pool standard had achieved a phenomenal
time we had ever had to be self sustained on non-moving water) with increased amount in personal paddling skills, group
in a boat. Our military skills for packing numbers in it, I missed it. Making the next management and leadership. All of us
and waterproofing were tested to the one, I found I had only just saved myself had been tested during our two weeks in
maximum. from going over a three foot drop into Canada.

Long Days

Days were long on the river, finishing
paddling most evenings around 6 p.m.
Every kilometre paddled was worth it
as each bend brought spectacular views
as we travelled down the foothills of the
mountains on crystal clear water. Group
management and leadership was built
up gradually through discussion and
coaching while we moved, with each
member getting a chance to take the lead.
After a long four days, bodies and knees
aching, a day of rest was given to explore
Calgary before heading out again. We
drove north for more challenging water,
more grade three awaited us and patches
of grade four rapids on the Red Deer River.
Fortunate for us the support vehicle could
drive ahead carrying large portions of the
camping kit relieving the stress of having
heavy boats (and less kit to get lost if

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