Page 124 - AGC-Journal-2016
P. 124
AGC JOURNAL 2016
Exercise Canpaddle
White Water Canoeing
By Second Lieutenant Lena Beardsell
One of the lucky things wondered how much I would be swimming More Skills
working at the Army instead of canoeing in the cold ice melt of
the Rockies. A long drive, flight and a bit
Foundation College more of a drive got me to Trails End Camp The following day was a day to test more
skills - sailing. We arrived at Ghost Lake to
Harrogate is that I know with a mixed group across cap badge, find the winds were almost gale force so we
when leave is going to be. I rank and service. We were greeted by a were immediately faced with a challenge
safely brief which included the only just
to paddle across the lake into a head
searched for all the courses bearable ‘bear aware’ video bringing us to wind. In our groups we took turns leading
available during August and the reality of where we were. across the vast lake with increasing waves.
to my joy Exercise Canpaddle Barrier Lake Settling into a bay we built our ‘sailboat’
strapped up the canoes, hoisted the mast
fell at exactly at the right and lifted the sail to great success. Sadly,
time; two weeks in Canada First day on the water we shook out the the wind did not want to take us to our
finish point, it took us to the opposite
doing white water canoeing. cobwebs on Barrier Lake, zig zagging side. After much strong paddling as one
across in pairs and solo boats. I am happy
to say that at this stage of the game all combined force we made it to the end of
On My Way managed to stay in their boats. our lake trip.
The second half of the day was spent
building up confidence, but this time in
It has been over three years since I was the water. Jumping into moving water
in a canoe, so I felt slightly apprehensive repeatedly; confirming we could manage
when I received the phone call from the defensive swimming if we fell out of our
organisers confirming my place. The boats. The cold water in the almost dry
two weeks sounded challenging and I suits was refreshing and even the smallest
section of swimming down the white water
slalom course of Kananaskis river proved
exhausting but rewarding as all reached
the bank safely each time.
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