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Jul 2013
1:27pm, 25 Jul 2013
495 posts
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Recoil
Anyone been down Symonds yat rapids, is there a bail out option on the right hand side round the island to save me having to portage?
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Jul 2013
3:38pm, 25 Jul 2013
5,486 posts
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AngusClydesdale
Haven't been down them for many years but was stood looking at the top from the Saracen's Head just a couple of weeks ago. River right (right of the island) is shallow, rocky and wadeable. When I was a kid we used to use it to get back up, towing our boats, until we were strong enough to paddle back up the main rapids. It didn't look to have changed much when I was looking at it the other week so I would say no, it's a portage.
Main rapid isn't too bad. Stay in the middle and keep paddling, you'll pop out the bottom before you know it with a big smile on! There was always a big eddy on either side to break out into when you get through. Have fun 
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Jul 2013
5:46pm, 25 Jul 2013
4,972 posts
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JJ Flash
Hi Recoil,
I was there with the club on Sunday. It's running shallow at the moment. The main stream goes to the left of the island.
If you pick a line going in that is centre or right of centre pretty much anyone can run straight down through. The haystacks of the wave train aren't any more than about a foot high. There are rocks just below the surface at the entrance to the rapid on the left, but htey are easy to see as you get close.
We took some beginners who started in April/May this year and they ran it successfully. Your Waikiki will be fine for a straight run down, even if you have it loaded with kit.If you've paddled thre from upstream you will have had lots of experience with slower moving water from the riffles and runs the low level has formed on your way thre.
If you don't fancy the run when you get there then you have two options. The portage is on your far right, above the right hand stream. There is a steep bank to pull up but a good, mostly level, dirt path when you get there. Put in is a good beach below the end of the rapid. Or you can paddle to the head of the island and pick a route to float your boat down. Most paddlers drag their boat over a couple of breakwaters back to the head of the rapid when they head home and launch there. You could drag over these and get back into calmer water half way down, or find a wade route in the right hand channel.
Feel free to message me if you want more info.
There are some pictures on the RLSCC facebook page.
Have a good trip.
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Jul 2013
3:20pm, 31 Jul 2013
496 posts
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Recoil
Thanks for the advice both
Trip is looking doubtful at the moment as my kayaking buddy has damaged his wrist not good prior to a 30 odd mile jaunt from Hoarwithy to Monmouth...
Will definitely be going at some point soon tho
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Jul 2013
7:49pm, 31 Jul 2013
5,515 posts
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AngusClydesdale
That's a nice trip. We used to do it in 2 days with an overnighter at Ross, where we camped near the pub.
In other, very exciting, news, I have been canoeing. First time in nearly 8 years (I know because my eldest is nearly 8). He kayaked and I waded, swam, tipped him out a couple of ties and even paddled our canoe a bit too.
Happy days.
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Jul 2013
8:18pm, 31 Jul 2013
582 posts
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Jubear
Hah. When I tried to capsize our tandem kayak into the sea on the hottest day of the year a couple weeks ago, with MrJB as bow paddler, he had a complete sh*t fit and refused to play. It appears he is less brave than an 8 year old. I shall be sure to tell him this
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Jul 2013
9:53pm, 31 Jul 2013
5,516 posts
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AngusClydesdale
And he came back for more!
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Aug 2013
10:16am, 1 Aug 2013
4,975 posts
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JJ Flash
The water is so warm at present!
I did a course a couple of weeks ago in the heat. Within half an hour of finishing ht exam I was upside down in my Kayak in the river Thames. It really has to be done.
Jubear - Mr JB really should practice. It's the only way to get comfortable with the falling in stuff.
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Aug 2013
1:13pm, 1 Aug 2013
583 posts
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Jubear
JJF - interestingly, MrJB used to be much more sang-froid than me about falling in. I think that, when they did his knee surgery last Feb, they also adjusted the self-preservation switch in his head - the wrong way! But I can be persistent, I'll encourage him to jump in off the sit on top to start with
And yes, with the hot weather, I've *almost* enjoyed the bow rescue practice as part of the 2 star course!
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Aug 2013
1:52pm, 1 Aug 2013
497 posts
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Recoil
Angus, was it the White Lion at Ross? thats where we are booked in if it happens...
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