Usk November 2006

I thought I would attempt to develop a small Blog for some of my canoeing trips on local Welsh rivers. This is the start, although I have been padddling in the area for over 15 years.



NOTE This is not me, in fact there are very few pictures of me paddling because I always end up taking photos of everyone else

This clip is from last Sunday's paddle . A gentle grade 2 run with some friends to get back into
the swing of things after a long break through the summer months (yes I only paddle in the winter!). It is surprising how little water there is around in the last few years. Nothing like a cold winter morning to get you into the mood for a good paddle.





So as usual it was the mad rush from the cafe in Sennybridge down to the access point at Aberbran. It is always a mad time this and I always seem to get the shuttle wrong - but hey today was going to be different - drop the boat off and then down to Brecon to leave my camper at the egress point - nice warm changing room at the end - perfect.


I just love the logistics of going canoeing - the mad rush, the checking of kit, getting all the food, cameras, safety equipment organised - most times Ithink I need a rest after just that - OK those who know me will be chuckling - I am gadget man and so my boat and kit are, well lets say, well equiped - look you guys its just as much fun for me !!!

The Usk is a very pretty river with enough to keep even the most hardened paddler involved - you cannot but be impresed by the scenery and the small but sometimes technical parts of the river - not grade 5 but at least you can chat and relax as you follow the river downstream to Brecon. The river seems very clean but after a good downpour it turns brown and its character changes considerably - you can do the trip in about 3 or 4 hours with normal water but I have paddled it in spate and done the trip in 1 hour!!! Rollercoaster stuff!





The start of the run is under a bridge where there is a small but deceptive weir - this is the one that freaks out new paddlers and catches the more advanced if the are not careful - I chalenge anyone to get down cleanly with water this level and not bump a rock. Good to play in though and warm yourself up.

After this the river meanders through open fields with tree lined banks, with a sunny day like this the light can be quite special and the river sparkles as it ripples through small runs and mini rapids.