Cardiff International Whitewater Part 2

It was soon time to meet our guide for the day and get kitted out for the afternoon session. Having received the biggest bruise on my backside I would recommend that everyone who tries this ensures that they have a wet suit on to give some protection! Once changed we headed for the bottom of the course to receive our crafts for the session.

Boat 1 K & H

Boat 2 Em and Jim

As we paddle a double sea kayak it wasn't long before we were feeling quite comfortable! We were given instruction to ferry glide on the bottom fall getting used to the moving water.

Getting used to the water

Looking like the pros Em and Jim

It was then time to really test out the rafts and our nerves. The good thing about being a team is that you trust each other impeccably and when a command to paddle comes, that is what H did with little thought about what might happen as I steered us into the bottom fall. All the action of course was caught on camera courtesy of Cym and Auntie Di!

H and K's hand and paddle!

The only person laughing after this was me (K)! There was an unamused H climbing back into the boat still wondering what had happened! To rub salt in the wound we were then instructed to go above the fall to practice our defensive swimming!! H is still adamant that no one mentioned swimming when she signed up for this!! Unfortunately when in a boat with someone who gets bored easily and likes pushing the boundaries this practice would be needed!

Confirming all good

H taking yet another mouthful

Em looking cool and relaxed!

Jim

The course builds up your confidence slowly with defensive swimming followed by a few runs on the bottom part of the course. This was completed with no reportable incidences! It was soon time to get exited about running the whole course!

The instructors unfortunately had to take one raft at a time which meant with 6 rafts we were waiting a long time at the bottom. However it was not too long before we were on the conveyor belt heading for the top.

The course felt very different in a two man raft compared to the kayak, it felt more intimidating. The first run down went fine with no real issues to report. On the second run we had to breakout on the middle fall as we nearly collided with a raft! This had much comedy value when H was wondering why we were now sat in an eddy facing upstream!

Meanwhile in the other raft Jim and Em were coping extremely well with not one swimming experience! The last run down saw us all following down the course. As it was the last run down I decided to spin the boat on the latter section of the course which resulted in us hitting an obstacle side on and flipping the raft. H was not amused that she was once again swimming! I however forgot to lift my backside on the bottom fall and received a nice bruise for my troubles!

JIm and Em

Once back in the raft it was time to get out and put the rafts away. This was a great experience and we would recommend it to everyone! We never stopped laughing from start to finish! The centre really is a great place even just to go and watch the different activities happening on the course. However be warned once you watch you will want a go!!

Cardiff International Whitewater Part 1

Having been a slalom paddler in my youth growing up in South Wales there was little in the way of white water and slalom gates on the doorstep! However that has now since been put right with the building of the Cardiff International Whitewater Center and what a great job they have done! It was opened in 2010 and straight away my father who was the inspiration behind all the years of slalom was raving about how good it was! Therefore it was not long before we had to take a trip back home to check it out!

It was decided that K and Jim would take to the kayaks in the morning and then a spot of two man rafting for Em and H to experience as they are not quite confident enough to take the course on single handed! We were to meet up with an old friend of the family from our slalom days called Hamish. Hamish still very much into his slalom paddling paddled a slalom boat, Jim in a Dagger Axiom and K borrowed a boat from friends and was a little apprehensive about what it would handle like, especially when even though only 5ft 2 1/2 could just about get her feet in !















The first stage was to get used to the boats on the flat at the bottom of the course. Being a little apprehensive having not been on whitewater for a good 6 years it was time to test the roll and stopper surfing on the bottom fall!

Testing the roll just incase!

Stopper surfing bottom fall

All was feeling good on the bottom fall so it was time to tackle the course! The conveyor belt ride to the top is very convenient and gives you plenty of time to try and control the nerves! Having paddled many courses around the World this was something of a momentous occasion paddling on home turf!

Since paddling the course in September it has been changed. This is the advantage of moveable obstacles you can create what you want. However the top fall throws you into it straight away! The course is designed for slalom and I was beginning to feel right at home!

The middle part of the course has tight fall with great breakouts and then quite a technical section with a stopper across the middle not far after that. The first run down was used to memorise each section and to settle any nerves that were around at the start.

Jim

 The latter part of the course is mixed with stoppers waves, great breakouts and a bottom fall to finish. The second and third runs down were spent crossing from break out to break out and surfing what waves were about.

Hamish

 The course is shared access with big rafts. This is a great way of allowing all to access the thrills of the rapids! It is also good fun watching the fear turn to excitement on the faces of those in the raft!

As we were to experience a two person rafting package in the afternoon it was important not to tire ourselves out so a few more runs and it was time to head for the cafe for lunch. Cym, John and Auntie Di had since come down to watch us brave the rapids in the afternoon and also I have no doubt to enjoy the entertainment!