The Vyrnwy on a Sunday

The river (the Vyrnwy) was chosen the evening before and the weather was booked (requirements for warm and sunny because Jackie is going). Meeting planned for 9.30.

Sunday came, the river level was spot on and the paddlers arrived – although the sun failed to show up. It was at least mild. The 5 got changed, faffed remarkably little, and were almost ready to paddle. It turns out the shuttle run on this takes almost as long as the paddle, but eventually the shuttle was sorted and we headed for the water. With none of us having done this river before, and this being a peer paddle, we agreed to scout as a group as we went along. Aside from the known portage around the weir, we hoped to be able to run it all without too much concern. The shuttle run trio had already seen the weir from the road, and the portage get out was to be marked by two bridges, so off we went.

There was a decent seal launch and splash to the face to get afloat. The river was fast flowing and there were little or no scrapes or hidden rocks to worry about. We took it in turns to lead the features and caught a few break outs on the way down. Other than the occasional need for a good line, or a bit of power to ensure we made it all the way through, the features were enjoyable but not too difficult. Although of course Gareth found several excuses to capsize and look for fish. Extra kudos to Kenny who picked some good lines through the section just above/under the two bridges. When he kept going downstream a bit further he did give us a little cause for concern – he remembered this was the get out… right? – but then he cleanly made the portage exit point and we all followed down to get out and walk around ‘the weir’.  

The weir – a bit of an understatement to be honest. This house-high drop, with a messy two stages to it, boulders in the middle and a lot of water going over, was enough to make me feel glad I didn’t know what was coming as I would have been very worried about missing the get out from about a km away! It wasn’t just the height, or the cumecs, or the rocks, but there was also a good sized tree limb ready to spear anyone who thought about going down the middle. A definite no-no - but impressive to see non the less.

Getting back on just below ‘the weir’ we were ready for the more gorge-like section. Nothing called for inspection from land and routes were chosen and taken and (mostly) smooth. When Gareth took it upon himself to check in the fishes again I think Kenny got FOMOs and had a go too, although forgot to come back up. He ended up swimming to the bank while Gareth wrestled with the tank of a boat on the opposite bank. After checking on Kenny and his paddle I watched from a safe eddy while James and Ian hopped out to help get the cargo-ship beached on dry land. Meanwhile Kenny headed downstream on the bank with his paddle. A few plans to transport the boat across later and the battle was eventually won by ferrying across a rope to Kenny to then haul the boat over. Ian put in extra effort and checked on the fish too while taking the line over, but rolled strongly and the plan came together. Before long Kenny was back in his tanker and away we went again. 

A few more bouncy sections and we found the get out, got ourselves changed and shuttled back up to the top – when the Sun finally woke up and joined us!

A great paddle, worth the drive at those levels for sure and fantastic company. James and Ian had a great time in their new boats, Gareth decided he needed to move his seat forward in future so he sees less fish and Kenny as usual won the faff-off. My proudest moment was getting (accidentally) stuck sideways in a big, bouncy and grabby stopper – holding it together while others went passed who were committed to the line – and then managing to get myself out, still upright, with a few (totally on purpose… honest) flat spins too. Turns out paddling in the winter isn’t always a freeze-fest!