Kayaking on the River Dart - Loop Section

Today I have been out on the 'Loop' section of the River Dart in Devon. The levels were pretty low but it was still good to get out and help coach on the Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club trip.

Mick and I drove down from Taunton to meet up with Steve, Andy and Dean from Cuckmere Valley who were doen staying on Dartmoor for the weekend. 

We looked at breaking in and out, ferry gliding, 'S' turns and river reading. Mick found some good jets for a spot of tail squirting as you can see in the images. Overall a really good day and great to be back out on the white water.

White water kayaking on the West Dart

 Team 'Burn' On show at the get in!

 Dan French from Exmoor Adventures

and again!

Gwilym Starks from Wet and High Adventures

With the water levels dropping after the recent storms I thought it would be good to get out on the river for my first white water trip of 2014 with Gwilym, Dan French and Mick. 

As the levels were good we chose to paddle the west dart which needs plenty of water, usual levels would mean a scrape down the river and not a whole lot of fun.

It is always good to get out and paddle a river that you haven't done before. The west dart lived up to its reputation and left me and the others with a smile on our faces after. At this level it was a solid grade 3 section which made you think. A few sneaky rocks to catch you out and some fallen trees made it entertaining before our get out at the East Dart/West Dart confluence some 7 kilometres down stream.

We finished off the day with a quick blast down the Loop section of the main River Dart which was also at a great level. 

Thanks to Dan (Exmoor Adventures), Gwilym (Wet and High Adventures) and Mick for good day on the river.