Paddling Adventure: River Tryweryn, August 2011

Over the weekend me and Chris head north to try and catch some of the water before returning to uni next week.   So after a fairly late start and a poor run with the usual traffic on the A5 to Bala we made it to the centre.  On the roof was my new Kaos yet to see the river and Chris’ classic Method air.

Now what to run... after a discussion and not having paddled for 8 months I decided I rather run the lower to Bala to get back into it.  So off I went to do the shuttle luckily I managed to grab a lift back up saving the possible boring and tedious walk back to the centre.  Now on the river which i have to say seem a little more than the standard 9 cumecs, thanks to the rain.  The bouncy journey took us nicely with out incident to Bala Mill Falls, a quick inspection indicated a fantastic level,  so we quickly made haste back to the boats.  Now on the approach the Kaos sure felt small, I quickly grabbed the eddie on river left, sat looking down the line a short surf across should make for the easy right hand line.  But unfortunately the Kaos had other ideas so out we went and almost instantaneously the Kaos decide river left was a far better option, which i completely agree with now even as it tried to tail squirt the section.  

So after the first run in my new boat over all opinion seems to be small boats make easier stuff more fun!

Day Two Time to stop being a pansy!  So after camping at Corwen, which is a delightful campsite.  The only problem was the cost £20, for the two of us for the one night, now that is a bit steep don’t you think?

Upper Tryweryn  with the early alarm call that is camping we were on the river by half 9, literally us and four others what more can you ask for.  This being my first time on the upper, I have  say it was fantastic from start to finish though grave yard did not live up to the hype.  

By our second run the river was far busier with every eddie in the grave yard occupied by one or two boats.  The one thing that really frustrated me as we bounced down through was the unwillingness of people not to make room in their eddie,  I only want ten seconds is it that hard to move over?  I know you have the rest of your club sat in the other eddies i just want to break in and out once more so i can double check what is happening down stream is that to much to ask?  

Though I must say everyone on the river this weekend seem fantastic and if you were the man who joined me and chris on the first run in your 4twenty your more than welcome to join us again!

Happy Paddling

Big Dog Kaos Review

Big Dog Kaos Review…

Ok so I have been paddling my Kaos since August 2011, therefore it feels about time to write a little review. Though before I go any further a little about me, after all if I was a freestyle pro or sponsored by Big Dog Kayak you probably like to know, I am not but I have been paddling quiet frequently over the last two years. Living on the south coast with plenty of flatwater I decide to buy a playboat and try to learn a few tricks, so far I am not to good so this review will not comment on it balance on end rather it user friendliness and feel on the river.

Test Locations

Over the last year the boat has been on; the loop, Tryweryn both upper and lower, lee Valley, Cardiff at 8 Cumecs and a selection of flatwater and play features such as woodmill.

The Boat

I own the medium Kaos, 6.05, and without a doubt it is brilliant fun I have found it really rather quick, stable and easy to role. On the river it carves beautifully in and out of eddies, though it can me more work on longer ferry. On a wave or in a hole the boat is very user friendly and makes learning freestyle great fun, this boat would spin all day long if it could. Furthermore on an eddie line this boat loves the sky allowing for the classic tale squirt, so your always be entertained while moving down river.

Outfitting

Ok so there is much rumor about the outfitting of this boat suggesting it to be basic and uncomfortable. To be honest it is basic but it works and I find it really quite comfortable, while the backrest does a good job to pull everything together. Though my boat did have some problems with a thigh brace snapping, within two days I had a brand new set, from the guys at Big Dog, who without doubt give you a fantastic after sale service.

Overall

Overall I have found this boat fantastic to learn in, but that does not mean I am going to sell it any time soon. It is fantastic on the river and out of the newer style playboats this one really does handle fantastically on the river. The Kaos is significantly cheaper than many other boats, plus Big Dog Kayaks are based in the UK, for more information check out their website www.bigdogkayaks.com. If your looking for a new playboat, have a look at the Kaos I think you may be pleasantly surprised.

Happy Boating