Our bags all packed and ready to go!

I’ll be updating the FlowFree blog, our facebook page and my twitter feed (flowfree_lowri) when I can. We’ve set up a blog specifically for the trip where we’ll all be posting up stories and photos from our adventures, so if you want to keep fully up to date bookmark www.kayakcolombia.wordpress.com

The first thing we needed to do was find the boat! We’d been given a pretty good description but we needed to see the situation for ourselves to work out what we might need to do, if recovery was even possible.

Can you spot the kayak?

For those who know the river, the boat was in the gorge between the base of Rhaeadr Mawddach and the confluence with the Afon Gain. It was wedged underwater closest to the river left bank – the opposite bank to easiest access. The group who lost the boat had obviously tried to unpin the boat themselves, and had left a rope attached to the front grab loop which was closest to the left bank (the line had been tied off out of the way of anyone coming down the river).

The boat had wrapped around the rock so we needed to pull diagonally upstream to create a peel and pull effect; which meant the rope was already attached to the optimum point in terms of leverage.  We identified a suitable anchor which would create the angle of pull we required. We made sure it was strong enough to take the kind of force we were going to be putting through our system. Unusually, in this instance our anchor was a giant pipe!

The big anchor pipe

Our plan was to anchor the line, then set up a piggyback system to provide mechanical advantage. We chose a piggyback system (rather than a 3-to-1 using the line already attached) because it means the boat won’t float off anywhere once it’s freed, even if your pulling team let go and it allows you to take in the slack, preventing the boat slipping back and losing any progress you make.

Andy heading across to get the line

The pipe was quite a way from the boat so we’d need some extra length on the line, plus we needed an anchor. We used one throwline as both the anchor and to provide the additional length required to reach the line currently attached to the boat (from here on in referred to as the ‘main line’).

We used a bowline to tie the line around the pipe creating the anchor and then a clove hitch onto a carabina at the length which allowed us to then attach the main line to the same carabina using an italian hitch. This set-up allowed us to adjust the position of the carabina so that whoever was managing the italian hitch was stood in a safe place. The italian hitch allows you to take in slack and lock-off as and when you need to. When locked off we tied a couple of half hitches to secure it, both the italian hitch and the lock-off hitches are shown here.

Once we had the main line secured, it was time to set up the piggyback system. Firstly we needed another anchor. There was a partition preventing us from putting the second anchor right next to the first, so we didn’t have an ideal angle – but at least the anchors were independent in case of failure. This time we used an open sling tied with a tape knot (aka water knot) to create the anchor.

We then put a 3-wrap prusik hitch on the main line, as far towards the boat as we could. After taking the bag off a good, strong throwline we made a loop by tying a figure-of-8 on a bight and clipped it to the prusik with a locking carabina. The piggyback line was then taken to a locking carabina on the sling anchor point and back through the carabina on the prusik, thus creating a 3-to-1 mechanical advantage (aka Z-drag).

We were now all set, time to start pulling! We had two hauling on the piggyback 3-to-1, while one took in any slack on the main line using the italian hitch.

1,2,3 PULL

1,2,3 PULL

1,2,3 PULL

***SNAP!***

The line that had been left on the boat snapped, presumably weakened by 6 days wiggling about in wind and water.

So we set about clipping another line to the boat, making sure it was a good condition rope with high breaking point! Once we’d got it clipped and back across to river right, we set up the same system with our new ‘main line’. Time for more pulling…

1,2,3 PULL

1,2,3 PULL

1,2,3 PULL

Hmm, we’re not getting anywhere!

We clearly we needed to change our angle of attack… onwards and upwards! We moved our set-up to a sturdy tree at the top of the river right gorge-side with the intention of rotating the boat by pulling the front end up.

Try again…

1,2,3 PULL

1,2,3 PULL

1,2,3 PULL

Success! The boat came free of the rock but was still pretty much submerged. The boat was being really awkward and floating vertically with only about 20cm of bow out of the water. Turned out the whole back-end was full of rocks!! And this time I don’t think it was Tom Parker playing pranks.

Emptying out the rocks. This took a while!

Daz shows the tattered remains of an airbag next to the warped boat

Feeling proud of ourselves, we hiked back to the car dragging our prize. Time for tea and medals!

If you want to learn more about setting up these sort of systems, check out our Safety & Rescue course dates.

The full team has just been announced on the GB Team website if you’re interested. The date and venue of the 2012 European Champs is yet to be confirmed, but I’m stoked to be part of the team and look forward to training with everyone again.

Fran will also be out representing Great Britain next year as the newest member of the GB Ladies Rafting 1st-team. The GB Ladies Team is one of the best in the World so this is a huge achievement, so congratulations Fran!

We’ll keep you updated on both of our progress on the international stage next year.

The series is a fantastic initiative to help raise funds for the Youngsters in the Mountains scheme which aims to help youngsters realise their dreams through outdoor adventures. Famous names such as Andy Kickpatrick and Leo Houlding have been involved in the past so I am honoured to have been asked to be a part of it this year.

So if you fancy an evening of tall tales and awesome photos come along! Tickets for the talks, which happen every month between now and March, can be purchased on the High Sport shop.

When I heard there was going to be a new ladies Palm Element suit, I was really exited. New zip shape and materials to make it more manoeuvrable, drop seat for ladies relief and the same articulated cut and lightweight but durable material as my favourite cag – the Aqua (see this video for more technical details).

Last weekend an exciting parcel landed on my desk: a pre-production model for me to test! I rushed straight down to the Tryweryn, disregarding the fact that we were having the hottest October days on record. Over the course of the next couple of days I played about in my playboat, bashed around in my creekboat and fell out of inflatables trying to splat NRA bridge. I had an awesome time messing about with my mates, and hopefully you’ll enjoy this video.

We have noticed that a lot of women are paddling and getting out on their bikes too. So we thought, how about a female only weekend based around Llangollen where you can get some top paddling and MTB coaching tips from two very experienced coaches in their respective fields?

Lowri Davies an aspirant BCU Level 5 coach, former European Champion and owner of FlowFree and Ally Campbell CTC Skills and Jumps & Drops instructor and co owner of Campbell Coaching will join forces to deliver an unrivalled female specific paddling and MTB coaching course. They’ll help you to develop your skills and confidence both on the water and on your bike, but most importantly they’ll make sure you have lots of fun too! Female only courses provide a unique environment of supportive like-minded people as well as inspirational role-models for outdoorsy ladies.

The whole weekend of adventures and expert coaching costs just £195! If you want to join us for just part of the weekend, then get in touch.

Want to find out more info? Contact either company via their websites: FlowFree or  Campbell Coaching

Fellas take note: this would make a great present for that special lady in your life!

Lowri does some playboat coaching at the newly improved Campsite Wave (aka Super Wave)

Fun times in the King of the Wave event

Saturday’s highlights definitely included the Big Dog Freeride event, where you had one minute to impress the judges by doing anything you liked on any part of the the river between the raft take-out and and NRA. Be careful when you say “anything goes” to a bunch of paddlers, you never know what you’ll get!

Big up to Pete Woods for some impressive head stands and somersaults with bells on from an inflatable “orca”. Gez’s seal-lauch into fingers was inspired and there were some funky moves pulled off by Tim Burne and local boys Vito and Beesley but I somehow beat them all to win the “new school” category. There was no competing with the boys in orcas for the “spirit of the games” awards though!!

Saturday also saw a cool new relay race, where teams of 3 had to choose one boat and one paddle that they would all use. The boats were lined up at the top of Ski Slope and there was a mass-start in middle car park, where the first racers from each team ran up to their boat, hurredly pulled on their deck and raced on down the river through Ski Slope, International Wave and Davies Bridge. At this point they had to make an eddy on river left, where racer 2 was waiting. As people piled into the same eddy, trying to get to their team mate, the first racer had to get out of the boat and pass it to racer 2 , who has to run with it to above Davies’ before launching in and racing down river to cafe wave. It was here that the final racers awaited. The field had spread but the small change-over eddies soon had everyone battling to try and be first down fingers and towards the finish banner at NRA. A last minute entry of Tim Burne, Dan Heyworth and Danny Young took the win.

Saturday evening we were treated to a first look at the footage from a recent China expedition which featured some local heros such as Tom McLay, Simon Tapley, Rob Litherland, “Crazy” Dave Thompson and James Shrimpton.  We watched in awe as the guys tackled some of the biggest white water on the planet in cold and remote mountain regions. By the end of the video I think most people were either itching to get on an adventure of their own or glad that they only had to face the Tryweryn tomorrow! As custom would dictate, there were of course a few beverages in a local establishment afterwards.

Sunday morning came with a few weary heads, but also the event we’d all been waiting for after the epic hilarity of last year. The Palm 8-ball race is a boater-x with a difference. You race in heats of 4 with a couple of downstream gates to go around, but watch out! There are “blockers” in various places along the course, usually involving a big inflatable orca, so being in the lead isn’t always to your advantage!

Lowri getting smashed by an orca while in the lead

Another big impact in the same race!

The great thing about 8-ball is that there is a massive random element to it. You never know what’s gonna happen! In the end our own Dave Hollins took the win in the open and Lynsey Evans took the ladies, pipping me to it in the final eddy after a great neck and neck race. Fran was victim to dirty blocker tactics when her deck was pulled, though apparently I’d been the original target… shame I was too speedy for them

The silliness and carnage was not over yet though! It was soon time for the King of the Wave. Choice of craft was tactical: choose a manoeuvrable little playboat or go for a big boat that will wipe out the opposition? I went for the Dagger Green, deciding that the comedy value was well worth the lack of manoeuvrability. Dave Hollins went for an orca, there was a Speeder and a Fusion, all sorts of creek boats and a plethora of playboats.

Myself and Dave managed to get a couple of classic moments where we wiped everyone else off the wave, but in the end it was the Fusion that won out with Tim Burne at the helm.

All that was left to do now was claim our tea and medals – quite literally.

TrywerynFest is a fantastic weekend of fun and frolics – whether you wish to compete in the events or not, there is loads going on from demos to coaching and a river to paddle for free. But the carnage is definitely worth watching!! Make sure you come along next year, it’s not to be missed. So see you there, I’ll most likely be the one under an orca…

All photos with thanks to Sam Beesley, Alex MacGregor and Palm Equipment.

DeeStyler! from Tom Laws on Vimeo.

Here’s a short video from the day, for a full write-up check out the organiser’s blog.

1. Get replacement cord

I use 5mm prusik cord, available from most climbing shops (e.g. Rock Bottom in Betws or online). This is rugged and hard wearing, while also being rough enough to have good friction in the cleat. You need about a metre per side you wish to replace. I’d replace both sides at the same time.

2. Remove old cord

But don’t remove both side at once! Leave one side in while you do the first, then you have it for reference if you get confused about where the cord needs to go. Note the knot used on either end, it is usually a figure of 8, like below. There is a plastic washer on one end of the cord – put that safely to one side, you’ll need it again in a minute.

3. Start at the cleat

This is probably not the obvious place to start, but trust me it is the easiest! Tie a figure of eight in one end of the cord then feed the other through the cleat from the end closest to the front of the boat.

4. Feed it through the larger hole

Starting from behind the cockpit rim, feed that same untied end of the cord through the larger hole in front of the hip pads.

5. Loop around the backband ring

Note the direction that the cord is passed through the ring, this ensures the cord can pull through freely to tighten the backband.

6.  Pass through the smaller hole

7. Remember the washer!

Find the washer you put down in a “safe place” and stick it on the end of the cord then tie another figure of eight. Pull the washer down onto the knot.

Pull the cord through until the washer is against the inside if the cockpit rim. Ensure the washer is sitting flat or it can damage either the washer or your cockpit.

8. Do it all again for the other side!

9. Trimming

Remember that excessive lengths of string could cause an entrapment hazard. If you need to trim your cord, use a hot sharp knife.