CSCC Reports 2011: Lee Valley WWC - 27 August 2011

While the sea kayakers were heading west in the Bank Holiday traffic Martin, Peter, David M, Hilary and Amelia met up at the Lee Valley Olympic White Water Course. We had booked an assessment to see if we were up to paddling the two courses (Olympic and an intermediate legacy course). We also met with Tom B who was paddling with Regents CC. Before getting to the legacy course we had to pass a Lake assessment which involved forward and backwards paddling and a roll/rescue. Pete went first and passed the legacy assessment with no problems. Martin, Dave M and Hilary then tackled the legacy course, despite having done a warm up run prior to the assessment with no problems, Hilary had two failed rolls and swam 75% of the course. Eventually we all passed the legacy assessment. We then carried on playing on the waves of the legacy course. We seemed to be making progress, as suddenly it seemed much easier. Then we realised the water pumps had been turned off at 3.00pm. David M went on to try the Olympic course. He successfully made the three break-outs before a big drop but didn't manage to get into the hole and there was no time to try again.