After the whole group had enjoyed a great trip to the Garvellachs on Saturday, we spilt into two groups for Sunday. Sarah leading one group round Seil Island from the campsite at Kayakers Cove (see Lindsays separate report) and Ken leading Mark, Stevie, David, Peter & me at the Falls of Laura.
With the flood flow starting ~11.00 we had plenty of time to drive to the launch site and were lucky to find ample parking spaces. I guess the neap tides meant a lot of the river paddlers weren’t interested, but a flow of ~4.5 knots was plenty for me to be getting along with.
Only David had much experience of moving water and none of us, except Ken of course, had paddled here before, so we started out on the south side of the bridge, where the flow is a bit slower. We each practised different angles for crossing the eddy line and back again to the quiet water, where we awaited our turns to go again and get used to the feel of the moving water.
After we had built up our confidence, we crossed to the north side of the bridge where the flow between the last stanchion and the shore is more interesting. But first we had to make the crossing. I was pleased with my efforts for the first half, not drifting downstream. But then it all changed, and I joined Mark, Peter and Steve in the wave train down-flow from the middle of the bridge. Ken was there offering words of advice and encouragement to keep us paddling hard to join David, who had made the perfect crossing and was waiting for us in the eddy by the north shore. I learnt a lot about whirlpools on that crossing, seeing so many appearing magically in front of me was quite dizzying, but they were not as scary as they initially looked.
On the north side, we moved in and out of the flow and practiced helicopter paddle turns in a standing wave. All good fun, building more confidence and understanding how to read the water. The crossing back to the south shore for lunch seemed easier and more direct, partly due to better use of transits.
After lunch the flow had slowed considerably, but we were able to play in the remains of the wave train. It was then that Ken was the first to fall over, ably saved by Peter. But of course, it was a practice scenario. We did a few rescues and tows, mainly in the eddy, and I collected edible seaweed (mermaids pubes/ Wrack Syphon Weed/ sea truffle), which is now drying nicely on a sunny windowsill. The crossing back to the launch site was still quite challenging, but the good choice of transits made for a direct route for all of us.
5.5km in 3 hours was some of the toughest paddling I have ever done and also the most fun. I think we were all pleased to have the opportunity to paddle at such an iconic location and with such superb instruction, Thank You Ken. – Amanda