After a good session in the club gym to shake off the aches and pains from Waterside 1 on Monday night we set off for a K1 single kayak session with other club members at 07:00 this morning.
Dan led the group and sent Matt and Lee off ahead on 6 minute on 2 minute off sprint pieces upstream towards Mapledurham. Lee was behind Matt but keeping close all the way up (known as wash hanging) apart from the last stint before Mapledurham island which Lee led.
However on turning too close to the upstream point of the island (NEVER DO THIS AGAIN LEE) he capsized in very fast flow and found the K1 pinned to the island and pushed under the water, the rest of the squad assembled afloat nearby to ensure Lee was OK. Thanks to Amo who shouted not to let go of the paddle which was quite a task as Lee was treading water while trying to prevent the canoe being swept downstream beside the island.
After a few minutes Lee scrambled onto the island, having emptied the canoe of water and was able to put back in on the opposite downstream bank below the overhanging trees, grateful to have been part of a group. Amo helpfully remarked as he was paddling away to "never do that again"
Matt and Lee pushed on back to the club, the cold set in however and Lee was shaking despite being dressed for the conditions, Matt kindly put the boats away while Lee got back to temperature after 10 minutes under the club showers.
Having thanked the squad when the y were back in the changing room for waiting, it seemed a mandatory happening; "think nothing of it", "letting you die would have been a nightmare on account of all the paperwork" like climbing incidents there are some situations your team mates do not walk away from, for his part Lee was glad for the support and level headed advice from more experienced paddlers.
The result one broken rear light, but back to paddle another day.
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