the all new BCU Advanced WWS&R course with Gene17

Over twenty years of kayaking, I have had some very different experiences on various BCU courses. Many were excellent but some I found overly-prescriptive and template, giving little chance to explore different methods of approaching the elements being discussed. I was therefore unsure of what to expect when I turned up, after the short twenty minute drive from my home, at the River Dart Country Park. Within minutes any apprehension was dispelled. With a warm welcome and overview from Simon and Nick and the knowledge that soup would be laid on for lunch, I knew I was up for a rewarding two days.

The other delegates came from a variety of backgrounds. There were the gnarly expedition river rats, John and Steve; the seasoned coach, Jim; with Callum and Marcus completing the ensemble. This diversity of experience made for a forum of contribution in which everyone learned new ideas and different approaches to a variety of different rescue concepts and practices.

Severe weather had hit the South West and the rivers were running high, so the decision was made that after a morning of dry system and throw line work we would move to the outflow of Ventford Resevoir. With the Upper Dart rising constantly throughout the day and the highest I had seen it since 1997, this was a welcome call as far I was concerned. Putting drags in to practice high on the Moor proved entertaining and just confirmed that one of the areas we spend too little time on, as paddlers, is practising those key rescue skills. Having never seen the ‘pig rig’ system before, it took me both days to begin to make it instinctive having always used the rope heavy internal hoisting system before.

With my mind swimming and after writing up notes that night, we met at the North end of Ivybridge to work on the Erme on the Sunday. The morning was spent looking at security on steep ground and a practical descent and traversing exercise. In true form, we over-engineered our solution in an attempt to use everything we have examined over the previous couple of hours but felt we have proved we had at least taken much of it in. After lunch it was time to get wet and look at live-baiting and confirm our practitioner understanding of the hauling systems learned and revised on the previous day. With characteristic enthusiasm, everyone launched themselves in to the water at various points to rescue what can only be described as the most unlucky or incompetent kayak and airbag, which kept dropping in to the same hole and getting pinned. The group organised bank safety for a team running one of the drops, which they ran with aplomb. However, as the last boater lined up, Simon delivered the immortal line, “he will be fine, he is the best paddler there.” An edge caught and it looked like the kayaker might be pulled back in to the hole. Without waiting to see whether the boater might extricate himself, Marcus launched in to the river as the angel of mercy. Making for the cockpit of the now highly confused paddler, the exchange of bemused glances was priceless. It was clear that the said kayaker really did not want rescuing but was finding it hard to paddle out as Marcus was in his blade’s way. The laughter from the bank did not subside for five minutes.

The review was held over another bowl of warming soup back at the River Dart Country Park. As I reflected over the weekend’s course, I realised how much I had taken in and how differently I would now approach certain scenarios. The emphasis was not on a dogmatic style but trying new things and subtle incremental improvements and certainly will influence me for many months to come. In short, it proved to be one of the most enjoyable and informative boating courses I have ever attended and, without a doubt, will make me a more effective and safe Level 4 Coach in the future.

Justin Featherstone