Barron River - Tinaroo - under the Dam

Barron River - Tinaroo - Under the Dam

Well it's raining still in the North. However, does that matter to kayakers ? I think not.

The crew had a plan to head to the Mighty Russell River, however due to the river undergoing a "Deliverance" transformation....we decided that brains are better than valour . Hence, the decision was made to head to the Grade 2-3 river track of Tinaroo.

In the crew for the day were (left to right) : Tarzan, Flounder, Oppa, Dene, Gonz, Yank, Tooey, Laggy, Adro, Deb and Dano. A delightful mix of skills and competantly led by Deb for the day.

The river itself was higher than our last visit (at least by 60cm). After setting up the vehicle transfer for pick-up vehicles, we were on our way.

First rapids on the menu were the holes and waves used for the recent Freestyle National Titles. There was a nasty looking hole in the middle of the river and we easily slipped around it ....except for Oppa who charged through it with his sturdy Steed the Hero.

We powered on led by the untiring Deb through the Drop N Boil rapid. The water in this was more pushy and as we lined up, unfortunately Gonz fell straight in front of me.

I added a bit of red plastic to his helmet, not that he felt it. I had slowed right up to not totally park my boat on top of his head searching for air, when unfortunately I had hit a rock and promptly went swimming myself. Fortunately, after going sideways through a couple of small holes where water flooded the attic of the helmet, we settled down into the big pool following....much to the chargrin of the others.

A decision was made to portage the boats back upriver, and do the fun rapid again. Apart from Oppa who practised his roll midrapid, all kayakers made it through in the glaring spotlight of the truth recorder...(camera)

Of course, doing the rapids also means a heap of surfing practise on any hole we can find. Here, Dano and Tarzan show their wares.

After paddling through some obstructing pine trees, the crew then made it up to the Cascade Rapid leadup for some more surfing practise.

With the Cascades rapid looming, Deb broke the group up into a few smaller teams of three/four. This made it easier for each group to eddy hop the 300m rapid. The Cascade Rapid features a lot of rocks where we ground our boats over, skipping around holes, and taking the right lane to safely get through the rapid. All except for young Dano, who right at the end of the rapid, had got stuck in the large hole at the end. In Dano's defence he was practising his rolling skills....but unlucky that the water kept catching the edge of his boat and tumbling him around again in the washing machine. His decision to pop out of the cockpit was absolute flawless timing , as I had then added the red colour of my boat to his grey helmet. Alas, it seemed the momentum of the day....oops. Dano's boat then promptly wrapped around a rock, and his paddle went walkies down river quickly pursued by Deb and Flounder. Alas, we were followed by a riderless boat of Dene's which was followed by Dene's paddle....and then humbly by Dene.... All over the Rock Drop rapid in that order. After much collection of kayakers and gear, we had successfully lost nothing at all....much to Deb's surprise. But this is the S-Teem Crew....we only lose gear in dead calm areas... At a long flatwater area, people had tried their rolls and Adro pulled off a magnificent hand roll to the applause of the crew. Tinaroo Falls was looming.....

Deb quite rightly led the group into the Chicken Shute. This shute skirted the main Tinaroo Falls of which we heard thunderous water. However, the chicken shute featured little grinding rock drops and were easily manouvered by all the crew with all of the enjoyment of children flopping down on tyre tubes. A lot of fun....

It was time to check out the falls. They definately were Grade 4. Deb took the group to a decent viewing platform and I personally think each of the crew were saying a silent prayer overjoyous that we were not doing this rapid. PHOTO TIME

Once the falls were successfully negotiated via portage, the crew set about playing in the bottom rapids and waves. Deb discreetly advised that the main catch rock, hid a dangerous sieve and overhang to catch unwary paddlers.

We could not leave until some of the paddlers experienced the bigger water with Deb.

Adro, Yank , and Dano had a go at ferrying out to the main eddy right under the falls, and then promptly passed their way through the large wave at the bottom of the flow.

Successful it was.....with Adro picking the best line across the frothy water.

All in all, complete with fantastic Coffee at the caravan park cafe, so ended the adventure of Tinaroo. Remember : if you paddle the amazing waterways of this great country of ours, always take nothing more than photos and memories, and leave nothing but a ripple in the water, and footprints in the sand. Blue Skies Flounder