Christmas Paddling 2010

For when the usual haunts are too big for our skills....

such as the "Butchers Knife" Rapid on the Barron Gorge....

And the "Cheese Churner" Rapid on the Barron Gorge.... we then revert to :


A usually Babbling Brook that turns into a seething torrent....well for Grade 2 paddlers....

Freshwater Creek : Crystals Bottom Pool to Redlynch Valley Bridge

The river run on the Crystal Cascades Gorge Rapids at this time of year are inundated with the gods of kayaking from the Cairns Kayaking Club, who run devastating rapids like "No Fear".


However being true to the first rule of kayaking - only run rapids of which you are confident in doing - brings us to the Grade 2-3 section beneath the Gorge Rapids (of which are Grade 4-5).

This section of rapids generally have pushy water at Grade 2 level where the adventurer needs to clearly read water dynamics to ascertain the flow, pick up on any water pillows (water flowing over rocks and boulders), and dodge any tree limbs that threaten to unseat the unsuspecting paddler.

The crew for the paddle (Dec 27th) were Adro, Lucky, Dano, Tangles, Flick, Tank, and Flounder all in kayaks, and we were also joined by Dan and Eddie in a small two man raft.

Most of this expose will feature around the Grade 3 Drop rapid of which everyone took part in. But with the lead up to this rapid, we all had our share of drama and fun. A safety note for this though is that there are a couple of downed trees across the river of which we had to carefully navigate, and to be utterly safe, you can always portage (carry the boat and walk) around them
.

Eddie and Dan navigating their way through the rocks. Footnote : Dan was the absolute virgin paddler, of which we carefully watched.

The crew after a downed tree. We eddyed out mostly where we could on the stretch between the bottom pool and the Crystals Bridge.

The Drop Rapid : This is a Grade 3 drop of about a metre and a half to which it flows into a boil basin, and then the paddler needs to negotiate a rock wall to get into the flow. You need to paddle middle to left of middle for the correct line. Too far right heads you into a nasty tree branch. Safety Cover was set up, and the group went through three by three with the raft heading out in the middle of the group. (Adro to the left about to jump into the boil).

Once you negotiate the drop, you splash through the boil at least about chest deep, follow the river flow after the branch and head river right.

(Dano splashing through).

(Flick negotiates well)


Once you leave the secondary rapid, you can then either eddy out right or left.

A no-no. The raft boys headed too far right and had to fight with the tree branch. Dan then complicated the matter of not fending the tree branch away however, then grabbing hold of the branch (another no-no) and of course as always happens, the boys went swimming. In this case, the boys were covered by Adro, Tank, Tangles, and Flick. While Flounder and Dano paddled off in search of dropped paddles (another no-no). Footnote : those paddles were recovered a further 100-200 metres down river luckily.

(Flounder leaping above the wave train)

The Crystals Bridge is another small portage due to the water pipe shown left. This is where we recovered one paddle....the other eddyed out another 100 metres down stream.

This water pipe is a great indicator for water levels further up. But this is a dangerous spot as the water pipe can turn into a strainer where a person can get entrapped easily if they do not eddy out ot the right in the appropriate time.

After the carnage of the Drop Rapid, the crew then set about running the grade 2 rapids below. The Boulder Slip past did not claim anyone, but the Liana Hang Vine Rapid did. Adro managed to cut across Flounders Bow only to be upturned, then turning his (brand new) Nevis paddle into two small hand paddles, thus then eventually losing them to the river when he decided to submerge for a swim. Yep, he snapped it straight in half....and they disappeared. This is how it goes sometimes on the river.

Eddie and Dan surrendered a paddle (Adro's old faithful) and the crew continued to play in the small Grade 1-2 rapids that followed, occasionally eddying out to take in the scenery that is Freshwater Creek.

Flatwater Relaxing.....

The Redlynch Bridge provides an easy extraction point for paddlers. However, on a safety point, please be aware of the river levels as the older bridge is a lot lower to the water than the main bridge. This can also act as a strainer depending on water level.



Please remember : If you paddle the fabulous waterways of this great country, always take nothing away except for photographs and memories, and do not leave anything behind except for your footprints in the sand.

Events coming up

Xmas Eve Paddle (Fri 24th):

This is plainly just for Jeremy and Nathan as I am dragging them (kicking and screaming) away from the XBox and Call of Duty.

The plan is to paddle the Mulgrave top trip unless we get heaps of water between now and then, and thus we will go to Crystal Cascades. So meeting at Gordonvale Servo at 9am otherwise will be organised by text for Crystals.

Russell River (Mon 27th):

This will be an exploratory paddle. Adro assures me that we will get through even if it is scraping the boats. Highjump....you really should come. Interested parties so far are Flounder, Adro, Dano, Lucky, Boagy, Gunny, and maybe Tangles and Flick if they stay in the North.

Tues 28th through to Friday 31st : various paddles organised at a drop of a hat. Some interested beginner paddlers so most probably upper Mulgrave.

LET ME KNOW BY TEXT IF YOU WISH TO COME N PLAY.....

If you wish to paddle our fabulous waterways of this great country....remember to always take nothing except for photographs....and leave nothing behind except for footprints in the sand.

Merry Xmas to all

Flounder (and Santa)

The Cheese Churner Rapid - Barron Gorge, North Qld , Australia

The Cheese Churner

The Cheese Churner rapid on the Barron Gorge represents the second hardest rapid that kayakers face. The first being the Roosters Tail which is the of course the flagship of this kayaking adventure.

However, rafting companies use Cheese as a perfect photo opportunity for their clientele. It is a bit of a different story for kayakers. Cheese is definately a grade 3 rapid and provides fun and enjoyment for the participant.

Hazards of Cheese : apart from the usual hazards of whitewater kayaking, you have the imposing rock on river left which has the possibility of an underpin catch if you approach on the left; the hole in the middle drops you waist deep and gives a possibility of turning you over; and the exit has two channels - it is best if you exit through river right channel, as the river left channel has a rocky embrace waiting for the unexpecting adventurer.

How to paddle Cheese (at 20 megalitres) :

You basically enter via river flow about 1 metre from the rock edge on river right, fall through the drop and your target is to cross the left side flow wave about mid channel. Slightly edge your boat downriver (on your right side) to allow the flow to push you through to the correct position.

You then face the hole in which all you do is keep your brace and push through the oncoming wave. Once that is done , use your draw to get to river right to exit through the correct channel. Push through with the flow and complete the small drop using your brace.

Once done, Cheese is a satisfying rapid and provides enormous esteem and confidence to the kayaker .

Remember, when paddling the fabulous natural watercourses of this great country, please leave nothing but footprints and take nothing out except for photos and memories of your visit.

Blue Skies

Flounder

Date Claimers - Sept - Oct 2010

Hi All,

Please have a look at the tenuous plans for the upcoming 8 weeks below :

17th Sept - maybe a jog down the Barron Gorge - up to 30 meg only - Grade 3.
18th Sept - a run down the Upper Barron (TimMe want's this one) - Koah to Mantaka - Grade 2
2nd Oct - a possible hike over Goldsborough Saddle ? - Medium - 4 hours
3rd Oct - another run down the Barron Gorge - Grade 3
16-17 Oct - Finding water where we can - open
30th Oct - Douglas/Smiths Track hike to go in search of the upper Stoney Creek Waterfalls - Medium day hike
31st Oct - Halloween paddle....maybe dress up river run ?

Remember, when paddling or hiking this great country's watercourses and trails, please leave behind only footprints and take nothing out except for photographs or memories.

Blue Skies

Flounder

Short but sweet

I placed this on facebook also. However, this is a short but fun video of the crew in the gorge.

Surfing the Whitewater Kayaks at the Beach

Kayaking the surf at Yorkey's Knob

Every now and then, the crew sets sail for a different kind of paddling. We forsake the usual fresh river/stream smells and the lush tropical rainforest for one of salt air filling your lungs and the sounds of crashing breakers upon a sandy slope. The paddling is great when the winds rise and at Yorkeys Knob, Queensland, Australia, it is done at least when the blow is about 20-25 knot Sou-Easterlys.

Yes, this day at the beach was attended by some of the usual kayak crew namely : Flounder, Dano, Tarzan, JT, Freckles and TimMe. There were a number of small challenges to be had.....we now know why surfing is such an addictive sport for the lads down south (Even though these breakers only reached the dizzying heights of one metre). Nevertheless, it was great fun had by all.

The first challenge of the day was to be able to get into your kayak, get the deck on, hold the paddle close whilst being shuffled about by the everpresent waves. You then need to shuffle forward somehow and be patient to get the growing depth of water under your boat.

We all now know the feeling a baby turtle has in it's desperate attempt to get from the hatchery and into the safe haven of the ocean. It is a slow process.


Your next challenge is to battle the constant breakers that come your way. Be prepared to have your nostrils stinging with salt and the dry parched taste of the beach on your tongue.

As Freckles had stated for the day, it is great balance practice and your brace stroke gets a work-out.

Once out past the breakers, the waves do settle down. You can meet, converse on the laws of nature, and then be ready to catch your wave.

Your next challenge is looking for the next suitable wave. This in itself is a little harder than our actual surfing colleagues, as they are not restrained by full gear and limited vision. But you do get the feeling of being part of the surfers set when you learn to get ready for that wave you are hoping for.

The next challenge for you would be to jockey the kayak into position, paddle your heart out to get to the required speed of the wave, and once on the wave, lean back and steer with the rudder strokes to enjoy the ride.

The only thing is you must be mindful of when the wave is just about to end, be ready to ditch the wave or become stranded yet again to do the turtle crawl.






Only then you would get that ecstatic feeling as surfers from around the globe will tell you.....riding a wave is the best...."radical duuuuddddeeee !"

Enjoy the attached videos.....





















However, it is suggested and recommended that you do take full gear with you....only for the plain reason of being dumped and have the kayak on top of you burying your face into the gritty sand of the beach.






Remember : as with our cherised river and streams, when paddling our great coasts of this great country, please do not leave anything behind except for your footprints in the sand, and take out nothing but photos and memories of the day.

Blue Skies



Flounder

Paddle Barron Gorge on Sun 8th August

Paddle organised for whitewater kayaks on afternoon of Sunday 8th August.

Meet at Lake Placid carpark at 1.30pm

Attending so far : Flounder, Tarzan, Adro, Dano, Lag and Anna
Possibles : TimMe; Flick, Tangles, Fordey, and Casper
Blue Skies

Flounder

Paddling weekend for 24th - 25th July

Hi all,

Just a reminder for the addicted.....

Paddling weekend (kayaks only going) next weekend for :

Sat 24th : a late Mulgrave run, meet at the gordonvale servo at 1.00pm - Kearney's to Sharkies
Sun 25th : a Barron Gorge run, meet at Lake Placid at 1.30pm

Who's going so far : Flounder, Highjump, beginners - Kelly, and Luke

See you there....

Flounder

Available days for activities - hiking and paddling - July and August

For ease of access and a bit better planning, I have mapped out July and August for possible activities for the crew and others who wish to come along. Please remember, if you are paddling the first time in a kayak, please ensure you have been through a lesson with me. Please view the post " A Flatwater Lesson with Flounder" dated 22/03/2010 to understand what's involved. Please also remember that other trips such as the Mulgrave Trip, would be from Insertion at Kearney's to Extraction at "the Shark's Tooth Campground". Basically if you read the post of the "First Trip down the Mulgrave " dated 07/02/2010.

Since June is a write off for activities for myself, I thought it would be better to have some sort of follow up plan. This does not mean that the usual crew need miss out on any paddling....go right ahead guys....enjoy.

3rd - 4th July - Upper Barron River - Koah to Mantaka


This would be a good trip for anyone who has not yet been down this part of the Barron River. Although I am unsure of the river levels at this time, I am pretty sure that it would be ok.

This is generally Grade 2, and depending on levels, a Grade 3 may be thrown in for good measure - I am referring to "The Crunch".

Above is young Victoria on the "Three Ways" rapid.


Moony taking to the "Step Down Rapids".

And Mobbsy slips down the Chicken Shute for "The Crunch"

The logistics for this trip is a meeting place opposite Smithfield Shopping Centre on the Kuranda Highway at 8am. We leave a pickup vehicle at Mantaka, and go forward to Koah township. We will need lunch for this day trip. This will be a kayaks only venture.

10th July - Back to the Barron Gorge

Yep it's back to the Gorge for this Saturday afternoon venture. Probable meeting place will be Lake Placid at 1.30pm.

This is Adro on Maccas Wave

This is Adro cutting through part of the Butchers Knife rapid.

Again.....Kayaks only for this trip.

25th July 2010 - Back on the Mulgrave for a final Canoe Kayak Paddle.

Usual logistics with an 9am start. Advise friends of this one, particularly beginners to fill up the canoes. Most probably 3 canoes available and a range of beginner kayaks from Adventure Equipment. Bring Lunch.

This is Screech on the flatwater leadup to "the Strainer".

Fordey in his conquest of the Canoe on the quiet paddle after the "S-Bend" rapid

7th August - Candlelight Dinner - Behana Creek

To be either held on the bridge if we get permission, or the little swimming hole upriver of the bridge.

This is an event where you either cook dinner by the river, or be able to re-heat something palatable by the river. Examples in the past have been Thai Rissoles, Thai Green Curry, Sumptious Spaghetti, or home made Italian Pizza. This will be completed by wine and the ever-present candleabra of Flick and Tangles.

Here is the view of the swimming hole from the bridge

For this, remember to bring warm clothing.

21-22nd August - Mount Emerald Hike

Ages in coming but a date has been decided. You will need a proper backpack for this one and good hiking boots also. The hike is about 1.5 hours long and gets steep in some places....but it is do-able....even for beginners.

Other items you will need are : a decent sleeping bag or swag; carry your own water; food or share food for one night and morning , cooking implements; torches and a Camera.

No, I am not doing what you think. This was in 2004 looking at the Balloon launch from adjacent to the campsite at 5.30 in the morning

This is the peak and off in the distance you can see the upper reaches of the development at Tolga.

So ends the plan for the next couple of months. Please remember activities can change depending on weather, and other obstacles along the way.

Remember, when paddling the fabulous natural watercourses, or hiking the magnificent walking tracks of this great country, please do not leave anything except footprints in the sand, and take away nothing but photos and memories of your time spent there.

Easter Paddling - Day 1 (Good Friday)

Easter Paddling - Day 1 Good Friday - Crystal Cascades

Easter 2010 set us for an adventurous journey. The crew had planned for an interesting set of paddling, starting from hardest to dead easy. At this age....yes we all relished the thought of toning down the skill level as we progressed through the long weekend.

First up was Crystal Cascades. In my absolute ignorance, the crew and I gazed with sheer terror upon the grade of the Crystals flow. In memories now in a distant haze, we all remember the flow of Crystal Cascades being a charming set of rapids that one could float down dreamingly on a tyre tube.... NOT THIS DAY.

As we walked up the path listening intently to the ominous roar of water upon rock, our hearts sank to the depths of despair when we realised that paddling this Grade 4 stretch of water was beyond our scope. However, we obeyed the first rule of kayaking, and reasoned that we should stay firmly within our skill level.

The intrepid crew of Mulgrave paddlers (Flounder, Adro, Bonnet Boy, Dano, and Tarzan) were joined by four gods of the water, being Callum, Zack, Dean, and Debra. All of whom went to just about to the top of the grade 4 rapids at the infamous "No Fear" jumping area.

Our crew, with wide eyes watched in wonder, as Zack being first in the water with his boat, was soon first out of his boat, slipping over 2 raging ten foot waterfalls.

Debra who was still on the track, organised the rescue effort like the slick professional that she was....hand signals directing Callum and Dean to ensure Zacks safety.

Meanwhile, Zacks boat had slipped into an eddy in the midst of tumbling water and huge boulders (photo opp). Zacks boat rescue was underway with Dean and Callum undergoing the problem solving processes on how to get Zacks boat out of the perilous eddy and back into his hands.

Our intrepid crew then , having making sure that we were not needed, then proceeded back down the track to gather our boats at the bottom pool. The prior exercise had only confirmed our fears.....yes....it was not for us, THIS year.

On coming back down, we re-checked ourselves and with astonishment, realised we could possibly do the drop of the top pool. However, what lay below, seemed like (as Adro delicately stated) Death on a Stick.

The problem lay between the top and the middle pool. A nasty jumble of twisted rock garnished with the odd log to act as strainers not of this world. We hastened along the track yet again.

Upon reaching the middle pool, we were adament that we were doing the right thing by entering into the bottom pool. However, doubts started to trickle into our minds that we could possibly have a go at the next slide...with a little less water.

However, we reasoned that if we ended up doing periscope dives, then it would take a supreme rescue attempt to secure our lost boats downstream.

Thus, without further adieu, we descended the stairs to place our boats into the bottom pool to await the gods descending from the gorge (which actually was not long).

In all reality, each of the crew did look long and wistfully at the bottom slide into the pool and possibly thought to himself, that he could attempt that flow of moisture.

For warm up practice, the guys then had to get used to the cross currents and practiced the art of surfing a hole.

The journey downriver did not deliver any unknown territory to us. However, we did follow the track fo the gods and not our usual safety route, in which Flounder and Dano found most displeasing coming adrift of the boat in the sharp rocky precipes of the Boulder Garden.

Time was against the gods so they then departed to further their adventure downriver. Their destination was the Crystals Bridge.

Our journey down to the Crystals Bridge was amazement for the likes of Adro and Dano whom hadn't seen that part of the river as yet.

The bottom flow of Crystals is said to be a lot of fun amongst the paddlers with a number of lesser Grade 3 drops and swirls and the main part of the river Grade 2.

Upon reaching the main drop for that part of the river, Flounder ensured everyone had a look at the approach and flow.

Flounder portaged so he could set up cover, and it was decide that the other adventurous quartet would run the rapid two by two.

Amazingly, the crew had polished that rapid off fabulously. All and sundry had agreed that having water buffeting the bottom of the boat was indeed a thrill and made for slightly easier paddling.


Morning break time and the bridge crossing was reached with no further hassle. To up and coming adventurers, the water pipes that run adjacent to the bridge, give a fairly good indication as to what to expect as a river level for the above journey. When the water is at the bottom of the pipes, it means for good water. If the water is flowing OVER the pipes....go home...it's Death on a Stick.

This part of Freshwater Creek was very familiar to us all. However, that did not mean that we didn't have our share of problems. Flounder, fell out in the Slip Past...Bonnet Boy the Hang Vine, Dano in the Boulder walk.... and Adro in the mists of the swirls at the Wall Rapid.

Actually , Flounder was amazed at Adro....since having his new dagger boat.....actually seemed to disappear in a whirlpool at the Wall rapid right in front of his eyes. An event that Flounder is entirely gracious for. It's usually Flounder that does that trick.

Uneventful passing of the Freshwater Weir ensued, since the crew had paddled that to regulation....heading down the extreme right. Memories flooded back for Adro as last year, this was his first taste of paddling and promptly went "Duck up" in the holes of the weir. We all still have a chuckle at THAT thought.

There were a lot of rest and respites along the way whilst hanging onto vines, tree roots, and the cane grass.

Reddy Valley bridge passed by without incident. Further down, Adro being proud of his boat, managed his first nosestand along the way....much to the bemusement of some young teenagers horseplaying at waters edge. It was onto the Rocks Bridge we went.

In all, the activities of the day were tiresome. There was little thought about revisiting the bottom slide at Crystals....but the idea of having a cool ale at the Red Beret beckoned. Unfortunately that turned into a coffee at the Golden Arches ....after all....it was still good friday !

Tomorrow was a rest day, but the rest was onward and upward!


Remember : when paddling the fabulous natural watercourses of this great country, please do not leave anything except for footprints in the sand, and take nothing but photos and memories.

Flounder