As expected, waters rose to biblicale levels a few weeks ago, and my first day out paddling was spent driving round looking for places to paddle that werent so high it was either A) deadly or B) pointlessly boring. Finally on the second day we found Credit, about 45mins from Toronto, a good re-cap into bigger water with some long nice wave trains.
Work continued, but as did paddling. With my boat arriving and river levels dropping from the epic levels 2 weeks before, we headed out to do Beaver Creek, a nice Class 3 with some interesting rapids, expecially as the first rapid, double drop, possibly approaching a grade 4 in higher water was the hardest on the river and the first moving water my boat had seen. An accidental bow stall when attempting to punch the 2nd hole off an 8ft drop instantly gave me the feel for it, and I havent looked back since. I did have an interesting experience with a sharp rock, shallow water and almost (but thankfully not) my face. At least the helmet didnt break…
With river levels still dropping, I got out twice last weekend, the Moira (very shallow) and the Salmon River were both fairly relaxed rivers with a few more interesting rapids. Photos to follow. Its raining and even thundering as I write this, something that hasnt happened in a long while, hopefully there will be something running this weekend. Though with exams on Monday and Wednseday I should probably revise.
Lectures in Toronto ended as of Good Friday, it’s certainly gone far too quickly. The last few weeks have been extremely busy with work and I’m currently preparing for the next 2 weeks of exams when I will finish on April 19th. Im currently looking into accommodation options for the next 2 months, with a cottage at the get-in for the Ottawa being preferable. Shall have to see how that goes.
benbrisbourne
