White water kayaking on the River Dart (Holne Bridge - Buckfastleigh)

We arrived at Holne Bridge to launch the fleet of brightly coloured boats along with 6 students and 3 staff down the River Dart, everyone seemed excited to get on the water but first boats where adjusted and two by two the boats where carried to the waters edge. Once launched, it was time to practice skills, learn new ones and put them all into practice on the inviting white water ahead, everyone was able to stay upright and move their boat forward on the intial calm, gentle flowing river but this didnt last.
As one by one what could have been mistaken as six ducklings eager to take flight, followed Mr Starks down the river as each horizon brought the exciting noise of fast flowing water, churning and disappering in the distance you could feel both the apprehension and excitment. Ferrying across the river with eyes shut and listening for directions, made us focus on working with the boat, the river flow and listening to instructions. Waiting in the calm waters behind an eddy line Mr Starks and Mr Brice checked out the more scary sounding waters, directing the group one by one down drops and weirs always getting a face full of water and for some a little more...

If there were awards, Sam won the one for being the fish in the group, Harry for his general fearlessness and Henry for his over commitment when turning the boat. Basically if you didnt get it right, it was going to go wrong. All in all, one splendid day out on the water!

Miss Gee