A dismal session at Lee Valley 2/11/24

[@2120edm]

Interesting to watch the first 15mins. I’m not a coach or instructor and I’m not an amazing paddler, but I do watch a lot of videos of paddling, and make a few of my own…. When you are paddling dynamically and confident your paddling looks good. You have good timing on your boof strokes. You get into eddies fine. When you stop paddling, that is a different story. Paddling is often a bit of a mind game. Confidence is a big part. I had a bad day on the Moriston a few weeks ago and it took a couple of days to get my mojo back again. I’d do everything I could to get some pool time and work on your roll. Your head was straight up on the first swim and on the second you were straight out. I just did a legacy and then olympic session. I must have rolled 30x. Without a roll you can’t get your confidence up, push your limits etc. Keep going bud. Don’t be too hard on yourself, but sort that roll…👍😁

[@SubParPaddler]

Hi, thanks for the comment and much appreciated. Youre 100% correct, my head is the issue most of the time, that and the "hip flick", i just forget :/ When i tried the 1st roll and failed, I couldnt find the pull tab cause of the gloves, so paniced a little and ended up using my knees, thats why when i tipped the next time my mind went straight to the 1st one and I bottled it straight away, not only that, being colder didnt help hence not even trying in my latest video lol

[@Shinobi_1_Kenobi]

Hi, I was on the same session as you - Bib No.47 in the red/ orange Jed: I have to say I agree with your comments that it was a dismal session and the flow was pants for most of the time. Many of the features just weren't "working" as normal - a real shame. Annoyingly this was also the case for the 12.30 session which I was also on.

[@SubParPaddler]

Ah, nice to see you, I had to go through the video again to see who you are :) It was very disappointing to say the least, thanks for confirming. :( It also means that I can no longer do the 1st session of which is/was my 1st choice, although, I do try to pick the least busiest. If they do not have the Olympic on for most of the session then they should have 3 pumps running, heck, even 2.5 pumps would make a difference but I'm not sure if they can vary the speed of individual pumps, either that or lower the cost, it shouldn't be the same as the faster flow sessions. Thats a shame about the 12:30 session, I cannot remember if the Olympic was running at that time but it is this weekend.

[@bmoor-g9k]

@@SubParPaddler I think the flow speed is the same. Its just without the olympic guzzling water the bottom half washes out. If you look at the surf wave eddy steps at the beginning and end of the session it shows the different in height. Increasing the speed and hence volume of water would wash them out even more. Make the top fun though. I do prefer the Olympic on but its good without it occasionally since does test whether actually paddling or just practicing memorised moves. The changing pumps do that a bit but not as effectively. Makes some of the eddies squirrely as fuck as well which can be entertaining. Also makes the hole in some ways more challenging since its so much harder to stay in it.

[@GetInTheBoat]

Nice video mate, I was on that session (big clumsy guy in the white helmet 😂) yeah flow wasn’t great. Only my second time on the course tbf so no real reference for me.

[@SubParPaddler]

Hi, thanks for the comment, did we speak? I vaguely remember talking to someone, I think they mentioned they preferred the slower flow as it was their second time.

[@SpecialBeaterService]

I’m no expert but I thought your first run down was pretty good. 👍

[@SubParPaddler]

Yeah, it wasn't too bad, I think flipping it going across the drop set the tone for the rest of the session, it was a shame about the flow being slow for about 95% of the 90 minutes, I was just starting to gain confidence with the faster flow. Sadly for the 1st session of the day there's no Olympic running now as they've changed the schedule so I will have to go later or just live with the same flow as the Little Ouse lol

[@SpecialBeaterService]

I haven’t been for a while so that lower flow might suit me at the moment. I think I’ll book the 9th. 👍

[@SubParPaddler]

@@SpecialBeaterService There is that, it would certainly suit some for sure, enjoy your paddle. I think the Thursday evening sessions have a slower flow too, thats when I did the two courses, the Intro and Developing WW. I am gutted because I much preferred the 2x 1hr sessions in the morning due to being about 80 minutes away, I could get there with minimal traffic. Doing the 9:30 gave you about 30 minutes or so warm up before they turn on the Olympic then the flow speeds up. It looks like I will have to do the 11am from now on, unless its too busy in that case I will choose the least busy session, if then ends up being the 9:30 then I will see ya there, shout me if ya notice me :)

[@SpecialBeaterService]

@@SubParPaddler Yes I'm two hours away myself so it's always going to be the early sessions for me otherwise it's the whole day gone. You'd think they'd put all three pumps on when the Olympic isn't running, even if it's only for the last 30 minutes. All down to cost I suppose. I'll give you a shout if I spot you.👍

[@mikeschelts9463]

No you can’t blame the reduced from for your sub-par level of paddling….lower flow levels test a more assertive approach to your paddling and allow bolder break-outs and break-ins, and gaining an eddy at the adjacent to the top wave not lower down. If you don’t capsize you are not trying hard enough…. Grade 3/4 rivers are not going to deliver ‘dial-up’ water levels….so low-flow levels is when you can learn the most…IMHO…

[@SubParPaddler]

HI, thanks for the comment, will bear that in mind, it was more about the surfing as on that one that I am getting used to it wouldnt hold you. As a side note, I think i will only be ever paddling at LV due to living in Norfolk, not one WW river :(

[@mikeschelts9463]

@ Great place Norfolk, but deffo a challenge for moving water….the east coast is not great for surf either. For what it is worth, you may benefit from hooking up with a kayak club that gets over to Wales from time to time to the Welsh WW course. Paddling a river with a dam release similar to LV would really bring you on. The company of paddlers at different skill levels would really help you too. You’ll need plenty of brownie points in the locker and an understanding other half too!!