White Water Canoeing on the Vyrnwy

[@markl2815]

The impressive thing on this water is how little Ray actually needs to do in it. Balance, efficiency and an understanding/connection with the water. Also, half of it is at slower than water rather than balls out paddling. Looks simple but isn’t

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for that Mark. Many years of practise and thought goes into it all. Again thanks.

[@Mainepolingguide]

Loved the showing of technique here. The slow controlled speed and timing. Anticipating the eddy turns. Tired of seeing, mostly young people hack through paddling that canoe like they stole it. Faster than the current to steer is the easiest technique to teach a baby canoeist whose adrenaline is pumping anyway..and the hardest habit to break when they move into expedition canoeing with open loaded canoes. I wish more people had the chance to learn from someone like you Ray, on a day trip where you can slow it down, work the technique and really learn the skill of moving a boat. Keep kicking it old school. Signed an old Maine Guide.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I really appreciate your comments, it has made my evening. Did you all see the following video with a break down of three of the moves? kzbin.info/www/bejne/moumnXywrJd0apI Again thanks.

[@tumbleweed6658]

The reading of the water was really good, I just kept thinking of the books by Bill Mason and watching Becky Mason's how to video's you guys looked really good.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks Don. Yep Bill Mason was a big inspiration for me.

[@MrMjt888]

Masterclass. I could watch this all day Ray. More like this please.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I will try! And thank you for your kind remarks.

[@MrMjt888]

On my 4th time of watching 🙄 I noticed side airbags. They look like dry bags tied in. Can you talk us through the reasoning?

[@PaulKirtley]

Great video Ray. Thanks for making it and sharing with us.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks Paul

[@newlife155]

Ray, Love the over the shoulder views of your manouvering , thanks..it`s magical.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. I have been trying out lots of positions for the camera but this one seems to suit for river running.

[@newlife155]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Best in the industry..

[@merlinmess3793]

Lovely vid Ray. Looked like a lovely paddle

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It has been one of my favourites over the years.

[@merlinmess3793]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe I can see why. Looks like it would be fun at all levels

[@nigelgregory4777]

Nice one Ray, that looked brilliant, I've been watching your instruction videos, now I have to look at the adventure videos 😀😀👍☕ Cheers, Nige.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks 👍 So many plans for videoing this year with three sitting waiting to edited already. Keeping my brain active.

[@richardbest6588]

Very nice video... reminds me that I should arrange to get some more instruction from you on moving water after the introduction you gave us over a year ago! So interesting to see how effortless you make it all look... no substitute for experience and technique! Very best wishes! Richard

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That is kind of you Richard. Thank you.

[@TheOpenboater]

Looks like a great river. Nice level too.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is good and you don't want much more water in the gorge for canoe. Now kayak that is a different matter.

[@kevinrobinson5678]

Brings back excellent memories of when you gave me Gill and Chris some tip top training on the Vyrnwy, though it doesn't feel like 7 years ago. Happy days

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

My goodness. That long ago!

[@kevinrobinson5678]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Yep that's what I thought, a lot of water has passed under the boat since then.

[@johnw1850]

Enjoyed that, thanks Ray.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you John

[@philschaefer4651]

Thanks for another great video! I just purchased an Afon last weekend, but I've got a few months to get it rigged up before the rivers thaw. I hope to do a training/trip with you one day, but I think I'd prefer my kayak for that river.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep. We wouldn't have needed to line/drag the big drop if we had been in kayak. Certainly would save that awful scramble around it. Anyway enjoy your Afon. It's design was born on these tight creeks of Wales hence the use of the Welsh word for river, Afon. And thanks for your kind comment.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thank you. I mostly run small, shallow, rocky Class II rivers here in Interior Alaska ( what I call Class 3B - Bumping, Bouncing and Banging) so I'm sure the Afon will work great here. I've been learning a lot from your book and the videos you, Paul Kirtley and Kevin Callan post.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe any chance of seeing some details of your canoe camera mount? thanks.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Phil, I will do a little video on it in next weeks. But in the meantime it is the Railblaza system. Using their Starport and camera camera boom. I have a Starport mounted on each end of the canoe. DO fasten the GoPro separately as the locking system on the boom is easy to knock and then camera can fall off. www.railblaza.com I had used fishing rod mounts before this but this makes everything quick and easy.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks again, I was looking at camera supplies, I should have been looking in boating accessories I guess.

[@philschaefer4651]

I keep watching this video again, It's really making it hard to wait for spring. :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I can imagine withdrawal symptoms are setting in. Mind you do live in a glorious part of the world.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe That I do, but I must say the idea of having a pub waiting at the end of a day paddling has a definite appeal too. I'll just continue to live vicariously through your videos for the next few months.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Soon...maybe this weekend, maybe next, but soon now. In the mean time I'm envious that you have such a fun river so close to home.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@philschaefer4651 Soon. Keep believing in soon😁

[@virginiafriesen9157]

Pretty little river. Just wondering about the switching of paddling hands in midstream. Is this a British thing? In Canada have never seen that done by any of my instructors in 30 years of solo paddling.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I don't think it is a British thing in particular. Having paddled with Canadians I have seen plenty of them switch as well. In easier rapids there is little need to swap but rapids/moves can be easier left or right handed. Myself i am fairly ambidextrous so can choose a side to suit what I am doing. But sometimes that ease of left or right changes within a rapid so I see no reason not to make a quick and efficient swap. However when learning beginners end up swapping because their strokes are inefficient and so I would discourage swapping at that stage. Hope that helps.

[@virginiafriesen9157]

Switching sides in big rapids would make you transiently unstable. Swim time!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@virginiafriesen9157 you have to plan the switch. All in the timing.

[@JoeOsChannel]

Just clicked the link for this from FB's "View From My Canoe"...Subscribed!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you Joe.

[@JoeOsChannel]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe You're welcome Ray. You have lots of great content. I have watched your stuff before while working in my woodshop building canoe paddles for customers.

[@EzeAdventurer]

Ray what a legend, you make it look so easy mate. Are you up for coaching by any chance?? I tend to want to run before I can walk... and recently paid the price on a solo trip going for a swim haha - but it was necessary to highlight the weaknesses in my system. Naturally I want to do bigger adventures, so was wondering if you'd consider coaching me? Thanks in advance! Eze

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for your kind comment. I got your email and will respond later today. Many thanks.

[@EzeAdventurer]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks Ray!

[@chrisswallow6884]

Would you consider doing a "Directors commentary" of trips like this? I.e. Overdubbed with you explaining the river and how you paddled the sections as you go? It would have to be fairly short explanations without pausing all the time but I think it could really add some good points.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Chris. Just been looking at footage I have to edit of the Lower Tryweryn and was thinking exactly the same. But you have confirmed my thinking and even made me think of going back to the Vyrnwy footage for the Director's commentary. I might even give it that name. Will get on with it when Lina gives me a break from gardening and building work. Great idea.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

What was the air and water temps? Nice stream!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

In the shadows the frost stayed all day but pleasant in the little sun we got. We kept moving.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe About 10 F here today and a good breeze. I did make it out a couple days ago to pole up a local stream in flood stage. Nice video to keep my hopes up for spring. thanks!

[@pclavijo1]

Hi, my name is Pablo and I am the coordinator of a classic canadian canoe rafting group like you in Uruguay. We would like to invite you to experiment with rivers of our country. If they come, we can offer them accommodation for 5 to 10 people at no cost in our houses and we believe that it would be an excellent opportunity to share experiences and interact with you regarding the activity that we like equally. If you like the idea, after the pandemic we coordinate! Best regards. Pablo - Los Yacaré

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Not a part of the world I know at all. Keep in touch. Ray

[@pclavijo1]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Graeat, we talk.

[@chrisdyer6370]

Thank you for not wrecking a decent video with a shitty soundtrack. Hearing a river is what being on a river is all about.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I do like the natural sounds myself. Never really considered adding music to my videos. Thanks.