Youth River Running Group

Youth River Running Group

​ Good Friday Paddle 2021

Good Friday 2021 (2nd April) saw the first trip of the year for the Youth River Running Group.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, some group members had last paddled with the group on August Bank Holiday 2020; and there were a number of group members with new kit to get used to.

​So, a trip to the Lune at Halton Rapids was the ideal setting for a gentle re-start of paddling activities.  The water levels were perfect: not at scrape level, and not so high as to be scary, but bouncy enough to be challenging and fun. The weather was good too, with bright sunlight and much warmer than forecast (although the water was still cold!).
After a look at the conditions and a Covid-secure safety briefing, the 8 paddlers were split into 2 groups and each assigned a coach (Mike Fletcher or Mike Sunderland).  The 2 groups got on the water in different places and spent some time warming up paddling muscles, and practicing ferry gliding, before running the rapids, going over the top weir and surfing the waves.
After a couple of hours on the water and a break for lunch, only a few paddlers were able to stay on for the afternoon session, so just one group went back out. The fun everyone was having clearly inspired the Dad of one of the young paddlers to get back on the water after a break from kayaking of several years (he made it all look very easy – it must be like riding a bike!).
Everyone had a great day and it was great to see everyone paddling with confidence by the end of the session. A huge thank-you to both Mikes for the time they give to help coach and develop young paddlers from the North West region.

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