About 5 months ago, I had this crazy idea of wanting to become a raft guide, although I had only ever been rafting once at Lee Valley last year. My idea seemed crazy but somehow achievable. I figured as I know my way round a single bladed paddle pretty well it wouldn't be too hard with a bit of practice, and I understood basic hydraulics and water features and how they affect your boat etc blah blah blah.
At this point, I was also looking for somewhere to take me for a week to do my Gold DofE Residential (a part of the DofE award, where you basically have to get some kind of work experience away from home, without anyone you know and in a new environment for a week type of thing). I knew it would of been really unlikely, but I would have loved to of used this residential as an excuse to go paddling for a week! So I put these two together, and tried find somewhere to work as a raft guide for a week! And the first place that came to mind was the Tryweryn, so I fired an email over to them floating some ideas around about what I was thinking. At first they said no, you cant stay here, then I said I will stay at a campsite. Then they said I need a raft guides training course, so I booked on one straight away and then that kind of left them having to say yes, and so they did!
The training course was alot of fun, just a weekend at the Tryweryn in early July with 5 other guys. Met some cool people, and learnt some awesome stuff! Just having a bit of rafting carnage for three days pretty much.
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| Waiting for my train at Euston Station. |
So I was all set for my 'residential'. My planning could of been better however, and my logistics were questionable but I guess you live and learn. As a student on a budget, obviously I chose the cheapest route to get from London to the Tryweryn and back. That consisted of getting the to Ruabon train station, but I still 30 miles to go. So I chose to take my bike, and cycle that last 30 miles. I also figured I could pop in and out of the local town, Bala (4 miles each way from my campsite) to pick up bits and bobs and get food on my bike. I was wrong, very wrong. This cycle was the longest 30 miles of my life. I honestly think it would of been fine, if I didn't have a huge rucksack on my back carrying my hammock, sleeping bag, roll mat, cooker, and all my paddling kit etc. So I ended up walking alot of it, and even resorted to hitch hiking the last stretch into Bala as it was getting dark and I was soak, this turned out harder than you imagine when you have a bike. But alas, I made it and although it was a ballache having my bike it didn't stop me from having an awesome week.
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| My awesome set up at the campsite, Hammocks are the way forward!!! |
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| Figured it was easier to wear my ba than carry it |
Once the week kicked off, it was amazing. Just rafting all day everyday. Even got some kayak sessions, Orca sessions and Canyoning!
My first mornings were spent just getting used to the working environment, setting up kit and making sure everything is in working order. Hitching trailers, helping out with sorting out rafts and where they need to be and when. A lot of the time I ended up running around being everyones little bitch, but I suppose I am the 'work experience kid' after all.
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| Me on the stick running Mrs Davis' |
But come 10.30/11 when the sessions began, I was on the water doing sit ons with other guides for the rest of the day until 5. I started off just taking about 2 runs out of 4 on the guide stick, just learning the river, practicing lines, commands, steering, just putting what I learnt on my training course into practice. But by the third day I was there, I was taking clients down the river for all 4 runs by myself which was awesome. I would try different things everytime, try different approaches to rapids to make sure I hit the right line etc. Of course there was carnage, but there always is! As the week went on I started incorporating other elements into the sessions. Like doing the safety brief, kit brief etc, and by the last couple days I can safely say I was running the whole sessions alone. The main guide was just getting a free ride out of me, easy money if you ask me. But it sucks as I'm not old enough to do the assessment, therefore I can't actually earn any money and run my own rafts down until I'm 18, but come next year there is a high possibility I will be back for the full season and making some money!
I'm stoked that the week went so well, I had an absolutely amazing time on the water and loved every second of it. Canolfan Tryweryn has such an awesome vibe, and I can't wait to work there for a full season.
A huuge thanks to everyone that made my week so good. To everyone that let me sit on their sessions and let me do all the work, to Johnny & Paddy for taking me Canyoning, to Paul and Duncan for putting up with me all week and sorting everything out for me, and to Guy and Tom for a good night and letting me crash on your floor!
Here is the video I made of the week!
(Although I was rafting for most of the week, I didn't get any footage as it seemed a little intruding for clients...)
Bring on next season....
