River Severn Canoe Cruise
Last Update : 24th August 2003.
In May 2003, explorers, scouts and leaders from Tadcaster, Boston Spa and Barwick, undertook a six day journey down the River Severn. All together the party consisted of 6 Scouts, 5 Explorers and 2 leaders.
The group was completely self-sufficient, carrying all equipment in the canoes and kayaks. We paddled 11 kayaks and one open canadian canoe. The canadian carried the bulk of the equipment, but personal equipment was carried in the kayaks.
The weather was good. In the week prior to the journey there was a lot of rain, so when we embarked on the journey the river was quite high. But with little further rain during the trip, by the end of the journey the level had dropped to its normal level for May.
Prior to the journey, there was a comprehensive training programme so that all taking part could gain the necessary skills, and also suffer the pain of paddling for 4 or 5 hours in a day. As it was, the high water made paddling easier than expected.
And now, an illustrated report. If you are inspired by this story, I would be glad to give you further information.
Somewhere near the beginning ...
The end
Links to route guides
UK Rivers Guide -
Shrewsbury to Ironbridge
Jackfield Rapids
Ironbridge to Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth to Stourport
Risk Assessment
The group has a standard set of operating procedures for water activities. A written risk assessment was prepared for the trip. This dealt with specific hazards on the trip (e.g. Shrewsbury Weir, Jackfield Rapids), river levels rising to flood level and the need for someone to return home.
Links to relevant information
Skills checklist
Getting in and out of the kayak
Swans
Leptospirosis
Hypothermia, other illnesses and dangers
| The Journey - Day by Day.
The journey took six days. We camped every night, either at a public campsite or in a farmer's field. |
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| Saturday | Pool Quay to Royal Hill | |
| Sunday | Royal Hill to Berwick | |
| Monday | Berwick to Weir Farm | |
| Tuesday | Weir Farm to Jackfield | |
| Wednesday | Jackfield to Hampton Loade | |
| Thursday | Hampton Loade to Stourport | |
The final campsite
Training Programme.
Prior to the event a training programme was organised to ensure that all those taking part had the necessary skills. It also served to provide those intending to go with a flavour of the trip, so they, and the instructor, could decide whether they were up to it.
The course comprised 5 sessions at the swimming pool. 3 training days on flat water. 5 training sessions on Grade 1 moving water. 3 river journeys of the range 7 to 8 miles.
The scouts and explorers were given a Skills Checklist in order to give them some idea of what they needed to know and be able to do pprior to the trip.
