Scary Halloween Paddle

Mark and I (Gordon) did something quite scary today, we have been praying for rain for weeks and then we got some, But way to much.

We went to the Irwell to have a leisurely paddle, or so we thought, we got on at Nuttall park and knew the river was full as it was going like a freight train past us and so were the trees with it. So we got on and felt confident, but only for the first few 500 yards until the start of the gorge. OH MY GOD, the speed, the height of the waves and nowhere to eddy out, and just the two of us, and STUPID Mark in his tiny boat, What an adenalin Rush, it felt like the Zabezi.


Note the water coming from the side just to add to the already pumping river

The start of the gorge, with no eddies and 6-8 foot waves further down

We didn't know what to expect around the next corner.

Just above this was a massive hole that spanned the river, I went straight into it I had no choice but to go for it, if it had held me I would have retired there.

Dropping into this chocolate brown hole was more frightening than going off the waterfall on Etive.

Although the bridges were wide between the supports it was intimidating to go through, because of the shear speed of the rivers flow.

At this point we took an adult decision and got off the river, we had servived so far and we knew we were not going to get under the pub.

The island that is normally above this pub was totally gone.

So we decided to bail and not paddle into the second gorge, as we want to paddle more rivers this winter.

When we saw the big weir at the Burrs Country park we were thankful for our decision.

Isalnd at Country Park above road bridge

Broken weir at Contry park half way down, perfect surf wave

First little surf wave after the big weir.

The big one

Show respect

And more respect

I believe I can fly

Under road bridge above the take out

Take out












Should have stayed in bed