Looping the Dart

First weekend of term and our coasteering had been cancelled due to high swell. I awoke early, expecting to nip to Beechcroft to cave. Facebook pinged and an offer to run the Dart popped up; I had joined the club recently and this was one of the few trips I had on my to do list – it is much shorter now we are down south.

An hour to prepare and half an hour to drive but toast was needed, the car had half a roof rack and my kayak gear had been spread thinly across other disciplines. Small were no problem – helmet, boots, rescue kit but my cag and bottoms had disappeared. Ho hum, I spent too long searching and eventually forgot a deck deciding to take a wetsuit, waterproof and dry suit with me instead.

I arrived ten minutes late, unsure of the roof rack and with tree work in Taunton would have been better through Martin Magna.

A plan was hatched, Keith and Jim set off and within 90 minutes we were at the river. The ledge was inspected, the cars shuttled and I crammed dry suit into wet suit boots (note to self – 3.10s next time).

Very soon we were on the water. This was a peculiar sensation as I felt both creaky and rusty. It came back and one or two excellent pointers reminded me to sit up and dig in.

Most of the upper section is grade 2 train with large emotes initially river left and shifting to river right. Keith provided excellent commentary and we dropped the washing machine at a good level.

The indicator for this was the Webburn coming in on the left. Three other named grade 3 sections are evident. A graveyard terminates at Lovers leap before the triple proves the combination of a variable drop, diagonal descent and eddy accessed clean wave. We met our only other group at the bottom.

The spin drier was thinner in water but the eddy held an aura. The final run down through Holne bridge before egress at the weir head was familiar but I felt elated having completed this run.

The boys had breakfast and burger at Route 303 and I was extremely grateful for my inclusion, the coaching tips and the fantastic knowledge. My membership has already been well-spent.