River Grading?

[sarah]

Whilst res4earching for my presentation, this was what I found....

Grade 1 : Easy
Swimming: Pleasant. Shore is easily reachable. Almost all gear and equipment is easy to recover. Boats may get slightly scratched.

Grade 2 : Novice
Swimming: Moderate effort may be required to reach and eddy. Climbing out of the river may involve slippery rocks and shrub-induced lacerations. Paddles can travel a great distance downstream requiring a lengthy walk.

Grade 3 : Intermediate
Swimming: Legs can encounter sharp pointy rocks. Water may be swallowed. Several eddys may be missed before a safe haven is reached. A difficult decision must be made whether or not to stay with your boat. The decision to stay will result in a moment of terror when the swimmer realises they are downstream of the boat. Paddles will be recirculated gently in a small hole upstream. All personal possessions will fall out of the boat and either float in different directions or sink in the same direction. Paddling partners will run along the riverbank shouting helpful instructions. Boats may be munched against large boulers hard enough to leave deep gouges. Sunglasses fall off.

Grade 4 : Advanced
Swimming: Precise swimming is required in very turbu7lent water. Sensation of disbelief may be experienced while about to swim large drops. Swimming may require "Must" moves about dangerous hazards. "Must" moves may then be downgraded to "strongly recommended" after they are missed. Frantic swimming towards shore should be alternated with frantic swimming away from shore to avoid strainers. Rocks must be clung to with a death-grip. Paddle will be completely forgotten. Shoes, car keys etc may be removed by hydraulic pressure. Paddling partners will run along the bank genuinely converned while lofting throw ropes 20 feet behind the swimmer. Paddle partners will then stare slack-jawed and point in amazement at the canoe, which is finally stopped by a major feature. Climbing up the riverbank involves an inverted tree. Contact lenses wwill be moved to rear of eyeballs.

Grade 5 : Expert
Swimming : Not recommended.

Grade 6 : Suicidal
Swimming : Paddler usually ends up in hospital.

[phil]

Thanks for this info Sara but there is slight confusion as what you said about bank support.
from past experience and sadly a quite recent one including a tree, I must say that fellow paddlers do not under any curcumstances throw ropes 20 m up stream but more like situate themselves a few meters away with a throw line in one hand and more importantly a camera in the other and they just wet themselves with laughter. :D or even better they come and push you under trees.

Correct me if i am wrong but im sure the only bank support that exist at the moment is the round of applause that you get when getting munched and the laughter that you get after you have pulled the ejector cord.

[will]

Hello,

I believe the incident you are refering to Mr Berry was our recent excursion to Bonnie Wee Scotland and your incident with that tree was on the Gentle river Arkaig :eek: However you forgot to mention that you wee not alone and you were soon joined by 2 other fellow tree huggers where you all seemed to be having a ball and your own throwline and pin kit which would have been useful was 4 ft under water entangled in said tree :p. good job your guardian angel was there to help you out :cool: Don't worry sports fans we got the entire thing on Video hehe


Take it easy

Will

[dave]

ull av to post the video of that.

[Jim T]

Yea put it on google video so that everybody can see it lol:D

[will]

funny little discription of river grading

http://www.canoe-france.net/rivergradings.htm

Will

[dave]

the grade 6 sounds nice on that. anyone up for doing a grade six?

[will]

doing several in the alps next week :cool:

Will

[dave]

id go but ive not enough money to.