Kayaking Holme Pierrepont near Nottingham

The Holme Pierrepont white water course is just outside Nottingham and was opened in 1986.

Just at the time when I was starting out on my white water journey. I was capable of paddling a good grade 2 so a jump to grade 3 (with a grade 4 stopper) seemed the right thing to do.

Those early weeks were testing. White water on this course flowed different to on rivers. It had powerful boils, waves and stoppers nothing like we had seen before.

Surfing the Inlet Gate at Holme Pierrepont

I was mainly paddling a Perception Dancer which was a great, high volume river running kayak. It sat well in the stoppers, level and true, which made for easier times.

Getting out of the bottom stopper was always a challenge especially at the end of a long paddling session.

At the wave below the first bridge (the looping pool we called it), the nose of the 3 and half metre Dancer could be pushed under the water and the kayak stood upright.

A fantastic trick for the spectators, but boy, it hurt when it hit the water - usually with my face first!

Rolling was the order of the day so I practiced every week in the swimming pool to make sure my roll never failed. At the time, I think I rolled on virtually every wave, eddy and stopper on the course.

As time passed, I met new friends and regular paddling sessions were planned.

The infamous Donald Bean was a joy to paddle with - and to rescue after one of his many swims. He was an older gentleman (I'm guessing 70+), but he loved kayaking and was a great ambassador for the sport.

One time I chaperoned the Mayor of a small American town down the course. He was over on a publicity visit to Nottingham (I know, why Nottingham?) and wanted to experience the white water.

He had paddled flat water a few times and was game for the course. I paddled with him and he completed the whole course without capsizing - and of course, he was overjoyed.

A quick rest in an eddy at Holme Pierrepont

I paddled my Perception Whiplash there a few times and it was perfect for stern dips.

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