All cadets arrived at ATC 0800, last gear checked vehicles loaded and departed 0830 for Balance Bridge. Arrived at bridge early at 0930. Equipment and instructors arrived at1005. All personnel involved on the river then changed into kayaking gear while vehicles were taken to Ashhurst Bridge. During the shuttle FGOFF Haig and Ms Uunila instructed cadets in kayaking equipment, river signals and immediate actions in emergency, including cold, capsizing and pinning on rocks. All personnel then moved to the rivers edge.

After this rapid Fsgt Grierson, after experiencing difficulties with balance and boat handling on moving water got out of the river and was driven by SQNLDR Quirk to the take out. After this the river flattened out and progress downriver was steady. The cadets handled eddy turns well and were soon negotiating gentle eddies with increasing levels of confidence. Cadets were not so confident in performing ferry glides and any attempts to do so were met with apprehension. Approximately half way along the river, Sgt Cleveland ran into difficulty in a small hydraulic and capsized.

Sgt Calman was quick to react and righted Sgt Cleveland using a T-rescue technique taught in a pool session. Both cadets’ cool heads impressed the instructors, Sgt Calman’s quick response and boat control and Sgt Cleveland’s calm demeanour while capsized.

About 300 metres above “White Horse” rapid, seal entries off a 4 metre cliff into the river were performed, with the assistance of instructors, by cadets who wished to do so. Sgt Calman, Cdt Greenham and Cdt Dimes, all tried and enjoyed the experience.

Above “White Horse” rapid cadets were refreshed on rapid negotiation procedures and immediate actions in emergency. Cadets and instructors then proceeded down the rapid. Cpl McKnight experienced difficulties on the rapid and floated sideways into a large hydraulic which capsized and flushed him out. After performing a wet exit he was rescued by two instructors using bow deck carry and boat corralling techniques. Cdt dimes encountered similar difficulties but was intercepted and rafted through the hydraulics by Mr Davies. All the cadets, except perhaps Cpl McKnight thoroughly enjoyed the rapid.  

The party then proceeded down river and played impromptu canoe polo on the flat water. At the last rapid cadets who were feeling less confident elected to portage around the rapid as willow trees on the far bank presented an objective danger to those that lacked boat control. From here it was a simple float downstream to the take out.