The Wilderness ARC
A Smooth Paddle
Rob Howard / 22.08.2005
As teams progressed up Loch Linnhe the field gradually spread out with Nike ACG Endure and SleepMonsters in the lead, and taking it in turns to draft each other. Teams passed through the Corran Narrows with the tide and without too much difficulty, but then faced a more difficult passage across to the narrows at the entry of Loch Leven, where they passed under the Ballachulish Bridge.
To reach there most teams took a route that was much further from the shore and from each other, so they spread out on the approach to Ballachulish. There were some strong currents in this area and one caught and flipped the kayak of Nick Sheppard and Nicola Thompson from Halo. Their team mates could not reach them and they struggled for some time to climb back into the kayak while in the current. “It was terrifying,� said Sheppard, “I hate canoes and think I might go back to Triathlon!� (Read his profile page where he expresses this opinion on paddling firmly!)
The later teams had a stronger tide against them under the bridge, and many found it hard to get through at all. In places several walked along the shore line and towed their kayaks to make progress. Total-adventure.co.uk were taking a different approach. They’d tied their boats together and rigged a mast and two large sails.
It didn’t help them much before Ballachulish, in fact they lost a lot of time, but once they were into Loch Leven they shot up the loch without paddling a stroke! “We put the sails up too early, but we’re learning about this,� said Paul Noble. “But it did prove how effective they can be and we’ll use them at the finish on Glen Shiel. We’re also not tired at all, It’s been quite relaxing, and that will pay dividends later on.�
The leaders did not paddle up Loch Leven together. Nike ACG Endure lost ground going under the bridge, taking the far shore which proved harder, but pulled it back later on and arrived at CP1 first. This was on the opposite shore to Transition one and two of the team swam across, watched over by their team mates providing safety cover. Chris McSweeny of SleepMonsters was a very strong swimmer, but his team mate Marco Ponteri found the swim hard and the lost a little time on Nike ACG Endure. Third placed Aberdeen Assett Management also gained on them, having used sails on Loch Leven and swum more quickly.
Most swam using breast stroke as it was hard to sustain crawl in the choppy water, but Mark Ford chose to swim all the way across on his back! The water temperature was comfortable, around 12C,but there was one unexpected hazard. Ed Proctor of SleekMuchers was stung by a jelly fish and a bit disoriented as he came out of the water. He was given antihistamine and was fine to continue a while later. The only other tasks for the medics here was to strap up ankles for the mountain trek ahead.
Generally teams moved through the stage more quickly than expected and by 16.15 the last team had left. This was Alpinebikes, who took a long time in transition, but were in very good spirits. “Paddling is easily our weakest discipline,� said Rob Preistley, “and we are looking forward to getting into the mountains where we belong!�
SleepMonsters
