The club had been trying to find a convenient date to take a party of mixed ability paddlers to try out the river Leven. Sunday 30th January was the nominated date and the party assembled at the clubhouse 08:30hrs and departed by promptly at 09:00hrs, a remarkable feat by our standards.

As one of the least experienced whitewater paddlers this was the second time in the season that I had tried the Leven. The first occasion was, for me, a sharp introduction to a river with grade three sections. I was a guinea pig for a level three coach assessment on the previous occasion. And I am afraid to say I did not disappoint the coach assessors putting the coaches through their paces with a couple of swims.

This was mainly due to self induced fear of the river. If there is one thing I have learned it's that whitewater and clenched teeth do not mix. I was determined to chill-out (though not literally) and do better this time.

Anyhow, the party arrived around 10:00, equipment was donned, kayaks readied at the put in and we were ready for the off. There were several in the party who had not done whitewater either before or often or for a long time. So it was likely to be an interesting day.

The party was divied up amongst the coaches and the Brayfields got me. I can only assume that Andy either thought they were the right coaches to get me down in my boat for a change. Either that or they had broken one of Andy's unwritten rules!

The Leven does not give you much time for thought. As soon as you get on, the first whitewater section is immediately upon you. A "Brick Shute" funnels the river through the centre of a weir. I can guess how the shute got its name but why it's there I do not know. Unless some far sighted ancestor anticipated the enjoyment paddlers might get from it one day. Anyway shute is right the right name for it you fairly fly through.