Wednesday, 9 July 2014

French Alps 2014 - Day 4 - Ubaye Racecourse

Dan, Tim, Charlotte & Katie left to get baguettes and possibly go to supermarket at 08:30 but agreed to go to meet the others in the car park at the top of the “old town”. Due to miscommunication, the rest of the group (Danny, Molly, Rich, Sophie, Steve, Rob, Conor, Mat, Charlie, Marshy) headed on to the supermarket. A quick phone call and they realised Dan, Tim, Charlotte & Katie were waiting for them at the car park.

All headed up to the River Ubaye, except one group to the Upper Ubaye and the rest/majority went to the Racecourse get in. Whilst the rest waited for Dan, Tim, Charlotte & Katie to find the get in.

Shuttle done, on we got. With Connor, Rob, Charlie, Marshy, Sophie, Rich  taking the lead, Conor was to take the first swim (a daily regular for him), shortly followed by Katie - trying to get over the eddy line, but her excuse was that she was too hot in her dry suit. Charlotte then had a super quick roll, well done, best roll of the day! Shortly followed by Katie, least expected roll of the day. But both were excellent and just where/when required.

The duo also had a short swim, and most importantly Sophie returned to the surface with a big grin and her paddles, however the same could not be said for Rich, as he figured he had let go of his paddle. He then left his newly acquired girlfriend in pursuit of his true love (VE’s). After this we found a nice rocky beach to have a snack and had a group photo by some random french guy. Shortly after we entered the racecourse gorge, where Katie fell in… shortly followed by Charlotte. Swiftly rescued by Steve & Molly just above the narrowing of the gorge, boats the other side of the gorge. They had no choice but to have another swim through the rest of the gorge, escorted by Steve & Molly, with an audience of british paddlers on the bridge above.

Meanwhile, the first group were getting concerned as they finished their run in an hour and half and two hours later Group 2 (Charlotte, Katie, Danny, Steve, Molly, Matt, Dan & Tim) still hadn't arrived. During this time they prepared lunch for the group. Charlotte & Katie were reunited with their boats, Dan had to chase Katie’s almost to the big gorge and we all paddled to the end for lunch.

After lunch, Steve, Rob, Danny, Charlie, Rich, Sophie, Molly, Dan, Tim went on to do a second run of the Ubaye racecourse. They hammered it in 43 mins, and reckon it could have been done in under 40 had they not have stopped.

On the way back to the accommodation we stopped at the supermarchè at Embrum. We have never seen Molly, Katie & Charlotte so excited about a proper toilet.

Tonight we had pasta bolognese followed by sorbet, cooked by Charlie & Marshy. We all had a glass of wine to commemorate the loss of Charlotte's dear shoe... it will be sorely missed.

Written by Katie B with input from everyone


Views on the drive to the Ubaye
Views on the drive to the Ubaye
Teddy riding high



Views on the drive to the Ubaye
Views on the drive to the Ubaye
Danny shorts (Liberated from Rich a few years ago) needed a wash before getting on the water
View from the get in!
Danny's view down the rapid
Rich looking for his beloved VE's while Sophie makes her way to safety. 
Group two poses for a group photo after a stop for a snack
The moment before Conor's swim..
Conor navigating a tricky rapid 
The view before entering the gorge.
Katie out of shape on the eddy-line, can you guess happens next?
Group 2's decent of the Ubaye
Group 2's decent of the Ubaye
Steve bringing Katie safely through the gorge to reunite her with her kayak 
Molly brings Charlotte safely through the gorge to Danny waiting with a line
Second run of the Ubaye Racecourse 


View down the initial rapid on the Ubaye, Rob attempting to stay in front of speedy love machine!  
More fun on the Ubaye view from Danny's GoPro
More fun on the Ubaye from Danny's GoPro

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