Paddlers survive the mighty gorge

Ed, Mike and Nigel spent a couple of hours on the Severn at Ironbridge. The road is now open after a year of closure to complete subsidence work. The Telford canoe club access is not usable because of the major works still being completed. We found a small layby and launched just below the new bridge. Meanwhile the Severn continues to eat away at the river bank with noticeable erosion all along and even a missing house, that split in two, according to local paddlers. Ed couldn’t wait to get wet and was up to his waist while attempting to launch – see pictures. We went up to the old bridge and then back to Jackfield. The river was high but the rapid was not washed out and held some pretty decent waves, a couple of which were surfable and produced some pop outs. Ed managed a swim down the rapid and was rescued by Mike with the help of the locals, whilst I merrily surfed away. The last trip to Ironbridge was with Chipper!

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