We are talking the November '98 Dee Tour and this is the tale of three novices and a photographer, who came as part of the ACC group but somehow ended up as the “extremist rebel faction”. It is the story of Gary East, parental guide to the fruit of his loins, Dan "Dare" East who at the tender age of 12 was our youngest, and myself (known as "Marky-Mark” or "Mad Mark"). Plus "Mr. Plot" Jerry Stone taking all those incriminating photos of us going over the N.R.A. speed limit.

It all started on a rather early Sunday morning (7:30!), after a long night that had ended in the wee hours with the ACC group splitting up due to different priorities. And for all that it seemed, the day was going to start in a similar fashion as the four of us decided to take it easy and go to the local top restaurant to sample a bit of their Cordon Bleu cookery (and what an "andsome fry-up it was"). When we came back, everyone else had gone! A note told us to “Rendezvous at Bridge around 11-11:30", but that was a long time off and we suspected that after a playful lengthy run of the river, the others would probably not want to go out again. So we came up with the unanimous vote of "let's do it alone", hoping that we would catch the group up along the way.

We got changed and set off up the canal. Jerry who had only recently recovered from a knee operation, headed off on foot to Serpent's Tail to see if he could track down the ACC main squad while Gary, Danny and myself paddled up to the access point. We didn’t bother to lug the boats all the way to Horseshoe Falls in order to conserve energy, but did some ferry-glides and braces for practise, skipping the rolling as the water was freezing cold.

Eventually, we set off down the river. Dan went in the middle because he was our main concern and I was in the lead because I was the only one who had done it the day before, which left Gary to cover the rear. We were not too worried because there were loads of other canoeists and one of the best things in canoeing is that whether or not you are from the same club, you look out for each other. I also knew that there is official safety cover at Serpent's Tail and Town Falls which put my mind to rest.

The first stretch was easy, some big waves but I remembered which way Kev had lead us through the day before. We practised breaking in and out of eddies and used them to regroup and discuss the next section to paddle. Dan was doing well and enjoying himself, too. Soon we approached Serpent's Tail and got out to find Jerry, then all of us stood watching the other paddlers flying by, trying to work out which lines were good or not. Apparently, the “dodgy bit” was an overhang on the river right which caused a few swims and head-bangs.

The other ACC guys were not there, but Jerry wanted some action shots of people from the Club rather than people he did not know. Gary – after having seen it all - declined and Dan did not fancy it either, so I volunteered despite my previous day’s swim at exactly this spot. Gary and Dan fetched their boats while I prepared myself for another wet experience. I tried to muster some anger to fight the nervousness, strained to get a left-hand line and steamed along oblivious to the people on the bank. With luck, I managed to avoid the overhang and made it to the bottom, what a buzz.

All hyped up, I got out and back to Gary, Dan and Jerry, who – can you believe it? – talked me into it again saying that my run had been way too quick to get good photos. So off I went again, and this time even managed to break out before the overhang and put up a smile for the camera. Probably not a good idea, though, because upon breaking into the flow again I could not reach the far side which nearly was a cropper... I did make it to the bottom again – more luck than anything else. I am still puzzled about how Jerry can take photos and hold a speed gun at the same time. Never mind, only three points, nine to go…

After that, all three of us got in again below Serpent's Tail and ironically, it was there that Gary took a swim. We had been joking about me getting down dry for once because I normally have at least one technical exit a day. It is just so easy to be caught unawares, which I assume is what happened to Gary. It was Dan’s yells that alerted me to the fact that something was wrong and then I saw Gary in the water and people nearby with a throw line herding his boat in. He was a very unhappy bunny: Jerry who had been lying down to take photographs had been so involved in his task that he had responded to Gary’s plight only after an undignified "Jerry, are you going to give me a f#!?*ing hand then?"... (Another case of priority conflict?... Ed.)

The rest of the river was fine, calm bits interspersed with big waves and little drops. Gary soon got over his swim and Dan had a real buzz out of the waves! The scenery was kind of rugged but beautiful and we passed some play spots and a slalom course where other paddlers enjoyed themselves. Then, Town Falls was ahead and we got out to inspect it from the bridge, where we finally bumped into the others - showered, changed and on their way to lunch... It was then that I decided, swim or not, I was going to do Town Falls. (It is definitely “Mad Mark” – Ed.)

I knew I had to take a left-side line through the main chute, but the rocks I hit chucked me around and on the bottom it was time for my compulsory daily swim. I was okay, just cold, and waved to the others on the bridge while floating by until the guys in the safety raft rescued me. At the egress point, I met Kiwi John who gave me a hand with the boat. He thought it had been a good effort, but not for me – I had to do it again! (Or maybe for Jerry who was going to take some more photographs...)

So I went back up the river, determined to stay upright this time. Down the left side again, being pinballed to the right side, then left again, paddles in full power - and to my surprise, I was through! I was truly elated!

Despite our swims, we were all proud of ourselves – especially Dan who did great - because we achieved something together as a group, so we coined the occasion the “Novices’ D-Day on the Dee”. Jerry got some top photos - shame most of them are of me - some great ones of Dan with a smile on his face and some of Gary who’s face shows more of a "Wrath of God"... A top weekend for a Top Club and certainly one I won't forget. And for anyone just starting canoeing or having a bad spell, here at the end a word from this humble novice: don't give up, we will all get better in the end if we keep at it, and it is definitely worth it!!!

by Mark Guerin, January 1999