Our first river weir! I know to all you hotshots out there this looks pathetic, but we had to start somewhere . . . next weekend we'll attempt a whitewater class 5, there are so many to choose from in Warwickshire. The first kayak is a Robson Waikiki, the second a Dagger G-ride. The River Sowe joins the Avon about a mile downstream. The centre of the weir is a newly installed fish ladder, so don't shoot it, you'll frighten the fishes and you might tear the arse out of your 'yak. The get-in is just behind the bridge over the weir, 300 yards north of Stoneleigh on the right hand side of the B4113. There are very few places to get out again close to a road until you get to the Saxon Mill (bar and restaurant) just north of Warwick. We carried our boats through the outside seating areas, which is a public footpath, much to the bemusement of people eating there. Total river distance maybe 7 miles. We portaged all the rest of the weirs between Stoneleigh and Warwick because we had no idea what they were like until we looked at them from downstream. In hindsight all look easily shootable to me except the lower Stoneleigh Park one which looks a little steep and angry to a novice like me. But what do I know? If you shoot them and screw up, don't sue me. I'll post a vid and you can decide yourself. Also, there is an metal bridge in Stoneleigh Park that is only about 18" above the water. You have to get out of your boat in the middle of the river, let it float under the bridge and catch it at the other side! What could possibly go wrong? One little useful legal fact is if anyone shouts at you about trespass, the right of free passage up the Avon as far as Coventry is guaranteed in law by a 1636 Order in Council. This was to stop large landowners from claiming ownership of the river and trying to prevent the unwashed peasant masses (ie: you and me) using it. October 2013

• published: 28 Oct 2013
• views: 23