Heffy and Simon in the playhole

Return of the Native

Washburn, Yorkshire, Summer 2005

A friends wedding this summer, brought about an unexpected return to the UK. Having been abroad for several years, this was an opportunity to get out boating in the UK. Not the best time to be boating, what would be running?

The wedding was in York, and it turned out to be a Washburn release weekend, so for the first time since leaving Uni quite a few years ago, we decided to tackle the mighty Washburn.

Well things have changed in the last 10 years or so: There's now some civilised changing rooms, a good path down the river, they seem to have made some eddies and micro waves, and the bigger drop is less of a munchy hole.

Old School Matt back on the Water

I caught up with some old uni friends, and Cheryl paddled her first UK river.

Cheryl's first UK river

Thanks to Jo Fothergill for the photos. Great to be back in the UK boating!

Article: Simon Wiles