My new All Stars first time out at pots on Saturday

Both me (Green) and Will (Orange) have recently got new All Stars and this weekend was there first time at Flowerpots. We had it too ourselfs on Saturday morning and on Sunday we were joined by Dan, Bailey and Darren. Saturdays level was perfect (the "messed up" webcam read 8.3). Heres some stills and a video from Saturday.

Nottingham

This is a recent video of me practising for the GB Team selection at Nottingham. Most of the action is on the inlet gate but there is a bit from the looping hole at the end. I try to show the moves both ways but to be honest most of the left handed moves wouldn't score.

River Dart action 06/07

I've found an old vid of the River Dart. It shows 3 play spots: top wave, triple 3 and the anvil.

Spot X

Spot X was named this a few years as then only really the true locals knew about it. I go there a fair bit as it usually works when the Exe is at its winter base level. Sometimes it can be really good for learning new moves, over times the lack of eddy service, the shallow rapids downstream and muddy fields leading to it can make it super gay. Heres some of last years action from it.

Old video of pots (if this works)

A few old photos of the mighty Flowerpots

This level is just about perfect.

Test Blog

Just starting my blog, lets have a play.

Hayle Sluice

About: The only decent tidal only playspot in the South West. As the tide comes in it runs over the sluice and creates quite a powerful but fairly shallow stopper. Works all year round but is best at spring tides. It starts to work approx 3 to 4 hours after low water and works for about 45mins to 1 hour.

Location:


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Parking: I parked for free by the sluice but I'm not sure if this is allowed. If not theres plenty nearby. The above map shows the water completely wrong but head for the A and you should find it.

The Anvil - River Dart

About: Many people think of Anvil as a beat down hole that is hard to get out of. For experienced freestyle paddlers its a really nice sticky hole where all hole moves go. Its also one of the few left handed holes in the South West. In flood a nice one hit wonder wave forms river left.

Water Levels: Quite low to Flood

Location:


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Parking: Holme Bridge (5 to 10 min walk back up after)

A video of the Anvil at a low to medium level

Triple 3 - River Dart

About: On the third drop a nice surfable broken wave is formed suitable for novices to freestyle but also fast enough for the more experienced to enjoy.

Water Levels: Med/high

Location:


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Parking: Either park at Newbridge and paddle the whole of the loop section or park in the layby by spin dryer (just upstream of holme bridge). Its about a 10min walk up river to Triple 3 from there. Don't walk through holme chase, pick up a small riverside path to cut it off by climbing over the fence high above spin dryer. The lane shown next to the river on the map is private (and a dirt track).

Top Wave - River Dart

About: Always first choice when its going. As the river comes up top wave forms with a broken wave to the right and a green wave to the left. When the river gets up really high a world class wave is formed.

Water Levels: Medium/High to Flood. It starts to form as most of the slab at Newbridge has been lapped.

Location:


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Parking: Newbridge car park.

A Video of Top Wave when the river was high

Flowerpots

About: One of the best holes around on its day. Flowerpots can be quite powerful and fast when high but will usually always wash out over turned canoeists. Its quite right handed but it is possible to go left.

Water Levels: Medium to fairly high. Check out http://www.aswatersports.co.uk/ for current levels. The webcam needs to show between 0.73 and 1.0. More info on the gauge levels.

Location:

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Parking: If you're there when the pub is quiet park in the Mill on the Exe pub. Otherwise look for 2 hour spaces along the road or there is a car park on the other side of the river just downstream of flowerpots.

A Video of Flowerpots

Spot X

About: Spot X is a good little stopper for learning new moves, especially when there is little water in other rivers. However, it only has a tiny eddy which can be used to re-enter the playspot and if you miss it you're into a very shallow rapid.

Water Levels: Low to Medium. Exe webcam should ideally show between 6 and 7 on the gauge. More info on gauge levels.

Location:

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Parking: I park in Tiverton College

Video: