Raging Barron
12th January 2022
With the recent rain Barron Gorge is raging and the kayakers love it. On a very wet day last week I carefully ventured down the river side to watch them brave the river. I got some very brief periods of light during which I took photos of kayakers making their way down the river.
If you do decide to venture down to the riverside when the rocks are wet you really need to be careful. Once those rocks are wet they can be as slippery as ice.
It was so wet on this day that even the paths I use to make my way down to the river had turned into little waterfalls in places. I use the three points of contact rule when walking on the rocks in the wet as much as I can. Always at least three limbs in contact for support. Pretty much a must for me to do with my large camera bag on my back.
As the kayakers come down the river they often stop to plan their path, read the water. The men I photographed on this day have paddled Barron many times.
As I understand it from my conversations with them over the years there are certain spots where you do not want to have to attempt to roll the kayak and/or be forced to wet exit….leave the kayak and swim.
So when I watch the kayakers make their way down the river I know that almost every path is chosen after they have read the river for that day.
I do occasionally see a kayaker come down on his own when the river is quieter but when it is like it was this week they always come down in pairs or larger groups.
Knowing where to let the river take you under to spit you back out is a must and knowledge not to be gained by trial and error. These kayakers teach each other the river.
As the rain started to get even heavier and low clouds filled the Gorge I made my way home soaking wet, very carefully over the just as wet rocks.