Kayaking Taster

Hi, I really enjoyed the day on the river, and Steve the instructor was fantastic. I just have tw... read more

Hi, I really enjoyed the day on the river, and Steve the instructor was fantastic. I just have two bits of feedback; first, the joining instructions for the day were wrong, it said to meet at the cafe at the entrance, but after waiting around into the additional half hour thay ask you to arrive I found this wasn't right; I eventually found my way to the kayak shed a bit by accident - the other participant had the same trouble. There also needs to be a sign somewhere to direct you to the shack, it's not that distinct and that early in the morning when the cafe's not open you wouldn't think of going all that way down to the river when the instructions are to register at the cafe. The other point is a health and safety matter. Saturday was heavy rain and the grass bank down to the shack doesn't have any steps and is very steep in places. Whilst making my way down I slipped and fell on my back hitting my head on the soft ground. I was dizzy for a second on the ground and also when I got up, but it cleared after a minute and I thought I was ok, just a bit shaken. I made it into the shack and told Steve about the fall as I was a bit dazed and embarrassed, he asked if I was ok, and at that time I was. After I finished the event I started to drive home and got really sick and dizzy, I pulled over and fell asleep in the car at the side of the road - I eventually managed to get home but felt dreadful and had a terrible headache, and slept the rest of the day. Seems as though I may have had some kind of concussion from the fall. I really think there needs to be a path and proper steps to the door of the kayak shed so nobody else gets injured the same way. The symptoms were delayed and thankfully I wasn't ill out on the river like I was on the way home, but I definately had sustained an injury from the knock. I'd like to make clear that I was asked at the time by Steve if I was ok and I said I was, which was absolutely right at the time, so this isn't a neglect by him after being informed of the fall; I really thought outside of a bit of a bump I was ok when I got to the shack, but it emerged after that I had gotten injured. Thanks, Ben.