High Flood & Low Flow, Two contradicting days! The phone rang hot
(again!) on Wednesday evening that the Grose river was ripe for some
exciting jet boating the following day. Simon
Taylor and Michael Greentree were launched and ready in identical
P76 powered Hamilton 'Gemini's' at 3pm, with Jack Sturch and myself
as crew. Even the boat ramp at Windsor was being inundated by turbulent
water exiting from South Creek! We therefore headed up South Creek
against the fast water and boated for about 35 minutes before turning
about somewhere well past the Richmond bridge! Along the way we negotiated
small pressure waves, tight bends and many gum trees in the narrow
sections.
Down to business! We left South Creek and headed up the Hawkesbury
River for the 20 minute cruise to the Grose River confluence. The
Hawkesbury was up at least 2 meters and upon arriving at the Grose
R we were greeted with a huge amount of water coming down. Time was
running out so a quick trip up to the first rapid was in order, the
flow was very strong and then we saw it. A huge expanse of white water
was surging around the bend in front of us, we wondered what lay ahead.
With nowhere to hide we ran the boat up the bank and secured a line
to a tree to take a look at the rapid on foot. After much 'there's
now way we could get up that' we were back in the boat. To get a feel
for just how fast this water was going, we had a small play in the
lower rapid and took our first hit! More revs were required if the
two stage was going to win. We decided to go up the left and avoid
the large holes at all cost, before I had a chance to compose my self
we took off. We were safely through the first two rapids hugging the
shore and the little jet working hard, when just as we approached
the third Simon momentarily lifted his foot off the throttle
(I am sure terror played a role here) in seconds we were swept sideways
towards the big hole, %$^##$% bloody boot it I said! With the two
stage revving flat out we lost bite with the water no less than three
times as we climbed up the large wave preceding one big mother of
a hole and escaping a swim for shore. We found an eddy up the top
and contemplated our way down (I was thinking helicopter at this stage).
As the other boat had not followed us up we were on our own. With
the nose well up we flew down with the flow and glanced one rock quite
hard, eventually making a dry run. Quick back to the trailers! Sure
beats being at work. 3 days later the flood waters had all but gone
and a 35 degree day greeted us with 95% humidity. With four boats
keen to explore the Grose River we all assembled Sunday morning. Wayne
Springer & crew (152), John 'chippy' Chippendale & Matthew Fallow
(J52), Michael Greentree (Gemini) and John Bradhurst & Chris Horsfall
(Impala).
When we arrived at the confluence of the Hawkesbury and Grose Rivers
we were greeted with low flow and clean clear water. We boated up
the lower Grose R skimming across it's shallow sandy bottom. We rounded
a bend and what did we see? A jet boat high and dry up a tree. Michael
had miscalculated a skinny bit of water and found himself heading
for the trees! With out too much effort John pulled him out with his
impala and we headed upstream. The low flow (read normal) meant that
the rapids were almost dry with plenty of obstacles and tight maneuvering
required. Wayne was first up in the 152 with out a touch. John followed
and then Michael in the Gemini with just a touch here and there. On
the way down the Gemini made love to a rock and the bucket jammed
in the reverse position just as power was applied for the last zig
zag and small ledge to go over. This meant that he was now in reverse!!
This made for some great video as the boat nose dived and disappeared
into it's own spray, once again the Gemini escaped and made it safely
to shore. Chippy was keen to boat his classic Hamilton J52 up the
shallow white water and with me as navigator we set off. The big J52
made maneuvering difficult however we made it with no problems and
a very satisfied Chippy.
The trip home would not be complete if we did not poke our noses
up Yarramundi (Nepean River) so leaving the Grose we headed further
upstream. As water levels were low this meant we had a few scrapes
and touches going upstream and plenty more coming back as we boated
down the small chutes between ponds. Although the sun was almost too
hot to handle at times we all had a great days boating. Sure beats
being at work! Although I may have to take another day off just to
calm down!
Video
