Misc, 'Dragon Taffy Eagle', Wales - Capel Curig, Aug 2011, ID 1160

C Company, 4 Mercian

Ex Dragon Taffy Eagle was a weekend’s Adventure Training in Capel Curig, where the soldiers and students of the Territorial Army Unit C Company (The 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment) got the choice to partake in activities such as Mountain Biking, Kayaking or Rock Climbing. Members also took part in White Water Rafting as a collective group on the final day. The aim of the exercise was to further develop soldier's mental and physical robustness by placing them in both arduous and challenging conditions.

The exercise was held from the 5th to 7th of August 2011 and in and around the small town of Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia, Wales. Given that this was a military exercise, it was organised and run from the nearby Army Camp, Capel Curig, where all our accommodation and food were provided for us.

MOUNTAIN BIKING “I went mountain biking in the Welsh mountains surrounding Betws-y-Coed and Capel Curig Training camp. Around 20 of us set off after a brief demonstration on how best to use the rather complex gear system and how to handle the bikes. An initial climb up the hills left us breathless from the effort, but with glorious views of North Wales. Soon we were biking along goat tracks and down near-sheer slopes which for some of us was a bit daunting as we are not regular bikers. However after a few crashes and scratches we all arrived back at base very saddle sore but happy at completing the course."
WO2 Hancock (Company Sergeant Major)

“What an experience! After selecting our bikes, we had a practice ride around and then headed off for the hills (big steep hills). I thought I would collapse on the ascent, but after excellent instructions on how to use the gears correctly, I managed to pedal up them (it was easier than walking). We went up and up and finally reached the top.

What followed was an exhilarating ride through the Welsh hills and valleys, scorching down single-track lanes with fantastic scenery. CSM Hancock had a nasty flight over his handlebars on one of the steep and rocky descents, but recovered with great efficiency to carry on for the rest of the ride. A brief section of rain but it cleared up nicely for the last leg and we finally ended up back at Betws-y-Coed for a much-deserved rest. All in all, a great day and I will definitely be doing it again.”
Pte Catherine Purdy

KAYAKING With the safety brief complete we were suited up, warmed up, briefed up and in the water. We introduced ourselves to the river in a calm waist deep section of water with no obstacles or potential hazards. The guys with little and no experience nested with Gaz for the first hour going through the basics whilst the rest of us went through some more advanced maneuvers under supervision of Mr Oarton.

After an hour of more maneuvers we ALL (regardless of experience in the water) had to negotiate our way through some white water. Some guys made it first time and only the first time and others never made it at all but EVERYONE made the tricky attempt again and again: it was great fun. Throughout the morning we made our way one by one down the river, charging through white water, small water falls, dodging rocks.... Kayaks and men soaring down river backwards, sideways, upside down, and at some points paddle less. It was a fantastic laugh and experience. And all under the watchful eye of Gaz - whenever anyone needed any help he was straight there to assist. In all a great action packed morning full of memorable moments.

After a quick lunch and rest we crossed the river again and this time navigated our way to a canal, which runs parallel with the river. Here we launched ourselves into the canal and paddled upstream for about a mile or so. Then we clambered out of the canal and swiftly back into the river Dee. This was it, the whole mornings activities and advice were required for the main run down river... nearly 2 miles of 2/3 grade river awash with all manners of drops, turns, and white water sections. One by one we traversed our way through the demanding sections that the river provided, it demanded absolute commitment at times and we all knew it. The very last white water drop made the day complete in every meaning of the word.... it was the only time that EVERY man successfully made the arduous drop down white water without capsizing. Each bloke squeezed out of their Kayaks shortly after with a smile on their faces, it was a perfect finish to a perfect afternoon adventure down the river Dee.”
Pte Ben Ansaldo

WHITE WATER RAFTING After the friendly guides introduced themselves, we endured the administrative phase of getting (very well) equipped, briefings at relevant stages, transporting the rafts, dry practice and wet practice. We were to tackle the rapids with pairs of rafts, one watching the other through. The white water varied between relatively mild sections, to some that required hard work from both the paddlers and guides to keep us travelling in the right direction. Every section provided an opportunity for someone to learn why we wore wetsuits, while a section in front of the centre’s café provided an opportunity for anyone who hadn’t braced properly to feel the gut-wrenching realisation that they were not tethered to the raft. Once at the bottom of the course, the paddlers drag the raft out of the water and carry it back to the shuttle service that transports both the rafts and the paddlers back to the top, change positions on the raft and do it all again.
Sgt Steve Mee

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