This was my fifth trip to the Val Sesia valley in Italy but it is still one of my favourite destinations to go kayaking. There is a huge amount of white water in a close proximity. This year the water levels were lower than expected for the time of year but there was still plenty of time in the boat to be had... 
Looking down the Sorba Valley
Piode Falls – Photo by Luke Partridge
Where some of the classic rivers such as the Gronda and Egua were on the low side, other sections like the Sesia Gorge and Saw Mill Cataract were in prime condition. The Middle and Lower Sermenza were daily runs due to good levels being provided by the lake. The hot weather made up for the low water and did provide a small amount of snow melt in the Egua.
Sending the top drop on the Egua – Photo by Amy Elworthy
Cylinder drop on the Egua – Photo by Amy Elworthy
One of the main events of the week was watching some friends kayaking the Devils Slide on the Saw Mill Cataract.
The classic photo of the Devils Slide, with Adam Ramadan dropping in – Photo by Matty Nicholas
This drop is definitely drawing more attention and being kayaked more and more each year. With good safety and a good level myself and another paddler had a great time, and a successful time, a few years ago running this. Regardless of some opinions received recently of us running it in low levels, we had a great time!
Safety is essential on this drop. It has a very nasty undercut on the river right about two thirds of the way down. I had to watch a good friend disappear into it. He appeared thirty seconds later but being last in his group had no safety cover. It is possible to protect this undercut and I would strongly advise this. Even someone who is used to working on ropes would struggle to free someone pinned upside down in the time needed to save them.
The above photo shows Adam Ramadan pinned in the undercut. Fortunately he is up right. The rest of the team sit helpless below as there is no way back up once in the bottom pool. The photo below shows Adam just before entering the undercut.
Adam ran the drop very well but was turned off line by the cauldron immediately above. Once in the position he was in it would have been very hard to avoid the undercut. The danger is being caught in the above cauldron and coming out upside down. There then becomes a very real risk of going into the undercut upside down. Be careful of this! None of us that day realised how nasty this could be. The team Adam was with were all very experienced paddlers and I wouldn’t have done things any differently until seeing this. If you want to run this drop and get that awesome photo then speak to people who have done it and take time and care. Bring a climbing rope and learn how to use it. Don’t listen to those who shout about it and be wary of those who have claimed to have run it but have not. I have discussed this drop at length with some very experienced kayakers and climbers. The general consensus is if you have not got the time, skill or experiences to protect this drop then you don’t have what it takes to run it.
Apart from that little hiccup, Italy was amazing. I can’t wait to get back there. Almost time to head to the French Alps for some more white water, sun and red wine.
Article: Matty Nicholas
Photos: Matty Nicholas, Amy Elworthy, Luke Partridge and Adam Ramadan
