I built my 'Ironbridge' under Kevin Grimley's tuition in August 2012 at the Green Wood Centre. Capsized Steve's smaller coracle on the Sunday afternoon while waiting for a second coat of bitumen to dry on mine. Steve kindly gave us an introduction to coracle handling on the New Pool and I had just said “this seems quite stable!", as I rocked it back and forth... Two more coats of bitumen and I was finished! No matter, that it was dark and about 9pm - I was ready for the regatta on Bank Holiday Monday!

Unfortunately most of my fellow constructors had left with their new coracles dripping bitumen rather than water the previous day so there were not many in the Novice Race. However, using what I thought was a proper coracle sculling action rather than a canoe stroke I came a resounding last. Didn't manage to touch the ball once in the polo match but learned a lot trying and had a great day. I've been back each year since and though I still haven't touched the ball in polo I have done a little better in the races!

Back home in Sussex I had a very specific use in mind for my new craft. I race an RS200 dinghy at Shoreham Sailing Club most Sundays. This means I drive East a couple of miles along the coast road to where I pass the Lifeboat Station. The sailing club is on the opposite bank so I then have to drive another 3 miles to the Norfolk Bridge and 3 miles back along Shoreham Beach. Not any more! I just park by Kingston Beach, drop my coracle into the river and a few minutes minutes later I'm walking up the slipway.

I have also cruised the Ouse by launching an hour before high water and letting the tide take me through the county town of Lewes and back to my drop in point.

The R. Adur has a small set of rapids at low tide by the Norfolk Bridge in Shoreham. So, in preparation for my next adventure, the Tay Descent, I decided to shoot them. Nearly lost a paddle when I came out of an eddy into the full force of the current but otherwise there were no alarums so I continued down to the river mouth where I had left my bicycle. Cycling back to the car in a wetsuit I would not recommend! And yes, I then had to return to pick up the coracle before heading home! I'm still going to have a very careful look at the Thistlebrig rapids on the Tay before setting in as there is another 10k to do afterwards. I suspect the water may be a little colder coming off the Highlands in late October compared with off the South Downs in September but I can't wait!

Tim Jones