Today I’m writing up the coast of Lyme Bay from West Bay to Seaton, something I’ve had in note form for months, but not gotten around to completing. This is a lovely stretch of coast, with amazing geological and palaeontogical interest. However, whilst enjoying Lyme Bay, it is impossible to forget that a tragedy took place here, one that changed our sport forever.
From www.aala.org…
‘The canoeing party set out from the Cobb in Lyme Regis at about 10 a.m. The party of 8 pupils and their teacher were accompanied by two instructors from the St Alban’s Centre. The intention of the trip was to cross to Charmouth and return to Lyme Regis by lunchtime. Almost as soon as the trip got underway, the teacher experienced difficulties, and whilst one instructor attended to him, the other instructor rafted the pupils together. The raft rapidly drifted away from the teacher and instructor, and lost sight of them. The pupils were wearing life jackets, the instructors bouyancy aids. No flares were carried, and the pupils did not have spray decks.
As the raft of kayaks drifted away form the coast, the wave height increased, and gradually, one by one, the kayaks were swamped until all nine individuals were in the water. Although the group had been due back for lunch at 12 noon, the emergency services were not asked to help until 15:30. The teacher and one instructor had remained in their kayaks, and were rescued by the inshore lifeboat at 17:31. The rest of the group were picked up by rescue helicopter between 17:40 and 18:40.’
Four teenagers died in this entirely foreseeable and preventable accident. As the Devon County Council report stated, this tragedy “quite simply, should not have happened.”
The most positive legacy of Lyme Bay was the creation of the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, who regulate outdoor activity provision for young people. A less tangible outcome is that amongst uninformed parents and teachers, outdoor activity is sadly ‘tainted’ and often viewed with suspicion. As a result, young people now arguably have fewer opportunities and freedom to enjoy the outdoors.
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I was born on the 22nd march 1993 woopwoop