Blackwater Valley Canoe Club

Booking Cut Off: available to book until 13/10/2023 at 5pm

Schedule: TBD closer to the time

Type: Beginner/Intermediate White Water

Suitability: Confident with Capsizing with a Spray Deck

Description:

With Whitewater trips being so weather dependent we’ve decided to treat this one as a lucky dip. Once we’re closer to the time our club coaches will evaluate conditions and decided whether we’ll be heading to the Barle, one of the rivers in South Wales, or Symonds Yat. Here are the options:

• The River Barle: The River Barle runs from northern Exmoor (Somerset) south to join the River Exe. It’s pretty and drains the opposite side of the hill from the much harder River Lyn. This is an ideal follow-on trip for paddlers having done a moving water taster or the Yat or anyone wanting to refresh skills.
• The River Wye: The River Wye (Welsh: Afon Gwy) is the fourth-longest river in the UK, stretching some 250 kilometres (155 miles) from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn estuary. For much of its length the river forms part of the border between England and Wales. The Wye Valley (lower part) is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• The River Usk: The river rises on the northern slopes of the Black Mountain, Wales, in the westernmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Initially forming the boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys, it flows north into Usk Reservoir, then east by Sennybridge to Brecon before turning southeast to flow by Talybont-on-Usk, Crickhowell and Abergavenny after which it takes a more southerly course. The river consists of several small easy ledge drops and a few rapids.
• Symonds Yat: The river Wye meanders through this village and popular tourist destination which straddles the River Wye in England. Famed for its natural river scenery and wooded expanses, Symonds Yat Rock is a limestone outcrop rising some 500 feet rising from the banks of the River Wye. There is a small section of rapids where we can play and enjoy at our leisure and repeat the section multiple times to practise and learn river skills.

Kit/Equipment Hire: Equipment is always available for use at official club activities however there is no equipment stored onsite for these events, so if you require to equipment please complete a hire request. We highly recommend where possible that you are able to transport your own kit, however understand not everyone has a van or roof rack especially those new to the sport, if this is the case ensure you fill in your request soon as possible. Equipment should be collected at the Wednesday Mixed/Open (pool, lido, canal) Session before the event and returned the following Wednesday after. You can read more about our equipment, hire and usage here.