We love gear testing, but we hate doing gear tests! Why? Well, gear testing involves putting stuff through its paces out on the water, using it for its designed purpose and generally using and abusing it to see if it stands up to every day use and is good for the job. Putting together a gear test, on the other hand, involves photographing said gear out there in the wilds and in some suitable location. The trouble is, much as the Paddler testers love to get their mugs in front of a fisheye getting the planets of sun, water and […]
Whitewater
Canoe & Kayak Guide to the River Tees
We’re fortunate in the UK to have a breadth of fantastic whitewater rivers, and all with their own unique characteristics, character and flavour. On any given weekend you could be off paddling to Wales, Scotland, the South West or north of England, When the rains come we really are spoilt for choice for quality whitewater runs. Most weekends the question we ask as river runners are not, ‘what should we do?’ But more commonly, ‘where should we go?’ This month we look at one of the UK’s classic runs with a wealth of great whitewater, from waterfalls to fun wave […]
Canoe & Kayak Guide to the Loop section of the River Dart
The Loop (New Bridge to Holme Bridge/Dart Country Park) The middle Dart or the Loop as it’s more commonly known is one of the most popular runs in the UK. It’s fun rapids, mellow nature and beautiful surroundings make it justifiably loved. It’s an ideal river to cut your whitewater teeth on and has a real sense of adventure for canoe clubs and groups. For experts, it offers some fun paddling and some great little playspots. As the level gets higher these play spots get better and better and in super-high water, the Loop become a roaring freight train of […]
A Paddler’s Guide to the Afon Conwy
The Afon Conwy is a true North Wales whitewater classic. Draining an enormous area, it holds water for a little longer than some of the other rivers in the area, and the tributaries are classics in themselves. Starting high on the Mignient Moors, it flows and gathers strength to meet the sea on the North Welsh coast. The Conwy is steeped in kayaking history, and has sections for every type of paddler, from placid touring to twisting and powerful gorges. ‘Upper’ Conwy – A5 road bridge to Rhydlanfair Bridge – Grade 3 (4) Above this section of the Conwy, there […]
A Whitewater River Guide to the River Etive
Flowing through the beautiful, rugged Glen Etive, under the impressive shadow of Buachaille Etive Mor, one of Scotland’s best known and best known Munros, the River Etive is rightfully considered one of the absolute classic Scottish whitewater kayaking runs. In fact, alongside the Orchy and the Findhorn, it is probably one of the best known whitewater rivers in all of Scotland. With its rapids bearing emotive names like Triple Drop, Ski Jump, The Letter Box, Crack of Doom, Crack of Dawn, Rockslide and Big Man Falls, the Etive’s smooth boulder gardens, tight constrictions and sweet granite bedrock slides it provide […]
9 Great European Whitewater Kayaking Destinations
Reading an in-flight magazine en route to a kayaking trip overseas, is rarely inspirational, especially when you consider the price of beer and a sandwich, but there is one page that has always sparked my interest. Now that a number of low coast airlines allow the intrepid whitewater kayaking explorer to travel with kayak in tow, the destination map can often open new horizons… Morocco When: May Why: One of the most adventurous whitewater, or indeed, surf kayaking, destinations that are accessible on budget airlines. Morocco can offer whitewater rivers of an easy grade in stunning locations within a country […]
5 International Whitewater Kayaking Destinations
In days gone by travelling further a field to go on paddling trips was the preserve of just a few hardened expedition paddlers. But easier world travel has opened up a wealth of epic destinations for those looking for a BIG trip… Nepal What can be more exciting than paddling on the roof of the world? The truth is that it is surprisingly easy to organise a trip to the mountain kingdom of Nepal. Its rivers, although big and powerful, are fantastic fun and usually forgiving and they offer some superb multi-day paddling. There are loads of operators who offer […]
How to Kayak Down Big Waterfalls
Running big drops in a kayak on white water rivers carries a risk and a mistake in judgment or technique can carry heavy consequences, so it’s important to have a good idea of what you’re about to do. ‘Huck it & Hope’ is not a wise course of action. When he’s not out winning freestyle competitions or flying on big waves our man Ed Smith loves to challenge himself on steep whitewater and gnarly drops, so he seemed the ideal candidate to run through the correct techniques for getting the best outcomes from running the big ones. With big, gnarly […]