River Dee Introductory Paddle 27th January 2024
After all the rainfall we decided to head for the River Dee. Although the classic WW section was too high for most paddlers on the day there were at least 3 sections that would run at Grade 2(3) at medium levels (0.94 on the Corwen gauge).
River Dee Corwen to Horseshoe Falls Grade 2
River Dee – Horseshoe Falls to Llangollen Town Weir Grade 3-4
River Dee – Llangollen Town to Ty Mawr Country Park/ Newbridge Grade 2(3)
River Dee – Ty Mawr Country Park to Overton Bridge Grade 1-2 (two weirs)
After meeting up at the docks and loading kayaks and gear, we headed to meet the others at the Ponsonby Arms. Here we decided on the section to paddle and opted to head down to Ty Mawr Country Park. This would give a picturesque end to the trip passing under two bridges and the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct with the get out directly under the Cefn Viaduct.
After the shuttle (parking at Ty Mawr Country Park) we split into two groups. I was amazed to see Mark and Marriane Benson had opened their new restaurant right on the banks of the river Dee.
The water was running fast directly from the raft steps, and we soon had one roller and one swimmer breaking into the current. Both groups used the larger eddies to practise their river skills including ferry gliding and breaking in and out. Our group even tried it with our eyes shut and counting strokes etc.
We stopped briefly to stretch our legs at the old footbridge (now washed away by numerous floods). We then played on the rapid below.
Before long we dropped in on Trevor Rocks (the site of the first-ever slalom). At this level, the rapid was shootable anywhere. Most shot it in the middle paddling over the ledges and numerous waves and stoppers. We paddled through the New bridge at Trevor and then under the Aqueduct. We understand that it is currently empty as they are working on it.
A few of us had a close inspection of the trees on the river LEFT channel of the gravel island near the end. We got out at the steps and path at Ty Mawr Country park on river left at the Cefn Viaduct. This is usefully marked with a bright orange life ring.
We carried up to the cars in the car park, loaded up and drove up to the centre to use the loo`s and see if the café was open. It wasn’t so we said our goodbyes and thank you`s and made our way home and reflected on our tiredness from all the day’s activity. Cant wait until the next WW introductory paddle (24th Feb 2024)
