2026 06 04 White Water Practice and Play – Chester Weir.

2026 06 04 White Water Practice and Play – Chester Weir.

Our latest club session took us to Chester Weir on the River Dee, a fantastic venue for developing white water skills in a controlled environment. The weir itself has a long history, originally built in the 11th century to provide water power for the mills of Chester. Today, it remains a distinctive landmark and a popular training venue for paddlesport enthusiasts.

Launching from Sandy Lane Car Park, we enjoyed an easy paddle downstream to the weir. With the river at low levels, conditions were ideal for paddlers looking to gain confidence on moving water and take their first steps into white water paddling.

The focus of the session was the fish steps on the river left. These consist of four small drops, each providing an opportunity to practise boat control, line choice and balance. The features also create a number of small play spots where paddlers could experiment with surfing, eddy turns and ferry gliding in a supportive environment.

At the bottom of the fish steps, the current produces a small tail, which provides an excellent area to work on fundamental river-running skills. Members spent time practising breaking in and out of eddies, refining their edge control and learning how to use the flow of the river effectively. Repeated runs allowed everyone to build confidence and develop their technique throughout the session.

With warm weather, low water levels and plenty of opportunities for coaching and peer support, it was an enjoyable and productive evening on the water. Chester Weir continues to be one of the best local venues for introducing paddlers to white water and helping more experienced members sharpen their river skills.