Canoe hire on the River Wye. Route Planner, camping equipmentand Prices.

Common River Hazards

These photographs were all taken on grade 1 water.

Trees growing beside the river

Trees can present a serious hazard to the paddler, particularly in high water.

In this illustration, the river has risen up the banks and is flowing through trees. Hitting these would almost certainly result in a capsize and a paddler becoming snagged on the roots or branches could be pinned under the water.

Here the river is flowing onto vegetation growing at the edge. A canoe or kayak hitting this would be pinned against it by the force of the water and capsized.

The water is likely to be exposing tree roots below the surface, creating a serious hazard to anyone in the water.

In low water the only available water deep enough for paddling may be near the banks or trees. Here the canoe will need to pass close to the hazard to stay afloat. Consider wading or portaging past hazards.

Fallen trees

These can float down the river in high water levels and may be deposited in any place as the river drops.

Here a submerged tree is almost invisible. Only a small branch is showing above the surface, but the remainder of the tree is present in the water. Keep well clear of any signs of submerged objects.

The large amount of debris, mostly branches, piled up on this bank, shows how objects, inlcuding canoes and kayaks, can be pinned against the bank in fast water. This debris has been left behind when the river level fell after flooding. Banks which the current flows rapidly onto or past can be extremely hazardous and should be avoided.

Canoeing Opportunities:

Hire only, guided, or instructed.

Canoe-hire and outfitting on the River Wye

Canoe-hire on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

Canoe-hire and outfitting on the River Severn

Touring and Exploring Snowdonia by Canoe or Kayak

Guided Canoe Camping Tour - River Wye

COURSES IN CANOEING AND KAYAKING

Guided Outdoor Activities:

Climbing/Abseiling; Gorge-walking; Caving; Wayfaring; Multi-activity.

Accommodation

Backwaters

Adventure Equipment Ltd

07815 542775

E-mail:backwatershire@btconnect.com

Admin (existing bookings only): Tel/Fax/Answerphone 01873 831 825

The waterways on which we hire canoes and kayaks have a public right of navigation. However, access to many rivers in England and Wales is severely restricted. Follow the link below to find out more.
Why we need Land Reform in Wales, a petition to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Backwaters is associated with Mountain & Water: Wales-wide Adventure Ltd.

	Trees growing beside the river Trees can present a serious hazard to the paddler, particularly in high water. In this illustration, the river has risen up the banks and is flowing through trees. Hitting these would almost certainly result in a capsize and a paddler becoming snagged on the roots or branches could be pinned under the water.
	Here the river is flowing onto vegetation growing at the edge. A canoe or kayak hitting this would be pinned against it by the force of the water and capsized. The water is likely to be exposing tree roots below the surface, creating a serious hazard to anyone in the water.
	In low water the only available water deep enough for paddling may be near the banks or trees. Here the canoe will need to pass close to the hazard to stay afloat. Consider wading or portaging past hazards.
	Fallen trees These can float down the river in high water levels and may be deposited in any place as the river drops. Here a submerged tree is almost invisible. Only a small branch is showing above the surface, but the remainder of the tree is present in the water. Keep well clear of any signs of submerged objects.
	The large amount of debris, mostly branches, piled up on this bank, shows how objects, inlcuding canoes and kayaks, can be pinned against the bank in fast water. This debris has been left behind when the river level fell after flooding. Banks which the current flows rapidly onto or past can be extremely hazardous and should be avoided.