UK Whitewater Rafting

Go Whitewater Rafting in the Welsh Borders

Britain is not known for its thunderous rivers - one tends to assume that these are only encountered on continents where massive ranges of high mountains deliver a violent run-off of snow melt. However, the Welsh Borders area of the United Kingdom boast rivers that create conditions very similar to snow run-off simply through rainwater running off the Welsh hills, for example, the River Wye and the River Tryweryn.

The rapids can become immensely exciting, especially in winter and spring, with one or two of them reaching grade 4. (There is a worldwide accepted rating that grades the technical difficulty of rapids on a river. Grade 1 is gentle flowing water, and grade 6 is considered commercially un-runnable).

You can also go white water rafting in Scotland.

Kitting Yourself Out

For whitewater rafting it is best to let the company supply all the equipment - it is included in the price of the trip anyway. Even if you have your own wet suit, paddle, buoyancy aid or helmet you are quite likely to lose them on the way down the river so it is not worth risking them.

Selected Centres for Whitewater Rafting in the UK

Acorn Activities

Based in Hereford and Worcester Acorn Activities organize whitewater trips on all available rivers, sending you to whichever river is running best at the time you book. Water is guaranteed all year but the rafting day is limited during the summer due to lower water levels. All raft sessions are led by qualified guides in paddle boats - you do the paddling.  includes lunch. The price includes accommodation, guide, lunch each rafting day and all equipment.

Black Mountain Activities

Based in Hereford and Worcester Black Mountain Activities operate several rafting riutes of about 15 miles each on the upper waters of the River Wye. You will encounter several sets of large rapids, usually up to Grade 3, but sometimes higher if water levels change. The routes take up to 4 hours and the centre uses paddle rafts that carry 6 to 8 people. The season lasts from October to March only.

Croft-na-Caber

Croft-na-Caber operate in Perthshire and Kinross and run rafting trips on the River Tay. Rafting trips generally take about half a day, including getting to the launching site, briefing, putting on wet suits etc. Of the three runs they offer the Grandtully, which takes in some fairly serious rapids, is the most exciting.

Free Spirits

Free Spirits also operate in Perthshire and Kinross and is another Tayside white water operation. They operate 4-hour trips through the Grandtully and Stanley sections of the river's larger rapids. This small, family run company is good for those people new to rafting who would benefit from more personal attention.

The National White Water Centre - Canolfan Tryweryn

Based in Gwynedd this is perhaps Britain's top white water option. Canolfan Tryweryn is internationally recognised as a Centre of Excellence for paddlesport, with over 20 years experience in providing rafting at the best year-round whitewater facility in the UK.

All equipment is provided but wet suits must be hired at extra cost. The season is all year round.

There is a selection of whitewater rafting adventures to choose from.

• Rafting Full Session - the most popular session, suitable for groups. In the two hours you will usually get four exhilarating runs down the steep and rocky mountain river at the centre's world championship course below the Celyn Dam in North Wales.
• Rafting Taster Session - is an opportunity for individuals or groups of less than four people to experience the thrill of whitewater rafting.
• The Orca Adventure - provides the ultimate thrill for people looking for a cross between whitewater rafting and canoeing, giving you the chance to be in control and negotiate the rapids yourself.

Happy Rafting!!