Fridys' farm to Paddle power

From BluWiki

[edit] General Classification

Pool drop
Grade 2-3 (3+) if the water is up
Kayak and croc with water
K1 at low to medium level

[edit] Put-in

Friday's farm bridge: Public land, no secure parking, have left cars there before. TODO: Directions

[edit] Take-out

Paddle power. A fee is generally required to park there. Alternative: Winsome valley: not public need to arrange sometimes used for canoe races

[edit] Distance

+-25km

[edit] Access, Escape Routes and Emergency Facilities

There are roads and house most of the way along the river. However despite the river being close to JHB the hike out is not all that easy

[edit] Water levels

[1] This gauge is at the end of the section and the levels rises and drops fast. It rises fast after rain in JHB. So if it rains a lot the next day should be good.

For a kayak/croc you will need more than 50 cumecs. Over 100 will be a bit dodgy but don't go home at the water drops fast A good indication is if the water if flowing over the bridge at fridays farm.

K1, over 50 is only suitable for experienced. Can be paddle all year round but very boney at low level.

[edit] River Description

[edit] Putin to confluence

Best rapids on the section. Most of them are short low grade 3 (with water) with lots of play waves. Most of the rapids can be read and run, there are a few pour overs and holes to avoid. At low level these are technical boney rapid for a racing k1.

[edit] Confluence rapid

This is the biggest rapid on the section. With high flow (40+ cumecs) it is in the 3+ range. There are a few lines, the far right can be taken at any level however at high level becomes tricky. The is a bony line left of the right line. On the far right there is a 2+m drop which possibly can be run

After confluence there is a nice play wave if the water is above 50 cumecs

[edit] Confluence to constantia

Rapids become smaller. There is one tricky at Winsome valley, the line is left around and big rock then straight down the middle. \

[edit] Constantia rapid

Second biggest rapid one the second. There are two lines, one down the left if the water is low. This line is tricky and should only be attempted by those who are sure. At higher level lines open up in the centre and right which are straight forward. The portage is on the right

After Constantia the rapids are all small but there are some weirs and low level bridges to worry about.

[edit] Hennops river weir

This is the first weir on the section, after the Hennops river comes in from the right. I is runnable at low level in a kayak or croc. At high levels and k1's must portage on the right. The land owners are a little sticky so be quick about it.

[edit] Rambos bridge

Be careful of this one. Has been recently modified (Nov 2008), there is now a second bridge ontop of the low level bridge. It may be possible to go between the two at high level but I would give it a portage.

[edit] Low level bridge

Be careful of this one. You pass a swing bridge and a house on the right built like a castle after that the river turns left and head down a rapid. If the water is low you can go under the bridge no problem but if the water is up look sharp and start getting out before the second hanging bridge. This bridge causes an nasty feature and is life threatening. K1s should get out early on the left, kayaks can get out there too or a bit later on the right.

[edit] Pelindaba weirs

There are two weirs, as you come around the corner you will be able to see Pelindaba marking the weirs.

The first one is shot on the extreme far right at low level and far left (look for the green wave at the bottom) at high level. If you are unsure scout or portage.

The second weir is soon after. There is a fish chute down the middle for k1s at low level (make sure you know where the line is). The left can be boofed in a kayak but don't think about the right As the water gets higher the left is still an option for kayaks and crocs but consider the portage on the left

[edit] Play wave

Directly after the second weir there are some play options. At low level a shallow play wave works, this is a great spot for winter as you can get park and play access through pelindaba. At higher level the wave below it works but does not have great eddy service, there is a fast wave that works further down but is very level dependant.

[edit] To Takeout

From here to the takeout the rapids are small. The takeout is at paddle power in the left.