© 2010 Halifax Canoe Club Ltd, Greenups Mill, Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge

Registered Company No 2612775

Disclaimer

 

Weir Drop

This is run river right through the break in the weir.  At low levels this gives a sucky stopper, but it is regularly used for many of the play boating tricks. This has the potential to be dangerous as the strong tow back can catch out the unwary / inexperienced as it is difficult to escape - novices in playboats beware!

At low levels there is a narrow notch in the weir that is best avoided. Also at very low levels you might want to think twice about running this in a slalom boat.

When the water is up to a normal level (at or almost at the top of the weir) the stopper is not so bad but still tricky! In higher water levels this forms a reasonable surf wave.

 

1st Drop

This has been reformed to remove the previous steep rocky drop and give a shallow ramp into the pool, giving strong clear eddies either side.  This drop has now been adjusted to make it a little higher and give a bit of a wave. It is no longer a scrape at low levels.

A couple of rock walls have been built below to help form eddies, these are only visible at low water

 

2nd Drop

This has also been reformed to remove the previously steep rocky drop and give a shallow ramp into the pool. There are good strong clear eddies either side. At low levels there is an obvious rock to be avoided

 

3rd Drop

This can be run in most places, if you go river right you need to avoid the rock below on the right (on the left of the picture) - although this does now give a nice tight breakout behind the rock. At higher levels the rock is lurking just below the surface

Reforming has also given an eddy on the river left below the drop. In most water conditions this drop creates a lovely small surf wave.

 

4th Drop

This is a small drop, again with good crisp eddies either side below. Since being reformed this has settled slightly so at low levels there is a corner of rock just below the surface in the centre of the drop - so at low levels run this either left of right of centre.  

 

Egress

This is then followed by the run out and you need to get out on the river left - the large metal steps are a giveaway!

Either climb out onto the large rocks lining the riverside, or about 10m downstream of the metal steps the river bank slopes down to a eddy on the left that can be used.

At high water you can paddle over the large rocks normally on the riverside and beach by the steps - but make sure you can do this before you can get on!

Then you can either climb the steps or follow rivers edge back to the start, a couple of minutes walk either way.

 

Other Notes:

1. If it is your first visit go through Sowerby Bridge on the A58 until you cross the river (County) bridge, find a car parking space nearby and return to bridge on foot. From there you will be able to see the put-in and course plus which will help you get your bearings. Obviously it is a Club site, so anyone interested in joining please contact us (see membership for contacts), we do all the regular club things and warm friendly welcome will be given.

2. The water is not clear but is much cleaner that it used to be (honest), in fact so much cleaner that Grayling are now occasionally caught by local fisherman. You are reminded that this river is set in an urban area so statistically there is a chance of Weil's Disease, although there has never been a case reported in the Clubs history. More common are stomach bugs, so sensible precautions are advised.

3. It is possible to either come down the Calder from several points upstream, carry on downstream, or make use of the nearby canal for a round trip. However there are a number of weirs both upstream and downstream on the river that can be dangerous in certain conditions.

Disclaimer: Canoeing and Kayaking are "assumed risk" - "water contact sports" that may carry carry attendant risks. participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own action and involvement.

Halifax Canoe Club accept no responsibility for injury or loss resulting for using these white water facilities.