Discover white water rafting in Wales

Using only an inflatable raft and some paddles, the sport of white water rafting is a swirling, rushing, thrill-ride adventure! It’s hugely popular worldwide and those holidaying in the UK will find that some of the best places to try the sport are in Wales. Read on for our guide to discovering White Water Rafting in Wales.

White Water Rafting

It may sound terrifying, but almost anyone can try the sport. Most rafting centres only require you to be in good health and be able to swim 20 metres - being tipped into the water is a possibility! The instructors will kit you out with lifejackets, helmets and paddles, and will take you through everything you need to know to be safe before you get onto the water.

Any beginners out there needn’t worry because you don’t need any experience to try it! The courses are graded according to the International Scale of River Difficulty, meaning both you and your instructor can choose the best route for your experience level. The scale goes from Grade 1 to 6, with Grade 1 being basic and mostly smooth, and 6 being extremely difficult and effectively unnavigable! In Wales most of the rivers range from Grade 1 – 4.

The River Tryweryn

Those camping in Snowdonia National Park will have the luck of being close to the National White Water Centre near Bala. The centre was the first commercial rafting centre in the UK and has hosted 3 canoeing world championships, so you know you’re in experienced hands. They have a minimum rafter age of 12, and everyone must be able to swim 25 metres.

You can raft as a family on the Lower Tryweryn which is Grade 2-3, or the more experienced (and brave!) members of your group can take on the Upper Tryweryn, where surrounded by mountains they can try the Grade 3-4 rocky section of river! The rafting taster session costs £32 per person, and lasts approximately 1 hour. Members of the family who don’t fancy getting wet can have a relaxed day in the town of Bala, and hunt down a welsh cake in one of the local cafes.

The River Teifi

The River Teifi in Llandysul is good for families and beginners as it has an average difficulty rating of 1 – 3. Using the Blue Ocean Adventure cpmpany it is a bit pricier to raft here at £55 per person, but you get a 2½ hour trip down the river. The river was also the venue of the British White Water Rafting Championships in 2008!

The River Wye

The River Wye provides a picturesque spot to try white water rafting for those staying in the Brecon Beacons. Black Mountain offer trips covering up to 15 miles, and tackles grade 2 – 4 river rapids. This course is a bit more demanding than those in Snowdonia and Llandysul, and with rapids given names such as “hell hole”, it’s not for the fainthearted! The rafting sessions take place from October to March, and cost £55 per person. There’s also a minimum age of 16 and a maximum age of 65.

The River Dee

Whitewater Active runs courses on the River Dee in Llangollen, with grade 2-4 water. Like Black Mountain, trips here cost £55, and you can also buy vouchers as presents – great for if a member of your group’s birthday coincides with your holiday! And if you like White Water Rafting, you’ll love Surf Rafting. It’s a trend which developed on the beaches of Australia, and uses smaller surf rafts. Whitewater Active runs sessions for £45 in Surf Rafting in either Aberystwyth or Borth.

The sporting experience of White Water Rafting is something you should definitely consider trying. It’s exhilarating, it’s fun and yes, you’ll get a little bit wet… but best of all it’s right here on your doorstep in the UK. What are you waiting for? Get rafting!