Rivers Guide

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About to go on a trip and wondering just what it'll be like? Below are a list of rivers that the club paddles, their grade and links to their respective guides on UK Rivers Guidebook.
 

The grading system as according to UK Rivers Guidebook is as follows:

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Grades can vary dependent on water levels.

A grade in brackets means there is only one rapid on the river of that grading.

For example, the River Tay is Grade 1/2 (3), the majority of the river being grade 1 or 2, but the Grandtully rapid is grade 3.

 

Grade 1: Moving water, unobstructed and without technical difficulties. There may be small waves and riffles to challenge the paddler.

 

Grade 2: Waves, small stoppers and other minor obstructions to avoid. Eddies and cushion waves may be strong.

 

Grade 3: Waves, stoppers and technical difficulties are more severe. There may be drops and powerful constrictions. The main distinguishing factor of Grade 3 water is that the paddler will have to follow a recognisable route to avoid obstacles and hazards.

 

Grade 4: Severe waves, drops, stoppers and other obstructions. The route is not easily recognisable and will usually require careful inspection from the boat or bank. Grade 4 encompasses a wide range of rivers, from those with pool-drop rapids to those with extended continuous rapids; so there is a huge variation in difficulty. It is common to distinguish easier grade 4 rapids by grading them as 4- and harder rapids as 4+ (or in some cases, 3/4 or 4/5).

 

Grade 5: Extremely difficult rapids with precise and technically demanding routes to be followed. Stoppers, currents and waves will be powerful and inspection is essential.

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Grade 6: All of the above carried to extremes. Grade 6 usually means unrunnable rapids, which may just be possible in certain conditions.

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Beginner

Spey   

Teith

Tweed

Tay at Stanley

Tay at Grandtully

Dee

Ericht

Middle Findhorn

Awe

1/2

1/2

1/2

1/2 (3)

1/2 (3)

2 (3)

2/3

2/3

2+