The National White Water Centre, Canolfan Tryweryn is an inclusive watersports provider. We aim wherever possible to offer safe and meaningful opportunities to access watersports at our world class whitewater venue.

Our only absolute non-negotiable requirement is that all customers, whether for whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking, must be able to swim (defined as swimming 25 metres in open water). We welcome discussions about all other necessary adjustments that will help to get you on the river.

We have been whitewater rafting on this river for 40+ years and have a long and proud record of welcoming whitewater rafters with a range of additional requirements. We have won awards from the North Wales Deaf Association and have been included in the disabled person’s Lonely Planet guide. We contributed to the development of the AquaBac, an adaptive seating system designed with wheelchair users in mind.

All sessions would be tailored to your individual needs and to do this we would need to communicate with any customer booking whitewater rafting and requiring adaptations to their session due to disability. Please phone 01678521083 or email info@nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk

KAYAKERS AND CANOEISTS WITH DISABILITIES

We have recently extended our provision to whitewater kayakers and canoeists with disabilities. We offer a free companion-helper pass for any kayaker in receipt of PIP or DLA. We also offer a concessionary rate of £7.50 for kayakers and canoeists with disabilities.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT KAYAKING AND CANOEING

Do carers go free?

Yes! Should any recreational paddler with disabilities (kayaker, canoeist or whitewater paddleboarder) require assistance on their visits to Canolfan Tryweryn, they may book one free companion-helper ticket alongside the purchase of their own facility fee wristband. The companion-helper will be able to accompany a recreational paddler with disabilities free of charge, and is welcome to paddle the river with them, in addition to assisting with getting on and off the river, carrying boats and helping with kit, etc.

What paddling skill level do I and my companion-helper need to have?

Recreational paddlers with disabilities must be competent to paddle on the river independent of their companion-helper. The companion-helper role exists to offer practical assistance to the disabled guest only, not coaching assistance.

Is the companion-helper ticket transferable?

You can nominate a different companion-helper each day that you visit us. Once the ticket is issued to your companion-helper, it is not transferable for that particular day. There is no need to identify the companion-helper in advance of arrival.

How do I book a companion-helper ticket?

Companion-helper tickets are booked alongside facility fee tickets when purchased in the usual way; online or at reception.

Companion-helper tickets are issued at the same time as the facility fee wristband. They are available to any paddler with additional needs.

Remember, there is no need to pay for the companion-helper. Therefore, if your group consists of four people, including the companion-helper, you will need to pay for three people and apply for one companion-helper ticket.

What supporting documentation is required to book a free carer place?

The first time you book with us, please bring along in-date supporting documentation, which can be either:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

We keep a record of entitlement for one year only, in line with GDPR legislation. You'll only need to resubmit your documentation annually.

Are there any restrictions on who can be a companion-helper?

Either the paddler with disabilities, or the companion-helper must be over 18. If your preferred companion-helper is under 18 years old, please have a quick chat with us to discuss your requirements prior to arrival or at reception.

The companion-helper ticket cannot be used without being accompanied by the recreational paddler with disabilities who booked it.

COACHING FOR PADDLERS WITH DISABILITIES

Canolfan Tryweryn, the NWWC, welcomes visits by disabled people and will do all that is possible to ensure a safe and pleasurable paddle. We will make all reasonable adjustments to accommodate people with disabilities. Coached courses have externally set syllabuses, scheduling and learning outcomes. They can be physically demanding and vigorous, and in some circumstances it may not be possible for a paddler with a disability to fully participate. We therefore reserve the right to refuse participation should we feel there is a danger to a particular individual or individuals. Private coaching has greater scope for being adapted to a paddler's additional needs.

If a companion-helper would be necessary to allow you to fully participate in a coaching course then it will be possible for a single companion-helper to support the paddler with disabilities both on and off the water for the duration of the course. Please speak to us about your requirements.

WHITEWATER RAFTING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RAFTING

Can I come whitewater rafting if I have a disability?

Yes! We have been whitewater rafting on the Afon Tryweryn for 40+ years and have a long and proud record of welcoming whitewater rafters with a range of additional requirements. Give us a ring on 01678 521083 or pop us an email at info@nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk to discuss your requirements.

Do you offer a free carer place when whitewater rafting?

Yes! Visitors with disabilities who are whitewater rafting at Canolfan Tryweryn - The National White Water Centre - will have a free carer place with their booking. You must be in receipt of PIP or DLA. Give us a ring on 01678 521083 or pop us an email at info@nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk to book your place.

What help do you offer for deaf and hearing impaired whitewater rafters?

We are familiar with text relay and use the service regularly with deaf and hearing impaired clients. Staff in the booking office will discuss the session, offering reassurance, information and discussing ratios.

The safety brief will be adjusted to accommodate any signing helper.

The safety brief and information on safety equipment is available in pictorial form around the site.

During the session, a hearing client sits in front of the person with hearing impairment. They act as a visual clue as to what their buddy with hearing impairment must do.

We can accept a maximum of 2 deaf or hearing impaired clients per raft.

What help do you offer for blind or partially sighted whitewater rafters?

Blind and partially sighted whitewater rafters can book in using email or phone. Staff in the booking office will then discuss the session, offering reassurance and information and discussing ratios.

We can accept a maximum of two blind or partially sighted clients per raft.

What help do you offer for whitewater rafters with mobility issues, such as wheelchair users?

Whitewater rafters with mobility issues will be driven to the top of the river where they will access the raft a little downstream from the usual raft put-in. This is the most easily accessible point to launch this session from.

They can be transported from the bus to the raft via a wheelchair. They can be transferred into the raft the height of which is comparative to the height of a wheelchair. The raft will then be held by four people, each at a different corner of the raft. It will be floated onto the river where the rest of the crew will climb aboard. The session will then happen in the usual way, with the addition of a safety kayaker.

What help do you offer for neurodiverse whitewater rafters (eg ASD?

For neurodiverse whitewater rafters, such as those with autism, we will tailor our safety briefs and other instructions to be even more clear and direct.

People with sensory issues should be aware that the river environment is loud. The constant sound of the river and happy customers means that people sometimes raise their voices to be heard. We recognise that this can lead to sensory overload. 

However, we have delivered fantastic whitewater rafting sessions to many people with a wide range of neurodiversity over the last 40 years. We understand the importance of trying to minimise our own noise levels and we seek to communicate simply at all times. 

My requirements are different to those listed above. Can I still come whitewater rafting?

The only mandatory requirement is that you can swim. We will try to accommodate and make adjustments to adapt the session to your specific needs. Give us a ring on 01678 521083 or pop us an email at info@nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk to discuss your requirements. We'd love to take you rafting on the Afon Tryweryn, the best whitewater river in the UK!