The Afon Tryweryn was the first natural river with an enhanced dam-release flow to be harnessed for rafting in the UK. We've now been rafting it for over 40 years, and it remains the best  whitewater rafting river that the UK has to offer. The Tryweryn has more rapids per mile, more thrills per hour, than any other natural UK river. If you like your rafting on water that is white, this is the venue to choose. 

Yes. You will be paddling the raft but there will also be a qualified guide with you at all times who is in control of the raft.

Our guides have worldwide experience and hold International Rafting Federation and Rescue 3 Europe qualifications. The Afon Tryweryn still draws the guides back every summer, due to our fantastic rapids. 

Not at all! We ask that rafters are able to swim and are physically fit. You will attend a full safety briefing before going on the water where your experienced, qualified guide will make sure everyone is happy with the commands.

We've had people of all ages from 10 to 90 rafting on the Tryweryn, and everyone from first-timers to world champions and Olympians have enjoyed the best whitewater rafting river in the UK!

The minimum age for the Tryweryn Safari is 10 years old. The minimum age for the Ultimate Rafting and Rapid Session is 12.

We have no maximum age - people as old as 90 have rafted on the Afon Tryweryn.

Everyone rafting must be able to swim and be physically fit. We don't recommend rafting activities for people who are pregnant.

The maximum weight limit for rafting is 115kg (18st) and the maximum chest size is 130cm (51in).

Many additional needs and medical conditions can be accommodated when rafting - it's always best to seek advice from your doctor beforehand. Rafting will involve moderate exertion, and can involve falling into cold water (albeit whilst wearing a wetsuit). We're always happy to chat through your needs on 01678 521083 or by email to discuss whether whitewater rafting is for you.

Unfortunately not. Due to the nature of whitewater rafting we must insist that the same participants remain throughout as they will have to attend the safety briefing and gain a level of familiarisation with the activity and the guide as the session progresses.

We have a talented photographer on site, apart from a few winter days when conditions just won't be favourable for photos. When you've finished your rafting session, pop along to the booth by reception, where you can view your photos prior to purchase. 

Unfortunately, we can't allow the use of Go Pros whilst rafting, for safety reasons.

We do occasionally raft the River Dee (Afon Dyfrdwy) when the flow on the Dee is high enough, which is generally in autumn. However, although the River Dee is a beautiful river, it's nowhere near as exciting as the Tryweryn for whitewater rafting, which is why we choose to operate on the Tryweryn.

On a raft trip down the River Dee, rafters will encounter a couple of short sections of whitewater, but because the River Dee is not as steep or fast-flowing as the Tryweryn, rafting on the Tryweryn is better-suited to people wanting more excitement. The River Dee offers a scenic float through some beautiful countryside, much like our Tryweryn Safari, but without the big kick finale that the Safari trip offers with a Class 4 rapid at Bala Mill Falls.

The edge that the Tryweryn has over the Dee is that the Tryweryn is dam-released, guaranteeing an excellent level of flow when there is a water release. When all other rivers are too low to raft, the Tryweryn is pumping.

The Tryweryn is a dam-release river in the Dee valley used to support water consumption from the River Dee in times of low water.

November, however, is not typically dry, so the fantastic Afon Tryweryn releases become more sporadic. Also, November is a great time for rafting other rivers that usually can't come close to offering the thrills that the Tryweryn offers all year round. 

Other rivers that can have great rafting in November and are nearby are the Afon Mawddach, Afon Conwy and River Dee (but usually only in autumn and winter when the water levels can be high enough to match our high energy sessions on the Tryweryn).

Our preferred choice is the Afon Mawddach since it offers the longest run of the three and the longest section of continuous whitewater comparable to the Tryweryn without the flat sections between the rapids found on the River Dee.

The Afon Mawddach at Coed Y Brenin park is a 30 minute drive from the centre through beautiful scenery. 

Typically the travel time to Llangollen from the National White Water Centre is 35 mins. There are public toilets at the start of the Dee and Mawddach trips. We will return you to the centre for hot showers and the café after all rafting sessions. 

Yes, we do sell gift vouchers and gift cards for all our white water rafting experiences, as well as our canyoning adventure, these can be purchased via our website, or give us a call. 

To redeem them all you have to do it choose a date and when you make a booking, it will ask you to input your voucher code or give us a call and we will be happy to help you get booked in.

Yes. The café has a riverside terrace where you can watch the activities. There is also the Tryweryn Trail footpath along the length of the rafting course and many picnic areas dotted around the site.

Yes, we are very dog-friendly at the National White Water Centre. Providing all dogs are kept under control, all are welcome. Please take extra care during lambing season.

Yes, Manon's Riverside Café is on site. There are cakes, snacks and delicious hot lunches plus plenty of hot drinks should you need warming up after your session. They also serve wood-fired pizzas on busy weekend days. 

You should bring swimwear and a towel. If you own a wetsuit and it is suitable for rafting or canyoning (i.e. long-legged) then you can bring that along too. Don't worry if you don't own a wetsuit - we offer them for hire. We provide wetsuit boots, helmets and buoyancy aids on all our sessions.

Yes, wetsuits are compulsory - but you'll be glad of it when you get splashed! The wetsuit also offers a layer of protection against knocks.

We have a full range of wetsuits to fit a range of sizes, and we are one of the few activity providers in the UK who offer wetsuits to fit both male and female physiques.

If you have your own wetsuit it must be long-legged and checked over by the Centre staff before your session. If you do not have your own they are available to hire. Wetsuit boots are included in your session price. If you'd like some tips on how to put on a wetsuit, check out our handy blog post. 

If you may need your medication (eg asthma inhaler) while you're on the raft, yes bring it with you. We can keep medications dry in our first aid kits on the rafts. 

The Tryweryn is a dam controlled river, and Natural Resources Wales control these releases. White water rafting can only take place when there is a water release of 9 cumecs (9 cubic metres of water per second) or above. For more information about the water releases on the Tryweryn visit The River page.

We tend to find out only two to three days before the event, so the best thing to do is to check the Water Information page a few days before you are rafting.

Although there isn’t a water release every day, the upside to that is that every release we do have is an absolute banger! There’s no such thing as a low-water release day on the Tryweryn. That’s how we can confidently assert that this is truly the best whitewater rafting in the UK. We don’t need to wait for the big autumn rains! We can raft all year round - even in the summer when other rivers are too low.

You should keep checking the water information page before you travel to the Centre in case of any late changes. In the unlikely event of a last-minute change, you will, of course, have the option to reschedule, place your booking on hold, or receive a full refund.