TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Whitewater activities have a danger of personal injury and death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Paddlers must be sufficiently experienced and equipped to paddle in this environment considering the level of the flow and difficulty of the Afon Tryweryn.

Equipment must include a craft suitable for whitewater, a whitewater buoyancy aid to meet ISO12402-5/6 and an appropriate whitewater helmet to meet EN1385.

All participants must be able to self-rescue.

All people providing bank support must wear a whitewater buoyancy aid to meet ISO12402-5/6 and an appropriate whitewater helmet to meet EN1385.

The Afon Tryweryn is not supervised by safety teams. Canolfan Tryweryn - The National White Water Centre (NWWC) recommends always paddling with a buddy.

Give way to craft upstream when possible.

Be aware that rafts handle differently to kayaks - a raft may be committed to entering the flow or a feature and be unable to take evasive action.

Ensure your line is clear before committing to any rapid.

Fedw'r Gog (Miss Davies’ Bridge) is a weak bridge. Avoid passing beneath when there is a vehicle crossing.

The Afon Tryweryn below the NWWC does not benefit from regular inspections for hazards, or the automatic removal of any hazard that comes to light.

Ingress and egress points for the lower river are at the NWWC site and the fire station car park in Bala only. Do not ingress or egress at any other location on the river.

All persons signing will benefit from Canŵ Cymru/Canoe Wales day membership, with the exception of current UK Paddlesport Governing Body members.

The shuttle service is for boats. Please use the paths when walking back up. Boats will be unloaded and left unattended at the top. Lifts back to the top are available for paddlers with additional needs.

Paddlers should be aware and accept that using the shuttle trailer may result in wear and tear on boats. The driver is responsible for determining when the trailer is full and for securing the load.

Proof of national governing body (NGB) membership will be required where discounted Facility Fee bookings have been made.

Bookings are non-refundable, except in the event of a water release cancellation. Any refunds will be made to the payment card and can take up to 30 working days to show on a bank statement.

Anyone booking for a person other than themselves must have authority from that person to accept the terms and conditions on their behalf.

The parent/guardian or other responsible adult appointed by the parent/guardian accepts the terms and conditions on behalf of a person under 18.

In line with current guidance from paddlesports NGBs, the NWWC does not endorse the use of leashes while using SUPs in whitewater.

The NWWC is unable to accept any liability in respect of loss or damage to property, howsoever caused, at the NWWC.

The Centre Staff reserve the right to refuse participation to anyone thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Everyone should be treated with respect and should give respect to others both on and off the water. Everyone should feel safe to enjoy their time here. Please speak to reception or NWWC management with any concerns about how anyone is being treated.

Whilst taking part in an activity, participants may be photographed by NWWC or their approved agents. These images may be used for promotion by NWWC or their approved agents. If this is not acceptable, please contact the NWWC prior to your activities.

Coaches must hold adequate liability insurance.

All coaches and instructors working at Canolfan Tryweryn must be qualified to the appropriate level and must not work outside of their remit. These qualifications must be submitted to NWWC prior to coaching here.

Coaches must report to reception on arrival.

It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that paddlers under their instruction are of an appropriate standard to paddle here.

It is the coach's responsibility to ensure that their group are aware of and abide by the terms and conditions of use at all time.

Coaches must read and understand the Venue Guidance document on the NWWC website.

Raft racing teams must be experienced to raft on a grade 3 river without a guide, including the capability, training and equipment to deal with a pinned raft and other river incidents. Teams should be able to maintain control and avoid collisions.

Any team found not to be of the required standard will be asked to leave the river and seek training prior to returning.

Race training is acceptable but must not interfere with other water users.

Rafts must break out upstream of Ski Slope to visually check the stopper is clear before committing to the rapid. 

Alternatively, a suitably experienced spotter should check and signal when clear.

The river right eddy and groyne immediately downstream of Fedw'r Gog (Miss Davies’ Bridge) must be clear of rafts before committing to this rapid.

The Top Site is the area between the Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water gate and the raft put-in steps. There is no access upstream of the Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water gates.

The Top Site is the most suitable area for rescue training, but must be pre-booked.

All coaches and instructors must be qualified to the appropriate level, and must not work outside of their remit.

It is the coach's/instructor's responsibility to ensure that their group abide by the terms of use at all times.

The turning circle and access track over the farm bridge must be kept clear at all times.

The entirety of the Top Site should be treated as farmland. As such, dogs should be kept under control at all times.

Applicable to Top Site (subject to a suitable water release of 7 cumecs or more).

January to May: Open from immediately below Fishtrap Weir to the raft put-in steps.

June to October: Open from Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water gate to the raft put-in steps.

November to December: Top Site closed. Please enquire at reception for suitable alternative rescue training venues at NWWC during these months.