Vaal River – Barkly West

About

Big-volume class 4 — competent class 4 paddlers only. First few km flat with small rapids. Once the first big rapid appears, scout everything after. Rapids are wide and fairly long with nasty pour-overs and large holes that must be avoided. Some carry lethal weirs on the side feeding irrigation channels — watch for them. Bombing the middle does NOT work here; precise manoeuvring required. Intended lines are class 4; missing them puts you in class 5-6. Crux rapids: Stairway Falls — almost a broken waterfall across the river, up to 5m. Two visible lines; portage if not committed. Double Trouble — starts small, steepens suddenly, ends in two massive pour-overs. Avoid by skirting far left. Closing stretch is flat with small rapids, except Gong-Gong Falls near the end — sloped waterfall left of an island, washes out at high water. Above 400 cumecs the main section becomes huge, pools nearly disappear, and a swim can be long and dangerous. Excellent surf waves form. Also worthwhile at low flows — channels open up and rapids get more technical.

Access

Permits

Permission from resort to put in. Ask and be friendly.

Recent sessions