Bushmans River – Wagendrift Dam to Estcourt
Bushmans River – Wagendrift Dam to Estcourt · kwazulu-natal
Grade
III
Length
8 km
Duration
2 to 3 hours in kayak, 30 to 45 min in K1
Type
pool drop
About
A popular stretch for K1 and slalom paddlers. Short and essentially a practice run for K1s, with mostly class 1 and 2 rapids plus a few easy class 3s. Flats are slightly long, but the brevity keeps it worthwhile for kayakers. A fairly high weir about two-thirds of the way can be run at very low flows; otherwise portage. The weir just before the take-out is easily shootable at low levels but is best portaged at high levels, carrying on river left. The slalom-practice rapids are reachable by road. From town, take the road past the golf course; at the T-junction turn right to Red Banks, the first slalom rapid on the banks of the polo cross fields — keep vehicles off the fields to avoid upsetting admin. Turn left at the same T-junction for Black Rock, the second slalom rapid. Both feature nice play-waves at higher levels.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
Ask permission at entrance to dam