Caledon River

About

Large, demanding K1 run below Welbedacht Dam with several big rapids - do not underestimate. Usually too low; normally paddled only for races when a dam release is arranged. Welbedacht Dam is small, silts up regularly; releases follow good rains. Start just below the dam wall. ~1km down: a 1.5m weir, shootable via chutes in the middle or far right (scoutable by road). ~5km of flat, then a large rapid with an awkward drop and wave train in a K1. ~3km further: a major rapid with a 1m drop directly in front of an iron bridge - run far left. ~3km on: 'Yster se hek' on a right-hand bend. Soon after, the river splits round an island with interesting but non-serious rapids on both sides. ~2km flat ends at a weir, shootable far right - beware rocks at the bottom. Next 8km flat. A biggish rapid with a tight turn at the bottom ends the flat. Small rapids for ~1km, culminating in a slightly bigger rapid with a drop at the base - run more or less on the left. Final few km to the take-out are flat. Take-out marked by a round stone-built pumphouse. River is completely flat from there to the N6.

Access

Permits

Permission from farmer at take-out (race organisers take care of that)

Recent sessions