Klip River
Klip River · gauteng, free state
Grade
II
Length
21km
Duration
2 to 4 hours
Type
pool drop
About
21km. Mostly flat with enough rapids to be entertaining. Close to Joburg, always holds paddleable water. Good beginner kayaking section. Multiple access points for shorter trips. Water is often polluted. From Henley-on-Klip: mostly flat, one weir shootable left. Several tree blocks squeeze through at most levels or need a quick portage. Meyerton sports ground (most commonly used put-in): biggest rapids follow, no serious strainers. ~2km past the bridge - notable rapid with two drops 10m apart. Fun at low/medium; suckback strengthens with level and the bottom hole becomes a killer requiring portage at high water. Washes out into a big green wave at flood. Small playhole ~50m below at low water. Rothdene campsite (5km below sports ground): boulder weir with an easy chute at all levels. Also an access point. Between Rothdene and the train bridge (5km on): low-level bridge - pass under far right at low water, over the middle at high water. Weir below the train bridge has a dangerous suckback at low levels (portage), becomes a surf wave at higher water. Train bridge also serves as a take-out. Final run to the Vaal confluence: largely flat. A few tree blocks; one weir nasty at some levels - portage right bank. One significant tree block on a sharp right-hand turn - portage right.
Permits
None