Klip River

About

A favourite of Gauteng-based K1-paddlers and a good beginner kayaking section, the Klip has enough rapids to be entertaining, sits close to Johannesburg, and always holds paddleable water. An annual race covers the full 21km described here, with additional access points for shorter trips. From the Henley-on-Klip put-in the river is mostly flat, with one weir shootable on the left. Several tree blocks squeeze through at most levels, otherwise require a quick portage. The Meyerton sports ground is the most commonly used put-in, with the river's biggest rapids on the following section and no serious strainers. About 2km past the bridge is a notable rapid with two drops spaced 10m apart: fun at low to medium levels, but the suckback strengthens as water rises and the bottom hole becomes a killer requiring a portage at high water. At flood levels it washes out into a large green wave ideal for playboating. A small playhole forms around 50m below at low water. A boulder weir at Rothdene campsite, 5km below the sports ground, offers an easy chute at all levels and doubles as an access point. Between this weir and the train bridge 5km further, the main obstacle is a low-level bridge — pass under on the far right at low water, or go over the middle at high water. A weir below the train bridge has a dangerous suckback at low levels (portage advised) but becomes a surf wave at higher water. The train bridge itself serves as another take-out. The final run to the Vaal confluence at the Riverfront in Three Rivers, Vereeniging, is largely flat but includes a few tree blocks and a weir that is nasty at some levels (portage on the right bank). One significant tree block on a sharp right-hand turn is easily portaged right. The Klip passes through Meyerton and Vereeniging; scenery varies, alien vegetation lines much of the banks, and the water is often polluted.

Access

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