Vaal River – Kloppers to Vischgat (or Groenoewers)

About

Flow depends on Vaal Dam releases — for races a suitable level is usually arranged with Rand Water. For races Rand Water grants access just below the dam wall. Otherwise stop at the bridge below the wall and walk down river left to put in below the bridge. Kloppers' rapid is at the put-in — easy in itself but chaotic at race starts. 2km flat to the first weir. Can be run far left or far right at very low levels but has broken many boats — a quick portage is safer. Portage essential at anything above very low flows. Below the weir the river channels up. Main feature is the Chute (~7km from start) — the whole river squeezes through a 5m gap. Race-level flows produce large standing waves; K1s must stay centred to avoid a flip when the bow catches the eddy fence. Nice surf waves above 200 cumecs. More channels and small rapids for 2km to Vischgat. At race levels main line is on the right with a drop at the end, straightforward middle line, chicken runs far left. Long rapid, surrounding boulders make portage hard — scout beforehand. Big holes at high water but still runnable for competent kayakers. Vischgat weir below the rapid is shootable on the far right at some levels but is usually best portaged — at most levels it is a killer. Recovery distance between rapid and weir is enough for a swim. Take out at Vischgat weir on the right bank (rough road, carry up a hill) or continue ~6km of mostly flat to the Groenoewers picnic site on the left.

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