Breede River
Breede River · western cape
About
The Breede is widely used by Western Cape K1-paddlers. It is mostly flat with weirs and low-level bridges to negotiate, and palmiet channels in its upper reaches. Dam control gives it reliable year-round flow. The annual two-day Breede River marathon is held on a portion, along with various shorter races. Darling bridge to Wysersdrif: Narrow with small rapids. The main hazards are numerous low-level bridges. Most should be portaged at low levels; at high levels they produce strong stopper waves. Scout all of them at any level. Wysersdrif to Nekkies Resort: Very easy, a good K1 practice section. Nekkies Resort to Alfiesdrif: Small class 1 rapids and a shootable weir halfway (scout first). An early take-out at the R43 bridge comes at 7km; otherwise continue 5km further to the dirt road at Alfiesdrif. Watch for trees at high levels. Alfiesdrif to Silverstrand: 38km of mostly flat water and small rapids. Portage a weir halfway at Eilandia on the left, and portage a rocky weir at about 30km. About 10 minutes before the end take a shortcut into a small left channel to avoid a boat-breaking rapid on the main flow; then portage the low-level bridge and a tree-block, both on the left. McGregor bridge to Bonnievale (Breede River marathon day 1, 37km): Small rapids, several weirs and low-level bridges. A sliding weir at Goudmyn, halfway down, is shootable on the right; portage the low-level bridge 100m further on the left. Portage another low-level bridge 300m further on the left. The Secunda weir beyond is shootable slowly on the right. The final obstacle is a low-level bridge 20 minutes before the end: go under at low level, portage at medium level, run straight over at high level after scouting from the right. Drew bridge to Swellendam (marathon day 2): Mostly small rapids apart from Waterfall rapid, runnable at most levels but scout first. Scout the Swellendam weir near the end before attempting. Take-out at Die Stroom, just upstream of Bontebok National Park. Below Bontebok: A scenic 40km stretch for K1s, plastic kayaks and rafters. K1-paddlers take 5 to 6 hours; others can make a relaxed two-day trip. Rapids are mostly class 1 to 2 with long flats. A small waterfall shortly after the put-in should be portaged by K1-paddlers but is fun for plastic kayaks and crocs at most levels. Most access points, including the take-out, are on private land; request permission.