Articles - Cardiff International White Water Course Review

Cardiff International White Water Course - First Impressons

I don’t know about you, but I get excited when new things come out. I got excited when the Lord of the Rings came out as a film, I simply fell into a giddy state when I put on
my first all in one thermal. Each year we’re presented with newness, new boats gear and opportunities to paddle. The latter I believe is rather important to us as paddlers. So you can understand my school boy excitement when Ben Longhurst at the Cardiff Whitewater Course invited the Canoe and Kayak Team for a sneak preview of the centre. 

The new whitewater facility is due to open in the next few weeks. This new whitewater course will allow paddlers of all ages and abilities to get access to the man-made whitewater. The centre is located in the heart of Cardiff Bay home to the very successful Cardiff bay watersports events. The location of the new course is ideal for newcomers to the sport. 

The course itself is fast, very, very fast. Even with only 8 cumecs releasing the course is a burst of energy. With plenty of tight fast eddies and shooting jets this course packs in plenty of punch for it’s pound, oh yes! Due to the width and depth of the course the ride is a quick one and could be very interesting for a newcomer to whitewater. During our visit the team were still playing with the omniflots to create some good playspots for the playboaters. Whilst playing in the bottom hole. The intended home for  to be the location for Youth Freestyle event Ben asked “ Ross, do you want to try it with some more water?” He needn’t have asked I was like a kid in a very wet candy store. “Yes please!” I said with a laddish grin. Within minutes the feature had totally changed. From 8 cumecs to 12 with a flick of a button. Now I am not one for technology as I tend to get thrawted by the simpliest devices, such as ipods and toasters. But this was cool very cool. Not to mention the conveyor belt to take to the top.
            
The use of the course will benefit all water goers. With the chance for freestyle features to be tailor made for events such as the Youth Freestyle that's due to be running on the 15th of August. Along with other sports such as slalom and rafting events this facility is scarcely going to be out of use. The course has also cacught the interest of the local fire services and flood rescue teams in the area along with the RNLI, it seems everyone's going to be drabbing their toes in the water. The main centre has some rather cool features; which include heated flooring in the changing rooms, a wet class room, a fully licsenced bar and an area that allows rescue teams to bolt in cars under water for rescue training; very cool indeed!

Now I could tell you all about  the fun-filled action that you'll find at Cardiff Whitewater Course. However I think that you should take a trip down there to test it out for yourself. We'll see you there!