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so you would want to be out with someone else or on very sheltered water. Does that fit with what you’re looking to do?
For me, yes, I am highly risk averse so I am only likely to ever paddle in the safest places available. I looked quite hard for locations this summer for our inflatable that I could verify were safe enough and I basically ended up doing nothing other than the one little cove and a beach.
Now it's summer, time to give this a bump.
My wife suggested a bit of kayaking on a local river, so I'm thinking about the easiest and safest possible short trip around Cardiff. There's a stretch between Pontypridd and Cardiff between two weirs that would be great, but I'm paranoid about accidentally getting too close to the weir at Llandaff and being sucked over to our doom. There's a rowing club to get out at and I can't imagine I'd miss it.
Is being accidentally sucked over weirs a risk when the water's low?
Without seeing the weir in question it’s hard to say but low water doesn’t automatically mean more or less dangerous.
But in low flow conditions you aren’t likely to be swept over one by mistake.
It looks like a relatively slow flow weir.
I would say you should be ok but all weirs should be treated with maximum respect.
Just get out in plenty of time.
Radyr weir upstream is a hydro station and blackweir downstream looks fairly shallow sloping and mellow too.
But still make a judgement on the day and it's best to stay well away if you're unsure.
That's my thought. The boat club is way over on the left of that pic and it's a known easy place to get out.
EDIT although some people say you can use it, other parts of the internet say it's private.
Yeah, I wouldn't have thought there would be too much pull on that at this time of year.
Your boat would probably go aground on the lip, at that level, not that I suggest you try it. The flow will be minimal, and easy to paddle away from the weir unless there's a very strong wind (in which case I don't think you'd be paddling anyway). So, I agree with the advice to be cautious about weirs, but that weir at that level isn't a problem.
Life long kayaker here, all disciplines. You are right to be concerned about weirs and other constructions in the water. In that picture at that river level I would anticipate being able to paddle to the lip, have a look and then paddle away again if you wanted. At higher flows it could have some potential for trouble assuming you were to go over it, based on the angles of the slope/drop and the presence of the shingle banking at the base of the slopes. Its hard to judge distance in a picture but the pontoon looks extremely unlikely to be affected by flow to the point you could be swept to the weir, even at super turbo flow levels
Incidentally, if you are in an inflatable be very cautious around any construction, there is always little bits of rebar sticking out that can puncture a chamber!
@molgrips - the weir pictured is fine. However - stay *well* clear of any horseshoe-shaped weirs - danger danger.
I've been drinking, so no appetite to type. Just trust me 🙂
Also, particularly in inflatables, be mindful of strong wind.
I've got a fiberglass Canadian canoe and the higher sides mean any gusts can really ping me off course.
Wouldn't want that above a weir.
Has anyone actually used the decathlon drop stich kayaks. I quite fancy one just for messing around one lakes in France and the canals near me. I’m not interested in a rigid kayak and I won’t be going on Rivers or the sea in it.
They review fairly well.
Has anyone actually used the decathlon drop stich kayaks
Not used personally, but I saw one being paddled in the wild and was impressed with its rigidity and fairly low-profile form.
Just drive over the Taf on the M4 and saw some people paddle boarding on it. Clearly it's being done and I am not seeing regular drowning news articles so that makes me feel a bit better!
Re the drop stitch kayak - there are rigid foldable ones for that kind of money. Would be nice not to have to worry about punctures from hitting rocks in low water or, around here, snagging it on shopping trolleys.
Im in France at the moment the X100 is 35O euros versus £400 in the uk I’ve convinced the boss that we should get one. Heading to the nearest decathlon on Monday
22 years kayaking here - whitewater, sprint, surf
definitely get some BCU approved courses and skills under your belt if planning on anything more than a splash about somewhere with plenty of surveillance
Canoe safety test , bcu level 2, safety and rescue etc
Join a club if you can , as others have said
And personally I’d avoid inflatables on moving water or sea: In biking if you crash you’ll come to a stop soon enough. In a river or sea , if you get into difficulty you will keep going and have to self rescue unless with competent others who can assist.
Get tuition, learn the safety features of your kit, and what kit you should always have on you.
Too many bad experiences and some absent friends. That’s whitewater tho.
Lots of amazing experiences and travelling to remote beautiful parts of the world too though !