Lord Of The Rings

Today I was passing close to the Lee Valley Whitewater Course and payed them a 'surprise inspection' visit primarily to check if they've been pulling their socks up to just above the knee and also because I'm a nosy bleeder who can't wait to see the water we'll be visiting over the summer months.

As the centre is still officially 'in construction' with no public access permitted, Security asked for my credentials before admitting me..

It's amazing what a quick flash of  'The Cardiff Challenge'  kayak medallion can do. When I informed them that only three have ever been minted; the red carpet was rolled out and 'access all areas' status granted with my very own eager to please tour guide who took me by request straight to the deep end...

The Olympic Course...

The 300 metre competition course has a drop of 5.5 metres, for an average slope of 1.8% (18 m/km) and a pump-powered streamflow of 15 cumecs per second , 4 out of 5 pumps were working and the Slovenian National Team were practising as well as some rafts.


 The crystal clear green water runs deep and powerful with small confused eddys, multiple pourover drops and  a mother of a hole 3/4 way down. Ideal for playboats.  High concrete walls on either side with only an occasional take out opportunity for swimmers and rafting evacuees. An open plan conveyor belt effortlessly takes rafts and boaters from the lake to the start point. Photography was prohibited so you'll have to imagine the scene below with freshly laid turf.

 The centre boasts an excellent viewing gallery with lots of party room, the cafeteria was small, unimpressive and not up to the CIWW standard, the same can also be said of the changing rooms
(who really needs fancy digital lockers)?



The reception staff were friendly and welcoming, despite having a morbid fixation that when the doors are thrown open to the thrill seeking park n'play brigade next weekend an air-ambulance will be permanently shuttling casualties to A&E;  perhaps they've been tipped off by Cardiff that Mike is planning another club trip?

Can I get off now please?