Coached groups
Coaches are welcome to bring their groups to the Tryweryn, to use the centre as a venue for hosting their course. We have wet and dry classrooms available for coaches who wish to hire a space, but if you’re trying to keep costs down, then we also have a number of picnic benches and outdoor meeting points that you’re welcome to use to meet and greet your clients.
Prices for coached groups
Students are charged at the same rate as Paddle UK members, regardless of whether they have that membership or not. Working coaches paddle free of charge.
Before your first visit
Coaches must submit a copy of their qualifications and their National Governing Body membership to us, before their first visit or as they arrive, in order that we can check that they are working within remit when coaching here.
When you arrive
All coaches should report to reception to check-in on arrival at the centre.
If using Top Site for rescue training, you must book in advance by calling the centre.
Site information for coaches
The guidance here on river grading and appropriate qualifications when using different sections of the Afon Tryweryn is not a substitute for a coach's sound professional judgement and decision-making. Particularly note that water levels on the lower river can change dramatically as a result of rainfall.
River management and environmental hazards
The Afon Tryweryn is a natural venue with the upper part of the river managed by Canolfan Tryweryn, the National White Water Centre. The lower section is a natural river which is largely unmanaged and therefore will have hazards you would normally expect to find in this type of environment. The river is dam controlled with a range of different releases. The lower section also has additional water feeding into it so levels on the Lower Tryweryn can be higher than the release level indicated at the centre on the day.
River grading by section
The Top site from the Welsh Water gate to the Raft put in steps (old Chipper location) is grade 3. https://w3w.co/silently.raven.petrified to https://w3w.co/collects.winds.eventful
The section from the raft put on steps to the large raft briefing eddy river right is grade 2.
https://w3w.co/collects.winds.eventful to https://w3w.co/mango.shunts.morphing
The Upper section from the large raft briefing eddy river right to Chapel Falls is graded as 3-4.
https://w3w.co/mango.shunts.morphing to https://w3w.co/submerged.tightrope.impact
The lower section from Chapel Falls to Bala is graded 2-3 with Bala Mill Falls at Class 4.
https://w3w.co/submerged.tightrope.impact to https://w3w.co/enjoyable.shifts.package
This last rapid, Bala Mill Falls, has a leat running above the drop so can easily be avoided, at https://w3w.co/flock.long.dragonfly.
Each coach / leader has a responsibility to remain within the remit of the award held, and their students must have an appropriate level of skill and experience to be taught in that environment.
| Coaching qualification/leadership award | Section |
|---|---|
| White water coach award kayak | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| Advanced water canoe coach | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| BCU Level 3 kayak | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| BCU Level 4 canoe | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| Advanced water kayak | All sections. All sections with slalom gates. All sections covered by the coach's remit. |
| BCU level 4 kayak | All sections. All sections with slalom gates. All sections covered by the coach's remit. |
| Slalom coach | All sections. All sections with slalom gates. All sections covered by the coach's remit. |
| Performance slalom coach | All sections. All sections with slalom gates. All sections covered by the coach's remit. |
| WWR coach and performance coach | All sections. All sections with slalom gates. All sections covered by the coach's remit. |
| WW Kayak Leader | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| 4* Kayak Leader | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| Advanced Canoe Leader | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| 5* Canoe Leader | Raft put-on steps, to the large raft briefing eddy river right. Lower section from the camp site to Bala, avoiding Bala Mill Falls via the leat. |
| Advanced kayak leader | All sections |
For any other qualifications not listed above, please consult Paddle UK guidance or email the National White Water Centre explaining your individual situation.
