Pesda Whitewater Mini-Guide
LOWER TAVY
#11
WHEREVER THERE’S WATER
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Lower Tavy | Mark Rainsley ukriversguidebook.co.uk
INTRODUCTION The section described here has some
enjoyable rapids and is regularly paddleable. It has similarities to the Dart Loop and offers an easier alternative which
There is no access agreement for this section of the Tavy. Objections were received from a landowner. However, in the
winter of 2002-3 he confirmed that he has no objections to
is ideal for coaching. Local experts rate this section for its
sensible, unobtrusive groups outside the fishing season.
WATER LEVEL Paddleable for two or three days after
rapids take you out of town. Watch out for a stopper lurking
possible when the upper sections are too low. On the other
series of small drops form a grade 2 rapid.
playboating in flood.
heavy rain has brought the upper Tavy into gear, this trip is
hand, it remains fun and relatively safe in full flood (continu-
ous grade 3) when similar sections such as the Dart Loop are flowing through the trees.
GAUGE If it is possible to paddle down the rapids beside
the car park in Tavistock, the rest will be fine.
ACCESS This trip begins in the centre of Tavistock where
DESCRIPTION Launching below the town weir, fast easy
under one bridge in high water. As you pass the last houses, a
The Tavy now winds through woodland away from civilisation and roads, with frequent grade 2+ rapids and drops (and
some great surf waves in high water). Groups inexperienced
on white water will love this. The enjoyable River Walkham
enters from river left and shortly after the river bends sharply left and then right below a cliff with a house on top. This
is the hardest rapid on the river, a grade 3 slalom through big rocks.
there are all sorts of parking possibilities. Best option is a
The next hazard is a weir which can be run in most water
the town weir. Also consider beginning on the upper Tavy.
are now back in civilisation and houses line the banks. Just
good parking here.
an enjoyable play wave at all water levels.
large car park (482 743) on river right just downstream of
Take out on river left at Denham bridge, (477 678). There is
levels. Inspect and portage if necessary on river left. You before Denham bridge is a tiny sloping weir which produces
Contributor: Mark Rainsley
Excerpt adapted from English White Water, the BCU Guidebook ISBN 0953195678, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon. For details of this and other books, as well as downloads of mini-guides and
WWW.CANOEKAYAK.CO.UK
route cards in this series, visit:
WWW.PESDAPRESS.COM
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#11 LOWER TAVY
PESDA WHITEWATER MINI-GUIDE
OS SHEET GRADE
0
1
2km
OS map data reproduced with the kind permission of the Ordnance Survey
11 km
LENGTH
201 2+(3)
Design & text adapted from the BCU guide to English White Water, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon.