The Global Paddling Community

Playriver: UK, England, Leeds, River Washburn playspots

What's it like

For many Yorkshire paddlers the Washburn is the place where they tentatively take their first strokes in moving water. Indeed, the Washburn is the only dam-controlled site in England. If when you arrive it is raining, consider one of the local gems like the Wharfe for example. Even though this Washburn is technically graded at 2-3, there is ample scope for the playboater. However, when considering a trip to the Washburn, you must acknowledge that everything is in 'micro-scale'. The river is very narrow, with tinny eddies and small waves.

After the initial 150m (where there are some interesting eddy lines and waves), the river is forced over a weir, albeit a small one with a weak stopper. Blast transitions are popular here, as well as splitwheels. Squirters have the opportunity to subout, but remember the depth of the river...

As the river leaves the weir, the eddies begin to fill with trees, making breaking out difficult. There are some obvious waves and boof spots before the river calms down. A large weir soon appears with a nice sized eddy on river left to choose a line. Playing in this weir has the added difficulty of not being able to see other paddlers coming over the lip (this is particularly a problem when faced with the bow of a downriver racer). Multiple ends are possible in the weir though care must be taken to retain the feeder eddy, as the next break-out is not for a while.

300m down from this weir another broken weir can be run. This is immediately followed by a river wide wave that allows for numerous flat spins and other wave moves. However, this wave is very shallow (painful rolling territory) and there are no feeder eddies. The only way to get on the wave is to drop on it from upstream, egressing the wave about 10m below on the footpath side.

This is the end of the playable features, though plans are afoot to enhance the river for playboaters. Egress below the wave, or alternatively go with the flow to the car park 1500m downstream. The get out is after the road bridge on the river right.

Due to the dam-controlled nature of the river, it is only open for approx. 22 releases a year. However, there are often releases on Wednesday evenings ( 16:30 - 20:00 ), ensuring a paddle after work.

How to get there

The river is located near the Thruscross Reservoir on the A59 Harrogate to Skipton road just outside Blubberhouses.

More info

There is a coast incurred which covers ample car parking and toilet block. Y2K £6 GB for full day and £4 GB for evening session. Information line +44 1426 978654 ( for releases and up-to-date costs ) BCU Yorkshire

Locals

Other Kayakers, clubs and downriver racers.

Events

No events are held on the site. Though consult BCU handbook or contact site to confirm release dates.

Info source

Daz Clarkson