the excitement of the Underberg Gorge, after which the rest of the day is largely taken up by long flat pools, before the final flash of action in the Lower Gorge before the finish. For more details on each obstacle, click on the highlighted rapid names to check out tips and photos.

Rapid Descriptions

Taylors weir (2,94 km )
the first obstacle of the day, and an easy thrill for everyone. Shoot it one metre from the left in medium to full conditions, or 45 degrees right in the centre in a low river.
  

Thommos rapid (6,9km)
rocky and boney in low conditions. The best lines are left of centre.
  

Brandon rapid (7,4km)
An easy rocky ledge best shot down the chicken run on the left.

Scotston's Bridge (8,97km)

Scotston's Weir (10,01km) - The Mineshaft! Safe early morning thrills just 1km from the bridge!
  

The Underberg Gorge (12,72km)
This wonderful 3,5km stretch of water starts shortly after the weir, and includes the Tokolosh, Big Dipper and ends with the Glenhaven rapid.

Tokolosh (13,07km)
The first major drop in the gorge. Approach it from the left, and then ride the waves down the centre. Two more smaller rapids follow before the corner of the Gorge.
  

The Big Dipper (13,97km)
A sharp left hand drop, against the valley wall. Best line is left of centre.
  

Full Stop Rapid (14,61km)
Follow the water down the main channel on the left of the river, but an easy decision about whether to go left or right of the BIG rock (fullstop rock) right in the middle of the main channel at the bottom of the rapid. There is a good line dopwn the right of centre that is a big tricky to get into but opens up as you go down.

Boatgobbler Rapid (14,84km)
Take the right hand channel, and enjoy the waves that get progressively bigger as you go down!

Glenhaven (16,31km)
A monster at any level. The best line is down the right, which has opened up slightly this year, but the dicey centre line is still an option.
  

Callaway bridge (19,51km)
If the race start has to be moved due to very low water, this will be the first day finish. It is on the first Coleford Road. There are a few fun rapids on the next stretch, but also a lot of

Flatwater - 7kms to the Lower Gorge.

Gold's bridge (27,06km)
A good spectator and seconding point, where the Powerade seconding station will be situated.

Dunraven Bridge (29,91km)
A wooden pedestrian bridge accessible to spectators. 4km to the Lower Gorge.

Lower Gorge (33,98km)
After several kilometres of flatwater, the steep sides of the valley and a pine forest announce the arrival of the Lower Gorge. The rapids are easily readable.

Mkhulu Rapid (34,27km)
Getting bigger and better every year. This chute down the right of a huge rockpile in the gorge is channeling nicely. The best line is at 45 degrees right, in the main channel. Enjoy the drop and the waves! in low river conditions, it may require some brave sliding over the rocks to negotiate. Be bold,
  

Heaven and Hell (35,12km)
At the end of the gorge, the river spills over a ledge that is easily shootable on the left of the main channel running river right. Cop-out options are available on the centre chicken run (Purgatory) and the sneak chicken run under the trees on the left (Heaven).
  

Second Coleford Road bridge (38,73km)

Early Mists Farm finish (38,87km)