North tyne good spot tips

[Vanarchy]

Not been paddling for a while, (approx 8 moths) thanks to spending a season snowboarding...I'm thinking of heading for a wee splash on the north tyne tomorrow morning given the amount of rain we've had over kielder...I know its only grade 2/3, but anyone got good pointers for nice waves/playspots etc
Cheers guys!

[Jim]

Make sure you have enough water for the voluntary access agreement - whether you agree with such things or not it is a good idea and had been working well for years. If so the wave atthe bottom of Warden gorge is the place to end up. Can't think of anything above that, the rapid at Barrasford has an obsruction in the bit that might otherwise be playful. Better bet would be to try the weir at Wylam or the rapid at Prudhoe (no realy play potential but take a long boat and learn to paddle back up under the bridge)

[Big Henry]

Make sure you have enough water for the voluntary access agreement - whether you agree with such things or not it is a good idea and had been working well for years.

Words fail me, but I've have a quick go. If you don't agree with it how can it be a voluntary agreement? It has been working well for those who want to keep paddlers off rivers they have a right to be on. It works at successfully perpetuating the myth that paddlers need agreements to canoe and kayak along public rights of way when they don't. Since this is not a thread about access I shall stop at that.

If there is enough water to float your boat - go for it!

[cp]

Ther is a small play wave about half way down beside the level gauge which works roughly if the river is less than 3ft (fishpal site) but washed out after this, actually the lower the better for this. There is also a wave at the bottom of mill race rapid but this is very narrow and hard to stay on, other than that as stated the gorge has numerous play waves from top to bottom.

Chris

[Adrian Cooper]

There are a couple of useful features between Wark and Barrasford but not as good as the Gorge.

[Billy The Fisherman]

Not been paddling for a while, (approx 8 moths) thanks to spending a season snowboarding...I'm thinking of heading for a wee splash on the north tyne tomorrow morning given the amount of rain we've had over kielder...I know its only grade 2/3, but anyone got good pointers for nice waves/playspots etc
Cheers guys!

Warden gorge is worth a look if it’s not washed out, but don’t expect a grade 2~3 run if it’s up. The rapids start with a small drop that gives an indication about conditions further down. There’s plenty of waves on the way down and a when very high a monster stopper forms at the bottom that will give anyone a hard time. Egress at the confluence on the left bank or have a flat plod down to easy parking at the Tyne Green. The alternative is to have a look at the river Allen, a much more interesting option if it’s up.

[Jim]

Make sure you have enough water for the voluntary access agreement - whether you agree with such things or not it is a good idea and had been working well for years.

Words fail me, but I've have a quick go. If you don't agree with it how can it be a voluntary agreement? It has been working well for those who want to keep paddlers off rivers they have a right to be on. It works at successfully perpetuating the myth that paddlers need agreements to canoe and kayak along public rights of way when they don't. Since this is not a thread about access I shall stop at that.

If there is enough water to float your boat - go for it!

The agreement is to only paddle in spate during the summer, which is arguably a bit more than enough to float your boat, but having done it for 5 winters at Uni at all levels including just enough to float your boat, I'd say not bothering unless it is in spate is the right thing to do, which by luck ties up with the voluntary agreement which keeps paddling and angling interests happy on the river year round. It is the best example I know of anglers and kayakers actually coming to an amicable agreement which works for everyone. It is voluntary so you don't have to stick to it, but it doesn't make sense not to, there are much better places to go in the summer.

[Billy The Fisherman]

Make sure you have enough water for the voluntary access agreement - whether you agree with such things or not it is a good idea and had been working well for years.

Words fail me, but I've have a quick go. If you don't agree with it how can it be a voluntary agreement? It has been working well for those who want to keep paddlers off rivers they have a right to be on. It works at successfully perpetuating the myth that paddlers need agreements to canoe and kayak along public rights of way when they don't. Since this is not a thread about access I shall stop at that.

If there is enough water to float your boat - go for it!

Jim’s right, the voluntary access agreement has worked well on the Tyne for many years; I know because I fish and paddle there.

Not everyone wants peace and harmony between those on the bank and those on the river but we can hardly complain that if we don’t show respect that we don’t receive it in return. Relations on the north Tyne are a refreshing change to other parts of the country and I hope they to continue in the welcoming spirit of a welcoming area.

It is voluntary agreement and most people are ambassadors for their sport so will respect it; however; I know only one or two people on both sides who will ignore it which is sad as it’s to the detriment of the majority.
The agreement was that the river was open to paddle from Nov 1st through to until August when it can be paddled in high water; so as said, just go for it.

A little mutual respect goes a long way and having fisherman and paddlers on the river 365 days a year means there is always a guardian of the river keeping an eye on it looking out for problems, pollution, etc.. Let’s learn to get on together and appreciate the benefits.

[cp]

[quote="Billy The Fisherman"][quote="Big Henry"][quote="Jim"]Make sure you have enough water for the voluntary access agreement - whether you agree with such things or not it is a good idea and had been working well for years.[/quote]
Words fail me, but I've have a quick go. If you don't agree with it how can it be a voluntary agreement? It has been working well for those who want to keep paddlers off rivers they have a right to be on. It works at successfully perpetuating the myth that paddlers need agreements to canoe and kayak along public rights of way when they don't. Since this is not a thread about access I shall stop at that.

If there is enough water to float your boat - go for it![/quote]

Jim’s right, the voluntary access agreement has worked well on the Tyne for many years; I know because I fish and paddle there.

Not everyone wants peace and harmony between those on the bank and those on the river but we can hardly complain that if we don’t show respect that we don’t receive it in return. Relations on the north Tyne are a refreshing change to other parts of the country and I hope they to continue in the welcoming spirit of a welcoming area.

It is voluntary agreement and most people are ambassadors for their sport so will respect it; however; I know only one or two people on both sides who will ignore it which is sad as it’s to the detriment of the majority.
The agreement was that the river was open to paddle from Nov 1st through to until August when it can be paddled in high water; so as said, just go for it.

A little mutual respect goes a long way and having fisherman and paddlers on the river 365 days a year means there is always a guardian of the river keeping an eye on it looking out for problems, pollution, etc.. Let’s learn to get on together and appreciate the benefits.[/quote]


But the agreement says NO paddling September and October so how are paddlers on the river 365 days a year?

Jim
Please share witrh us the better spots for paddling in the summer.

Chris

[Jim]

I was perhaps a bit premature reminding people about it since it only affects September and October and not the main summer at all, but the point is, that for 2 months we give the anglers clear access (given that they have a close season which gives us clear access) but if the level is high they are happy for us to paddle it during these 2 months (because it will be too cloudy to fish). That to me seems like working together.

Now, the other spots for the summer, I think I mentioned Prudhoe and Wylam, not big whitewater but you won't get that on the N Tyne when it's empty. You also have the Tees Barrage and Washburn within fairly easy reach. I believe Halton Rapids is playful all year round (could be wrong on that one), but to be honest if there was no water in the river we mostly used to go surfing (Tynemouth/South Shields being based in Newcastle but there are plenty of other surf spots).

[cp]

Jim,
So has the agreement changed? I thought it was NO paddling Sept/Oct is there now a spate agreement based on levels?
As for the alternatives you quote, no idea on Halton Rapids where are they? the others Prudhoe and Wylam do not compare and Washburn / Barrage both expensive so I do not see any better place to paddle during the summer. Tees is possible alternative in the area.

Chris

[Jim Pullen]

Pretty sure it says spate only for spring, summer and no paddling at all in Sept. I'd be annoyed by it, but the north tune is pretty rubbish anyway ;-)

[Clarka123]

I'm clearly bored at work since I seem to have written an exhaustive guide to the 'tyne wave'

This is the wave at the bottom of Warden gorge. It is outstanding when it is in; which is usually after any heavy rain. I usually catch it 5-10 times a year.

Using the reaverhill gauge:
http://www.environment-agency.co.uk/hom ... ionId=8166

3-4ft deep fast green wave 1.5-1.6m Longer Playboats better
4ft deep slightly breaking wave 1.6 -1.85 Optimum
3-4ft deep broken holey wave (intimidating) 1.85-2.1 bring a good roll
3ft+ munchy hole (scary) 2.1+ escape on the far side (gorge excellent at this level)
In all cases the wave is about 15ft wide.

In Short if the river is rising from 1.5, or falling from 2m+ it is worth a look


Things to think about:

Main eddy is posssible to paddle back into at all levels if you come off the near side of the wave. Otherwise there is a second option slightly hidden behind the sticking out trees.

At higher levels the hole/wave gets bigger and bigger. I've paddled it at 4m+ and it was Uganda sized but still with a line through.

The river tends to surge like mad on the rise or fall so a green wave can turn into a meatyhole and vice versa.

I've used the gauge data based on the graph produced, and the times I was there. The 'real time' data available is usually a couple of hours out of date.

If you've only ever done the tyne on the tour then it might surprise you at a high level. We tend to sneak a paddle/surf in on the way home from another river.

[Jim]

Jim,
So has the agreement changed?

Don't know because it's been a while, seems like I was closer in my first post:

http://www.tyneriverstrust.org/index.ph ... atersports

But that looks more complicated than I remember, and the reference to the BCU is presumably wrong?

[Biscuit65]

I've paddled it a few times when the bottom wave has become a huge hole. Not sure what the gauge readings but the water was well into the trees river left.

http://www.unsponsored.co.uk

[cp]

Jim,

The agreement does not seem to have changed to me for 10 years this has always been my understanding. So are you now annoyed? Do you still think this is a good agreement?

Thanks

Chris