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GUIDE TO THE RIVER SWALE (Grinton to Richmond) NAME OF RIVER: Swale. WHERE IS IT?: It flows down from the Pennines through Swaledale, funnily enough, towards Richmond. PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: This section begins at Grinton Bridge and ends at Reeth bridge. APPROX LENGTH: 8-9 miles. TIME NEEDED: 2 hours + ACCESS SITUATION: Unknown. I have paddled the Swale as part of an organised charity tour. I have been told that the Swale is a navigation but have no way of verifying this! The landowners certainly don't agree. In particular the stretch by Marske Bridge can be sensitive. Again, lots of men with sticks and string. WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: I have paddled this in low paddleable conditions. It is a much more satisfying trip with higher water to speed things up. GRADING: Grade 1 - 3. MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: None I'm aware of, but there were trees dangling in the river... John Lucas...(Dec 2004) 'Town falls had a big tow back when we paddled in high water, and shallow landings in places; it was quite meaty at this water level but there was a nice line on the left which had a shallow ish landing.' GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This section offers pleasant touring in scenic Yorkshire countryside. The first rapid of note is a mile after the put in, beside Marske Priory. The river steepens here for a few hundred metres. Marrick Steps near the Priory (Grade 3) is hardest in medium water (low - scrape and bump, high - float over) It takes takes the form of a diagonal cross from left to right. We got a boat pinned at the entrance this year as the water flows straight into a rock at the turning point. Tree rapid (Grade 3) just past Swaleview Caravan site has all the water flowing into a strainer - easy to avoid in high (steer) & low (get out on the rocks!) water but very rocky in medium water - the water passes down a shallow groove straight into the tree. Ended up doing this backwards this year after hitting a rock! Downstream of the takeout described is the town of Richmond, where the river falls over a small but notable natural weir, Richmond Falls. I haven't done this next section, let us know if you have. This section makes a good Open Boat excursion. OTHER NOTES: The section above this is also a nice trip. Upstream of that section is some waterfall paddling...anyone done it? CONTRIBUTED BY: Carol Haynes, also Mark Rainsley and John Lucas. |
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