The conditions for launching at Racquety Farm are laid out below under our licence from Natural Resources Wales.

We will need confirmation that you have read the conditions for launching from Racquety Farm and understand the importance of following the conditions contained in the licence. PLEASE RESPECT AND LOOK AFTER THE RIVER WYE!:

Condition: All craft must be clean and dry before each launch, and preferably washed between uses.
Users of boats must ensure they follow CHECK CLEAN DRY principle if they have previously entered another river or watercourse to reduce the risk of spreading infection or introducing/spreading non-native species.

Condition Reason: To protect the SSSI features.

Condition: Any silt beds must be avoided by paddles and people travelling down the river. People must not walk in deep silt beds or deliberately disturb deep silt beds near the rivers edge or elsewhere to minimise disturbance to juvenile lamprey, except in an emergency.

Condition Reason: To reduce the risk of damage to these SSSI features.

Condition: Canoeists or other users of water based craft must not land on any tree covered island or large shingle bank in the river channel on their journey except in an emergency or to bypass shallow water, when they must stick to the waters edge.

Condition Reason: To minimise the risk of disturbance of otter, shingle invertebrates and fish features.

Condition: Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards must be off the river an hour before dusk. If canoeing early in the morning or later in the evening keep noise to a minimum and avoid going close to river banks and do not land except in an emergency. No journeys up river from launch site to avoid risk of disturbance up towards Hay Warren.

Condition Reason: To avoid disturbance to otters and spawning fish.

Condition: If spawning sea lamprey https://britishseafishing.co.uk/sea-lamprey/ (which look like large eels) are seen then paddlers must bypass them, avoid paddling over them and not disturb or cause unnecessary noise that might disturb their laying activity. When the water levels are low, there is an increased risk of canoes or kayaks dragging on the gravel bottom at any point on the journey to the end destination in areas of shallow water. Drag will vary depending on weight of the load and style of canoe/kayak.

Where these low flows coincide with the spawning periods of lamprey and shad species (Mid May to 30 June inclusive), areas of shallow stony water which are likely to result in canoe bottom or direct paddle contact with the river bed should be avoided to minimise disturbance of these sensitive points.

Users should be given the following instructions to follow regardless of time of year:
• Users must be advised by the operator of sensitive points, where they are most likely to occur and the route to take to avoid them. These points should be evident if users are looking ahead and change their route accordingly.

• If they begin to drag or become stuck, users must not push their canoes along using the paddles on or against the riverbed. When safe to do so users must get out of the canoe and walk to the edge of the water and carry the canoe downstream until there is enough depth to relaunch.

Condition Reason: To safeguard SSSI features during spawning periods.

Condition: Do not walk through watercrowfoot beds or To protect this SSSI feature. other submerged vegetation (water crowfoot,

visible as green wavering carpets, with white flowers later in summer) on the journey until you reach your end point.

Canoeists should avoid travelling through dense crowfoot beds or other dense stands of submerged aquatic vegetation. If they cannot be avoided on the journey keep your paddling to the minimum necessary to proceed and paddle gently as you pass through to reduce the risk of physical damage to the plants by breaking off strands.

Avoid walking through any stands of crowfoot under Hay bridge to keep damage to a minimum.

No launching if the River Wye Navigation To avoid disturbing habitats and species at Authority have imposed a temporary periods of very low water.
suspension of Navigation below Hay.

Any non compliance with conditions attached to this consent may be investigated.
The condition of no landing on shingle beaches or exposed river bed and banks is designed to safeguard wildlife, for example, important insect assemblages associated with shingle.
If boats or clothing are used on other rivers then we recommend that any craft and all equipment used is disinfected with an approved product to prevent the spread of disease.

bringing your own canoe, kayak or SUP?

Here at the farm we border the River Wye. If you would like access to the river with your board or boat you can arrange that in advance with Ros - please note though that there is no vehicular access to the river at the farm. If you need to use a vehicle to launch your canoe or kayak the public launch/retreive site at The Gliss just downriver of Hay bridge using Wyeford Road is a 5 minute drive away. There are other waterways a short drive from the farm which includes the Brecon and Monmouth Canal and Llangorse Lake – all are no more than a thirty-minute drive so there’s heaps of paddling right here on your doorstep.

There are however several things that we can’t organise so well, that’s the weather and the river conditions! Also only you know your own individual, group or families’ paddle-sport ability and experience in different types of craft/boats and on different types of water.  Everyone is different and every day is different. So we’ve put together a guide to the sections of water locally that you are likely going to look into paddling on if you come and stay with your own canoe, kayak, sit-on-top, inflatable or SUP to give you an idea of their suitability for you.  

Particular thanks to Lisa Boore (Outdoor Coaching and Guiding) for all the super-detailed SUP related info and to Rich Hill (Caving.Training) the Independent Technical Advisor @wantocanoe for his invaluable editing and proofing.

BUOYANCY AIDS / LIFE JACKETS

We recommend they should be worn at all times.

BEFORE YOU GET ON THE WATER

Thoroughly check your craft and all your equipment in line with the manufacturers recommendations for use.

River/Weather conditions to consider

We’ve written this information bearing in mind that most of you are visiting in the peak visitor months of late spring, summer and late summer but even then it’s important to be very aware of rainfall, wind speed and direction and water levels.

Do your research on the waterway you plan to use, look at the weather that has happened in the days prior, for example could the river be rising while you’re on it? Or what if the rain sets in and the temperature drops? Or what if the wind gets up?

If in any doubt ask!

A 3 inch river fin rather than a 9inch Touring fin is more suitable for the rivers as the fin will drag on the river bed or rocks at some point. Which will propel you forward, hopefully onto the board, if the rider has practiced this. 

Buoyancy Aid and Helmet provide good body armour, for when falling into the river.

Suitable footwear - old trainers.  Do not go barefoot or in water shoes/ neoprene boots as foot entrapment and or injury is a possibility.

Moving Water Skills Set - Good use of the tripod positioning on the board, the ability to get from knees to feet and feet to knees safely and consistently.  River reading skills are needed for moving water on the Wye.

Be in control of your board at all times.

CANOE

Please ensure you have the ability to safely take part in Canoeing.

General Advice, be aware of people fishing, give them plenty of room, do not paddle through their line.

Avoid capsizing near people who are fishing and other water users. Give other water users plenty of space.

Suitable footwear - old trainers, water shoes/ neoprene boots .  Do not go barefoot as foot entrapment and or injury is a possibility.

River reading skills are needed for moving water on the Wye.

Be in control of your canoe at all times.

Additional Buoyancy- Most canoes when you buy them have sufficient buoyancy for them to float even when full of water but it is better to add more if you are on moving water. Buoyancy blocks or airbags are available.

Painters- It is a good idea to have a short length of floating line (a painter) attached to the end of your canoe to drag/ tow it to the side if you do capsize. Don’t make it too long as you don’t want it wrapped around your legs while trying to swim.

KAYAK

Please ensure you have the ability to safely take part in Kayaking.

General Advice, be aware of people fishing, give them plenty of room, do not paddle through their line.

Avoid capsizing near people who are fishing and other water users. Give other water users plenty of space.

Suitable footwear - old trainers, water shoes/ neoprene boots .  Do not go barefoot as foot entrapment and or injury is a possibility.

Skills set - River reading skills are needed for moving water on the Wye.

Be in control of your craft at all times.

Buoyancy- as with Canoes additional airbags can be really useful in a capsize. Helmet advised.

INFLATABLE CANOES AND KAYAKS

Please ensure you have the ability to safely take part in Inflatable Paddle Sports.

General Advice, be aware of people fishing, give them plenty of room, do not paddle through their line.

Avoid capsizing near people who are fishing and other water users. Give other water users plenty of space.

Suitable footwear - old trainers, water shoes/ neoprene boots .  Do not go barefoot as foot entrapment and or injury is a possibility.

Skills set - River reading skills are needed for moving water on the Wye.

Be in control of your craft at all times. Be mindful of the wind as inflatable craft are much more difficult to control in these conditions - particularly on a journey.

Helmet advised.

SIT ON TOP

Please ensure you have the ability to safely take part in Sit On Top Paddle Sports.

General Advice, be aware of people fishing, give them plenty of room, do not paddle through their line.

Avoid capsizing near people who are fishing and other water users. Give other water users plenty of space.

Suitable footwear - old trainers, water shoes/ neoprene boots .  Do not go barefoot as foot entrapment and or injury is a possibility.

Skills set - River reading skills are needed for moving water on the Wye.

Be in control of your craft at all times.

Make sure the hatches are properly shut.

Helmet advised.

Biodiversity

CLICK Clean Check and Dry your kit!

Hints, Tips and Useful Links

Canoe Wales (www.canoewales.com) has details of access points.

The Wye and Usk Foundation (www.wyeuskfoundation.org) has information on access arrangements and etiquette.

The Canal and River Trust (www.canalrivertrust.org.uk) has information on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

The Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk) has information on current water levels in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Ensure you follow the Countryside Code at all times (https://canoehire.co.uk/resources/want-to-canoe-countryside-and-river-code.pdf)

This information was correct at time of writing and we keep it as up to date as possible, however rivers and privately owned lakes change.  If you are in any doubt about conditions and/or suitability during your stay then please speak to us, email the canoe team on hire@canoehire.co.uk or call the office on 01497 820604 – and our final golden rule is always . . . ‘if in doubt – don’t’.

Stay safe!

Waterway Specific Guidance

River Wye

Canoeists Guide to the River Wye

Go Paddling

Wye Canoe