RIVER WASHBURN  GRADE: 3 REMARKS: The river is a very popular venue between April and October as water releases make for both recreational and competitive canoeing. MAP REQUIRED: LANDRANGER 104. Or click here ACCESS INFORMATION: During water releases, canoeists have access/egress at numerous places along the river. During cruises, it is normal to launch by the car park at the beginning of the course [SE 155574] and egress near the car park adjacent to the A59 Harrogate to Skipton road [SE 169554]. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The River Washburn, a tributary of the Wharfe, and the four large reservoirs of the Washburn Valley, provide the main water supply catchment area for Leeds. Except during water releases, the river joining the reservoirs is normally dry and canoeing impossible. Paddling on the reservoirs and above is strictly prohibited. On about 20 days in the year, water releases for canoeing purposes are made from Thruscross Reservoir into Fewston Reservoir. Events at Washburn currently include Wednesday evening and weekend cruises, slalom, freestyle and wild water racing. The contacts below will supply full details. The 2.4km (1.5 miles) of Grade III, fast flowing water between the two reservoirs is the only dam-release facility in England and has become one of the most important and heavily used competition sites in the country. The river has three slalom sites, catering for differing standards of competition. The Washburn now hosts both Premier and Division 1/2 slaloms. On slalom and WWR race days, parts of the river not in use by the event can normally be used by non-racing paddlers for recreational cruising by prior arrangement with the event organiser. Active participation by clubs is encouraged by the Washburn Management Committee. The committee plans to continue to develop the site to make the already exciting river a venue of international standing. Recent improvements have included building new features along the river and it now has one of the best freestyle ?holes? in the country. The site owners - Yorkshire Water Plc - have vested all canoeing operations in the Washburn Committee of the Regional BCU. The Washburn Committee manages the river on behalf of all canoeists. A small fee is charged for parking at all events and for use of the river by non-competitive entrants. All paddlers must be members of the BCU or a BCU-affiliated club. IMPORTANT: Safety cover must be organised and provided by the canoeists themselves. This river is NOT suitable for novices. There has recently been, and will be ongoing, changes to the river bed so ask the organiser for advice about these before paddling the river. EVENT DATES 2008 The full list of release dates for 2008 are available for download via the Documents section. Further details for events will be added to the regional calendar closer to event dates. Click here to view the calendar. All events are subject to confirmation of the release by Yorkshire Water - check the information line number before leaving home. IMPORTANT NOTICES CONFIRMING EVENTS: Although we expect all events to take place, there is always the possibility of cancellation (too little or too much water) beyond our control. Confirmation will be obtained at least 14 days before discipline events, 10 days before weekend cruises and 7 days before weekday events. All participants should therefore ensure that the event is on by contacting the Washburn Information Line on - 0845 833 8654 CHARGES: The entrance fee to weekday events is £3 (Juniors), £5 (Adults) with a mandatory surcharge of £2 (be warned!) if not having possession of a current BCU Membership Card. Weekend cruise charges depend on the event organiser but are typically £5 (Juniors) and £8 (Adults). There may be a charge made for car parking. The non-BCU surcharge applies to all cruises except where club members can demonstrate that they are covered via club affiliation to the BCU and that the cover specifically includes such an event. HOW TO GET THERE: The Washburn is a dam release site between Thruscross (SE155574) and Fewston Reservoirs (SE169554) set in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. The egress is at the car park adjacent to the A59 Harrogate to Skipton Road at Blubberhouses Church near where the road from Otley crosses and proceeds northwards towards West End. The Access car park is reached by following the sign to West End along the narrowing road and entering the site via a metal gate on the right hand side just before a very steep hill. Follow the forest road to the car park. CONTACT DETAILS: For contact details of organisers, please see the Contact Us section. CAMPING FACILITIES: The nearest camping / caravanning available in the vicinity is on Hardisty Hill, which is the first left towards Harrogate on the Harrogate to Skipton Road from Blubberhouses Church and parallel to that leading to the Washburn Site. Contact Mrs. Pearl Hall, High House Farm, Hardisty Hill, Blubberhouses LS21 2PJ Tel: 01943 880483. The site is more or less opposite the entrance to the cricket club i.e. about 600 yards up from the junction with the Harrogate to Skipton Road.
|
