Ruths Personal Account of White Water Rafting
White Water Rafting at Tryweryn
We arrived at the White Water Centre, having driven through some of the most beautiful Welsh countryside to get there (the drive takes about 2 hours, so plan on that in order to get there on time). The centre itself was fully accessible, with ramped access, a disabled toilet and a small shower seat in the communal showers. On arriving it was obvious which raft we were going to use, as it had a seat strapped onto it!
We borrowed the kit needed – wetsuit, boots, buoyancy aid and helmet – and went to get changed. I found it a bit tricky getting the wetsuit on, as they are supposed to be fairly tight, but managed with a bit of help.
Once we had got changed, we had a safety briefing (what to do if the raft capsizes etc), and then spent some time making sure the seat was as comfortable and as secure as possible. All this time there was the roar of the river in the background, reminding us that we would soon be on it.
Once the instructors and myself were happy everything was as it should be, it was time to go to the top of the run, so we could raft down through the rapids (which did look very rapid!). This involved getting into a minibus, and putting my wheelchair on one of the seats, so I could get out at the other end. I can transfer pretty well, so managed this without too much help; even so, the instructors were really good at asking if there was anything they could do to help, without being patronising, and actually helping, rather than getting in the way.
Once at the start of the run, I got in the raft on dry land, and then the raft with me in it was lowered about 10 feet down a steep bank to get into the river. Everyone else climbed down the bank and got into the raft, then I was strapped into the seat. After a short lesson on how to get the raft to turn etc, we were off down the rapids! It was a bit scary and I did have to keep reminding myself this was supposed to be fun at this point, as there are a few drops, but the instructors were very reassuring. After what felt like just a few minutes, we were down at the bottom of the run, it was time to go back up to the top of the run in the minibus again.
We had a few further runs down the river, and each time I enjoyed it more and more, as I got used to what to do at the drops and how to paddle etc. The instructors were a great bunch – really chatty and friendly. They also had a great attitude towards my disability, which was much more a ‘what can we do to make this successful and fun’ rather than ‘what can we do to make you feel disabled’.
After what felt like a very short period of time, it was time to stop. Only then did I realise we had been playing on the river for about two hours!
After a shower and lunch at the centre it was time to do home.
Recommendations
It does feel like a dangerous activity; and I was very aware that if anything untoward happened, it could mean more than cuts and bruises, so it is not for the faint hearted. However it is great fun, and we were in capable hands, so I’m sure this is the safest way to do a dangerous activity.
The seat they have felt very supportive, and I’m sure would be suitable for people with quite severe disabilities. In fact, I felt a little restricted by it, as I could not move my torso as much as I would have liked. If you want to have a go and can’t transfer well, I would suggest you bring someone along with you to help – the instructors were great, but obviously they are not trained on how to lift people in and out of minibuses and rafts.
Finally remember that this is a water-sport. Bring a swimming costume to wear under the wetsuit, towels, shampoo and soap - going home smelling of river water would not be pleasant!