White Water Training [Crocodile River]

Vaal Level - 2010-08-30 = 23 cumecs

wwt@whitewatertraining.co.za | +27 (0) 56 811 2597

RIVERS

Ash River

Blyde

Bivane

Vaal

Sabie

Olifants

Umkomaas

Zambezi

Commercially Run Rivers

Umzimkulu

Crocodile River

Umtamvuma

White Nile

Pongola

Crocodile River (print)

Thanks to Luke Longridge for this info:

Here is a little wave on the Highveld croc that I like to go to in winter – hence I called it the

Winter Wave.

Click on the image to enlarge

“The Winter Wave is a good little training wave close to JHB and PTA. The real advantages of this wave are that it works all winter long when the river is low and the Ash is the only other thing going on the Highveld; and that it is in close proximity to both JHB and PTA (it is only about 30-40 km from PTA or JHB’s northern suburbs). It is quite small, a bit shallow, and not the most retentive, but vertical moves can be done. The wave is not an easy one to do moves on, you need to really focus on technique and power in order to stay retentive, but because of this it is excellent for winter training. Don’t be frustrated if you flush a lot, it takes a while to get the feel for the wave. There is eddy service on both sides, but you need to roll fast because it is shallow downstream. At high water it gets bigger and better, but without any eddy service.

The wave is at the Pelindaba recreational ground near Hartebeespoort Dam, and a real park and play spot. You can park about 100m from the wave, walk down some stairs and paddle across a pool to get there – very good for a quick weekend paddle.

To get there, take the R512 from Randburg, past Lanseria, and keep going until the T-junction with the R104. Turn right here and go over the bridge across the Crocodile River . Continue for about 1.5 km and then take the first right turn into NECSA/Pelindaba. Go up the hill until the main gate. Just before this main entrance you will see a road to the right – take this road (do not attempt to get into NECSA). About 100m along you will see a red gate. It may be closed but is never locked. If it is closed, open it but then close it behind you. Drive down the long hill, past the tennis courts, until the tar ends. There is a small “circle” for turning around here, and you should park here. There are stairs down to the river here, and you can put in here, just below the weir with the big tower. The wave is the top wave on the first rapid downstream of the weir.

You can either park and play or run the small grade 1-2 rapids to the Paddle Power camp about 4 km downstream.”