Grade 1

Moving water, unobstructed and without technical difficulties. There may be small waves and riffles to 'challenge' the paddler.

An example of a local rivers which could be considered Grade I would be The Wye (Symonds Yat is Grade 1+)

Grade 2

Waves, small stoppers and other minor obstructions to avoid. Eddies and cushion waves may be strong.

The Barle would be a good example of a Grade II river in the south west.

Grade  3

Waves, stoppers and technical difficulties are more severe. There may be drops and powerful constrictions. The main distinguishing factor of Grade III water is that the paddler will have to follow a recognisable route to avoid obstacles and hazards.

The Dart (Loop) and Tryweryn are two of the more famous Grade III rivers paddled by the club.

Grade 4

Severe waves, drops, stoppers and other obstructions. The route is not easily recognisable and will usually require careful inspection from the boat or bank.

Grade 4 encompasses a wide range of rivers, from those with pool-drop rapids to those with extended continuous rapids; so there is a huge variation in difficulty. It is common to distinguish easier grade 4 rapids by grading them as 4- and harder rapids as 4+ (or in some cases, 3/4 or 4/5)

For the more experienced paddlers the club leads trips to rivers like the Upper Dart and Afon Rhonda which both contain  

Grade 5

Extremely difficult rapids with precise and technically demanding routes to be followed. Stoppers, currents and waves will be powerful and inspection is essential.

As a club our focus is on paddling whitewater up to Grade IV and we rearely publish details of trips o harder water.  However, a small group of club paddlers may arrange private trips from time to time.

Grade 6

All of the above carried to extremes. Grade 6 usually means unrunnable rapids, which may just be possible in certain conditions.

Understadably perhaps North Avon does not run trips to Grade VI water.