Sowerby Bridge

The white water course, developed to create a facility for canoeing using the weirs associated with the former mills, is on the River Calder in the centre of Sowerby Bridge.

It is about 300m long and consists mainly of pool and drop rapids, generally grade 2, but in high water it can reach grade 3. The course was previously used for Div 2, 3 and 4 slalom competitions, and is now used for slalom and general white water training. There is also plenty of flat water and some training gates upstream of the white water course. Halifax Canoe Club is based in the adjacent mill building (Greenups Mill) where there are changing rooms, toilets, showers and boat storage.

In August 2007, the white water course was re-formed to repair the effects of high water over the years, taking it back to very close how it was when it was first built in the 1980’s. The drops have been built to make them into shallow ramps that are more friendly to slalom boats, give sharper eddies for breakouts and extra wires added for additional course design options.

The course can be used in event the driest weather, although at low levels you’ll probably want to think twice about taking a your slalom boat over weir drop at the top of the course. At higher levels is can provide challenging training for all levels of paddler. Access to the course is through the gates and via steps and the footbridge. Egress is via the blue steps to the bottom end of the mill yard.  There is limited viewing from the footbridge and floodwall, and in low levels from the riverbank (please do not use the grass areas which are residents gardens).

The white water course is available throughout the year for training or play. All that we ask is that you respect the mill residents by parking elsewhere, not blocking thier acccess with boats etc, and closing the gate on the access after going through it. Any clubs or groups wanting to paddle are advised to contact the club beforehand – we might be able to arrange for use of the changing rooms!

Note that the river can rise very quickly in heavy rain, and you need to ensure you can get off at the blue steps before getting on the river as there is a dangerous weir about 800m downstream. However the course washes out and the training gates are unusable at the levels that getting off becomes difficult

Further information and a more detailed description of the course can be found on www.halifaxcanoe.org.uk or email coaching@halifaxcanoe.org.uk.