Access – A ticket system. Weekend tickets tend to need booking a long time in advance
You get in at New Bridge (nice name for a very old structure) There is good parking here and tends to be an ice cream van even in the depths of winter.

There is a ledge at the get on point, which gives an indication of the height of the river. Below the ledge – a low run, On the ledge – a good run, over the ledge and going through all three arches of the bridge – a stonking run. Seriously going through all three arches really high (A very quick run but trees become a major issue!). At the bridge itself is a small wave that can provide a little entertainment whilst waiting for the rest of you group to get on. Around 100m after the bridge is "top wave" and as the name suggests it's a wave. This is the first of the play features on the Loop, ranging from a very gentle small wave to an imposing feature.
Several small grade 2 rapids follow before you come across a small ledge, which in medium and low water levels provides good stopper practice but washes out in high water.

More grade 2 water follows taking you through Switchwick corner – A good defined jet river left. Carrying on further takes you past a sign saying no boating and down to the confluence with the river Webburn. This confluence produces interesting eddy lines to play on.

The next feature is "Washing machine" a grade 3 drop. This is shot on the right side of the island but far river left of this channel to avoid a hole that takes the center and right of the drop. Going into this hole in Low-medium, medium and high water levels will result in unpleasant moments (or minutes). At the bottom of the rapid a nice wave forms.
More grade 2 brings you to "Lovers leap" a steepish grade 3 boulder garden with a grabby hole half way down in anything other than low water levels. The normal route starts river right then moves towards the centre of the river. There is a splat wall at the end of this with a large eddy river right.

Again more grade 2 follows until you reach "Triple Drop" a series of 3 drops as the name suggests. The first drop is shot river left. The stopper on the right holds boats and swimmers. The shoot on the left has playing potential. The second drop tends to be a shoot in the center of the river with the third drop being run river right (follow the flow around). In high water the second and third drops combine. At the bottom of the third drop a great wave forms in medium and high water conditions.
Beyond here the river calms again before reaching "Spin dryer", a fast recuirculating eddy or total non entity dependant upon water levels.

More grade 2 brings you to Holme Bridge. This can be jumped off on the down stream side. Shortly after this is Holme weir, which in anything other than very low conditions is shoot far river left, a swim in the centre or the right would not be fun.
The final feature of this section of the river is "The Anvil" a play feature in the grounds of the Dart Country Park. Get out is just above the next bridge. As you have parked in the grounds of the country park please use the bar for a drink / snack to keep them happy.

As with all sections of the Dart the levels can change very rapidly. Check the Dart Cam for levels http://www.riverdart.co.uk/
Kristian Buxton Dean

http://www.frome-canoe-club.org.uk/

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