Fun easy paddle to the sea after paddling the usual section of the Dargle.
This is a short fun easy paddle to the sea after paddling the usual section of the Dargle. All read and run paddling.
Starting from the R117 bridge the river features are quite natural until N11. From the N11 to the sea the river features are increasingly man-made.
Under the N11 bridge is the main rapid of the section with turns to the left. Which is quickly followed by another rapid under a narrow bridge.
From here enjoy the boulder gardens and eddies in front of the tall apartment and office blocks. The apartments and offices are built above retaining walls that make the left bank useless for getting out, so direct swimmers to the right bank.
After the boulder garden is the main hazard of the river. There are concrete piers that appear to be an unfinished pedestrian bridge or some part of flood protection scheme for Bray town. There is a risk of trees getting stuck against these piers.
These piers also create the best chance for waves to surf on the section.
From here there are straight forward grade 2 rapids down to the sea.
The final rapid under the railway bridge is tidal and will be flooded at high tide.
To finish turn right as you enter Bray harbour and paddle to the beach. Just hope the hundred or so swans are in a friendly mood as you climb out.
About 2km into the run there is a line of concrete piers that look like an unfinished pedestrian bridge. Caution needed in case trees get stuck against these piers. You will pass a public park on river left just before these piers.
None that we are aware of.
No gauge is linked to this guide yet.
If paddlers check a gauge before running it, you can help. Suggest the gauge, and the levels it needs if you know them. Once an admin approves it, this guide shows the live level, a level history and how the river usually rises and falls through the year.
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Use same on line gauge as for the regular section of the Dargle, OPW station 10051. The lower section runs from 90cm and appears to have no upper limit.
Get in on river left where the R117 crosses the Dargle, just off the N11. The get in is just below the bridge and is usually the take out for the regular section of the Dargle. Climb over the wall near the bus stop and follow the path down to the water.
Paddle to the sea and take out in Bray harbour. Plenty of parking in the harbour.
