FAQ
If you have any further questions that are not answered here, please feel free to CONTACT US or give us a call on Tel:+44 (0) 1600 888101
Activities
1What should I wear and take canoeing/kayaking or raft building?
It's best to wear shorts, t-shirt and old trainers(not flip flops), take along a fleece, a waterproof jacket, any emergency medication you may require such as inhalers or epi pens, cash for lunch if you are stopping off, a water bottle and some snacks to keep you going. A dry storage barrel is provided for each canoe so you can put your spare jumper, jacket etc in there whilst canoeing to ensure they keep dry. Anything you take along with you is your responsibility. You may get wet so have a change of clothes and a towel in the car.
2What should I wear rock climbing, abseiling or orienteering?
Shorts or lightweight walking or sports trousers, a t-shirt, a fleece, strong trainers or walking shoes or boots, the forest paths are very steep, rough and slippery so you need good tread and a solid shoe. It's a good idea to bring a few small backpacks in your group to carry your waterproof jacket, drink and a snack. You must also bring any emergency medication like inhalers or epi pens.
3What should I wear and take with me mountain biking?
Shorts, t-shirt and trainers is generally the best for mountain biking. If it is cold maybe a long sleeve t-shirt or light top also, if raining you will need a waterproof jacket. It is also highly recommended to wear gloves to protect your hands in case you stumble, fairly well fitting gardening on safety gloves can be a good cheap option for a couple of pounds if you don't have any hanging around. Emergency medication such as epi pens or inhalers must also be brought with you. A small backpack, water bottle and a snack is a very good idea, there is a cafe and on site and car parking is about £4 in change.
Tipi and Canoe trips
1What shall I bring to stay in tipis?
If you are in SIMPLE Tipis: Camping mat (airbeds are not advisable as they take too much space), Sleeping bag, Pillow, Torch, Wash kit, water bottle, Warm jacket & a hat as the evenings can be cold. If you are in COMFY Tipis: Sleeping bag, Pillow, Torch, Wash kit, water bottle, Warm jacket & a hat as the evenings can be cold. A camping cooking kit if you are not having the DIY BBQ deliveries for all of your stay is a good idea.
2What should I wear and take canoeing/kayaking?
It's best to wear shorts, t-shirt and old trainers(not flip flops), take along a fleece, a waterproof jacket, any emergency medication you may require such as inhalers or epi pens, cash for lunch if you are stopping off, a water bottle and some snacks to keep you going. A dry storage barrel is provided for each canoe so you can put your spare jumper, jacket etc in there whilst canoeing to ensure they keep dry. Anything you take along with you is your responsibility. You may get wet so have a change of clothes and a towel in the car to change into afterwards.
Stag & Hen
1What shall I bring to stay in tipis?
If you are in SIMPLE Tipis: Camping mat (airbeds are not advisable as they take too much space) , Sleeping bag, Pillow, Torch, Wash kit, water bottle, Warm jacket & a hat as the evenings can be cold. If you are in COMFY Tipis: Sleeping bag, Pillow, Torch, Wash kit, water bottle, Warm jacket & a hat as the evenings can be cold.
2What should I wear and take canoeing/kayaking or raft building?
It's best to wear shorts, t-shirt and old trainers(not flip flops), take along a fleece, a waterproof jacket, any emergency medication you may require such as inhalers or epi pens, cash for lunch if you are stopping off, a water bottle and some snacks to keep you going. A dry storage barrel is provided for each canoe so you can put your spare jumper, jacket etc in there whilst canoeing to ensure they keep dry. Anything you take along with you is your responsibility. You may get wet so have a change of clothes and a towel in the car.
3What should I wear rock climbing, abseiling or orienteering?
Shorts or lightweight walking or sports trousers, a t-shirt, a fleece, strong trainers or walking shoes or boots, the forest paths are very steep, rough and slippery so you need good tread and a solid shoe. It's a good idea to bring a few small backpacks in your group to carry your waterproof jacket, drink and a snack. You must also bring any emergency medication like inhalers or epi pens.
4What should I wear and take with me mountain biking?
Shorts, t-shirt and trainers is generally the best for mountain biking. If it is cold maybe a long sleeve t-shirt or light top also, if raining you will need a waterproof jacket. It is also highly recommended to wear gloves to protect your hands in case you stumble, fairly well fitting gardening on safety gloves can be a good cheap option for a couple of pounds if you don't have any hanging around. Emergency medication such as epi pens or inhalers must also be brought with you. A small backpack, water bottle and a snack is a very good idea, there is a cafe and on site and car parking is about £3.50 in change.
Canoe Hire
1Do I need to be able to swim?
You do not have to be able to swim, if you cannot please call us to discuss your options, we normally recommend using rafted canoes in this case as they cannot capsize on gentle water another option is an instructor, plus of course everyone has to wear a bouyancy aid.
2How many people can fit in a canoe?
A maximum of three regular adults, or a young family of four or five if the kids are all small. Rafted canoes are a great option as paired together they create a catamaran which is very stable and easy to control plus you have the capacity of two boats, so two young families could go together for example, adults sit in the front and back kids in the middle. If there are lots of kids and a couple of adults the adults can sit in the back and steer.
3Can my dog come?
Yes, you know your dog, they must be able to swim, do not tie them into the canoe should it capsize they could be trapped. Small calm dogs are great big or excitable ones can easily capsize your canoe.
4What is the youngest age allowed on the river?
4 is the youngest. we recommend Monmouth to Whitebrook and a rafted family canoe unless you are trained in canoe handling and rescues plus experienced canoeists.
5Are there any weight or size limits for a canoe/kayak?
Yes, we have a range of craft to suit most people, however please inform us if you are particularly large in any way so we can reserve the right boats for you and load them on our trailers in advance. We have accommodated several premier rugby teams in the past.
6Where can we stay?
We have a riverside Tipi Hire site in Monmouth where groups can stay. Also in the area are numerous B&Bs (Prego's or Wetherspoons Lodge are best in Monmouth centre) and campsites(for full facilities Bracelands is great). If you are doing a multi-day trip it is best if we help plan your route as we know the intervals between accommodation and what is available depending on your preference, contact us.
7Can we bring our own food and alcohol?
You can bring your own food and water. Alcohol is not accepted on the river, the canoe centre transport or on hire boats. Please don't try and bring it, you can be turned away with no refund if you do.
8Can we camp on the river bank ?
You cannot camp anywhere as the banks are privately owned. There are camp sites on route, please contact us to plan a multi day trip, we can advise on the most convenient locations to stop each day depending on how far you want to go, either a leisurely or a challenging distance each day?
9What if we need to cancel?
Please contact us asap we may be able to refill your booking with enough notice.
10What time do we get on the river?
When you arrive you will have to pay, sign and wit for other groups to do the same, then groups will have equipment handed to them and fitted, then a briefing about the route on the LCD display, after this you drive to the start point then boat are organised, a safety briefing and then you depart. So around an hour after arrival for upriver trips and half an hour for downriver(Monmouth to Whitebrook).
11What should we wear and bring?
In general wear shorts or lights trousers, a synthetic/sporty t-shirt and old trainers or shoes with good tread (not flip-flops). Bring along a fleece top and a waterproof jacket, cash for the pub or a packed lunch, drinking water, snacks and any emergency medication such as inhalers or epi-pens you may need to use. Each canoe is provided with a small dry barrel to put everything while you are canoeing to keep it dry in the case that you fall in, it is very wise to have your fleece or another spare dry top in the barrel if it is cold enough to be wearing your fleece on the day.
12Can anybody canoe the rapids?
It is easy to follow our briefing on the rapids, you are shown photos so you know what to expect and what you have to do. By the time you get there you will have had a lot of time to practice controlling your boat. If you do not feel in control and confident you can climb out and carry your boat past the rapids, then get back in. They are a grade 2 rapid as they have a slight bend to the right, there is fairly fast moving water in the middle with small waves, they are 100m long.
13What if the river is too high?
If the river is likely to be too high we endeavour to give as much notice as possible of any changes or cancellation, usually a day or two as we can see upriver gauges. In the event of medium high levels boats will have to be rafted in pairs for stability and control, then we will try to put guides on with some groups, we may shuffle trips to try to benefit as many as possible. If we have to cancel for this reason we will rebook or refund your trip. Card charges can not be refunded.
14How many people can fit in a canoe?
Adults should go 2 per canoe as you have a comfortable amount of leg room in the front and back if you have a group of 7 for example, you should will need two 2 person canoes and one 3 person for the odd number, in the three you should put the smaller people of the group as too much weight makes the canoes less stable. A family of 4 or 5 is possible with small kids.