Afon Afan

Nearby Rivers: Swansea Area - Tawe, Neath, Afan and Ogmore

An excellent, fast run especially in high flows. It is now well-used locally and is even often run at night by a few of the far more keen of individuals. This section can be added on to the upper Afan, the Pelenna, or done as a run in its own right. There are some excellent waves to surf and stoppers to play in. A few of the weirs are particularly nasty in big water and so medium levels are probably the best conditions to run this section.

Blaengwynfi/Cymmer to Pontrhydyfen

11 km grade III; possible portages

In high water, the run down from the bridge in Blaengwynfi GR885968 to Cymmer is an excellent grade II to III. It is fast and steep but nowhere desperate. Alternatively, put in from the left bank of the Afon Corrwg, a short distance up the Cymmer to Glyncorrwg road GR862963 (at higher levels it is possible to put in higher up). Once on the Afan, the river is fast and bouncy and fun. However, beware, for above and below an obvious football pitch are two pipes spanning the river. Although it is possible to pass these obstructions at certain water levels, there is always a danger of being strained underneath if mistakes are made. In flood, these pipes are covered. Portage if in doubt.

From here down through the Afon Argoed Park is an excellent run at a good grade III level. Egress in Pontrhydyfen just below the road bridge GR795942. A weir just below this is very dangerous in flood though can easily be shot in medium flows.

Pontrhydyfen to Aberavon

8 km grade III to IV; weirs to portage

Take the B4286 from Aberavon up to Pontrhydyfen. It is worth inspecting the Velindre weirs on the drive up where the road sweeps right next to the river and there is a convenient layby. Just before Pontrhydyfen is a convenient layby where access onto the viaduct rapids can be made GR793940.

If you decide to run down from the upper Afan, the weir in Pontrhydyfen should be portaged on the right along the road. Although runnable at medium flows it forms a particularly nasty holding stopper in flood. The viaduct rapids are excellent at grade III to IV. About a half kilometre below the viaduct is a slight left hand sweep of the river and a footbridge crosses over. Immediately under the footbridge is a horseshoe-shaped weir. This is runnable far left in low to medium flows. However, in flood the towback reaches over 20 feet and should on no account be shot - portage left before the footbridge. This is easily inspected on the drive up.

The river meanders towards the sea with the occasional surfing wave to shred. As Pontdu is neared, a series of man-made bouldery drops lead down to the box-like weir at Velindre. Although this can be shot when quite high, if in any doubt portage.

Passing through Port Talbot, Slaughterhouse Falls (or Weir) is reached, which is a huge broken drop of about 12 feet. This is runnable with care middle to right, but beware of any spikes in the weir. This is a suitable place to end the trip GR760897.