Vaal River - White Water Kayaking

The Vaal River is a wonderful recreational resource for the people of Johannesburg and Gauteng. If you own a kayak, then even better as white water kayaking on the Vaal River is fantastic. Kayaking is a pleasurable way to keep fit, enjoy the great outdoors for which South Africa is renowned, and spend quality time with family and friends.

The Vaal is one of South Africa’s great rivers and the longest branch of the Orange River. There are no doubt many great put-in and take-out points in Gauteng, the Free State and the North West that you could explore with your kayak, but for reliable and popular white water runs on the Vaal take a drive to Parys just an hour south-west of Johannesburg. First-timers, beginners and experienced kayakers will enjoy a good range of rapids suitable not only for white water kayaking, but river rafting and white water rafting as well.

If you are on the verge of buying a kayak, pay a visit to Canoe & Kayak World in Johannesburg. Check out their top quality canoeing and kayaking products and join one of their regular Demo Days to ‘test drive’ a kayak on the water which will assist you in deciding on the best kayak for your needs before you make a purchase. Canoe & Kayak World also organize regular overnight and multiday kayaking adventures across South Africa and further afield for their clients.

While you are in Parys, why not call by and chat to the team at Whitewater Training who offer a range of courses including Beginner’s Kayak School, a Rolling Clinic and a Strokes Clinic as well as a Swiftwater Rescue course and other training sessions for more experienced white water kayakers. Learn to kayak from scratch or fine-tune your existing skills so that your time kayaking on the Vaal River and South Africa’s many other superb waterways is safe and enjoyable.