[ad_1]
White Water Rafting and White Water Kayaking are one of the few sports where there are limited facilities in various areas of the country. The south and east of England there is no natural white water because the countryside is mainly flat and has not produced the natural elements needed to create such a flow. As these areas are highly populated and the requirements for the sport are apparent then kayakers and rafters seek man-made weirs or constructions. One of these man-made examples is at Hurley Lock.
This man-made creation is both a lock and a weir on the River Thames in England. It is situated close to the village of Hurley in a cluster of wooded islands. It is in constant use by local canal boats, but when conditions suit it can be used by kayakers of all abilities. As the lock has multiple gates, when various gates open it forms a standing wave in which kayakers take benefit from. The size and shape of the wave depends on the conditions, if there has been heavy rain fall or unfavourable wind, the standing wave will be increased. When the gates are open the standing wave is generated and kayakers fall into the wave to enjoy the white water.
The more rainfall usually means that more gates will be open, but this also depends on the amount of weirs that are open upstream. The standing wave is hard to predict because of the circumstances and variation of factors. A good wave is generally formed for kayakers in the late autumn, winter and early spring. There are four main gates which are opened and closed; this controls the water level in the lock and the actual river level. The more gates that are open will determine the size of the standing wave for kayakers.
To gain access to the lock there are two main footpaths on with side of the car park. These lead to the river and lock where there is initially a flat stretch of water, so that kayakers can go straight in as they arrive. To gain access to the wave, kayakers paddle upstream and the lock will come into view. The first weir that comes into view is not for the kayakers, as kayakers are not able to ride this. Once kayakers have reached the lock, they will be able to enjoy the standing wave depending on the lock and weather conditions.
[ad_2]
