Tees Barrage
OS Grid Reference NZ461191
Nearest postcode TS18 2QW
Tees Barrage and the white water course were built as part of the economic regeneration of the area in the mid 90’s. Originally the site only operated around low tide when water could be diverted from the barrage down the white water courses and back into the river. Redevelopment of the site in 2010 saw the installation of 4 archimedies screws enabling the site to run at any tide, with water being pumped out of the bottom pool to the top of the course. The redevelopmnet also saw the enhancement of the course, a conveyor belt added and adding the steeper short course.
From the pool by the screws easy water leads to the first main feature, a drop and stopper/wave under the footbridge. Faster water leads down to ‘happy eater’ stopper and bigger pool. From here a straights section with small pool midway provides a variety of options for staggers and breakouts and crosses on increasingly faster water before another bigger drop into a pools with various stoppers and waves. Racing usually finishes just around the bend below this pool.
But don’t relax as the course drops into ‘valentines’ which depending on the level of the bottom pool can be drop with strong swirling eddies.
Faster water leads to the ‘acid drop’, again depending on the level the bottom pool is set at, this can be anything from flat, a small wave to a meaty drop and sticky stopper.
There are toilets, changing rooms, cafe and Northshore Watersports shop in the white water centre building. Race control is in the rooms under the road bridge.
For details of the centre, opening times and booking please see the Tees Barrage International White Water Centre website.
There is Caravan & Motorhome club site site at the top of the hill as well as a Premier Inn and rpub/restaurant. A short walk past the campsite is an ASDA superstore. On the other side of the A66 (a two minute drive) is Teesside Park with Morrisons, McDonalds and numerous other retail and food outlets. There is also a cinema and bowling alley.
Directions: Follow the brown canoeing signs from the A66. After crossing over the railway go straight on to cross the river and you will see the white water course down to your right. The first right take you to a car park on the hill above the course (as well as the caravan site and Premier Inn). The first left takes you to a car park by the white water centre.
JS Grading: D
D: ‘Real’ slalom water. Beginners will need some practise to handle this, and some bravery simply to paddle down it.
Even courses that are usually easy can become dangerous in exceptional high water conditions. If in doubt, seek advice or stay off the water.