The Loop, River Dart

Here, a seam between the two river currents forms allowing squirtboaters to practise their sport.

This involves a 100-meter grade III rapid which requires rock evasion and a final wave train which pushes one into the leap itself; a large undercut cliff-face.

In anything but high flows the leap is easily avoided but has the potential to pin inexperienced paddlers.

The pool after the third drop is flat allowing boats and people to be rescued at the river bank.

If caught, a fast break-in is needed and possibly a surf across the wave that forms next to it.

The last notable rapid on the river before Holne Bridge, which works best in medium to high levels.

Stopping in short lane (room for two cars) between the road and river is possible, but parking there is not advisable.

The Riverdart Country Park charges (pay and display) during the paddling season £5 per car or £10 per minibus for the day.

Day visitors also have use of the toilet facilities and communal hot showers on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Old Sawmill is open at weekends and offers a Sunday Carvery lunch from noon to 3 pm.

A feasible, though fairly long, alternative is to continue down the river to Buckfastleigh where in the winter there is ample parking.