Meeting point: On the approach road to Mcdonalds, Glyn-Neath Business Park, Cwmgwrach Roundabout Glynneath, SA11 5NZ

Please meet your instructor here. Don’t worry they’ll be looking out for you! (He/she may/may not have a sign written RIPNROCK van) You will then follow in your vehicle for approximately 10 minutes to the next carpark. Here you will get kitted up, briefed and begin the activity. Please car share as much as possible as parking may be limited. Please note; Car park charge- £1 per person. Please could you give this to the instructor who will then pay the farmer.

What we provide – Wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids. (in colder months- gloves, neoprene hoods and socks)

What you will need

• A pair of closed-toe, grippy shoes with laces to wear for the activity i.e. trainers/walking boots.
• No surfing booties or sandal style shoe- they are not suitable.
• Trunks/swimsuit to be worn under the wetsuit.
• A pair of old shorts to be worn outside the wetsuit to protect the wetsuit.
• A large towel or other garment to assist with changing outdoors, nudity in the areas we change in is totally unacceptable.
• A thin fleece (NOT cotton) top to wear under the wetsuit can give extra warmth. A must in winter months!
• Any medication you may need (asthma pump, EPI pen etc) your instructors can carry these the safety bags throughout the activity.

Please ensure you have eaten a good meal before arriving for your session. You will not be able to bring food or drinks on the activity with you. Unless required for medical reasons.

With your permission, pictures may be taken throughout the day and used for marketing purposes.

Please note; everything during the session is optional, there is always another way around.

Outdoor activity provision in the UK has an enviable safety record. However, accidents causing personal injury and death can occur. Due to their very nature and the environment and terrain in which they are held, all adventurous activities hold inherent risks and can never be 100% safe. By taking part in the activity you (or your guardian) are accepting this statement.

Please share these instructions with your group and call or email team on 07815 784 122 / ripnrockbookings@gmail.com if you have any queries. We look forward to meeting you soon 🙂

Q. Do you provide the kit? A. Yes , we provide you with a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet and in colder months you’ll also be provided with a wetsuit hood, socks and thermal lined gloves.

Q. Do we need to bring anything? A. Yes, a pair of old shorts to be worn over our wetsuits(giving them much needed protection against the rocks-especially for the bumshufflers amongst you). Your own footwear that you don’t mind getting wet – a walking boot/shoe or trainer with laces are great. (Sandals or wetsuit shoes aren’t suitable), swimwear for under the wetsuit, a towel and any medication you may need.

Q. Do I need to be a strong swimmer? A. No. The majority of our customers are not strong swimmers. If you are a non swimmer but are confident in the water in a buoyancy aid (which keeps you afloat) and can do some form of forward paddle such as a doggy paddle/breaststroke then based on previous observations, this should suffice. If you are a non or weak swimmer and do not have water confidence, then you may prefer to miss out and walk around some of the challenges.

Q. Do I need to be fit to go Canyoning? A. A reasonable level of fitness is required. The session is approx 3 hrs long and entails short pool swims, jumps and walking in and out of the river along rocks and river bed. In our opinion, the real test of fitness would be the walk back ‘up’ to the carpark along a rugged footpath.

Q. Do I have to do all of the Jumps? A. No, jumps are optional. We always build you up to the big jumps, starting small. This allows our guides to coach you on jumping techniques and observe you. If you aren’t able to master the correct techniques our guides will not allow you to do the bigger jumps. The biggest being 10m on some days.

Q. Do you have age limits? A. 10yrs old is the youngest. No older age limits apply.

Q. What if the weather is bad? A. We’ll still go ahead in the rain. If the river conditions are too dangerous we will offer an alternative such as coasteering or gorge walking(these are an hour away from our canyoning venues) If an alternative cannot be provided you will receive a full refund.

Q. Can I take pictures? A. Yes you are welcome to bring a waterproof camera to take pictures, this will be at your own risk. Some way of attaching the camera to you wrist/buoyancy aid is strongly reccommended.

Q. Can I spectate from the side if I don’t want to take part? A. There is a public footpath that runs almost parallel to river, which is most likely to be uneven and potentially slippery. This will be entirely at your own risk and you will not the resposibilty of the guide.