What is 'Park & Play'?

Before you attend your session at CIWW, all paddlers must watch our Park & Play safety video here 

'Park and Play' is how we describe sessions available for experienced water users with their own equipment*, to come along and use the facilities at CIWW without receiving instruction from one of our coaches. We put the emphasis on you having the skills and abilities to safely utilise our world-class venue for one of the below sessions.

Not sure if Park and Play is right for you? Give us a call on 029 2082 9970 to chat with one of our Instructors who will be more than happy to talk you through the below options. 

All sessions must be pre-booked online. All water users must agree to and understand our 'Non-CIWW-Coached' T&Cs available to view here before your session. Once booked, you will be directed to complete an online disclaimer and question pack via the web booking platform Eola.

If you are booking on behalf of others, you will be prompted to enter their name and email address so that they can sign our online disclaimer and question pack separately. If you are booking on behalf of someone who is under 18 (please check the age restrictions below), please make sure that you specify this upon booking. This is because a parent or guardian will need to sign the online disclaimer on their behalf.

White Water Kayaking Park & Play

Our Olympic Standard White Water Course runs at 4 different cumec levels, ideal for experienced White Water Kayakers who are looking for White Water on demand! We have weekly pump times available to book online. If you are new to CIWW and haven't paddled on our White Water before, we ask you to walk the White Water Course prior to paddling, to check that you are confident in your abilities to take part. 6yrs+

*Park and Players who attend a session without booking in advance may be turned away or charged an addtional £5 per person fee if they fail to book in advance online. CIWW reserves the right to restrict/remove Park and Play sessions.

Wednesday - 17:45 - 20:15 4/6 cumecs (alternate Wednesdays from November - March)

Friday - 18:00 - 20:00 10 cumecs (alternate Fridays from November - March)

Saturday - Session 1 10:00 - 12:30 - 8 cumecs Session 2 13:30 - 16:00 - 8 cumecs* 

Sunday - Session 1  10:00 - 12:30 - 4/6 cumecs Session 2 13:30 - 16:00 - 8 cumecs

River Access 

Access the beautiful River Ely seven days a week in your Canoe, Kayak or SUP (please check session timings when you book). Make sure you keep up to date on any Notice to Mariners prior to paddling. 6yrs+

£8.00 per person for River Access

Annual Flat Water Access Pass

We're excited to introduce our new Annual Flat Water Access Pass for just £50. This pass gives you access to our Retained Water Pool and River during CIWW opening hours, as well as full use of facilities and access to our SUP Social sessions on Wednesday evenings' in the summer and Sunday mornings' during the winter (excluding board/ paddle hire). Additionally, you'll receive a 10% discount on all full-priced items at GOTW our onsite shop. If you're interested in taking advantage of this fantastic offer, simply head down to CIWW and we can arrange membership at reception with you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this pass run one year from when I purchased it?
This pass runs from 1st June 2024 - 1st June 2025 but the price stays the same throughout the year.

Does the pass allow me to access Open Water Swimming too?
No - this pass is only for boat/ board launch within normal opening hours.

I'm a SUP Racer, is this something I can use too?
Yes - absolutely this allows access to the SUP Race Training group with the pass.

When can I access the water?
Every day of the week within our standard opening hours of 9:30-16:00, in the summer you can also access our SUP Social on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings through winter.

Do I need to pre-book my session as an access pass holder?
Yes - please call 02920 829970 to book you in to the system prior to your arrival. For SUP Social you can only book a week in advance.  Flat Water Access pass holders that require equipment hire (Board/Paddle and PFD) on the SUP Social sessions please let our admin team know and they will send you a payment link of £6.00 per person for the equipment upon booking your space.

SUP Social

SUP Social is a great way to join fellow Stand Up Paddleboarders who are interested in paddling as a group in an organised session and enjoy the chance to meet and paddle with like-minded people and share experiences. SUP Social is open to adults who have taken part in a CIWW SUP session or who have previous experience - including courses and taster sessions. Board hire is available for an additional fee - you will need to have your own wetsuit and buoyancy aid. For 18yrs+

£8 per person for River Access (Not including any equipment hire)

£14 per person for River Access + Board/Paddle and PFD Hire

Open Water Swimming

Cardiff International White Water is a great Open Water Swim venue with fresh and clean water.  The swim lap is over 100 metres, ideal for new open-water swimmers and experienced triathletes. Two buoy turns also allow swimmers to practice sighting and turns. The venue is SHOUT and Welsh Swimming accredited, sessions are supervised by qualified CIWW safety staff.

Water temperature varies throughout the season. We do not insist on wetsuits however if you do swim without one, please ensure you are used to cold water and can swim in open, deep water. For 18yrs+

Coaching is available by contacting - http://whittlefit.com/

£6 per person

Equipment for Park and Play sessions

You must bring all equipment required to paddle. No equipment can be bought or hired from Cardiff International White Water.

However, If you wish to hire or purchase any equipment, please get in contact with GET ON THE WATER LTD located in CIWW . You can find them by calling 02922 362362 or email sales@getonthewater.co.uk - www.getonthewater.co.uk

*As per our T&Cs, your equipment must be suitable for the activity you are undertaking, CIWW reserves the right to revoke your access to our facility if your equipment is not fit for purpose. SUP equipment from CIWW is available to hire only as part of our SUP Social sessions.