Llangorse Lake

MikeP · 30 June 2010, 22:21

Hi guys,

I'm asking this question here as I'm assuming that the RIB crowd aren't welcomed at Llangorse....

Have any of you launched there with your SIBs ? Their website is down at the moment. but I seem to recall the last time I looked they had allowed water ski-ing.... which implies a small SIB might be allowable ?

Downhilldai · 30 June 2010, 23:26

I'm going from distant memory here, but I believe that there's a no-planing rule, unless you're engaged in water-skiing.

RAD · 01 July 2010, 18:33

We went to Llangorse lake last year to go sailing taking a rib with us.

The rib was only allowed to be on the water for rescue purposes and it was not cheap to pay for it to be on the water.

It isnt the biggest lake and it is only about 1mt 50 deep.

It is ok, but not a massive stretch of water.

Mike B · 01 July 2010, 22:48

IIRC you have to be a British Water Ski Federation member to use a power boat on the lake and it is around £50 for permit and launch per day!

MikeP · 01 July 2010, 23:28

Thanks for the tips, guys.

The reason I ask is that my parents are not far from there, and my mum would dearly love to go out on the boat with us. Our other option is dropping into the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal in - ahem - Brecon. This looks quite amenable from a Google Earth's eye view, and we've already got the explorer passes to cover that sort of a jaunt.

Seabay · 04 July 2010, 11:51

I live 5 mile from Llangorse,
I took my Avon there this easter to try it out.
I must say that they do allow you on there however I and others got the feeling that they don't want you there..

E.g.

1) 5 mph speed limit. Complete with a guy constantly patroling the lake to keep an eye on you.
2) £18 per boat to launch.
3) Very narrow slipway next to the attendants kiosk.
4) Constant reminders from the staff of the lake on how they will eject you if you don't play their way.

Mon and Brecon canal. Brilliant ! however a little overgrown in places because of lack of use.

My advice is get yourself down to the Mumbles or Gower. Do some exploring in the Swansea bay.

MikeP · 06 July 2010, 22:23

Thanks Seabay (and everyone else)...

Mon and Brec will be the destination this time, and I'm hoping to do an inflation video at the same time for posterity and information!

But, yeah, this year hasn't quite worked out how I hoped, we would have at least got to Cardiff Bay but that hasn't happened.

I think next year I need to re-prioritise the work/life balance a bit :-)

MikeP · 15 July 2010, 22:22

Small addendum to this one....

We did indeed launch last weekend on the Mon and Brec, and a good time was had by all. However, if anyone else is considering launching onto this canal, beware that at this time they are experiencing very low water levels (I know, doesn't make sense if you look out the window this evening). The upshot of this is there are some opening hour restrictions on some of the locks, and ideally you should be going through the locks with other boats to help minimise water loss.

Not something we've ever had to consider on the Kennet and Avon, but apparently a real problem this year on the Mon and Brec.

It is - however - very peaceful and also very narrow in places. We particularly appreciated the helpful advice of the local tour boat who reminded us to make sure we'd drilled some drainage holes in the deck of our SIB when it started raining....