Matlock slalom course - a white water stretch on the River Derwent

This is a natural slalom course next to the A6 in Matlock and on the River Derwent. It's a small stretch of white water with grades of 1 and 2.

It's ideal for beginners and has easy parking at the Artist's Corner Car Park (W3W). There is a small charge for parking and a height restriction barrier.

The rapids on the Matlock slalom course are formed from the natural stone of the side and bottom of the river. This creates some interesting rapids, currents and eddies.

It is safely paddled at low to medium water levels - it's best to inspect visually before you paddle, but you can get an idea by checking the River Derwent levels here:

River Derwent Water Level

At higher levels, it can be dangerous and completely washed out. It creates a fast flowing continous stretch with no rapids and brings with it debris too. Best to avoid.

Getting in at Artist's Corner, there is an easy paddle downstream to reach the top flat section of Matlock slalom course. This is a series of slalom gates to use as a warm up.

The top section is flat with some practice slalom gates

The first main rapid contains 'Killer Rock'. A large rock in the middle of the flow which piles water against it.

It's easy to go either side to avoid it and finish in one of the eddies. A pin against this rock could be tricky to rescue due to the location of it.

The first rapid on Matlock Slalom Course. 'Killer rock' can be seen in the middle of the flow.

Using the eddy below the rock gives a circular practice route for breaking in and out.

Be careful going across the top of the rock by going high into the oppostie eddy.

You can get out on the bank river left and walk back over the stones to run this section again. Paddling back up is not straightforward even in low water!

The middle section of the Matlock slalom course is flowing with no major rapids.

Matlock slalom course middle section with a flow, but no major rapids

There are a couple of large eddies either side to use before returning to the main flow.

The stone section where the above photo is taken from would be a good place to put rescue for any capsizes around 'Killer Rock'. It gives a large eddy, good visability and avoids a lengthy swim down the rest of slalom course especially in medium River Derwent levels.

The final rapid is the best on the Matlock slalom course.

It has a couple of small drops with two eddies below. Plenty of opportunity for slalom gate practice or just playing on the waves.

You can eddy hop back up this rapid in low water so you can run it again.

Chris eddy hopping back up the final rapid on the Matlock slalom course

The steps to get out for the walk back to the car park are river right just after this rapid.

It's easy to get to in lowish water, but at medium levels it can be tricky to get to. There is a 'net' on the wall to grab to help pull your craft back up towards the steps.

In low water, you can paddle/wade back up to the car park as Chris and I did in the video at the bottom of the page.

Matlock slalom course get out steps. Not easy to hit in faster flows.

Below is the video of Chris and I paddling the Matlock Slalom Course.

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