From Richard Lee at https://www.canoeslalom.co.uk/courses/bala_mill.htm
The Bala Mill slalom site is on the Tryweryn River regulated dam, half a mile from Bala. With a deep pool below the mill falls, it provides a year-round training and competition venue, regardless of the release of water from the Llyn Celyn weir. Bala Canoe Club owns the land on one side of the river and has access to a 500m stretch of water for slalom gates and a further 600m of flat water to the road bridge at Bala.
The waterfalls at Bala Mill are the main feature of the Premier and Division 1 runs and can only be used with a flow in excess of 9 cumecs. The rapid drops from the Rhiwlas pool and consists of progressively technical whitewater for 75 metres, culminating in a rocky drop guarded by a large haystack wave and a cross stream which also descends the chicken shoot, used by whitewater runners as an alternative to the main drop.
The area below the falls consists of a pool which houses the training venue and slaloms for divisions 2, 3 and 4. It can be used in any water level. It can be used at any water level, but with a flow of 9 - 10 cumecs it provides a fast water tongue, some fast eddies and obstacles and a constant flow to the bottom of the course with a small slide at the exit. In winter, with a flow of 5 cumecs, it is a good place to train under floodlights, with 20 gates offering a variety of technical and physical exercises.
The Bala Canoe Club owns and manages the site, which includes a large field for parking and occasional camping. The club has over 100 members, of which 20-25 take part in regular slalom sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the mill, Saturdays at Canolfan Tryweryn and Mondays on the lake. The club also organises freestyle, whitewater and lake sessions on Fridays. All money raised by the club at events is used to develop the site, keep the road and paths in good condition and maintain a building with toilets and a kitchen. Following a spate of vandalism a few years ago, the club building has been required to have a tenant, so please respect the property if you use it for running or training and stick to the public footpath or riverside.
If you would like to use the site for training, groups can contact Chris Leesmith at Paddleworks on Main Street in Bala, while individuals can join the club - contact Richard Lee on 01678 520337 or richardlee.wca@virgin.net. You can also buy a ticket at Canolfan Tryweryn and enjoy 8km of whitewater 200 days a year, with outings most weekends between March and October. See the water information line on 01678 520826.
Exit the A4212 400m from the A494 turn off towards Porthmadog/Trawsfynydd. The road is opposite the artificial sports field, between the turn-off for the Cysgod and Coleg housing estate (the site cannot be accessed if you turn into the housing estate) and the College at the top of the hill. Please take care on the access road - many children play along it.
JS Rating - Below the falls: B - Falls: D
B: Slightly choppy water, with some eddies, but not enough to worry paddlers; and at most a small drop that paddlers simply have to run through.
D: "Real" slalom water. Beginners will need some practice to handle it and some courage just to paddle it.
Even courses that are usually easy can become dangerous in exceptionally high tide conditions. If in doubt, ask for advice or stay out of the water.