Ceufad Winter 2018

ceufad CYLCHGRAWN CANW CYMRU JOURNAL OF CANOE WALES

Issue 137 December 2018 £2.50

kayak

TRYWERN FESTIVAL 2018 MAGPIE EXPEDITION THE GRAND CANYON OF THE ANDES YUKON 1000 BY SUP INTERVIEW: ANGELA JONES

editorial

Location: Mae Taeng River, Thailand Paddler: John Conlin-Jones

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his issue is bursting at the seams, so much so that we’ve had to bump two articles to the spring issue. By way of apology and as a teaser for the next issue, the editorial photo is from one of those articles; kayaking the Mae Taeng River in Thailand.

The author, John Conlin-Jones, is proof that age is no excuse, and is paddling grade 3/4 well into his retirement. And this issue features a few more inspirational paddlers. Angela Jones (p28) is still breaking course records at 50 and is finding adventure wherever she goes. Ben Higson who was part of a whiter water expedition on the Magpie River in Canada (p22), and he’s only 13.

This issue demonstrates that paddlesport is for all ages, and that it’s never too late to get started. So, what are you waiting for???

A massive thank you to everyone who has contributed this year and a very Merry Christmas to you all. I look forward to reading about all your adventures next year!

Vicky Barlow Editor

ceufad@canoe.wales

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Ceufad Ed Ceufad

@Ceufad

ceufad

Ceufad is the official magazine of Canoe Wales. It is produced by members & the views expressed are not necessarily those of Canoe Wales or the magazine’s editor. Ceufad is free to members of Canoe Wales.

SUBSCRIPTIONS are available to non-members for £10 for 4 issues from Canoe Wales.

ADVERTISING For advertising rates contact Vicky on: ceufad@canoe.wales SUBMISSIONS Articles are always welcomed & should be submitted as Word files, however, typed articles are also accepted. Images can be prints or tiff/jpeg/RAW files (preferably 300ppi). These will be returned.

CONTACT ceufad@canoe.wales – 01678 521199 Ceufad, Canoe Wales, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7NU Ceufad is produced quarterly in March, June, September and December.

NEXT ISSUE: MARCH DEADLINE: 1ST FEBRUARY Ceufad welcomes all contributions but reserves the right to edit & condense to fill the space available.

Design & layout: Vicky Barlow www.victoriabarlow.co.uk

28 Interview: Angela Jones

12 The Grand Canyon of the Andes

contents

32 Yukon 1000

10 Welsh Canoe Slalom Champs 2018

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CANOE WALES NEWS

18 TRYWERYN FESTIVAL 2018

Updates and info from Canoe Wales

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CANOE WALES – WATERWAYS & ENVIRONMENT UPDATE

20 CANOE WALES YEAR PLANNER

“Clear Access, Clear Waters”

10 WELSH CANOE SLALOM CHAMPS 2018

Photos and results from the Welsh Champs at Bala

11 CANOE & KAYAK STORE / CIWW FREESTYLE LEAGUE 2018

The final event in the series and the results are in

12 BELOW AND BEYOND – THE GRAND CANYON OF THE ANDES

Multi-day white water on the Rio Maranon

16 FIRST SOLO SUP CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF ANGLESEY

White water madness at the NWWC Stick it on the fridge and plan your year

22 MAGPIE EXPEDITION

The next generation of ww kayakers head to Canada

26 WELSH SLALOM SQUAD

Going way back to the first squad ... in 1981!!

28 INTERVIEW: ANGELA JONES

Chatting to a serial doorstep adventurer

32 YUKON 1000

SUPing the longest canoe and kayak race in the world

Roger Chandler takes on a challenge

Front cover: Paddlers: Explore Expeditions team Location: Magpie River, Canada Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography

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CANOE WALES CANOE WALES AWARDS 2018 At a wet and windy Awards Dinner in October, Canoe Wales was pleased to announce the following winners of the 2018 Canoe Wales Awards:

PADDLER OF THE YEAR Winner: Henry Clark – for his achievement of a World Championship Gold Medal with the GB U21 Canoe Polo Team

COACH OF THE YEAR Winner: Carys Owen – for her commitment and creativity in getting young paddlers started in paddlesport and creating a welcoming and supportive club environment Finalists: Ray Ponting, Dan Evans

Finalists: Etienne Chappell, Megan HamerEvans VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Winner: Cliff Melhuish – for his development of creative approaches to developing opportunities for social paddling through social media

Henry Clark – our Paddler of the Year receiving his award from Performance Manager Dan Golder

Finalists: Jon Littlewood, Sharon Thomas CLUB OF THE YEAR Winner: Maesteg Canoe Club – for their achievement of Insport Gold and the impressive work they’ve done to increase opportunities for disabled people within their club Carys Owen – our Coach of the Year in action

Finalists: Bridgend Canoe Club, Swansea Kayak Club

HONORARY PRESIDENT

NWWC PRICES 2019 From 1st January 2019 NWWC prices will be: Adult: £15 per person, per day Junior: £10 per person, per day (up to 17 yrs old) If you are a UK NGB member and have your current membership card with you, you can receive a discount of £5 per person.

Maesteg Canoe Club – our Club of Year, represented by Dan and Emily Evans, receiving their award from Valerie Baker

The Board of Directors are currently seeking nominations for the new voluntary position of Honorary President of Canoe Wales. The President will be appointed to a two-year team and will serve in an ambassadorial role as the public face of Canoe Wales to our members, partner organisations and the public, with responsibility for ensuring that the diverse viewpoints of our members are represented to the Directors. For the full role description and information about how to nominate someone, visit our website: ww.canoewales.com/vacancies

CANOE WALES AGM 2018 On the very wet weekend of 13–14 Oct 2018 the Canoe Wales AGM was held at Celtic camping in West Wales. The aim was to make the AGM more worthwhile for people to travel to, while allowing members to attend some very exciting workshops and talks.

the weekend, along with a great team of Canoe Wales staff; Paul Marshall (coaching manager), Dan Golder (performance manager), Rhys Green and Gayle Penn, (our new development team). And Jen Browning who worked hard to the get the event up and going.

We had a good turn out for the first event, which it is hoped will move around Wales to allow everyone a good chance to get their say in how Canoe Wales continues to move forward.

I believe this is a great way for everyone involved with Canoe Wales to have a fun weekend, learn some new things, share ideas and discuss the way WE want Canoe Wales to go in the future.

The workshops were provided by some of our great Welsh paddlers.

NEXT AGM: 5–6 OCTOBER 2019

Dr Lou Luddington ran a workshop around the marine environment and rocky shoreline, with ideas on how this could be integrated into paddling sessions.

Feel free to contact me at jet.moore@canoe.wales or any of the Canoe Wales team that were involved.

Rachel Bott presented an evening talk about her and her friends’ amazing expedition across Wales in pack rafts. Proof that we can do amazing things on our doorsteps.

Martin Leonard ran a great day of sea kayak skills at Cwm Ystwyth.

Marianne ran a very well attended coaching the mind workshop.

Paul Bramble, one of our top Welsh Surf Kayakers, ran a surf kayak skills workshop.

We were also joined by a number of the Canoe Wales’ directors for

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A good meal to keep us all going.

CANOE WALES NEW BRITISH CANOEING AWARDS British Canoeing is pleased to announce the NEW Personal Performance Awards and the NEW Paddlesport Instructor award, both due to launch in January 2019.

NEW PERSONAL PERFORMANCE AWARDS

NEW PADDLESPORT INSTRUCTOR

Paddle Awards: Designed to develop enjoyment, safety and skills for those new to Paddlesport

This qualification has been developed to support the work of the instructor in introducing people to the exciting world of paddlesport through fun games and inspiring sessions in a very sheltered environment, using stable craft deemed suitable for a first time experience (e.g. closed and open cockpit kayaks, sit-ontops, stand-up-paddleboards, and open canoes).

The three Paddle Awards are for those getting into a boat for the first time, enabling them to feel confident in their chosen craft in a sheltered water environment. The awards help empower the paddler, enabling them to start their lifelong journey into paddlesport.

It will replace the existing Level 1 Paddlesport Instructor course.

The qualification has undergone significant changes through consultation with the industry, including clubs, providers, centres and coaches.

Paddle Start

• Two days of combined training and assessment

An award that empowers and supports the individual paddler

Discipline Specific Pathway Awards • Each of the 12 disciplines has three awards.

• Five new disciplines have been introduced including Stand Up Paddleboard, Polo, Racing, Rafting and Slalom, which means there is something for everyone. With a range of different environments and crafts, this enables the individual to make choices on the type of craft and environment they wish to paddle.

• All of the awards are direct entry. Paddlers can choose which award they would like to work towards, developing their skills and decision making.

• The awards provide appropriate milestones and acknowledgement of personal skills, setting up the paddler appropriately for British Canoeing Coaching and Leadership qualifications.

• No workbook but an optional eLearning is available • Available in stable craft including closed and open cockpit kayaks, sit-on-tops, stand-up-paddleboards, and open canoes The qualification will support the instructor with practical skills such as kitting up a group and getting afloat, initial familiarisation activities, games and activities to support learning and how to use mini journeys to support learning, inspire adventure and exploration. This will be enhanced with support on how these sessions can be delivered in a way that is enjoyable, safe and rewarding.

The process of completing the qualification aims to help prepare candidates for their first paddlesport instructing role; ‘primed and ready’.

Further details are available from: www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk Become a

Paddlesport Instructor If you’re looking to run starter / taster sessions, games and short journeys at your club, centre or other organisations, then the NEW Paddlesport Instructor award is for you!

• There are no age restrictions for any of the awards. Providers should check paddlers’ suitability, as well as having appropriate mechanisms for anyone under 18.

Two days of combined training and assessment Practical Course – Minimum classroom time Stable craft – Kayaks, Canoes, Sit on Tops, Stand Up Paddleboards Development of your instructing skills, behaviours & attributes Only prerequisites are Home Nation membership and Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT)

The choice is yours...

• All of the awards have been created and written with the paddler at the heart of the content and creating self-directed learning, empowerment and ownership.

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Please visit www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk for full details of the Course Content.

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Paddle Explore

Enables the paddler to develop decision making and fundamental skills

• Only prerequisites are Home Nation membership and Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT)

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Paddle Discover

Encouragement award aimed at someone new to paddlesport

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The awards allow paddlers to improve their skills, working towards the award of their choice, developing their decision-making and fundamental skills. There are no dual discipline awards and all of the awards are direct entry, giving the paddler choice.

CANOE WALES – OUR TEAM Jen Browning – General Manager MEMBER SERVICES TEAM Paul Marshall – Coaching Manager (Consultant) Val Ephraim – Administrative Officer Ellen Roberts – Finance Officer Steve Rayner – Waterways and Environment Officer (Consultant)

PERFORMANCE TEAM Jonathan Davies – Talent Pathway Officer (North) Serena Williams – Talent Pathway Officer (South) Dan Golder – Talent Pathway Officer (South) Gareth Bryant -–Talent Pathway Officer (West) Tom Power – Head Coach (Slalom) Dan Goddard – Performance Coach (Slalom) Kevin Bowerbank – Head Coach (Sprint)

DIRECTORS David Wakeling – Interim Chairperson Andy Booth – Finance Director Lowri Davies Jet Moore Paul Robertson Eryl Richards Russell Scaplehorn

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CANOE WALES

GAYLE PENN

MEET THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS Where are you based?

I am based in Burry Port in Carmarthenshire and the role will see me travelling all over Mid and South Wales.

What’s your sport background?

I have come from a sporting family, as a child it soon became my passion and I chose to study Sport Science at University.

Netball is the sport I have mostly been participating, coaching and officiating in and most recently worked for Commonwealth Champions, England Netball for 10 years as a development officer and volunteering in the performance set up.

Why is sport so important to you?

My affection for sport started with the quality time and bond it gave with my family. Watching Scarlets Rugby at Stradey Park with my dad and sister, and being picked for the netball team and my mum surprising me with slides of her playing. I have wonderful memories, when I was very little, of canoeing with my extended family and simply laughing a lot.

Sport has given me life-long friendships, taught me how to be part of a team, leader, teacher, fair and inclusive. How to positively manage failure and success and have opportunities to be influenced by inspirational people.

RHYS GREEN

Why did you take the role of RDO? Whilst living and working in England, I became home sick and it was the Welsh waters that drew me back. Our waters are beautiful and diverse, I want to bring together my love of sports, my home of Wales and its exquisite waterways. Paddlesport offers a wide range Where are you based?

I am based in Carmarthenshire, fairly central within Wales and equidistant from the clubs I assist and work with.

What’s your sport background?

My background is paddling, I started many years ago through a taster week in Llandysul. Through that start I have stuck with whitewater kayaking and through this discipline I have been able to travel to places such as New Zealand, the Nile (before too much has been lost to the dams) and the Zambezi.

Since then I have gone on to explore other disciplines, notably a few seasons sea kayaking in Malaysia, and running canoe expeditions in America. Fairly soon after I started paddling I began assisting within my club, coaching rolling, helping with river sessions and in 2009 I was awarded the Young Volunteer Coach of the Year award for Carmarthenshire.

Why is paddlesport so important to you?

This start in paddling and further broadening into other disciplines has helped me to appreciate the unique qualities in paddlesport. The individual approach within paddlesport for similar outcomes through multiple options has stuck with me; every coaching session presents a new challenge. I have further developed into

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of activities and environments to suit everyone, from canoe, kayak, SUPs to ocean ski’s on sheltered to white water to the sea. I’ve taken the role as I can see that paddlesport has a huge potential to grow its involvement and make a happy and healthier Wales.

What does it involve?

At present, we are focused on going out to visit every club to establishing positive relationships, and start building strong foundations to be in a position to grow our participation. We’re already getting a good picture of the areas we can support our clubs and therefore I am now looking into applying for funding to create a young paddlesport volunteer programme.

What do you hope to achieve?

I hope to achieve making paddlesport the number 1 participated outdoor sports in Wales by developing strong, safe and sustainable opportunities from entry to elite. I want to work towards increasing the positive exposure of paddlesports that it deserves.

What are the challenges?

Getting myself paddling J Joking a-side, I am a plus-size middleaged lady and I have apprehensions about paddling. However, I am determined to have a go to demonstrate that anyone can do it. The role challenges are going to be the large area and number of clubs we are covering.

How do you see CW members/clubs working with you?

I see myself and clubs/members working as a team to advocate for paddlesport by doing our parts, which are becoming more clear thanks to the CW executives.

I want to generate an open and effective dialogue with my clubs/members and offer the possibility of fresh approaches. becoming a coach educator, where I can assist others in gaining this understanding. Outside of coaching I have completed my MA in Outdoor Education where for my thesis I researched recreational paddlesport motivation within Wales.

Why did you take the role of RDO? My MA led me into this new Canoe Wales role as a Development Officer, through understanding why different demographic groups took up paddling, and what keeps them interested.

What does it involve?

My role is assist clubs at the recreational level, initially to assist clubs in producing all required information for their administration, safety protocols, along with assisting clubs for funding applications. In the long run this role is designed to assist clubs to be part of a more healthy, progressive paddling future, getting more people involved in the sport we all enjoy.

What are the challenges?

The greatest challenge with this role so far has been the limited time available, this position is only supposed to be three days a week, but so far I have found myself constantly exceeding this. For me it is great to have a role you enjoy and can look forward to.

What do you hope to achieve and how do you see CW members/ clubs working with you?

I hope to be more of an assistant in the future, with the clubs working more with one another in becoming a paddling community, sharing and solving issues along with promoting successes.

CANOE WALES

LLANDYSUL PADDLERS RECOVERING FROM FLOODS Llandysul Paddlesr are up and running again after what they describe as one of the worst days in the club’s history.

In October severe flooding devastated the clubhouse and most of the riverside properties. The river rose so fast that there was no time to move trailers or empty the stores. The boat shed was washed away along with 50 boats. Trailers, sheds, racks, boats and other essential kit, including all 60 of their slalom gates were swept down river.

‘The way that the community has come together for us and other people affected has shown what a great area we live in, the support from the local authorities, Canoe Wales and the paddling community and club members has been unbelievable. It has been a week of nonstop generosity that will take many years to repay,’ Gareth Bryant, Llandysul Paddlers.

Parts of the club were under 6 feet of water, which caused extensive damage to the club house, office, bunkhouse, shop and new building under construction.

After weeks of repairs and rebuilds Llandysul Paddlers are back in action, and the club sessions are running again. However, there’s still plenty of equipment to replace and work to do and, with areas such as the bunkhouse out of action till the New Year.

As the waters began to recede the club put out the call for help, including a fundraising page with an initial target of £10’000.

If you would like to help contact the centre at bpaddlers@aol.com or 01559363209

The response was overwhelming. In the days following the flood over 30 volunteers stepped forward to help with the recovery and repairs.

Donations flooded in; paint, timber, boats ... Bacon butties and cakes were delivered to the centre to keep the repair team fully fuelled. The £10’0000 target was swept away. The total donations currently stand at £17’000, although is estimated that £30’000 will be needed to complete the rebuild and replace the kit.

Donations can be made through www.gofundme.com/llandysulpaddlers-flood-disaster

What was one of the club’s worst days, turned into one of their best weeks, and demonstrated how vital and valued the club is within the local community and the wider paddling community.

CANOE WALES POLO POLO CANOE WALES ANOE ALES OLO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

C W P YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Last season the Welsh Canoe Polo Committee ran a series of youth canoe polo development sessions.

This season we have planned a series of development sessions leading to a selection for an Welsh under 16’s team to enter International Tournament of Pas de Calais in St Omer, France in April. If there is the interest we will look to take an older team as well. If you have any youth paddlers in your club looking to develop their canoe polo skills and knowledge and who maybe interested in going for selection to a Welsh team then please contact Tony Griffiths – Wales@canoepolo.org.uk to register your interest.

The dates are: 8th December 2018, 19th January 2019, 2nd February 2019, 2nd March 2019 Tournament date is 27th & 28th April 2019 (note we will need to travel on the Friday).

Please pass this onto anyone else who maybe interested and also anyone who may be interested in helping in any capacity.

COURSE CALENDAR 2019

Last season the Welsh Canoe Polo Committee ran a series of youth canoe polo development sessions.

This season we have planned a series of development sessions leading to a selection for an Welsh under 9–10 Jan to enter International BC WWTournament kayak coach Llandysul 16's team of Pastraining de Calais in St Omer, France in April. If there is the Jet Moore 19–20 BC canoe Llandysul club looking toJet Moore interest Jan we will look to take an olderleader team as assessment well. If you have any youth paddlers in your 9develop – 10 Feb core award Cardigan Jet Moore their canoe poloBC skills andcoach knowledge and who maybe interested in going for selection to a Welsh team contact Tony Griffiths - Wales@canoepolo.org.uk to register your 23–24 Febthen pleaseBC WWSR Llandysul interest.

Jet Moore

23–24 Feb BC WWSR Tryweryn NWWC Lastdates season The are: the Welsh Canoe Polo Committee ran a series of youth canoe polo development sessions.

1–3 March BC raft guide training

Tryweryn NWWC 8th December 2018, 19th January 2019, 2nd February 2019, 2nd March 2019 Tournament date is 27th & 6–7 March sea kayak coach training Cardigan Jet Moore 28th April 2019we (note weBC will need toatravel onof the Friday).

This season have planned series development sessions leading to a selection for Welsh under 29–30 March BC paddle sports leader award Cardigan Jetan Moore 16's team to enter International Tournament of Pas de Calais in St Omer, France in April.

If there is the Please pass this onto anyone else who maybe interested and also anyone who may be interested in interest will look to take an older team as well. If you have any youth paddlers in your club looking to helping in we any capacity. develop their canoe polo skills and knowledge and who maybe interested in going for selection to a Welsh team then please contact Tony Griffiths - Wales@canoepolo.org.uk to register your interest.

www.adventurebeyond.co.uk www.adventurebeyond.co.uk www.adventurebeyond.co.uk www.adventurebeyond.co.uk www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk www.adventurebeyond.co.uk www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

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WATERWAYS & ENVIRONMENT UPDATE

“CLEAR ACCESS, CLEAR WATERS” On 28 November, British Canoeing launched at Parliament its new Access and Environment Charter, “Clear Access, Clear Waters”, calling on the UK Government to give greater public access to waters in England (by the time Ceufad reaches your doormats, this will be available on the BC website).

John Coyne, the Chair of British Canoeing, says in his foreword to the Charter that, while “few of us live near the coast, the majority of the population live near a river, canal or lake. It is simply not right that these spaces are often ‘off limits’ or closed off from the public.

More must be done to enable greater access to waters, following the example set in Scotland. The situation regarding access to water is getting worse. If future generations are to respect the natural environment and be engaged in its protection, then there must be clarity over rights of access.

“Our environment is facing greater threats than ever before; declining biodiversity and plastic pollution in our rivers and waterways are just some of the issues that canoeists can, and do, play an active part in helping to address. Access to the environment, specifically our waters, has the potential to create a deep and lasting connection with nature, encouraging pro-environmental behaviours.

“With the advent of Brexit, new Agriculture and Environment bills and Defra’s 25-year plan for the environment [in England], there is fresh opportunity to seize the moment and take a positive step forward. Enabling fair, shared, sustainable open access to the outdoors will empower future generations to be actively engaged in protecting our blue environment. English waters are a fantastic resource that should be available for everyone to enjoy responsibly, without prejudice or exclusion.”

Although the British Canoeing Charter applies only to England (because access to waters is a devolved issue both for Governments and the paddlesport National Governing Bodies), Canoe Wales has been fully engaged in its development and shares its core pledges: In support of the 3 pledges British Canoeing makes within the Charter, Canoe Wales will commit to…

1. Champion the case for fair, shared, sustainable open access on and along inland waters to be confirmed in law •

Canoe Wales will continue to press the Welsh Government to implement, sooner rather than later, the proposals for access reform that it set out in 2017. I met with the Minister for Environment Hannah Blythyn on 1 October. She listened attentively but reiterated that “now is not the right time for substantive reform” (because the Government is busy preparing for Brexit) and stated that she would be setting out her intentions more fully by the end of this year.

However, she did encourage us to suggest ideas for how land managers might be incentivised to encourage more recreational access, so…

•

Canoe Wales submitted a response to the Welsh Government’s “Brexit and our Land” consultation (looking at how farmers and land managers might be supported outside the Common Agricultural Policy), calling for access to inland waterways to be recognised as a “public good” and for land managers to receive Government support to improve it.

Clear Access, Clear Waters

British Canoeing’s Access and Environment Charter

2. Act to protect and improve the health of our rivers; working to protect, preserve and enhance the natural environment •

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British Canoeing joined ‘Surfers Against Sewage’ in its Autumn Beach & River Clean during October half-term.

While Canoe Wales does not currently have the resources to coordinate and actively promote similar large-scale activity, we hope to join them in next year’s events. In the meantime, we fully support the great work being done by the ‘Paddlers against Pollution’ Facebook group to highlight and encourage volunteer effort in Wales (and beyond) and we trust that our Clubs and Members will continue to contribute to environmental clean-up and monitoring initiatives whenever and wherever they can.

WATERWAYS & ENVIRONMENT UPDATE

3. Commit to inspire more people to be active outdoors; connecting people with their environment and promoting the benefits on our mental and physical well-being •

A key element of the new strategy is summed up by the statement in the Charter that, although “access on our waterways is a matter which has been contested for more than 60 years, we now believe that there is already a strong case to demonstrate an existing Public Right of Navigation (PRN) on all navigable rivers. Until such time as the law is clarified, either in a court or through new legislation being enacted, we will support the right of paddlers to use our inland waters and promote opportunities for everyone to participate responsibly and actively protect and enhance the places we paddle; [and] we will no longer enter into or renew restrictive agreements based on an assumption of the need for permission to navigate. However, we will remain open to genuine agreements and environmental measures to protect wildlife, guided by the principle of taking the least restrictive option.”

•

This means we will no longer avoid advertising where people go paddling (because of fears of being accused of inciting trespass), but we do intend to publish in due course… a) an exciting new online ‘places to paddle’ resource being developed by British Canoeing with support from Canoe Wales and the other UK Home Nation Associations, which will provide reliable information to paddlers about access arrangements and a wealth of other paddling-related material across the UK (this is currently being tested with a view to general release in the New Year); and b) ‘green guides’ to some of our key rivers, providing access and environmental information to complement existing river guidebooks and online guides.

NB if you’re taking advantage of the closed game-fishing season to get out onto our rivers more this winter, please continue to earn a welcome by…

•

avoiding damage to fish spawning beds (if it’s too shallow to paddle over gravels without scraping your boat or paddle, you probably shouldn’t be there!);

If anyone in your club has an interest in access, please let me know who they are, so I can start to build up a picture of potential volunteers to help the cause across Wales!

•

appreciating the goodwill of landowners who allow us to cross their land;

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parking considerately; and

Steve Rayner, Canoe Wales Waterways & Environment Officer, waterways@canoewales.com

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keeping calm (and carrying on?) if challenged!

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These will need support from paddlers across Wales to ‘get right’, so…

Happy Paddling!

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WELSH CANOE SLALOM

CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018

Photos: Russell Scaplehorn

1st 2nd 3rd

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K1 Men Etienne Chappell (W) James Bailey Zachary Franklin

K1 Women Sophie Ogilvie Megan Hamer-Evans (W) Nikita Setchell

C1 Men Will Smith Tom Abbott (W) Sam Ibbotson

C1 Women Sophie Ogilvie Jada Senar Emily Davies (W)

W IW C / E R O T S K A Y A K & CANOE FREESTYLE LEAGUE 2018 S Article: Justin Bunn

SERIES RESULTS ELITE 1st Matt Stephenson 2nd Daithi O’Brien 3rd Alex Walters

OPEN - JUNIOR 1st Owen Maddox 2nd Iestyn Davies 3rd Ben Higson

OPEN - SENIOR 1st Luke Edwards 2nd Hywel Davies 3rd Simon Ingles

NOVICE 1st Oliver Bunn 2nd Brogan Swart 3rd Simon Bent

aturday 6th October saw the final event of the year in the Cardiff Freestyle League. This is a series of events held throughout the year, originally intended to encourage the locals to display their skills, and often attended by some of the up and coming stars from around the country looking to strut their stuff and get some practice in at different venues. With Elite, Novice, Open and Junior categories there are classes for everyone.

This year’s series of events was attended by around 30 paddlers with the competitions being held on two separate features at the Cardiff International Whitewater Centre; the popular ‘Vicarious’ hole feature and also the wave on the second drop. The format for the main competition being a Jam session followed by some coaching and pointers and, for the Elite paddlers, all being scored in accordance with ICF scoring.

Alongside the more traditional moves such as loops and spins, there were some of the more creatively named moves on display throughout the series; McNasty, Airscrew,

Blunts, Phonics Monkey, Space Godzillas, to name but a few! As you can imagine the score sheets take some interpreting!

With the series titles up for grabs the paddlers were clearly out to impress and it was encouraging to see the progress being demonstrated by all the competitors throughout the series, with a significant increase in paddling standards and the resultant scores in the final round. With the top two scores from across the series counting towards the overall results, there were a few surprises in the overall standings as not everyone was able to attend all the events.

If you’re interested in finding out more about freestyle, come along to one of these friendly local events, check out the GB Freestyle website and Facebook pages, or ask at your local club. There are also plenty of recreational freestyle paddlers out there always willing to show you some moves, after all it’s all about joining in and having some fun whilst improving your paddling skills at the same time!

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Pedro takes the first rapid.

BELOW AND BEYOND THE GRAND CANYON OF 12 | Ceufad

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Article: John ‘Spike’ Green

THE ANDES

can still remember the conflict of emotions, last time that is. Sitting in the eddy above the blind, inescapable, un-run, remote canyon. Paddling with better paddlers than me. ‘Why am I here?’

Terrified, doubting myself and questioning my abilities to ‘cope’.

So this time … NONE of that! After that ignominious failure, I wanted … fun, adventure, something new to me (but that had been done before), a brilliant ‘journey’, challenging (but portageable!). And warm would be good too! Most of all, time with friends and good ‘craic’.

The Rio Maranon in central/northern Peru fitted the bill perfectly. It’s been on my ‘list’ for a long time too.

Some ‘facts’! (possibly… don’t quote me on these!) ◦◦ The Amazon used to be called the Maranon. ◦◦ It’s 1000m+ deeper than the Grand Canyon. ◦◦ It is the primary source of the Amazon. ◦◦ Therefore – the longest river drainage in the world. ◦◦ It is the longest un-dammed river in South America (some say the world, but don’t ask me who – some bloke down the pub probably!). ◦◦ There are currently 21 places identified as possible sites for dam construction.

Team to paddle with? First choice, not too difficult.

Paul Cripps, why? ◦◦ Been paddling together for 25 years. ◦◦ BFFs’ (ask a child!). ◦◦ Brave! ◦◦ Good, strong paddler. ◦◦ River guide. ◦◦ Fluent Spanish speaker. ◦◦ Oh – runs an adventure travel business in Peru!

See, told you, not a tricky choice.

I was hoping to tempt a few of the other ‘Below and Beyond’ team members to come along. But they’re all still brave and have decided on the Humla Karnali before that too gets dammed.

If this trip was all about the above first paragraph, then I wouldn’t be keen if it was just Paul and I. But given this trip was about NOT being stressed, I was happy for anyone suitable to join us.

Paul invited Ben along. Ben I know, I’ve paddles the Apurimac with him and done some MTB rides too (he’s the Peruvian Masters downhill champ!). Perfect!

Pedro too got in on the act. Pedro (this might not be too much of a surprise, but Pedro is Peruvian too) has run the river a few times before and is the head guide for the rafting company that run the river most often – oh alright then he can come! That’s a team right there! It then gets a bit complex … Ben and Pedro will leave the river after 6 days to be replaced by John Vincent (a teacher living in Lima), for 4 days. Who then leaves Paul and I alone for the final ‘X’ days.

or ... the team are on the source again …

Ceufad

| 13

Pedro at the bottom of the sneak line on the 2nd Gd5.

We know a few things … ◦◦ It’s the dry season (river shouldn’t go HUGE and scare me!) ◦◦ There are 2 Gd 5 sections – both portageable. ◦◦ There are some flat bits. ◦◦ One potential get out is the Atlantic … ◦◦ If you go too far into the jungle you need a native guide (tricky to carry in a kayak). ◦◦ Our chosen put-in is at 2100m, the get-out at 300m-ish? The upper section is crazy bonkers hard! ◦◦ It’s long … we’re looking at 12-16 days on the river, or I miss my flight. ◦◦ Initially it’ll be chilly, by the end, HOT! ◦◦ We have to be at the right bridge on the right day for the complex team changeovers.

If you’re thinking of pretty much any kind of adventure in Peru then Paul’s company Amazonas Explorer should be your first port of call. They sorted our logistics perfectly. Boats and gear in all the right places at the right times.

So all I had to do was get on a flight to Lima, with my gear and 3 x BAs, cags and decks for the others!

The highlight of Lima was without doubt tackling the Miraflores BMX track on a tandem bike we hired – you’ll have to come to one of the film screenings to see that.

On to Huaraz, to meet up with the team, the boats and a mass gear faff. The drive over to the river was spectacular enough in its own right, but we felt it only right to squeeze in a bit of culture. A brief stop at Chavin to look around the archaeological site there – 3000–4000BC good stuff, worth the stop, if you ever get the chance. Oh, talking of worth a stop … check

14 | Ceufad

out the new micro brewery in Huaraz too.

We arrive at the river at about 4pm. I’m relieved to see it’s at a sensible level. So with my mind at rest I settle down for the first night sleeping by the river.

Day One - Up at 6.30 (as we were everyday).

Porridge. On the river by 8 (as we were everyday).

EVERY corner reveals another WOW! view. Rapids come thick and fast, but never hard. The water is quite warm (I’m wearing a long thermal, a short sleeved fleece and a semi dry shortie cag – perfect).

The sun appears only to disappear as thunder clouds bring showers, which in turn dissipate as the sun returns. The temperature off the river is probably about 25 degrees. The sandflies as ever do their utmost to ruin the experience … but fail. By 3pm we are looking for a campsite. By 3.01 we find the perfect beach. Flat, sheltered, loads of dry wood. There’s a farm by the beach, the locals come over looking a bit dubious about our presence. When we discover what they are ‘farming’ we understand their concern. So we promise not to ‘tell’, and they cheer up!

We were gratified to find that every beach was pretty much perfect, usually totally isolated from everyone, sheltered, loads of wood, beautiful, flat, etc.

Day Two to Fifteen – It really was a case of eat, sleep, kayak, repeat! We were averaging about 40– 50 kms a day. Inspected a few of the Gd 4(+)’s, mostly to decide where to film from. Everything else was read and run BIG water paddling.

Every local that we met, there were not many, was surprised to see that there were no ‘big boats’ – meaning rafts. It became clear that a kayaking group was a rare event on the river. The river is probably rafted 3– 4 times a year max. So the locals were

The final campsite on the Tutumberos native Indian reserve as the river heads into the Amazon Basin.

The river done, we just needed to do the 4 hours to the nearest town!

Camping Maranon style.

Paul fully involved with one of the many Gd4 sections. puzzled how we carried our food and kit – so were we! Actually, modern creek boats are so big that everything went in quiet easily. We carried at most 10 days food for 3 people, that lot went into the boats no problem … And the boats were absolutely fine to paddle – slow to accelerate, but otherwise great.

There were times when the extra momentum was useful to crash some of the holes!

It would be great to be able to write here tales of epic rescues and wild misadventure. Sadly however, we were a very compatible group, not a cross-word.

All paddling at a suitable standard. The teamwork was there from the start. The food was great, lots of it.

Logistics bang-on (did I mention Amazonas Explorer?).

It’s almost like we’d all done this kind of thing before!

We did get hit by my first ‘sandstorm’ though.

Roughly mid-trip, one afternoon we were just setting up camp, when the wind picked up more than usual – you may be aware of ‘anabatic’ and ‘katabatic’ winds; after lunch on most days an up river wind would pick up. This being a MASSIVE gorge, there was always the risk that this could also go MASSIVE, on this occasion it did! Have you ever seen those old WW2 desert movies (usually with James Mason or Humphrey Bogart – ask your grandparents, kids!), there’s always a sandstorm scene in those … Well, I was exactly like that! Horrible! I’m still finding fine sand in my kit a month later as I write this. Funnily enough I didn’t have my ski goggles with me, they would have helped!

The only other cock-up we made was the only time we were hit by any sort of heavy rain. Typically it was the one night we hadn’t bothered putting up the tarp!

The next morning we were so wet, we just bundled our kit into the boats and paddled off at 6.30am. The

Sunset on the river.

idea being that when the sun came up, we’d stop and dry our kit (which would take no time in the heat by this stage of the trip). Impossible to light a fire, so no porridge (hooray!), but no coffee (boo!). Fortunately at about 8am, we rounded a corner to find a small town … with a café! Breakfast sorted. So, the moral of the story … always put your tarp up, always prepare it to survive a sandstorm and always put some kindling under the tarp – like we did every other day! Muppets.

Bit of a competition for ‘the best bit of kit award’…

Without the Millbank bag we’d have been drinking some pretty gritty coffee in the mornings, so that was essential really (it’s a simple canvas bag water filter, it just gets the chunky bits out – saving the water purifying filter from getting blocked). The combination of the PeakUK Combi cag and WW deck was sensational! In the whole 15-day trip, 650km of BIG water Gd 4+, I never once had to open the drain bung OR use a sponge. Everyday I would be getting off the water DRY! Never had anything like that before. A mozzie net to sleep under was pretty comforting too!

Once again Peru well and truly came up with the goods. A fantastic experience. Would love to run this river again, next time maybe leading a trip …?

Thanks have to go to the following for their continued support: Pyranha, Peak UK, Werner Paddles, Watershed drybags, Mountain Equipment, Amazonas Explorer and Plas y Brenin.

Keep an eye out at pyb.co.uk for up and coming Below and Beyond presents ‘The Grand canyon of the Andes’ film shows.

Ceufad

| 15

FIRST SOLO SUP CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF ANGLESEY

M

y legs were working hard now, in a confused sea with a force 2 head wind.

It doesn’t sound like much, but it was creating wind against tide. As I entered Carmel Head tide race I was paddling down the edge. If I had been in my sea kayak I wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but on my paddleboard, I was in a different place. The main flow was offshore and looking chunky, despite being on the last hour of the flood. I could see the strong back eddy flowing towards me and I was trying to avoid it. I was now 1.5 kilometres off shore, 9.5 hours into my paddle, with another hour of the flood technically with me, but I wasn’t going out any further. I felt tired and calm, yet the fun was ebbing away, just like eddy.

Time to head in and reassess!

I had 3 main goals with my attempt to paddleboard around Anglesey: 1. to enjoy it (and if I wasn’t then land and reconsider my options) 2. be on the water for at least one sunrise 3. develop my forward paddling style further.

I had purposely focused on process goals, rather than outcome (of getting around Anglesey), as I knew my mind set was going to be crucial.

I needed minimal swell and light winds (f2) or less, neap tides (so less flow moving around), settled weather and a minimum of 3 days. I’ve found over the years if I allow more time than I think I need it takes a huge pressure off. Settled weather meant I could go alpine style and bivvi, which would reduce the weight I was carrying. I felt in a strong place and at the same time knew this would be a big physical and psychological challenge. As my friends across the water say, ‘I was stoked!’

The night before I left, the forecast for the second day had increased by the afternoon to f3/4 then f4 variable direction, mainly N. I looked again at my orginal plan and still felt it would allow me to get to the north coast of Anglesey. I was also hopeful that I could use the back eddies to get to the east coast.

Although this was an unknown. If I could get to the east coast then the following day I could use the north wind on my back to push me on to Penmon Point and into the Menai Straits and hence gain shelter.

I was up at 0200 and on the water at 0400, at the SW end of the Menai Straits (Sea Zoo). It was a beautiful sunrise, with loads of shearwaters zipping about. With a totally magic smooth sea state. After

16 | Ceufad

5.5 hours I reached Rhoscolyn, which was 30 minutes quicker than planned. Then a light f2 NE breeze began which created wind against tide, especially at Penrhyn Mawr, South Stack and Carmel Head.

As I approached North Stack I had a good onthe-water break, partly waiting for the three ferries to disappear and to get some needed fuel in. While I bobbed about I had the lovely surprise as four porpoises cruised on by me.

Back at Carmel Head, I found a beautiful small cove and landed. The sun had been burning down for hours and at least the breeze had a cooling effect.

But I needed a swim to cool off, then made a brew, had my dinner and then climbed up to get a view of the upcoming coastline. Looking at the map I was seriously chuffed as I had clocked off 58km in 10 hours, a personal best. Anything else that day was going to true bonus.

Harry Furlong’s tide race was already moving and going out (ebbing against me) and I could see waves at the top of the race. I decided to leave it for 3 hours and then get back on. ‘Let’s just see’ was my internal dialogue, ‘if I don’t like it, it’s easy to back out plus the wind’s due to drop soon.’ As I crossed Cemlyn Bay I saw a few bigger fins and stopped to look on.

Risso’s dolphins, maybe 2 or 3 coming my way. I sat and watched them cruise on by, effortlessly. A further 1.5 hours later the wind did drop, and I was left with a silky calm. I now needed to get around Point Lynas before it started to ebb and flow against me!

Padding into Hell’s Mouth against the ebbing tide went on forever and then, 5 metres from my board, a porpoise surfaced with a loud phew … It was just the boost I needed. I also thought back to those training paddles in the Swellies working on technique, against the tide, trying to develop a higher cadence to maintain speed and direction. They had paid off.

I found the only piece of grass and spent 10 minutes stretching ... my legs were very tired and, schoolboy error, I had burnt the tops of my feet!

I had reached the east coast, just South of Dulas Bay and had found a small patch of grass to bivi on, perfect. I had put down a further 24km and was off the water by 2200, in super silky sea state with no wind for the previous 4 hours. My personal best was now a super 92km!!

The following morning my alarm went off at 0400, I had had just 5 hours sleep, and it felt like it ... I reset it for 1 hour later.

Article: Roger Chandler

Crossing Red Wharf Bay was the toughest part of the trip. It took 4 hours to cover 18km - 1 hour longer than it should have done. The wind on my back gave me the impression I was moving forwards well, but I was going against the tide. I knew that, but I hadn’t measured the distance, so I hadn’t worked out how long it could take ... and that to have headed in may have been better and more effective to avoid the current. The bay just went on and on. As the wind increased to f3/4 I struggled with an effective forward stroke and the yarns had now arrived! At least I was being blown in the right direction ... The shearwaters zooming about helped me to refocus and I promised myself breakfast number 2 at Penmon Point! This would also allow the tide to turn and push me at least down to Beaumaris and then eddy hop to Menai Bridge. An ace breakfast at the Pilot House Café did the job!

Then back on to Menai Bridge, where I took a 30-minute break waiting for the tide to turn and to then enjoy a smooth ride down to the Sea Zoo and my van.

I had done it in 2 days and around 140km. 15 hours on the water the first day, with a 3-hour land-break.

Then 8 hours on the water on the second day with two land-breaks totalling 2 hours. No swims, only chosen ones, although low brace strokes were used on a number of occasions to good effect!

I was the third person to have paddleboarded around Anglesey and the first one solo! I took myself off to the Liverpool Arms for a good meal and a pint, then home and off to bed. I slept for a solid 10 hours.

ABOUT ROGER Roger runs a successful sea kayaking company based on Anglesey, since 2007. He is a British Canoeing (BC) Level 5 Coach Sea and is a SUP adventure guide with the Water Skills Academy (WSA) and is able to provide the following: • The British Canoeing SUP Discipline Support Module (BC SUP DSM) • Assessed Provider Competence (as part of the new element of coaching courses) • Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning (CNTP) More information can be found at: www.coastalspirit.com/stand-up-paddleboarding Roger is also a pro paddler with Kokatat, P&H Custom Sea Kayaks and VE Paddles and would like to thank them for their continued support.

You can follow him on his adventures at: www.facebook.com/CoastalSpirit.Anglesey

Ceufad

| 17

TRYWERYN FESTIVAL 2018 Words: NWWC Photos: Tom Clare

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T

he National White Water Centre has hosted the event each summer as a way of joining the paddling community together from all four corners of the UK and beyond, to compete, party and enjoy the awesome sections of white water that the Tryweryn has to offer.

With the arrival of the River Legacy crew and the party tent in place, Tryweryn Festival 2018 was soon to be underway!

This year the staff at the centre had been working extra hard before the event to ensure that everyone who attended the festival was in for a great weekend. This included creating a new path to the campsite, sourcing a new sound system, creating the river race courses, finding extra safety cover and marshals, and making sure the food order was in to feed over 200 people!

With all this in place we were ready “hopefully” for the festival to begin.

Saturday morning arrived and the 9.00am start for the NRS Extreme was not to everyone’s liking. We did say not to party too hard on the Friday night! But nobody ever listens as the excitement of seeing your best paddling buddy soon allows you to forget about the early wake up call.

Racers lined up for the challenging racecourse.

With a mass start followed by head to head heats this really was awesome spectating as well as adrenalinefilled paddling for the competitors!

It’s not all racing though, during the weekend we had trade stalls from the world’s top brands, Pyranha kayaks had a huge demo fleet and also hosted the King and Queen of the Wave competition.

Dagger kayaks and Palm Equipment also had a huge range of gear to test, as well as hosting the Throw Bag Olympics, this usually ends up with competitors realising they need way more practice for next year.

There were also demo fleets and equipment from Wavesport, Waka Kayaks, Whetman Equipment,

Surfplugs and Peak UK who designed some awesome custom PFD’S to go with our super heroes and villains party theme.

With the first day almost over it was time to find your perfect team for the time-trail Raft Race. Run by the National White Water Centre guides and staff this was a great way to experience the river from a different perspective and work together as a team to put down the fastest time possible on the challenging main commercial section of white water!

With energy drained it was time to chill, grab a drink, eat some awesome food and catch up with the Save Our Rivers campaign who have been working hard all year round to protect habitats and wild rivers which we all enjoy spending time in. There was also an awesome film from Matt Cooke showcasing the history of Pyranha kayaks; we all look forward to seeing the finished piece.

Drinks were kept topped up by the awesome River Legacy crew. Again, without these guys this event wouldn’t be the same and it’s awesome to work with a great charity like theirs who give so much back to the paddling community.

With the sound system ready and our usual DJ back in action it was time to dance into the night and look forward to another day of white water action.

Sunday came around far too quickly, and it was a great time to do some final laps of the river with the dedicated shuttle service in place. Plas-Y-Brenin were on hand this year to offer some awesome coaching and safety courses which were loved by all the paddlers who booked on so we will hopefully be seeing them again next year!

And that was it for another year, we can’t wait to see you all again for 2019! If you have any ideas for next year’s festival to make it even better please find us on Facebook or visit tfest.wales and let us know.

Thanks everyone, we hope you had an awesome time.

Ceufad

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2019 EVENTS

LOCATION: WELSH INTERNATIONAL CANOE POLO CHALLENGE PHOTO: ROB LLOYD

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CANOE WALES AGM ANGLESEY SEA SYMPOSIUM CANOEFEST (HAY ON WYE) CIWW PADDLEFEST GEMAU CYMRU (BALA) GEMAU CYMRU (CARDIFF) LLANDYSUL RIVER FESTIVAL MONMOUTH RAFT RACE MAWDDACH PADDLESPORT FESTIVAL

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NATIONAL GO PADDLING WEEK OPEN CANOE SYMPOSIUM ST DAVID’S SEA & SURF KAYAK FEST TRYWERYN FEST TEIFI TOUR LOCATION: MAGPIE RIVER, CANADA PHOTO: PETER HOLCOMBE

LOCATION: PENRHYN MAWR, ANGLESEY PHOTO: ROGER CHANDLER

magpie expedition A Words: Ben Higson (age 13) Photos: as credited

t the start of 2018 I was invited to take part in an expedition to kayak the Magpie River in Eastern Canada. After many months of waiting my mum dropped me and my kayak off in Quebec on 21st July to meet the group. That day I met leaders Jez, Taytay and Peter who would be our leaders, and the 15 other kids (aged between 12 and 19) who I would be spending the next 10 days with.

The first and second day we paddled the Tewkesbury River which was fun and gave us chance to get to know each other. Lots of the others on the trip already knew each from different places but I didn’t know anyone.

We were all put into three groups, each group was allocated one job which would change every day. The jobs were; kitchen, water and toilets, and campfires and tarpaulins. I made good friends with a kid called West who I shared a tent with throughout the whole trip, and he was also in my group. We were the smallest two on the trip.

The rest of the second and the third day were travelling days up to the Magpie, where we met up with the 2 raft guides who would be taking supplies and gear. We stayed at a campsite near the Magpie and hoped to fly in the next day. Unfortunately it was too rainy and misty so the helicopter couldn’t fly. Luckily the next day we woke up to a sunny and warm day meaning we could fly to the get-in. The helicopter ride was amazing; the pilot was very nice to us and flew over the Magpie River so we could have a sneak peak of the river from the sky. I really enjoyed the scenery on the flight there, I saw all these lakes in the middle of the forest and I could see no signs of humanity. It was really remarkable. When we landed at the put-in we warmed up and started paddling. The first rapid was a very easy class 3. The water was very cold and I was only wearing a thermal so I was very cold with the water splashing me. The rest of the day was most class 3’s with fun waves and the occasional hole. On one of the rapids there was a hole that we didn’t know about which caught me and a couple of others out. The final rapid of the day was right outside the place we were going to stay for the night, it was a fun rapid with very cool big waves and swirly eddy lines. One of the whirlpools was so big it pulled my Zen kayak down, which I still struggle to believe. My group was on water and toilets, we learned how to set up the toilet which meant standing around in the woods getting eaten alive by bugs.

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Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography

Ceufad

| 23

Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography

On the second day of the Magpie I woke up to pouring rain but I felt very good as I had coffee and bacon. I decided to wear my Rocket cag as it was a lot colder than the day before. There were two portages that day and a couple of named rapids. One was called Toboggan and it looked quite small, on it I saw a big hole to the left so I went right and ended up getting battered in a hole to the right where I almost did a back loop. Which was quite funny. The rapid after that was a portage for the rafts. We ran a sneak line down, which was a small waterfall. I landed a sweet boof (check out 2:04 of the video, and previous page – ed) which I’m still stoked about. We used ropes to get the rafts down.

A couple of the others and I stayed in our kayaks at the bottom just in case a raft flipped, which luckily they didn’t.

The second portage we didn’t run, even though I saw a line down, and we had to carry our boats. The rafts were able to paddle down; it was absolutely massive on the main flow side and had a bunch of massive holes. After that it was just flat with a couple of small rapids, however, there was amazing scenery and interesting rocks. I really liked how the clouds were in the mountains and there were sights that most people don’t get to see. The place we stayed that night was really cool. There was a little channel coming off the river which we made a little foamie boat feature in.

That evening Jez taught us a lot of useful knots. We learnt the figure of 8 as well as on a bite and retraced, double fisherman’s, bow line, and prusik. The scenery at that campsite was awesome, I really loved how there was steam coming off the river and there was a really cool unique and interesting rock coming out of one of the mountains.

24 | Ceufad

Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography

Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography

Photo: Holden Dewey

Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography Photo: Holden Dewey

Photo: Peter Holcombe Photography The next morning’s paddle only had one big rapid on that was called Saxophone. The left side was a bunch of waves and then a rapid with a fun play hole. There was an undercut on the left of the left side resulting in us having to scout it.

We stopped to have lunch at Saxophone where one of the guides showed us some useful rescue techniques. After that we had some spare time, giving me, West and Noah all the time to go foamie boating. The rest of that day was fun class 2 whitewater which I’m sure everyone loved. We stayed at a campsite known as Wolf Beach because there were wolf prints. At that place I decided to have a bath. Bearing in mind the river water was freezing, it was definitely not the best choice of my life.

Day 4 was unfortunately the last day of proper whitewater.

There was a portage we had to do which we ran the second half of, which was a sick drop into big boils and waves. On that day there was also a rapid called Trust, it was a slide and a drop. We had lunch there and was taught live baiting by one of the guides. The rest of that day was class 2 fun. At the end of the day we had to portage a gorge which was a very long walk with our boats. Thankfully some of the older people helped me carry my boat. The start of the portage was dreadful, we had to walk through almost knee-deep mud. I lost both my shoes in it (check out 2:54 of the video). I did get them back although it took a while to find them. Walking through the forest meant tons of bugs, I was literally covered head to toe in bites which was definitely my worst part of the trip. We slept half on the portage which had an outstanding view where we could see the gorge. In the night was rain, thunder and lightning, fortunately it wasn’t raining in the morning.

The next morning a helicopter picked up all of our kit other than what we needed for the last day. The last day was a beautiful but tiring paddle across flat water, eventually making it to Magpie Falls. The falls were one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, unfortunately I was feeling ill at the time but did feel a bit better after having food. It was another long flat paddle after Magpie Falls to the take out.

Once we reached the take out everyone was very happy and there was a real sense of achievement. On the way back to Quebec nothing amazing happened other than we all ganged up on Jez and managed to take him down which was funny.

For the final night we stayed in a hotel which was lovely as I had a real bed.

The Magpie expedition has definitely been one of the best times of my life and I would love to do it again.

Despite all the hard portages and pestering bugs it was truly amazing. Now looking back I’m very proud of it and it has definitely made me stronger both mentally and physically.

Check out the video of the trip and a blog put together on the last evening: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Ny0zM6G8A&feature=share http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2018/08/23/the-magpieriver-should-be-on-everyones-bucket-list/ BIG THANKS TO Explore Expeditions and Jez for running the trip.

Palm Equipment, Jackson Kayaks, Surfplugs and the Canoe and Kayak Store for support and equipment.

Croesyceiliog Canoe Club #croesykids

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WELSH SLALOM SQUAD

Article: Jonathon Davies

The winter issue is the perfect opportunity to look back over the year and see what’s been happening with the Welsh Slalom Squad. But this time we’re going back at bit further … to 1981 when the Welsh Squad first formed! Here are some of the slalom photos and articles that featured in Ceufad in the early years of Welsh slalom. If you look close enough you might recognise one or two faces …

1981 – the team take on the Irish.

1981 – formation of the Welsh Slalom Squad!

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1981 – Welsh team at the first Commonwealth C

1981 – team news; the first six months.

1982 – Welsh paddlers at the Commonwealth Canoeing Champs.

Canoeing Champs at Grandtully.

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INTERVIEW

angela jones The term ‘busman’s holiday’ is frequently heard in the world of paddlesports – where the only difference between ‘work’ and ‘holiday’ is the presence of clients, and even then there’s sometimes some crossover! However, Angela Jones has taken the term to a whole new level. She runs www.Run-Wild.co.uk on the Wye, offering coaching in outdoor fitness, running, wild swimming and kayaking throughout the year. So you’d think if she had a 5-week summer break she might head off for a relaxing holiday. Nope, she spent 32 days exploring the Wye; kayaking 100 miles down, running 160 miles back from Chepstow to the Cambrian Mountains, then swimming 84 miles down. Wild camping along the way. This year was a similar ‘holiday’, just a little further north. Kayaking the Scottish coast-to-coast, from Loch Linnhe into the Caledonian Canal and then to the Moray Firth. This route is a classic canoe trip but Angela wanted to join the Atlantic to the North Sea by starting at Loch Linnhe, a tidal loch. And, rather than arranging a shuttle (like most boaters), when she finished the paddle she strapped a pair of wheels onto her kayak, turned round and jogged her way back along 92 miles of the Great Glen Way. All her adventures over the last 8 years have been shared with her faithful little Jack Russell terrier, Jack, who can always be found in his favourite position perched on front of her kayak.

Ceufad managed to get her away from the water to find out a bit more about this remarkably modest and inspirational serial doorstep adventurer.

It sounds like you love the outdoors – where did the interest come from?

I’ve always loved the outdoors and the freedom it brings, particularly the wildlife and the spontaneous adventures. I could never understand why I couldn’t be out there all day everyday, and would often gaze out of classroom windows and yearn for the freedom to explore. I remember when I was 14 a careers officer asking what I wanted to be. I replied that I wanted to explore and travel, and she just laughed and said that won’t pay the bills!

At the age of 30 after travelling on and off for years around Africa and Asia, and working in Middle East taking adventure holidays for a company, I returned to UK. My personality is very spur-of-the-moment and constantly loves engaging in new adventures. I had been swimming for years, so I took up running and then triathlon. This very quickly took me from 14 stone to an international athlete travelling to many countries. Before the age of 30 I had never run and definitely hadn’t heard of triathlon!

So it’s not just about exploration and adventure – you compete as well?

I’ve been competing nationally and internationally for over 20 years in many disciplines including running, mountain, trail, road, cross country, track, triathlon, duathlon, aquathon, swimming and cycling.

In my first few years of running I was selected for my country and also for triathlon. I never take competing too seriously as it’s all about the pleasure for me, and that goes for everything I do.

That’s quite a competitive career. What are your highlights and biggest achievements?

One highlight has to be turning up at a race unaware it was a selection event for the Worlds at senior level in mountain running. And at the end being asked could I travel to Alaska and run for my country. Another would be my first triathlon – borrowing a bike, putting Vaseline

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on the chain ... basically not having a clue about anything and then beating the Welsh champion!

Over 22 years of competing every single race, be it swimming, running, cycling, duathlons triathlons or aquathons has been a highlight.

I have been known to race up to 50 times a year and they are all great fun and great experiences. I have never set training schedules. No distances, no speeds. Just what I want to do when I want to do it. Always solo.

This has changed in the last 2 years, where competition has taken a back stage and the wild calls even more.

As for achievements I race a lot and have won quite a few (numerous – ed) national and international titles.

I’ve been selected for several World Championships for my country in mountain running and triathlon. I’ve also competed in the 1st Commonwealth Games in mountain running. I won Gold in the Worlds GB team in my age group for mountain running at 50. And being selected for my first Wales World Mountain Running Team in Alaska. still producing some of my best times at 50!

And somehow you manage to fit kayaking in as well?

I have been river kayaking for over 20 years; it gives me the freedom to enjoy the wildlife and its surroundings.

It’s a totally different perspective from wild swimming but gives me time to enjoy the water in a different format. Often if I’m kayaking and find an interesting section I just slip in and free dive into salmon pools. It allows me to watch the fish and the cormorants diving.

Photo: Parker Furs What do you enjoy about your work?

Saying “do a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” is so true – I love my work.

Everybody is an individual and I promote fun with fitness. My clients range from 6–86, from beginners to international athletes. But the one thing they all have in common is that they learn how to embrace this wonderful environment and find things out about themselves they That might explain why you set up your outdoor business? never dreamed possible, mentally and physically. My Run Wild was formed on the back of my passion for the philosophy is that we can embrace activity, adventure great outdoors, and the business has grown rapidly. and fitness if we relax, enjoy and don’t put pressure on One of the reasons for this is the enthusiasm I have, the ourselves. When people are at this point I can start moving Wye Valley offers so much for all abilities, mentally and forwards with them physically and mentally. physically, and I want to share that. It empowers the To enjoy the outdoors and adventure is paramount to wellmind and relaxes the body but it also involves physical being, strong body and strong mind. The great outdoors is activity. Plus no two days are the same and the seasons my office and I feel privileged to share this with others. It are so beautiful. excites me everyday to share my playground with others.

I use mono fins and spend much of my time along riverbeds on the Wye. I’m called the wild woman of the Wye! I love the fierceness of paddling hard and the calmness and serenity of the water, and it’s a great way to explore the water. And I never think of it as a work out, it’s nature energising me. Water totally engrosses me; it’s part of me and makes me feel me!

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Sounds fantastic! What’s your typical working day?

Everyday I river swim with clients, I kayak and do outdoor fitness on the banks of the Wye. I work 6 days a week averaging 7 to 10 hours a daily of activities with clients, as well as wild camps. I do exactly the same when I am not with clients, so I really don’t class any of it as work!

so I’ll kayak it. Then I thought but I also love swimming it … and running it … and also wild camping. In the end I thought right, let’s just go up and down doing all 3, and sleep out. So I hid a bit of kit in the woods in two sections and carried the rest in my kayak. I slept in a bivvy bag so travelled light and lived pretty much on tinned tuna and rice pudding. I set no time scale, distance or plans. All I knew was that I had 5 weeks till my next clients, so It seems like the Wye is a very special place had a long play ahead. to you?

The Wye runs through my veins. I swim in it Life excites me and everday I feel blessed every day. I sleep on its banks or in its woods that at 52 I have more energy and zest most weeks. I kayak it and run it. The rock than I’ve ever had. formations and wildlife are second to none.

It’s the one true place I feel totally at one with.

It sounds like your Scotland trip this summer That might explain your Wye adventure last had a similar start? year – how did that come about?

That was a spontaneous trip as well! I knew I Every year I take August off, and the year wanted to join up the west of Scotland with before I was doing a pretty similar trip around the east by water. From the Atlantic to the the Outer Hebrides. The year before that was North Sea. And then get back to start point the Inner Hebrides and north Scotland. I have by carrying my kayak on my back. the personality of being very spontaneous and chilled, and I’m also dyslexic, which helps And what happened? with not over-analysing, so I never plan.

A four-week solo adventure in August with Literally a couple days before my 2017 August my loyal companion Jack. Starting at Loch break I just thought I’d play on my favourite Linnhe, then through to the Caledonian Canal river for 5 weeks! I thought I love kayaking it, and into the Moray Firth, which goes into

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the North Sea. I didn’t want to do just the Caledonian Canal – I wanted to join up the Atlantic and North Sea, and Loch Linnhe and the Moray Firth allowed me to do this.

And Jack joined you on this adventure too?

Yes! He’s a remarkable dog – at 9 years old he has had a lifetime of adventure, coming to work with me everyday and going out with my clients … kayaking, wild swimming, trail running, wild camping ... On this trip he was truly amazing, sitting on the front of my kayak, and under the spray deck in the really rough weather! It was a busman’s holiday for both of us!

Rough weather – weren’t there a couple of storms in August?

The west to east crossing was 10 days of battling the elements, with wind gusts of up to 80 miles an hour.

After that it must have been fairly tough to turn round and start running back, whilst towing your kayak?

No, not really. It’s very much like life – it’s great fun and you don’t know what you’re going to come up against as you’ve never done it before! The unknown is intriguing and my favourite phrase is “even when

you’re falling, you’re going forward.” Strong body, strong head.

Was it worth it?

The whole journey was totally amazing and challenging. It pushed me to the limits at times but it was always good fun, including sleeping out under the stars in my bivvy bag … in plenty of rain. My daily morning and night loch swims were totally magical. And the Scots were truly welcoming … and thought I was pretty crazy for the adventure that I was on.

Do you get quizzed about what you’re doing?

People often ask me why I do what I do. I always think that if you’re asking that question then you will never understand the answer.

I also get asked “aren’t you scared being a woman at your age and on your own?” That never comes into it. I think scared is being in a city full of people, rushing about with noone doing what they want to do, just doing what they have to do!

I work with everyone and anyone, from wellknown actors and comedians, to many wellto-do clients, and also the average wonderful person. My balance is very much contentment and you cannot put a price on that.

Your trips sound fantastic – do you share them with your clients?

Yes, but wild-camping is optional! I run adventure experiences on the Wye and in Castellar de la Frontera in southern Spain.

Clients can choose their activities and trip duration, so they are completely tailor-made.

I’m a solo adventurer with Jack the Dog. Contentment is when you feel totally at peace and most people associate this with partners but for some it’s finding yourself in mind and body.

The Spanish trip is really special – it’s in a 12th century hill-top castle that’s been converted into a hotel. It’s in a nature reserve too so the wildlife and scenery are amazing.

We usually finish the trip with a night at the coast, staying on a yacht and enjoying the dolphins. But if clients want to wild-camp on the Wye then I can arrange that too!

So … any plans for next year?

I’ve just spent 8 days in Iceland ice swimming and sleeping out with the fantastic wildlife.

I managed the most amazing swims in 2C

water. Including swimming between the two tectonic plates, which has never been done before in a swimming costume (to my knowledge!). I also free dived with mono fins.

And swam in the North Atlantic and icefalls!

I will be taking 3 weeks off at Christmas and always wait till the last minute to see what interesting places I can fly to. Last Christmas I flew out to Caribbean and visited 11 islands; free diving, kayaking, running and exploring these beautiful places.

This is the third chapter in my life and it’s an amazing journey of the most interesting things. Life is for living and we should never be scared to explore. However, the Wye is my home and I have the same passion for it as the first time I set eyes on it 32 years ago!

ANGELA JONES Angela is a sports coach-teacher and her business, Run Wild, is based on the Wye. She offers coaching in trail running, wild swimming, kayaking, outdoor fitness and wild camping throughout the year. angela@run-wild.co.uk www.run-wild.co.uk

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Tony admiring the view.

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YUKON 1000 Article: Tony Bain

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Final prep before the start.

It was billed as the longest canoe and kayak race in the world. The Yukon 1000 is certainly not for the fainthearted. The start of the race is in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada and the finish is at the truck stop immortalised by the TV show Ice Road Truckers on the Dalton Highway, Alaska, where it crosses the Yukon River. There is a hint in the title but when you hunt that out on the map you will realise just how far that is.

The first nation name for the Yukon River is chųų gąįį han, meaning white water river and the name refers to the pale white colour of the waters carrying sediment from glacial runoff. At 1980 miles long the river traverses such a massive part of Canada’s north western territories that it has in the past provided a natural highway for the local first nation tribes, logging industry, gold miners of the 1890’s Klondike gold rush, fur trappers and settling farmers. It was regularly plied by flat bottom paddle steamers until the early 1950’s when the Dawson highway was opened and the steamers where no longer needed.

The Yukon and Whitehorse has always held my attention, every since I was teenager I have been fascinated by the 1000 mile dog sledge race held there annually. It was one of my biggest dreams to one day complete that event. I never in my life thought that dream might come true.

Photo: Oli Kershaw

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But in 2016 I lined up to participate in the Yukon River Quest, with the first people in the world to attempt the Yukon River Quest event on SUPs. Clearly I had woken up to the fact that sled race meant it was going to be in snow, and snow meant cold!!! So sled versus SUP … yeah you bet, I went for SUP as that meant summer; 1000 miles on a SUP down the Yukon River in the warmer weather.

But this is a race you have to do as a pair; the race takes you hundreds of miles from the nearest road, town and/or settlement. You have to carry all your own food, clothes, shelter, first aid kit, and cooking and sleeping kit; everything for the whole journey.

Travelling through the wilderness alone could be pretty risky, when potentially you could end up sleeping on a beach with a grizzly, brown or polar bear, wolves and other wilderness creatures.

So whilst I was dead keen to do it, I still had to find a partner. I approached the event organisers after reading the event website to find out more about what you needed to do to pass their selection process. I told them a little about my paddling background, where I came from, what I had done and the training I was doing. To my delight they messaged me back and said that they had checked my background, the paddles I had done and that I had passed selection.

Well that was just dandy, but I still needed that other elusive, sufficient other person or extremely insane paddle partner. To my delight and surprise they also informed me that they had a guy from the Netherlands who had already passed the selection process as a team and his teammate had pulled out, so he was looking for a replacement. Wow, that was

Alex paddling past a riverside campsite.

Alex on the morning of day two.

Tony making a meal. it. Was this really going to happen? I was sent Alex’s contact details and within a very short time we were chatting to each other about why we wanted to do this, how we were going to do it and what we were going to do it on.

It was clear to me that Alex, a Naish supported/ sponsored paddler, may have a few more connections in the SUP world, and had paddled a lot more flatwater distance race meets than I had. But call me big headed if you want, I had been paddling rivers a long time, usually alone, with full expedition kit. I knew what I was up against, I had been there, done it, got the t-shirt.

A 1000 miles is a long way and I believed that efficiency was the answer. I set about tuning my paddle technique to allow an efficient stroke, a balance between stroke cadence and maximising the board’s glide between strokes.

Farrel O’Shea and I had designed a 17’4” board for my attempt to become the first person to circumnavigate Anglesey on a SUP, with no stops. We believed this board was more than capable after it proved itself In June 2017 when the weather cleared for my attempt. The O’Shea GT Ocean was more than adequate for the tidal races of Anglesey and I completed the paddle in 18hrs and 25mins. I knew the GTO would be more than suitable for the Yukon 1000.

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Our boards had to be big enough to carry all our kit; we had been advised to take bear barrels to protect our food at night from bears. The sealed barrels would restrict the smell of our foods escaping and attracting bears (and other wild animals) to our location. Tying a barrel onto your board can be quite a task, and trying to get the rest of your kit into bags that will stay balanced and secure on your board was pretty hard.

But come race day all the teams where set and ready to go; 4 kayak, 7 canoe and 3 SUP teams stood and waited in the cool morning air. The sun rose higher, and with massive smiles on our faces we were on our way. The day was warm and the sky clear - we were set for a week of good weather.

The biggest challenge for us was how we were going to get enough clean drinking water. After the first 400 miles the river was going to be full of sediments from ancient volcanic eruptions and natural soil erosion.

Clearly we need to be prepared to either carry large amounts of water or have the ability to clean and treat water for our daily needs. All the different teams had different plans and strategies for this.

The first section of the Yukon 1000 is 33km of river running to the start of Lake Laberge. The river sweeps you along and it wasn’t long before we started losing sight of dwellings and signs of human occupation.

There were roads down to the river in this section so some interested locals and the Yukon 1000 organisers

Tony’s front deck.

Colourful cliffs.

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came down to the river’s edge to cheer us on. It was a great feeling to see this support for the task we were undertaking. Many people had told me that I was completely insane to be undertaking this length of paddle.

As we passed the last river checkpoint, Lake Laberge opened up before us. The far end was only 55km away ... so far that we couldn’t see it. We were very lucky that the weather was on our side - if we had been subjected to a head wind, this part of the lake would have been producing waves of around 2 to 3 feet. Instead we had light tail breezes and the water surface was slight. As we moved on into afternoon and on into the twilight of the evening the water took on a magical smooth appearance. It was like paddling on glass.

We reached the end of the lake at around 9.30pm and instantly set about powering our way down the river, we still had 1.5 hours before we had to stop for the night. That hour and a half went so quickly; we found ourselves with a steep river bank to the water’s edge on river right and on river left we had a very flat narrow grassy margin to some low scrub. The terrain hadn’t changed in awhile and it didn’t look like changing either. So rather than incur penalties points Alex and I decided to pull up for the night. It wasn’t a great choice of site as the grass margin was basically a water logged bog. But we set about making our first hot meal for the day, setting our tents and getting some sleep.

It was morning when we went to bed and 3 hours later when we woke up it was still morning. Race rules state that you have to stop at 11pm and you

Alex in the flatlands.

aren’t allowed to move again till 5am. Breakfast was a pre-packaged bag of Fruit and Fibre, crushed oats and tropical granola with a sachet of Dole peach slices in sauce. No time for a leisurely sit-on-the-beach-to-eatyour-breakfast. We packed our kit on the boards as we made your breakfast, set off on the river and ate our breakfast as we went.

18 hours of paddle time was in front of us. The mornings were cool and Alex liked the idea of a fire and coffee to help him wake up and start the day, but no time for that. This was a race and we were already the fourteenth team. Yeah that meant last place. But for us this was about completing the event. We had never paddled together before and neither of us had paddled this distance in this time limit.

As this was a race re-enacting the early gold mining days, it was about being as quick as you could.

If you got to the gold fields first you got the best land to set up your diggings on. If you were too slow you missed out. Our gold was the Yukon 1000 medal at the end of the race, but if we didn’t get there before the end of the tenth day we wouldn’t get it. We would find ourselves arriving on an empty beach, the organisers having gone home. There was clearly and incentive to get a move on.

The days were warming as we raced down the river with bald eagles perched on branches, following our progress with a discerning eye. Mother moose

Pink Alaskan sunset.

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Midnight.

its loads across the river through the twilight of the night; the further north we pushed, towards the Arctic Circle, the longer and lighter the nights were.

After leaving Dawson City we were heading away from civilisation again. Now we really were on our own, within the day we wouldn’t see or be near another road access for days. We were heading into the mountains and they were majestic, from tall bluffs towering above the river, painted with amazing earthy tones in natural swirling flowing patterns of the earth’s compiled layers, to a patchwork of green trees covering steep broken granite rocky peaks reaching vertically for the sky.

As the event started in Canada and ended in Alaska it meant we had to deal with a border crossing; ESTA’s need to be arranged prior to the race so we could enter the USA. Once we arrived at Eagle, the border crossing point in the USA, we had to report to the border authorities. We ditched our boards and headed for the town, more a small village as we saw it. Hidden in the town, on the side of a building, was a yellow phone that put you in touch with the US border control. This was the first time in my life I hadn’t queued to get through border control.

It was late in the day as we left Eagle we had about an hour before we had to stop. We found a lovely flat campsite with plenty of wood for a fire. We had managed a fire every night except the first. A fire helps to keep animals away, but most of all it dries your clothes and body, and soothes your soul. We were now heading into the flatter parts of the route, the notorious flats where ahead of us.

Crossing the Arctic Circle and heading into the flat lands brought long days of paddling and the slower river speed was having an effect. But when the winds hit us on day six we had to box clever at times to make headway. After giving Alex a quick lesson on how to track his board down a river bank we were off again.

Tracking the board in high winds.

Bear prints. feeding their young at the water edges, chewing river grasses trying to ignore two guys floating down the river. Every now and then we would come across a sign of past habitation. Nowadays there isn’t that much happening along the length of the Yukon River, but in the past there have been logging operations, gold mining, government forts and other settlements.

Hidden in the trees near the river there was the occasional derelict river paddle steamer, sadly falling to bits in its secluded wilderness resting place.

The end of day two was looming; it seemed like ages that we had been on the river but we loved every moment. The river was keeping us on our toes, different channels breaking in and out so we had to be careful not to get pulled into a channels filtering off to the side. Night two came and went. The campsite was much better; we were quicker at setting up our tents and getting our one hot meal of the day. At the end of the end of day three we had arrived in Dawson City.

We set camp just the other side of Dawson. We could still see the lights and hear the river ferry carrying

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The winds were too strong in the middle of the river to paddle against, even with a strong downhill water flow we were not moving forward. So we needed to employ alternative techniques to move ahead.

Some times tracking was a good option, other times paddling was the only way to battle the head winds, as the banks of the river had now turned to cliffs of silty soil and muddy foreshores.

The evenings where much colder now and the light stayed most of the night. We pulled up one night thinking that we had found a great place to camp only to find a set of distinctive paw prints in the soft muddy riverbank where we landed. The one bear that we really didn’t want to meet on this trip had passed that way. Usually this big white bear is found much further north but these days the search for food has brought the polar bears south. We paddled on in search of our night’s campsite in a pink Alaskan twilight.

The flats seemed to drag on for days. A few scatted settlements appeared and then disappeared.

Clearly we were getting somewhere. More mountains appeared in the distance and we realised that we were in the final stretch. As the river became more defined again the speed picked up. The last 30km didn’t seem to take long to pass. In fact it went too quick, floating past bears and their cubs feeding on the river banks, camping in the Arctic Circle, and paddling down a massive river through forest fires.

The Yukon 1000 adventure had passed so quickly that I didn’t want it to end.

The finish.

But as we rounded the bend we saw it, a large steel girder bridge sweeping down from the left bank and across to the right bank. That was it, the finish.

We had made it. We paddled on to the end, not really wanting to. It wasn’t as if we could stop it happening, as if we had stopped paddling the river would just carry us on. I didn’t want to stop but the cheers from the other 2 SUP teams and the Yukon 1000 organisers brought us back to reality. The end was there, it was time to rest, eat and sleep well. And time to ponder on the next great SUP adventure.

RESULTS OF THE 2018 YUKON 1000 RACE A huge congratulations to the 14 teams who completed the 2018 #Yukon1000 Race. The 2018 final race standings: 1 2 3 4

Kiwis (Kayak) 6days 14hours 55 mins Kokorua (Kayak) 7days 3hours 45mins Hobo (Canoe) 7days 4hours 50mins Ind Poland (Canoe) 7days 9hours 30mins – 2 hour time penalty for rule violation 5 10thlifekayakining (Kayak) 7days 9hours 45mins 6 RP (Kayak) 7days 14hours – 1 hour added for night stop, 2 hours time penalty for rule violation 7 Harlin Chancers (Canoe) 7days 15hours 50mins – 6 hours added for missed night stop, 2 hours time penalty for rule violation

8 Team Essence (Canoe) 7days 17hours 35mins 9 ISLAGIATT (Canoe) 7days 19hours 47mins – 6 hours added for missed night stop, 2 hours time penalty for rule violation, 2 hours subtracted for coming to the aid of another team in distress 10 Yukon not be serious (Canoe) 8days 0hours 54 min 11 Team Starboard (SUP) 8days 1hour 42mins 12 Cocoplum Navy (SUP) 8days 20hours 9min 13 Extremely Insane SUPMADKIWI (SUP) 9 days 12hours 30mins 14 Team Savage (Canoe) Did not finish

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Bain was born in New Zealand and now lives in North Wales where he works as a carpenter and runs an activities business, Green Dragon Adventures. He’s a SUP instructor and enjoys whitewater and adventure SUP; he’s SUP-ed the length of the Severn, the Tay and the Welsh Dee from Llyn Tegid to Chester weir. He also holds the fastest time on a SUP for the Tay Descent and the Spey, Ness and Dee Marathons. And he also holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest man paddling a bathtub over 100 metres …

For more information visit: www.greendragonactivities.co.uk

Tony on the glassy lake.

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Live for White Water?

Coaching at NWWC 2019 Courses BC WHITE WATER SAFETY & RESCUE 23/24 February 2019 27/28 April 2019 29/30 June 2019 24/25 Aug 2019 26/27 Oct 2019

£170 pp £170 pp £170 pp £170 pp £170 pp

BC ADVANCED WHITE WATER SAFETY & RESCUE

6/7 April 2019

£170 pp

RESCUE 3 – WHITEWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN PRO May 2019, specific dates TBC

£290 pp

RESCUE 3 – ADVANCED WHITEWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN May 2019, specific dates TBC

£390 pp

OUTDOOR-SPECIFIC FIRST AID AT WORK (24HR) 1–3 April

£220 pp

BC RIVER RAFT GUIDE TRAINING 1–3 March 2019 3–5 May 2019 5–7 July 2019 6–8 September 2019

£195 pp £195 pp £195 pp £195 pp

If you can’t see a suitable date then give us a call.

OTHER COURSES

We run other courses in both Kayak and Canoe, including Moderate and Advanced Water Leader Training and Assessment. We also offer White Water and Advanced White Water Coach Training and Assessment.

PRIVATE COACHING COURSES

If you’ve got something in mind which you’d like to learn or you’d like a day’s guiding on the river, we can organise a day for you, whether on the Tryweryn or further afield.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

1 to 1 coaching: 1 coach to 2 participants: 1 coach to 3 participants: 1 coach to 4 participants:

£180 per person, per day £90 per person, per day £70 per person, per day £60 per person, per day

Typhoon Multisport 4 Drysuits available for hire on all our courses only £25 per course.

Booking office: 01678 521083 Email: info@nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk Website: www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk/courses