Ceufad June 2016 by Ceufad @ Paddle Cymru

ceufad CYLCHGRAWN CANW CYMRU JOURNAL OF CANOE WALES

Issue 127 June 2016 Â£2.50

kayak

WELSH GOLD IN SOUTH WEST CHINA SEA BEYOND DISABILITY FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF BIMBARRAS

editorial

European Raft Champions 2016!

ongratulations to the GB Women’s Raft Team, who smashed the European Rafting competition in Slovenia and are now European Champions! This means they are Euro Champs in both R4 and R6 (four person and six person rafts), and are the favourites going into the World Champs in Dubai in November. This is great boost for the team who had a disappointing result at the R6 World Champs in December – leading throughout most of the competition then losing it all in the final event to finish 5th. The team features a number of Welsh athletes, who travel round the UK to train for the four competitive disciplines; slalom, downriver, head-to-head and sprint (if you see a raft sprinting past you on the lower Tryweryn it’s probably them). Fingers crossed they can continue this winning streak and take top spot at the Worlds in November – they definitely deserve it! Vicky Barlow Editor

Ed Ceufad

| 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@canoewales.com 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: SEPTEMBER DEADLINE: 1ST AUGUST Ceufad welcomes all contributions but reserves the right to edit & condense to fill the space available. Design & layout: Vicky Barlow www.victoriabarlow.co.uk

Kringelfeiber 2016

28 Welsh success at Lee Valley

contents

16 A first circumnavigation?

26 Sending it on Nedd Fechan

CANOE WALES – NEWS

16 FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF BIMBARRAS

Latest info and events from Canoe Wales

CANOE WALES – WATERWAYS & ENVIRONMENT UPDATE

20 CONTROVERSIAL WELSH GOLD IN SOUTH WEST CHINA

Update from the CW Waterways & Environment Officer

COMPETITION REPORT

26 NEDD FECHAN

Results from the European Rafting Championships

Well, the first ‘claimed’ circumnavigation

First ‘International Tibetan Slalom Invitational’ ...

Making the most of good river levels

10 IN THE FLOW

28 CANOE WALES SLALOM

Round up of the hottest products and news

Overview of the season so far

12 REVIEWS

34 KRINGELFEIBER 2016

Putting some paddling produces through their paces

The tenth European freestyle canoeing festival

14 SEA BEYOND DISABILITY

Paddling around Wales to raise money and awareness

Front cover: Paddler: Non Dingle (Seren Dwr) Location: Lee Valley Photo: Russell Scaplehorn

Ceufad

canoe wales news

News

Newyddion

Staying Current with the British Canoeing Coach Update Scheme The update scheme was reviewed and, at the end of 2014, some important changes were implemented. This is an overview of the changes – the full version is available on the website at http://www.canoewales.com/staying-up-to-date. 1. Updated Terminology. For clarity, the following glossary of terms have been adopted: Coach Update Scheme – Refers to the overall scheme which is composed of 4 elements: Membership, First Aid, Safeguarding Training and Coaching CPD. Coaching Continuous Personal Development (CPD) – Activity undertaken by the coach to develop their skills and knowledge. This can be recorded by attendance at a Coaching Matters event or a recognised course or logged by submitting an Application for Recognition of CPD Coaching Matters Events – Coach development days organised by the Home Nation Association, one way of meeting the Coaching CPD element (formerly known as Coach Update days). 2. Expanding the scope and flexibility within the Coaching CPD element of the Scheme. The following changes have been made to offer broader recognition: •

Over 20 courses have been added to the list of Recognised CPD Courses. The additions include further British Canoeing courses and sports coach UK courses, as either 18 month or 3 year Coaching CPD validity.

•

A Recognition of CPD application form will replace the self-assessment form, and will provide a more user friendly option for coaches to gain recognition for CPD that is done using means other than through Coaching Matters Events and the list of Recognised CPD courses. This will also allow

•

The Recognition of CPD service can also be used to recognise in-house training and other coaching events.

Canoe Wales Workforce Support and Coaching CPD Calendar 2016 This is the programme for 2016 for Provider training, support and coaching matters events. Coaching matters events to be organised locally; North, South East and South West. Additional events will be added to the calendar over the year. If you would like a bespoke update event for a group, a club or centre, please get in touch and we will help arrange one for you. If you would like any additional courses, please get in touch and ask: marianne.davies@canoe.wales Date

Course

Staff

Venue

Max no. Cost £

17 June

FSRT moderation

Ray Goodwin (Trys Burke)

Surf Lines – N Wales

£ 40

30 June

Coaching Matters - Games

Karl Midlane (18 months CPD) Plas y Brenin - N Wales

£ 40

2/3 July

Level 2 transfer

Trys Burke (plus 1)

Surf Lines - N Wales

£ 100

15 July

FSRT Provider orientation

Paul Marshall

CIWW – S Wales

£ 70

3 Sept

FSRT Provider orientation

Trys Burke

Surf Lines - N Wales

£ 70

10 Sept

4* Provider moderation

Olly Saunders (Trys Burke / Tom Parker/ Adam Harmer)

Plas Menai - N Wales

£ 40

11 Sept

WWSR moderation

Tom Parker

TBA

£ 40

11 Sept

AvdWWSR moderation

TBA

£ 40

11 Sept

CNTP Provider support day

Olly Saunders (Trys Burke)

Plas Menai – N Wales

£ 40

22/23

Coach Educator orientation

Paul Marshall

TBA

£ 250

Olly Saunders, Paul Marshall (Trys Burke)

TBA

£ 140

£ 20

24/25 Sept 4 star Provider orientation

29 Sept

Coaching Matters - Coaching Rolling clinic Karl Midlane (18 months CPD) Plas y Brenin - N Wales

29/30 Oct

Coaching Matters - Sea kayak symposium

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Jet Moore (3 years CPD)

Pembrokshire - S Wales -

£ 40/day

canoe wales news

News

Newyddion

EVENTS CALENDAR 2016 4 / 5 June

Division 1 Slalom

NWWC

www.canoeslalom.co.uk

19 June

Brecon Canal Race

Brecon

www.aberfancanoeclub.com

1 – 3 July

Gemau Cymru

Cardiff

http://gemaucymru.urdd.cymru/cy/

7 / 8 July

NRW Schools Festival

NWWC

www.canoewales.com/national-white-water-rafting-centre

9 July

Llandysul Kayathlon

Llandysul

http://lpbookings.wix.com/kayathlon

23 – 25 July

Tryweryn Festival

NWWC

https://trywerynfest2016.wordpress.com/

25 / 26 June

Mawddach Paddlesport Festival

Mawddach

www.mawddachpaddlefest.org

4 – 7 August

Llandysul River Festival

Llandysul

http://www.llandysul-paddlers. org.uk/events/river_festival.htm

9 October

Usk River Race

Newbridge

www.croesycanoe.co.uk

28 – 30 Oct

Welsh Open Canoe Symposium

Bala

https://www.facebook.com/events/409016085960705/

events@canoewales.com

Ceufad Online!

Canoe Wales now have a direct email for clubs who want to promote their events: events@canoewales.com

To make sure our rip-roaring magazine is as accessible as possible, it is now available online! The latest issues can be downloaded as a PDF from the Canoe Wales website –www.canoewales.com/ceufad-magazine or viewed as an ezine through Issuu – www.issuu.com/ceufad

Clubs can use this to provide details of their events, which will then be published on the Canoe Wales website and within the pages of this amazing magazine.

Canoe Wales Road Shows 2016 Who are the Road Shows for? All Canoe Clubs/Venues and key delivery partners are welcome. All paddlers are welcome whether you are a Canoe Wales member or not. Why are we doing them? Creating strong and thriving clubs is at the heart of growing and developing our fantastic sport. Building from feedback from the recent membership survey we will be running twice annual Club Road Shows. We aim to work in closer collaboration with you and your clubs to identify the key areas of support required in order to help you achieve your goals. From time to time, we will be bringing in experts in certain fields: Local Authority support, media & communications, specific discipline development etc and this will be based on your feedback. 10th October Plas Menai 12th October Brecon (venue tbc)

6.30pm–8pm 6.30pm–8pm

17th October Llandysul Paddlers 18th October CIWW

6.30pm–8pm 6.30pm–8pm

Content for Spring Road Shows:

Outcomes of the Road Shows:

• Canoe Wales update – where are we and where are we going • Who’s who • Survey feedback & results • Membership database • Insurance update • DBS checks • Activator award • Grant aid • Informal group discussion • Feedback

• A better understanding of where Canoe Wales can help • Know who in the Canoe Wales team looks after which area • Understand the modernisation of the database and the benefits of it • Know where to access certain grants and where to get assistance when applying for them • Understand the volunteer orientated coaching qualifications • Understand what level of insurance cover you have and where to go if there are any queries

We will be collating feedback at the end of each Road Show and this will inform us of the future direction and content of the Canoe Wales Road Shows. For more information contact Canoe Wales: admin@canoewales.com | 01678 521199 or visit: www.canoewales.com

Ceufad

canoe wales news

News

Newyddion

Waterways & Environment Update This is the first of what I intend to be a regular Ceufad column in which I will share news about access and environmental issues affecting the waterways of Wales. Since taking on the role of Canoe Wales Waterways & Environment Officer in February, I have been concentrating on building up contacts and developing our strategy and approaches to access and environmental matters – as well as getting involved in some localised access difficulties. In future columns I hope to provide updates and advice on a wide range of topics, including the importance of stopping the spread of ‘invasive non-native species’ – but in this first column I’ll summarise our current position on access to rivers, which I know is a topic dear to many paddlers’ hearts. Access for paddling on rivers in England and Wales is a difficult issue, as most of you will be aware. ‘Riparian owners’ (the legal term for the owners of the river bank and the bed extending halfway across the river) can earn considerable sums from selling or leasing fishing rights to anglers who then, quite understandably, wish to enjoy their sport with minimal disruption. Legal cases in the 19th century led to a belief that riparian owners had the right to control navigation (the passage of boats) on rivers, so for many years paddlers believed that they needed permission from landowners (and often indirectly from anglers), to travel on rivers in the UK. This permission was rarely given, although a number of access agreements were drawn up between landowners and the Welsh Canoe Association (as it then was), British Canoe Union and Scottish Canoe Association. So as a result, very few rivers were available for trouble-free paddling across the UK – although since 2003 the Land Reform Act has transformed the situation in Scotland where there are now public rights of access to inland water. The legal situation in England and Wales, however, remains unclear and there is considerable potential for conflict with landowners and other river users. Many of you will be aware of research that suggests that there may have been an ancient public right of navigation on all physically-navigable rivers which has never been extinguished (apart from a small number of rivers such as, in Wales, the Lugg, Severn and Wye, where statutory rights of navigation have subsequently been established) As a consequence of this research, Canoe Wales decided a few years ago not to renew its access agreements, as these could have prejudiced this alternative view of the legal situation – and some paddlers have taken this research to mean that they may paddle ‘wherever and whenever they like’. Canoe Wales cannot, however, endorse this view in the absence of a definitive statement of the law, which can only be provided by parliament or the courts; so we will continue to press the government for greater clarity. But at the moment the best advice we can give you is that “the decision whether or not to paddle at any location in Wales at any time is the responsibility of the individual paddler, who should take into account such advice and guidance as may be available to support that decision”. At the same time, we have also decided that we should follow the example of British Canoeing and re-enter negotiations on access arrangements (rather than agreements) where we think this is an appropriate way to achieve shared use of our rivers – but only where all parties share the same rights and responsibilities; where they are managed jointly and locally; and where they help to protect the environment and respect the rights of all user interests. I will include updates on specific arrangements in future columns and on our Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/canoewales.canwcymru/ and website http://www.canoewales.com/ paddling (where you will also find our latest ‘position statement’ and other useful information), but in the meantime I would welcome your views on existing access arrangements or on other waterways and environmental issues in Wales: you can contact me at environment-officer@canoe.wales. Steve Rayner, Canoe Wales Waterways & Environment Officer

| Ceufad

Road Shows 2016 10th October

Plas Menai

12th October

Welshpool (venue tbc)

13th October

Abergavenny, Gilwern OEC

17th October

Llandysul Paddlers

18th October

Cardiff International White Water Centre All Roads Shows will run from 6.30pm – 8pm

Who are the Road Shows for? All Canoe Clubs/Venues and key delivery partners are welcome. All paddlers are welcome whether you are a Canoe Wales member or not. Content for Road Shows:

Outcomes of the Road Shows:

•

Canoe Wales update – where are we and where are we going

•

A better understanding of where Canoe Wales can help

•

Who’s who

•

Survey feedback & results

Know who in the Canoe Wales team looks after which area

•

Membership database

•

Insurance update

Understand the modernisation of the database and the benefits of it

•

DBS checks

•

Activator award

Know where to access certain grants and where to get assistance when applying for them

•

Grant aid

•

Informal group discussion

Understand the volunteer orientated coaching qualifications

•

Feedback

•

Understand what level of insurance cover you have and where to go if there are any queries

Ceufad

An Ideal Role for developing a volunteer or current paddler, supporting club level activity;

CLUB ACTIVITY ASSISTANTS CAN; • Facilitate Safe and Engaging paddle sport

or paddle sport related activity • Support particular session or activities

in a controlled environment • Provide a fully developed support

pathway towards a British Canoeing Endorsement

FIND OUT MORE AT: www. www.gocanoeingweek.o w gocanoe noeingw week. ekk org. rg.uk r u ukk

COMPETITION REPORT EUROPEAN RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016 This year is all about R4 rafting (four person teams), with Team GB securing 4 places at the European Championships in Slovenia, and one place at the World Championships in Dubai. The GB Women’s Team are current R6 European Champions but had a disappointing World Championships in December – starting out as favourites but finishing 5th overall. So this year they were primed to get back on their winning streak, and back on the podium, starting with the Euro Champs in May this year. The Euros were held in Straza, Slovenia and were split between two venues: the Krka for the Downriver race, and the artificial course in Tacen for the Sprint, Head 2 Head and Slalom. Yup, raft racing features 4 distinct disciplines, which means it’s much more than just powering your way between a start and finish line. The four days of racing demand an incredible amount of fitness and skill, and a solid team who can work together both on and off the water. The event kicked off with the Sprint, the first race on the artificial course and one that would lay the foundation for the rest of the competition. This was a chance for Team GB to put all of their training to good use, and show the other teams that they were serious contenders. And they smashed it. Gold and Silver to the two women’s teams (WGB1 and WGB2), Silver to Men’s GB1. Men’s GB2 missed out on Bronze by just half a second, taking 4th place. With Team GB taking 3 out of 6 medals it was a great start to the competition. With barely enough time to shuttle back to the top it was time for the Head 2 Head. This can be more of a battle than a race, with the start being key – get in front and you can dominate the race. However, getting ahead can be brutal – this is definitely a contact sport! GB were the ones to watch, not only because of their success in the Sprint, but because they were known for their quick starts and fearless racing. They didn’t disappoint – WGB1 added another Gold to their collection and strengthened their overall lead, with MGB1 joining them on top of the podium with Gold as well. Team GB were now the ones to beat.

rafting

The next day was the Slalom; one missed gate could result in a major slide down the standings, so this was all about speed and precision. WGB1 and WGB2 definitely had the speed, clocking up some of the fastest times of the day, but were missing some of the precision, racking up over 200 penalty seconds in each run. They finished fourth and fifth respectively. The Men’s teams had the precision but were lacking speed and took 4th and 11th. This wasn’t a great day for Team GB, and their overall position was starting to look vulnerable. It all came down to the Downriver – a top 3 place for WGB1 could crown them European Champions. WGB2, MGB1 and MGB2 would need a blinding performance to climb back up the overall standings. Unfortunately it wasn’t their race, with MGB1, MGB2 and WGB2 failing to make the top 7. However, it was a different story for WGB1 who smashed the competition to take Gold … with a 30 second lead. Women’s GB1 were crowned European Champions, winning 3 out of the 4 events and making them hot favourites for the Worlds in Dubai in November. WGB2 finished 7th overall, with MGB2 taking 5th and MGB1 7th. Congratulations to Team GB and good luck for the Worlds!

Ceufad

in the flow

IN THE FLOW RIVER USK CANOE RACE On Sunday 9th October Croesyceiliog Canoe Club will be hosting their annual River Usk Canoe Race. This event has been running for over 40 years and is one of the most popular races on the paddlesport calendar. The race starts in Newbridge on Usk and finishes 8 miles downstream at St Julian’s Hotel in Newport. Everyone is welcome, and the race usually attracts competitors of all standards and ages (there’s even a ‘Bus Pass’ category)! Last year saw over 50 racers on the water, from Wales and from across the border. For more details contact Alan Baker: uskrace@croesycanoe.co.uk - visit www.croesycanoe.co.uk or follow on Facebook – Croesyceiliog Canoe Club

CROESYCEILIOG CANOE CLUB

FOUNDED 1971 CANOE WALES TOP CLUB AWARD NEWPORT CLUB ACCREDITATION SCHEME TOP AWARD

2016

RIVER USK CANOE RACE

SUNDAY 9th October 2016 START: Newbridge on Usk FINISH: St. Julian’s Hotel, Newport

Distance: 8 miles Start time: 12.45pm

Sponsored by:

www.canoeandkayakstore.co.uk

CB REFRIGERATION LTD

EVERYONE WELCOME!

For details contact: Alan Baker 20, Larkfield Close, Caerleon, S.Wales. NP18 3EX Tel 01633 421629 E mail uskrace@croesycanoe.co.uk Web www.croesycanoe.co.uk Usk river race 2016.indd 1

27/04/2016 16:27

MAWDDACH PADDLESPORT FESTIVAL Save the date! The Paddle Festival is on 25th/26th June this year and looks set to be even bigger and better than before! This is an exciting weekend paddlesport event for all the family with something for everyone. Based on the magnificent Mawddach estuary on-water activities include the Hope House Challenge Raft Race, 10km and 20km races, guided paddle trips, and have-a-go sessions in kayaking, Celtic rowing and stand up paddleboarding. If you prefer drier activities there are plenty of shore-based events including including a kite festival, trade stands, bands, zorbing and much more. Raft race start times and all details on the website at www.mawddachpaddlefest.org

LLANDYSUL RIVER FESTIVAL AND TRAINING CAMP On 4-7 August Llandysul Paddlers are hosting their annual River Fest & Training Camp. The training camp is aimed at developing canoeing skills with an introduction to moving water, it will be open to all abilities with flat water sessions taking place across Thursday-Sunday. All equipment will be provided and qualified instructors will be at hand to give advice and guidance. On Sunday there will also be various fun events including surf kayaking, coasteering, rock climbing, river swims, freestyle kayaking, and ww rafting. Plus each evening there be activities including barbeques, ww rafting, river swims, rock climbing, nature walks etc. The cost for this event will include food, camping, evening entertainment, coaching, equipment, entry to the competition. For more details visit http://www.llandysul-paddlers.org.uk/events/river_festival.htm or contact the centre on 01559363209 or Gareth Bryant on 07900570440.

BURN SERIES ADVENTURE RACES This year the Burn Series features the Margam Mini Burn and the Cardiff Burn. These races are suitable for adults and juniors and will test your endurance, determination, skill and teamwork as you run, bike and kayak around the Welsh countryside. Cardiff Burn (date tbc) - 10km run, 30km mountain bike orienteering and 3km kayaking. Bring a bike, a compass along with some map reading skills, and some high energy snacks and take on the Burn in style! T-shirts for all finishers. Margam Mini Burn – 8th October – an introduction to Adventure Racing for adults and children. No experience required. Approximately 3km of running, 1km of kayaking, 10km of mountain biking and 2km of orienteering. Kayaks provided - just bring a bike, compass and picnic, and experience Adventure Racing in a beautiful setting. Medals for all finishers and t-shirts to buy. For more info visit: www.burnseries.co.uk

10 | Ceufad

in the flow

IN THE FLOW CANOEING – 2ND EDITION This is the second edition of Canoeing – Ray Goodwin’s comprehensive guide to all things canoe. It covers all aspects of the open canoe, from design to wilderness travel. New for the second edition are more techniques for improvised sailing, more on advanced lining and tracking, and an expanded and re-written chapter on canoeing with children. Other new additions include new solo rescue techniques, a section on ‘vision patterns’ (creating a mental map of a rapid) and new inspirational canoe expedition examples. As with the popular first edition there is a strong focus on canoeing techniques, and Ray introduces some of the latest canoeing performance skills, based on what he has discovered through decades of coaching and guiding. Through clear language and some truly inspirational photos, he shares some real insights of the reality of canoeing. Available from good bookshops now. ISBN:978-1-906095-54-3 RRP: £17.99 This is one of many titles published by Pesda Press that are available to buy at www.pesdapress.com New in the 2nd edition:

This book covers all aspects of the open canoe, from design to wilderness travel. What really sets it apart is its focus on canoeing techniques.

Ray Goodwin is the UK’s best known and (many would go so far as to say) foremost canoe coach. By introducing some of the latest canoeing performance skills, based on what he has discovered through decades of coaching and guiding, he sets out to inspire a new generation of paddlers. Through clear language and the use of photographs acquired over many years of paddling around the world, he shares some real insights of the reality of canoeing; sometimes gritty, but always enthralling.

A thoroughly modern book on the traditional open canoe.

• New section on ‘vision pattern’, a method for creating a mental map of a rapid. • New solo rescue technique. • Expanded and re-written chapter on canoeing with children. • More techniques for improvised sailing. • More on advanced lining and tracking. • Inspirational canoe expedition examples. ISBN 9781906095543

9 781906 095543

2nd Edition

www.pesdapress.com www.raygoodwin.com

TRYWERYN FEST 2016 Join the T-Fest Team for an amazing weekend of paddling, competing and partying on the 22-24 July. The Festival kicks off on Friday evening with a quiz and paaarty. Across the weekend there will be events, paddling, fun and fancy dress. Yup, fancy dress – Saturday night is Jungle Party Night! More details will be released closer to the event, some of last year’s highlights included the cardboard cut out race, midnight fire breathing, downriver racing and the awesome laser party! For more details visit https://trywerynfest2016.wordpress.com/

LLANDYSUL PADDLERS KAYATHLON – JULY 9TH 2016 This summer Llandysul Paddlers are launching their first ever Kayathlon! Run in conjunction with Llandysul Swimming pool the event will feature kayaking, running, and swimming, as well as some river crossings, plus the usual BBQ fun. The event is open to everyone, with individual and team entries. There will be a main prize for the fastest Male and Female Adult and Junior, as well as participation prizes for all that take part. The aim of the Kayathlon is to raise money for two excellent community businesses - Llandysul Paddlers and Llandysul Aquacentre, so all proceeds will be split between them. So by taking part you will not only be having a great day but also helping two great community resources. ABERFAN CANOE CLUB For more details visit the Kayathlon website: http://lpbookings.wix.com/kayathlon BRECON CANAL RACE SUNDAY 19 JUNE 2016

BRECON CANAL RACE Aberfan Canoe Club will be holding their annual canoe race, on Sunday 19 June on the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal. The races will be over a range of distances between 1, 3, 7 and 14 kilometres between Pencelli and Brecon. There will be a variety of classes and previous years have included K2, K1, WW Racer, Canadian, Competition Polo Boat and general purpose kayak, with both male and female sections for Veteran, Senior, Youth and a range of Junior ages. The race will start at 12.30pm, with the 14 kilometre race setting off first, and refreshments will be provided to all entrants after the event. For more information visit: www.aberfancanoeclub.com

The race will start at 12.30, participants need to be at the start by 12.00 hours The races will be over 1,3,7 and 14 kilometres Parking in the field adjacent to Penkelly Court Farm at Pencelli For more information please visit: www.aberfancanoeclub.com

Ceufad

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REVIEW PADDLE PARK AND CONTACT TOW When I was asked to test out a new sea kayak towing system I have to admit I was less than excited! Then the package arrives and I start to get interested, as this has been designed by sea kayak guru and all-round good guy Howard Jeffs, and when Howard thinks he has a good idea it’s rare that he’s wrong. This time is no different as he’s been very busy solving the problem of a contact tow system and paddle park, two things that most people bodge with a less than ideal home made contraption. The Paddle Park – Contact Tow is a great device that does both jobs really well; as a contact tow it’s designed to be quick to set up and is easy to adjust. As with all tow systems it needs to be releasable and this one has two release options built into the design. The system can be used as a single boat-to-boat contact tow for those trickier rescue situations when a speedy set up of tow is important but also can be used to join two kayaks together for towing multiple boats. The other use is as a paddle park and again this is super simple to set up by quickly larks-footing the strap around the paddle shaft. Having used this on the water last week I loved it, as did the people I was paddling with as I kept using it to give it a good test! It’s very quick to set up on any sea kayak with decklines, has multiple uses and more importantly it works really well! Available from www.howardjeffs.com/essentials RRP £19.99 Review: Pete Catterall Photos: Rachael Crewesmith

OUCH POUCH Working as a sea kayak coach and guide I find myself wanting essential items quick to hand, A good first aid kit is one of these items I always want close to hand but luckily very rarely need. Howard Jeffs really has been a busy man this year and this time has focused his efforts on a handy first aid kit. The Ouch Pouch is something most of us cobble together from bits of our main first aid kit, put into a dry bag and drop into a day hatch or deck bag. The Ouch Pouch does a much better job by having a few very essential items including a TRAMA FIX high absorbency bandage, pocket face mask, nitrile gloves, cohesive dressing and ABC & Casualty cards, all packed tightly into a vacuum sealed package that easily fits into a buoyancy aid pocket. Being vacuum packed it doesn’t take up all the space or make the pocket bulky, affecting your mobility. So another super simple but effective product that can live in your pocket and always be dry and accessible when needed. Good job Howard! Available from http://www.howardjeffs.com/essentials/ RRP £9.99

Review: Pete Catterall

12 | Ceufad

ABERFAN CANOE CLUB BRECON CANAL RACE SUNDAY 19 JUNE 2016

Sea Beyond Disability kayaking challenge around Wales

wo lifelong friends paddling around Wales to raise money for three Welsh charities championing disability enablement. In August-September 2016, lifelong friends, Ben Bostock and Tom Clark, are kayaking around the coast of Wales to promote disability enablement and hope to raise £10,000 for Bobath Cymru, Disability Can Do and Carmarthenshire People First. Ben and Tom, both 29, live in Roath, Cardiff having been born within two months of each other at West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen. Friends since they can remember, they share a passion for disability enablement. Ben has Cerebral Palsy while Tom is a disability advocacy manager. Ben’s condition commonly affects muscular coordination, mobility and speech among other things. As a child this affected his ability to move and maintain posture. Ben said: “This challenge means a lot and is a natural result of growing up with a disability and wanting to make the most of what I have and hopefully encourage others to do the same. “Disability has played a big role in my life, especially with my approach to challenges. I’ve found the best way to approach a challenge is to embrace it, use it as a chance to find and test your abilities and ask yourself ‘what can I do? rather than saying ‘this is why I can’t’ and looking for excuses. It’s better to just get out there and do it!” Tom, a disability advocacy manager, has worked in the field of disability for six years. Tom said: “The thing that ultimately makes the biggest difference to someone with a disability is their own attitude to life and the attitude of those around them. Everyone

in life has strengths and weaknesses and someone with a disability is no different. If, as a society, we focused more on empowerment, enablement and ability then we would all be better off. This is what this trip is about.” THE CHALLENGE Ben and Tom set off on their journey from Anglesey on August 27th and will reach Cardiff on September 10th. The journey comprises 14 legs of challenging sea kayaking which will each be approximately 30 miles in length. They are currently undertaking extensive training to prepare for the trip and are already receiving support from Escape Water Sports, Croesyceiliog Canoe Club and Welsh rugby legend Paul Thorburn among others. To help them achieve their goals they are looking for the backing and support of many people and organisations and they would be very grateful for donations, supplies and especially support crew – on the water and on the road. Including any kayakers and other boaters who want to join them en route. Together they hope to make a difference across many diverse communities and improve the quality of life of countless disabled people in Wales. A gala dinner will be taking place as part of the challenge, with a charity auction and raffle. Tickets are available now at £35. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! Donations can be made atwww.crowdfunding. justgiving.com/seabeyondisability. You can also follow Ben and Tom’s journey on Facebook, Twitter @seabeyonduk and see all the latest news at www. seabeyondisability.co.uk. If you’d prefer to be actively involved then join them for their journey – routes and details opposite. For info email seabeyondisability@gmail.co.uk.

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ROUTE AND STOP-OFF PLAN Below are the stages planned for the paddling trip in August and September 2016. Dates are subject to change based on tide and weather conditions. All being well they will be finishing in Cardiff Bay on September 10th and hope to see as many supporters there are possible. They would also welcome paddlers, rowers, boaters, coracle-owners and anyone else with a sea-going vessel to join them on each leg of the trip. The more the merrier! Stage 1: Aug 27th – Newborough (Anglesey) to Tudweiliog Stage 2: Aug 28th – Tudweiliog to Abersoch Stage 3: Aug 29th – Abersoch to Barmouth Stage 4: Aug 30th – Barmouth to Aberystwyth Stage 5: Aug 31st – Aberystwyth to Llangrannog Stage 6: Sept 1st – Llangrannog to Fishguard/Newport Stage 7: Sept 2nd – Fishguard/Newport to Solva/St. Davids Stage 8: Sept 3rd – Solva to St. Ann’s Head near Dale Stage 9: Sept 4th – Dale (St. Govan’s Head) Bosherston Stage 10: Sept 5th – Bosherston to Tenby Stage 11: Sept 7th – Tenby to Rhossili Stage 12: Sept 8th – Rhossili to Porthcawl Stage 13: Sept 9th – Porthcawl to Barry Stage 14: Sept 10th – Barry to Cardiff

SUPPORT Currently receiving support from: Escape Water Sports Paul Thorburn Disability Support Wales Croesy Canoe Club Cardiff International White Water Maindy Centre (Cardiff Council gymnasium) The Urban Tap House

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First

circumnavigation of

Bimbarras

Article: Kath McNulty

Franco Ferrero and Kath McNulty set sail around the world from Holyhead in May 2014. Stowed onboard yacht Caramor are two ‘Pilgrim LV’ made by Seakayaking UK, which they use to explore islands, estuaries and rivers. Their latest venture was the first (claimed) sea kayak circumnavigation of Ilha Bimbarras.

ever heard of Bimbarras? That’s because it’s a tiny island deep inside the Baia de Todos Santos (All Saints Bay) in Bahia State, Brazil. Exotic? Certainly. For all we knew the waters swarmed with jacaré (alligators) (not to be confused with acarajé - a local street snack), sharks and giant crabs while cannibal Indians, merciless vultures and deadly mosquitoes lay in wait. Our ‘first circumnavigation’ claim? – “spurious!” I hear you say. Well maybe, but we had sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to get here and that must count for something. We anchored Caramor, the mother ship, in a very sheltered lagoon on the north side of Ihla do

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Frade. ‘Frade’ means brother in Portuguese and the story goes that the island was named after two Franciscan monks who were shipwrecked nearby and eaten by natives. Another explanation is that the island was named after a local fish called the ‘frade’, maybe the area was just a particularly good fishing ground. Kayaks fitted together (each one stows away in three parts), we paddled past Ihla do Bom Jesus (Island of Good Jesus), across a channel to the Island of Cows (none to be seen), then north to Maria Guarda and on to the next one, which was Bimbarras. Luckily for us the sky was overcast so the heat wasn’t as intense as usual. Bimbarras is a

An egret up a swamp river

“Ok, so maybe we weren’t the first to circumnavigate”

Saveiros: these traditional sailing boats move heavy cargo between the villages Franco with Ihla Bom Jesus behind nature reserve, home to numerous birds including several rare species. Other than a few egrets and herons, we didn’t see many as the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic jungle) is very dense. Identification can be tricky as it isn’t just the birds that sound like birds frogs and several monkey species do too and they all live in the trees! The chart showed a tidal inlet which at high water cut the island in half. Cunningly, we waited for the tide to rise so that we could sneak through to the other side. As we approached the channel looked promising; plenty of water and the tide coming in fast. We went further and realised we were heading straight for a

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Kath (author) paddling through mangrove swamp

Franco preparing to depart from Caramor

Pataxo Indians used to live in the Bahia de Todos Santos – could they have devoured the Franciscan monks?

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mangrove swamp. That’s where alligators live, right? Deeper and deeper we went. We could hear men’s voices - cannibal Indians? All around us brightly coloured crabs scuttled. We navigated through a maze of mangrove aerial tree roots and Tree crabs marvelled that any plant could survive in such a saline environment. Before becoming an intrepid sailor, braving oceans and sea monsters, I used to work as a forester and know all about salt damage to pines in Newborough Forest, Anglesey. I got so excited by the ecosystem that I forgot all about the dangerous alligators, fierce natives and creepy crabs. The network of roots became increasingly impenetrable with seemingly no way through for a kayak, meanwhile the blood-sucking mosquitoes had found us – time to back-track. Once more in open water, we continued on around the island and successfully completed our circumnavigation in record time. We decided to paddle over to ‘Mother of God’ Island for a refreshing tropical fruit juice. None was available, the choices were beer or rum. On our way back to Caramor we were overtaken by two saveiros. These shallow draft wooden sailing boats are used to transport all sorts of cargo between the villages in Baia de Todos Santos. They are slowly disappearing as the road network improves. We got back to Caramor in time for dinner, just a little disappointed that we had met neither cannibals nor alligators. We could certainly get used to this warm sea paddling!

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Join us for an amazing weekend of paddling, competing and partying! Fri Eve – Quiz + DJ Sat – Events + Food + Jungle Party (fancy dress) Sun – Rise and Shine + Paddle BOOK TICKETS AT trywerynfest2016.wordpress.com 01678 521083 The National White Water Centre, Bala

CONTROVERSiAL WELSH GOLD iN SOUTH WEST CHiNA Words: Jim Shrimpton of Manchester Canoes Photos: Jim Shrimpton or as credited

Throughout the duration of the trip, with a self-diagnosis of the long anticipated ‘surfer’s ear’ I was finding myself increasingly deaf. Sheltering from the midday sun in between scorched rocks I struggled to hear Simon’s latest announcement, “the competitors’ briefing will begin in 1 hours time”. Unsure of what I had just heard, I poked my head out from beneath my tarp and had it confirmed that the first International Tibetan Slalom Invitational was to commence later that day … So how did the six of us, gathered from North America and Great Britain, end up stranded on patches of sand, barely big enough to lie down on amongst a litter of rocks at the bottom of a deserted canyon in remote China? Number one concern being the rapidly diminishing food and nicotine stocks, but perhaps more seriously Simon, the instigator, was getting bored and coming up with evermore interesting ways to fill our time.

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‘The Tom High-Risk Gate 5 Manoeuvre’ captured for all to decide on the Chief Judge’s final descision

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Using mules to cross the pass, accessing first descents, and gambling with altitude sickness

Somet

BACKGROUND Tom M was kindly awarded a grant from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust early in 2015 and the green light was on for some river exploration in the headwaters of the Salween River basin later in the year. A team of 6 was assembled, with nothing but a 4,500m pass between us and the first descents we had previously scoped out on Google Earth. What could possibly go wrong? Well, in the end very little. We found a congenial muleteer happy to help carry our boats and kit over the pass, secured our visas, and avoided being eaten by bears. Although the team medic Tom had to dispense out some Diamox tablets for those suffering the debilitating effects of altitude sickness, no injuries were sustained. The first river was far more exciting than we could have hoped for. Mile after mile of read-andrun whitewater, towering marble canyons, brutal 8 hour portages and particularly hospitable locals. After 8 river days we had completed the full descent off the Plateau and reached the confluence with the Salween River. It was at this point that we were due to rendezvous with a pre-arranged driver, re-supply and travel across to the next watershed. The roar of landslides echoed upstream intermittently, resonating off the steep canyon walls, adding to the overall ambience of the place. It was these landslides that had destroyed the nearest road, and delayed our driver. With nowhere to go, we were stranded.

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Will valiantly attempting the crux attainment, proving slalom is an all inclusive sport where the taking part is perhaps more important than winning

Classy mid-event image. Simon polishing his sunnies, Will sporting not much more than PPE and a smile, Tom D judging, time keeping, ooooing ... and proving his multi-tasking capabilities

Tom M exhibiting the classic gameface, earning himself the fastest course time of the day

Sidehike view on the confluence/meeting point | Photo: Travis Winn

times a lonely job of the Chief Judge

After 11 days of hard toil we were physically in tatters. The welcome respite, especially for us veteran team members, was fantastic (when Simon announced the forthcoming slalom he interrupted my third nap of the morning). The younger, some may say more sprightly, members of the team were plotting ways of keeping up morale in the face of the food shortages and the prospect of yet another day baking by the river’s edge going nowhere. Travis decided to partake of the most American of pastimes ‘The Sidehike’. Popular on Grand Canyon trips, these sightseeing excursions involve leaving the river and trekking off up into the surrounding hills to gain spectacular views, visit geological areas of interest and stretch the notorious kayaker’s chicken legs. He would also be attempting to contact the driver using our intermittent sat-phone whilst at a higher elevation. Simon then decided to design an impromptu slalom course on our adjacent rapids. Will busily beachcombed amongst the boulders, searching for a suitable winner’s trophy. Whilst the two Toms drew up a score sheet and worked out the timing system, I got my head down for another fifty winks.

THE BRIEFING I begrudgingly shuffled over at the allotted time for the competitors’ briefing. I had absolute no motivation or desire to get changed and get on the river for the sake of fun. My body was crying out for a rest day and weak from hunger, nothing seemed less appealing than friendly water-based competition shenanigans. However, Simon’s enthusiasm for the proposed afternoon’s activity and his well thought out course began to arouse my interest. Over approx 400m in length, 7 ‘gates’, with number 6 looking like the crux. It had the potential to be challenging and provide some much needed entertainment. With an absence of ICF regulation gates Simon pointed out must make eddies, ferries, marker points and also the start and finish lines. The only other rules were that in the spirit of competition and the need for speed, no drysuits were to be worn, with only skins for the win. Only one run allowed, with no practice time and the chief judge’s decision would be final.

THE MAIN EVENT: With Travis still away on his side-hike and Tom D nominated to be chief gate judge and official time keeper, it was left up to us four athletes to compete for the trophy, hastily cobbled together from a piece of driftwood and a random animal skull uncovered

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Simon exhibiting a classic ‘duffek’ turn between gates 3 and 4 Simon reassuring Travis that the event had actually taken place

during Will’s earlier foraging between the rocks by the river’s edge. Simon, as always, was keen to be ahead of the curve and first on the water. After a brief warm up he laid down a blistering run perhaps unsurprisingly, as he designed the course. As expected from the initial scrutinising, the cross from gate 5 to eddy 6 proved tricksy, and much time was squandered attaining across the unusual river feature. However, Simon had set a strong time that we all had to beat. I was up next, and after a week of paddling a fully loaded kayak, jumping into an empty boat was somewhat a shock to the system and an impromptu roll occurred on the lateral above gate 5. I think the shock of the freezing water woke me up as I ‘Duracellbunnied’ across the crux and down to the finish line. Tom D announced my time - 1 second off Simon’s pace put me into second place. Will appeared to be thoroughly enjoying his time on the water and adopted a relaxed and stylish approach, wearing a huge smile and not much else throughout his run. Sadly, relaxing through the crux didn’t pan out, and with much time squandered Will’s time put him into last place. Tom M with the benefit of watching other’s runs was champing at the bit to race. With an explosive start, and the unusual choice of sporting sunglasses, Tom M charged through the beginning of the course.

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He also took the unusual choice of boofing the rock that made up the Tom D Behind the Bamboo Cur left hand pole of ‘gate’ 5. Thus allowing a much easier attainment to gate 6 (the only competitor to complete this move), shaving seconds off his overall time. A roar went up from the other competitors spectating from the bank, with an immediate appeal submitted to the Chief Judge. Tom M finished his run, and as expected was in the Gold medal winning position with the fastest time of the day. Tom D conducted a stewards’ enquiry with himself, and as previously decided the judge’s decision being final. He awarded a gate penalty against what was to become known as ‘The Tom High-Risk Gate 5 Manoeuvre’. The thought process being ‘boofing’ the rock marking a ‘gate pole’ constituted a missed gate penalty. With the outcome from the stewards’ enquiry, the final positions were announced - Simon taking Gold for England.

THE AFTERMATH With impeccable timing Travis finished his side-hike and strolled into camp midway through the prize giving ceremony. The look on his face was priceless,

Travis ‘Blissfully Unaware’ of the intense competition

Whilst most Himalayan rivers flow from the mountains, this one ran towards and around snow capped peaks Simon ‘cavorting’ with the Skull-King (winner’s trophy)

Original course design taken from Simon’s river notes | Photo: Simon Tapley

rtain

occuring down at river level | Photo: Travis Winn

as Simon leapt around the boulders, triumphantly waving his hard-won trophy over his head and posing for photographs. Travis noticeably relaxed once Tom D had explained the circumstances leading to the situation and also the firm reassurance that we hadn’t finally gone mad under the midday sun and begun worshiping the strange Skull-King. As an after note, it appeared that Simon missed the email regarding Olympic banned substances. With Diamox in his system (taken at altitude purely for medicinal reasons) he has unfortunately now been disqualified, leading to yet another change in the final positions with Wales taking Gold and Silver: 1st Jim Shrimpton (Wales) 2nd Tom McLay (Wales) 3rd Will Stauffer Norris (USA) 4th Simon Tapley (England) DQ

The unusual river feature creating the gate 5-6 challenge

Oh yes, we did eventually meet our driver at the confluence and make it to our next river and I am now on an NHS waiting list to have my ear canals drilled out. If only we had kept the winner’s trophy, it would now be gracing my mantelshelf. The team would like to thank The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust for their support throughout the trip.

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Article: Eddy Mead

ust before New Year, we got treated with a little rain, which topped up our local Welsh creeks nicely! We decided to hit the Nedd Fechan, which is one of those rivers where the higher it flows, the more fun it is! After smashing the warm up drop we decided to lap the 20 footer four times. This is one of my favorite waterfalls. With a fast lead in and a large hole guarding the lip, it’s difficult to get a clean line. If you stay dry over the entrance hole you can carry your speed and fly off the lip. If you get subbed out, you lose your speed and pencil, which isn’t great as the landing is unreliably shallow. After some sweet lines, and some not so sweet, we cruised down the rest of the run which has so many fun drops and rapids which you need to be on your game for. The Nedd Fechan has a tributary called the Pryddin which is a small creek with a number of large waterfalls. The levels seemed good and Lady Falls is something we all wanted to tick off the list, so we hopped out and headed up the trail to the raging falls. Lady Falls is a near-vertical 40-foot waterfall with a very shallow pool. The lead in, which is a slow moving flat pool, is perfect and the lip is fairly clean. Whilst scouting the waterfall we realised we had two options; play it cool and let the bow drop to a sweet 45 degrees and risk penciling it, or boof and tuck to save our backs from the huge impact. Ben went first … Ben went for the 45 degrees and he had a great line. All smiles. Success! I was up next. I took my time getting in my kayak and made sure I was comfortable and ready to go, a quick splash of water in the face and I started paddling toward the lip.

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I gained some speed heading to the lip, hoping I would cruise away from the base of the falls where it was rocky. I placed my blade on the lip and with a big boof stroke I tucked my body forward as far as I could. The impact was pretty big. My skirt partially blew off and my back ached but no injuries. Success! Matthew’s turn! He went for a similar technique to me with the same results, big impact but all good. Ben was so stoked on his first run he decided to go again. This time he went for our technique, but he didn’t tuck enough and winded himself. After Ben got his breath back we paddled down to join up with the Nedd and headed to the take out with big grins on our faces. I’d been looking at this waterfall for years but never caught it at a high enough level – finally it was under my belt!

FREE CANOE OPEN DAY AT CIWWC FEMALE SPECIFIC EVENT LF Y A E H TIVIT E FR AC ES L M MA R TE R FE FO

A great opportunity for females to try flat water canoeing during our specific ‘Go Canoe Week’ events. Come along to the Cardiff International White Water Centre (CIWWC) from 10am-1pm on: Saturday 28th May and Wednesday 1st June Suitable for women and girls (age 8+) For more information please contact FBenningwood@cardiffmet.ac.uk or the CIWWC on 029 2082 9970 This poster is available in other formats upon request

This is an inclusive opportunity although participants with a disability should contact the centre prior to the session

CANOE WALES SLALOM Words: Richard Lee Photos: Russell Scaplehorn

Megan Hamer-Evans (Seren Dwr)

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The 2016 slalom season kicked off in countries either side of Wales as Division 1 slalomists went to the river Thames and the boils and chutes of Shepperton, while the Premier paddlers set sail to Ireland for the Irish Open at Lucan. Here all the Welsh team of 11 paddlers acquitted themselves well, taking age group prizes in all the individual classes on the sluice section of the river Liffey. On the same weekend the sluice at Shepperton provided a good test, with Bethany Carol (Bala CC) taking a 4th place and Bethan Palmer (Bala ) taking a 3rd and 5th over the weekend in the K1 Women class. A week later the Division 1 paddlers were on home water at Llandysul and, although the river Teifi was low, testing courses were set by Gareth Bryant over the weekend. Huw Butterworth (Llandysul Paddlers) took a 1st and 2nd in the K1 Men class, with Sam Davies (Brecon) placing well in 8th place. Bethan Palmer took the double win in K1M with Bethany Carol recording a 2nd and 4th place and Lili Bryant (Llandysul) placing 7th. The Premier racing season commenced on a swollen river Tay at Grandtully, with an amended first day as the river rose to make the original course untenable. A new course was set and results were taken from a single run. Emily Davies (Bala - 4th C1Women), James Cooper (Seren Dwr – 7th K1Men), Eliot Goddard (Seren Dwr – 13th K1M) made the most of this, recording Personal Bests while many of the competition gained 50’s with no recourse to a

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Gabi Ridge (Seren Dwr)

Cara Lee (Bala CC)

second run. The second day saw river levels stabilise and two runs were completed by the racers – Ciaran Lee Edwards (Llandysul) continued his good form of last year (3rd K1Men), while Rhys Davies (Bala), now paddling C1, in 5th. Gabi Ridge (Seren Dwr) in 9th (K1W) and Andy Kettlewell (Llandysul) in 7th (C1Men) kicked off their season with solid racing. Water levels held for the following Easter weekend and the Division 1 slalom. Huw Butterworth backed up his flat water pace on the white water (3rd and 4th, K1 Men), while Bethany Carol (2nd and 3rd) and Bethan Palmer with a 3rd, put themselves at the top of the Division 1 ranking lists. Raoul Chappell (Seren Dwr –

Grace Scaplehorn (Seren Dwr)

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6th C1 Men), Lili Bryant (4th K1W) and Jessica Rayner (Brecon – 7th K1W) performed well to complete a strong group of early season results for the Welsh contingent in Division 1, coached over the winter by Jonathan Davies, John Willacy, Gavin Cooper and Adam Johnstone. The Olympic channel at Lee Valley Whitewater Centre provided the venue for Under 23 and Under 18 selection, hosted within Premier races 3 and 4. Ciaran Lee Edwards secured a place on the Great Britain Senior World Cup team and the Under 23 Championship team, while Megan Hamer Evans (Seren Dwr) took top spot in the Junior K1 Women races, confirming a place on the Under 18 Championship teams. Will Coney (Seren Dwr) and Tom Abbott (Mold CC) confirmed nominations as reserves, while Gabi Ridge placed 5th in the under 23 K1 Women class. The promise nurtured by coaches Geoff Forster, Tom Power and Andy Raspin over the winter, was also evident on the 5th Hornbill Premier race at Cardiff on the May Day bank holiday, with 10 boats reaching the single run super final. 5 women’s kayaks placed in the top 12, with Gabi Ridge placing 2nd to Olympian Fiona Pennie of CR Cats. Izzy Bushrod (Seren Dwr) PB’d in 5th place, Cara Lee (Bala CC) took 9th, while Grace Scaplehorn (Seren Dwr) continued a consistent run of racing in 10th place. James Coney (Seren Dwr) recorded a personal best

Ciaran Lee Edwards (Llandysul Paddlers)

James Cooper (Seren Dwr)

Izzy Bushrod (Seren Dwr)

of 4th place in C1Men, while brother, Will Coney, was close behind in 5th, with the win being taken by Ryan Westley, the World Championship bronze medallist. Llandrindod Wells based Non Dingle (Seren Dwr) was consistent throughout the day in qualification, and built on this to place 2nd in the C1 Women event â€“ another PB. Ciaran Lee Edwards took another top 3 finish, while it was positive to see Steffan Walker (Llandysul) returning to competition after a break in the top ten. 25 Welsh boats were involved in the Premier race, augmented by the Division 1 paddlers who could also enter for the chance to race to gain promotion points, as Jess Rayner succeeded in doing, while penalties restricted these chances for others who showed good pace on the testing Cardiff International White Water Course. The UK Premier and Division 1 seasons continue at Holme Pierrepoint in May, with a return to Wales for the Division 1 paddlers at Canolfan Tryweryn in early June. Selected under 23 paddlers will race in Bratislava (Slovakia), while the selected under 18s will race at Solkan (Slovenia), Flattach (Austria) and Augsburg (Germany) in the early part of the summer, as the Division 1 season will be move to Pinkston, Washburn and Grandtully, before the Autumn finale to the season. Race results, ranking lists and competition updates are all available on the website run by Nick Penfold â€“ www.canoeslalom.co.uk

James Coney (Seren Dwr)

Will Coney (Seren Dwr)

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Kringelfeiber 2016 Article: Nick Dennis

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n April we left St Ives on our travels abroad for a week. I loaded my wood/canvas Chestnut on the roof, packed the camping gear, stove and clothes, and at 4am on Sunday we set off for the Channel Tunnel. Our final destination for this spring trip to Germany was the Eder valley, for the Kringelfieber Canoe Meet, the largest annual freestyle canoe meeting in Europe.

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Unexpected snowstorm

This year we came prepared to blend in

Mastering the art of freestyle canoeing

Out of the box and waiting for a new owner

Out on the water

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The Kringelfieber started out as a small gathering of friends – like-minded souls, united by passion and drawn together when Jörg Wagner helped them all become ACA Freestyle Instructors. That was back in 2006. Today it attracts around 100 people, not only the adept but also many newcomers to style paddling. As for the name, ‘Kringelfieber’ roughly translates as ‘squiggle fever’ - a reflection of the infectious nature of moving with grace and style. The event officially started on the Thursday evening, with workshops in the art of Canadian and American freestyle canoeing on Friday and Saturday, followed by a demonstration show on Saturday evening. This year we arrived a day early, so that we could get a good camping spot and get set up ahead of the event. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon in a thick snowstorm; fortunately it didn’t stay long and we were soon able to get camp set in the dry. We were ridiculed last year for having such a large tent which was christened ‘The English Dance Hall’. So this year we came prepared to blend in. I assembled my new bit of kit from Pete at Two Trees Crafts who built me a new ‘Mi’ camping chair. This is a very sturdy and well-engineered chair that breaks down into parts, which are stored in one neat bag for canoe tripping. A good buy. It fitted my oversized backside well. My friend Frank arrived and came over to say hello. “Oh I see you have a Kermit chair,” he said. I

Start of the workshops

The ‘Mi’ and ‘Kermit’ chairs We were glad of this!

I had a bottle of inner warmth with me ...

Enjoying a workshop

So many canoes ...

explained that it was a ‘Mi’ chair, at which point he went away and returned with his ‘Kermit’ chair, which he had imported from the US at an all in price of 200€ ... nearly double what the Mi chair cost. My backside would not fit comfortably in the original Kermit chair. And although it was well made it was less sturdy than the Two Tree facsimile, as the wood was of a smaller overall section and dimension. However, I did like the leg extensions and will suggest to Pete at TT that he consider these, they shouldn’t be too difficult to engineer and fabricate. It makes getting up out of the chair far easier especially after a day canoeing and a couple of Drambuie’s. The camping peninsular was filling up as the afternoon and evening progressed, not only with enough tents and camping gear to give anyone/ everyone ‘kit envy’ but also with what can only be described as canoe porn. You name it, it was probably there. We were only ‘half camping’ so in the evening headed off to the nice campsite restaurant for a beer and schnitzel, which are excellent. The temperature was plummeting so the frontier stove was lit and the tent warmed - we dived into bed listening to music whilst the fire burned down. Thursday morning dawned with a frost but it was dry. The airbed had sprung a leak so we headed out to Frankenburg for a replacement and to get some logs. We also found a very good ice cream parlour and being the law, we went in and partook. We were successful with the airbed search but the cold snap

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Kringelfieber 2016

Rolf’s class on solo paddling large canoes

Rolf in action

had caught everyone out and there were no logs for sale anywhere, so for the next few days I fuelled the stove with a mix of the wood which I had brought and barbeque charcoal, which worked well. On Friday morning the camp stirred early - fires and stoves were lit, fresh rolls collected from the bakers across the lake and the smell of freshly brewed coffee percolated the misty air. Idyllic really albeit a bit cold around the nether regions when you made the loo dash. The sound of a tent zip going early in the morning seemed to have the same effect on everyone’s bladders! We walked up to the National Park Visitor centre where they have a nice restaurant and by preordering you can get a very reasonable breakfast in centrally heated surroundings. Apparently for three days we were their only customers. The cold spring had kept visitors away. At 10am the group got together to understand the format of the event and to sign up for various workshops. I avoided Lennart’s group like a plague, as I wanted to be able to walk over the next two days (he does American Freestyle which murders your legs - I compare a session with him with how your legs feel after a week skiing). I went for a class with Gerhard which he titled ‘Kringelslinger’ Freestyle with some ‘workarounds’. That worked well for me. The workshops were morning and afternoon and cost 15€ a session.

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Lennart was up early giving a ‘silent’ workshop in the early morning mist Some tents had more inner warmth than others

Making the most of the workshops

A frosty Friday morning

Another dayand oncoffee the river Camping,tough canoes

On Friday night we cooked a Camembert on the stove, pulled a cork, had some charcuterie (or the German equivalent), finished off with some liqueurs as the temperature again plummeted. We were warm and toasty. Next morning was colder still. Probably below freezing. I went out to have a pee, take a stroll and some photos. I bumped into Rolf Kraiker and remarked to him that, “boy it’s cold.” “Not really,” was his reply, which puzzled me coming from a chap who had spent the night sleeping in a Ford Fiesta. It later dawned on me that just below zero degrees is probably a balmy and quite tolerable temperature for a Canadian! We are soft. The Saturday workshops were being held by Rolf Kraiker on Canadian canoeing whilst everyone else could try out different canoes. Wolfgang from CCB Austria had a trailer-load of Swifts and Jorg had a selection of canoes too. There were paddles and other stuff available too from artisan paddle makers. In the evening the group assembled for the show and final gathering. Unfortunately the wind came up which induced a few wobbles into the routines but some great skills were on display. Suitably frozen we retired for wine and schnitzel followed by some winter warmers in the site bar. We said our goodbyes on Sunday morning and I drove the 310 miles back to the Channel Tunnel. We

had a thoroughly good time again. I am still walking so Lennart pointed out that I had done more schnitzel and beer than paddling. If you get the opportunity to attend do so, you can paddle, watch and learn. You will be assured of a warm welcome and you will make new friends. I feel that with the help of Gerhard I am now a nearly proficient ‘Kringelslinger’.

FURTHER INFO The Kringelfieber is the annual meeting for all paddlers interested in American freestyle and/or Canadian style paddling open canoes, and is based in the Eder valley near Edersee. There are no fees, just a basic schedule and camping – the aim is to paddle together, learn from each other and have fun! Several certified Freestyle instructors are present, offering low rate workshops in Canadian style, solo and tandem freestyle. Next year’s event is on the 28th April - 1st May 2017 http://www.kringelfieber.de/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nick heads up the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association in the UK – www.wcha.org – is a prolific paddler and is a regular contributor to Song of the Paddle – www.songofthepaddle.co.uk

Ceufad

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CROESYCEILIOG CANOE CLUB

FOUNDED 1971 CANOE WALES TOP CLUB AWARD NEWPORT CLUB ACCREDITATION SCHEME TOP AWARD

2016

RIVER USK CANOE RACE

SUNDAY 9th October 2016 START: Newbridge on Usk FINISH: St. Julianâ€™s Hotel, Newport

Distance: 8 miles Start time: 12.45pm