Ceufad Spring 2020

Issue 142 Spring 2020 £2.50

ceufadKAYAK CYLCHGRAWN CANŴ CYMRU JOURNAL OF CANOE WALES

PONG NAM RON – THAILAND

THE ROYAL DEE – SCOTLAND

FREESTYLE DEVELOPMENT @ CIWW Q&A GAVIN COOPER

RIO COFANES – ECUADOR

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editorial

T

he Spring editorial is usually a busy one – Easter is on the way and the paddlesport calendar is packed with festivals, races and symposiums. However, it looks like most of them are going to be cancelled or postponed and, what is usually an active time of year, is going to be an unusually quiet one as the nation prepares as best it can for the COVID-19 outbreak.

By the time this is published the situation will probably have changed again; as it stands we’ve been asked to stay at home, and only leave for essential shopping, medical needs and to exercise once a day. It can make for fairly bleak reading, however, amongst all of this there have been some incredibly positive stories, of communities coming together to support the vulnerable, of helping neighbours and caring for the elderly. I’m hopeful that this will bring out the best in most of us, and give us a new appreciation of the importance of friends and family.

Paddlesport tends to be a social sport and we love to sit in an eddy/beach/café/bar and shoot the breeze with friends (and strangers!); hopefully the paddling community will come together and help however we can.

Vicky Barlow Editor ceufad@canoewales.com

Ceufad Ed Ceufad

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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@canoewales.com – 01678 521199 Ceufad, Canoe Wales, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7NU Ceufad is produced quarterly in Spring (March), Summer (June), Autumn (Sept) and Winter (Dec).

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

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

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Canoe Wales News

Info and updates from Canoe Wales

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Courses Spring/Summer

Training courses and assessments

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Waterways and Environment Update

Clear Access Clear Waters Update, Incident Reporting

10 Events

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Festivals, races and competitions

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In the Flow

The latest paddlesport products and news

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Rio Cofanes

Chasing unicorns in Ecuador

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Q&A Gavin Cooper

Chatting with the Canoe Wales’ Coach of the Year

CONTENTS

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Freestyle Development Sessions @ CIWW

Building a community: winter wonder loops and beyond

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The Royal Dee

Four day descent of the Dee

34

Pong Nam Ron River

Exploring the whitewater of northern Thailand

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Megan Hamer-Evans

Profile of a Welsh Slalom paddler

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Fin Yates-Jones

Profile of a Welsh Slalom paddler

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Fact Check

How slalom is funded in Wales

COVER

GAVIN COOPER

ELIZABETH COOPER

SPRING 2020

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CANOE WALES – OUR TEAM Jen Browning CEO MEMBER SERVICES TEAM Paul Marshall Coaching Manager (Consultant) Gayle Penn Development Officer Rhys Green Development Officer Val Ephraim Administrative Officer Jen Rigby Membership and Communications Officer Ellen Roberts Finance Officer Phil Stone Places to Paddle Manager PERFORMANCE TEAM Dan Golder Performance Manager and Talent Pathway Officer (South) Jonathan Davies Talent Pathway Officer (North) Serena Williams Talent Pathway Officer (South) (maternity leave) Lydia Wilford Talent Pathway Officer (South) Gareth Bryant Talent Pathway Officer (West) Tom Power Head Coach (Slalom) Dan Goddard Performance Coach (Slalom) DIRECTORS Kerry Chown Chairperson Andy Booth Finance Director David Wakeling Elsa Davies Lowri Davies Ian Hughes Jet Moore Eryl Richards Mary Taylor Ieuan Watkins

CONTACT CANOE WALES www.canoewales.com admin@canoewales.com 01678 521 199 National White Water Centre, Frongoch, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7NU #canoewales

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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO, JEN BROWNING RESPONSE TO COVID-19 When we prepared this edition of Ceufad, we were looking forward to a spring and summer full of exciting paddling adventures – with an action-packed calendar of festivals, competitions and events to share with you. Now that the situation has changed, I want to let you know the latest from Canoe Wales and how you can stay up to date.

With the government now enforcing strict restrictions on movement, we have cancelled all Canoe Wales events and we advise everyone in the paddling community to do the same. We have regularly updated guidance on our website at www.canoewales.com and we encourage you to check our site if you have any questions because by the time you’re reading this issue, it’s likely that everything will have changed again.

Our staff are working from home and ready to support you with any questions or concerns you might have. Email us at admin@canoewales.com and we’ll make sure that the right member of staff gets back to you, and we’re also still answering the phones during office hours.

Staying active will be really important to everyone’s mental and physical health. We’ll be sharing information on our website and social media about how to do this safely, so if you don’t already, please follow our social media channels to stay connected with us.

And finally, we know that many in our community are self-employed or run small businesses that will be severely affected by this crisis. There is some useful advice from the Welsh Sports Association at www.wsa.wales about the latest business support available from Welsh Government if you’ve been affected. For everyone else, when this crisis is over, if you’re able, we’ll need your help to kickstart our paddlesport economy again – by booking courses with local providers, signing up for local events, renewing your club and Canoe Wales membership, buying some new kit from local retailers, and anything else you can think of to help get us back to ‘normal’ when normal returns.

Until then, please be safe, stay home as much as you can, find ways to stay active at home, and stay connected on the phone and online with the people you care about. We always talk about the paddlesport ‘community’ – that’s what we are, and no virus can stop that!

Take care, Jen

CANOE WALES ROAD SHOWS 2020

ZOE ANTHONY

The end of February and the beginning of March saw some of the Canoe Wales staff team travelling across Wales to meet more of our membership in 4 locations. Our four venues for 2020 were:

Zoe Anthony, one of canoe polo’s most successful players, has received the Award of Honour at the annual British Canoeing Coaching and Leadership Awards.

CW HITS THE ROAD FOR ANNUAL NEW YEAR TOUR

»» Machynlleth – 24th Feb – with help from Aber Kayakers to find this venue »» Cwmcarn – 25th Feb – with help from Caerphilly Adventure Group providing our venue and drink refreshments »» Plas Y Brenin – 27th Feb – who allowed us to use the lecture room »» Carmarthen – 3rd Mar – where University of Wales Trinity Saint David provided our venue for the evening and kitchen facilities.

The help from our clubs, members and other stakeholders allowed the 2020 roadshow to be expanded to four venues.

This year’s roadshow had a slightly different feel, we started with an overview from our CEO, who gave the big picture of Canoe Wales and the direction we are moving in and why. From this overview we were able to split into smaller, more personal breakout groups focusing on the needs of those attending, opposed to a presentation format. This different approach allowed smaller groups to get the questions they had answered through open discussions. Attendees had the opportunity to attend three breakout sessions, each lasting approximately 20 minutes, to gain the information they wanted in a personalised and individualised approach. When coaching we adopt this method - to listen to the individual and to work toward their goals - so why not follow suit with our roadshow? We finished off each evening with a couple of questions looking at moving Canoe Wales forward.

Not only did we manage to have an additional fourth venue for 2020, but we also had some live streaming through our Facebook page, allowing more people to experience the introduction and the insight from our CEO. We are always looking to build and improve upon our events, and the events we are supporting in 2020, and our roadshows got this started.

The content of each roadshow varied slightly depending on the desires of those attending, we did however have the constant of a good selection of biscuits at each venue along with a few Welsh cakes. We had a good attendance over the four venues, improving on last year’s total. Those attending came from varied backgrounds and interests; professional coaches, guides and leaders, club committee members and volunteers, Canoe Wales’ directors, competitive paddlers, recreational paddlers, university groups, and all disciplines had attendees.

AWARD OF HONOUR

The Awards recognise the country’s finest coaches and were held at Eastwood Hall in Nottinghamshire as part of the two-day British Canoeing Coaching Conference, with over 140 guests in attendance.

Zoe received the Award of Honour in recognition of outstanding service, commitment and major contribution to the discipline in Wales and on the international stage. She’s a World Champion and has won numerous international medals, and has been an integral part of canoe polo at Aberfan Canoe Club, and both nationally and internationally, initially as an athlete and now as a coach and official.

Speaking about her Award of Honour Zoe said: “It’s really nice and humbling. There are so many volunteers that do amazing work for our sport.

I’m just really thankful for the opportunities I’ve had and through participating, coaching, being an official and an administrator.

“The best thing about our sport is the fact you get to meet so many great people, not just locally but all around the world. We should celebrate that it’s a sport that has a connection with people.”

Congratulations Zoe – a well-deserved award!

These roadshows truly had something for everyone. 2021 has big shoes to fill but we hope to see you there, if not at events before then.

WANT TO GET AWAY?

NEW MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT A holiday abroad might seem like a distant dream at the moment, but once life returns to normal, we’ve got a new member discount for you to use. You can now get 5% off your next adventure holiday with Adventure Alternative or Undiscovered Mountains. Visit our Member Discounts page to get your discount code today.

SPRING 2020

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CANOE WALES POLO

DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS OFF TO A GREAT START The canoe polo development sessions had a really positive start last year, with high levels of performance and a few new faces on the water. The sessions run across the winter with participants drawn from different clubs, all hopefully working towards selection for competition later in the year.

The first session was in October, and it was great to see how the paddlers had developed and remembered what they worked on last season. It was also an opportunity to welcome paddlers from another club new to polo. Hopefully they can take new information and skills back to share at their club.

The February session was held at Rhondda sports centre, with a good spread of participants drawn from five different clubs .

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped, we look forward to seeing everyone at the remaining sessions.

CANOE WALES POLO/CANW CYMRU POLO

ETIENNE CHAPPELL

BBC CYMRU WALES YOUNG SPORTSMAN 2019 Slalom athlete Etienne Chappell was announced as the Carwyn James Young Sportsman 2019 at the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Newport in December.

The awards honour sporting heroes from all over Wales. Jointly held by BBC Cymru Wales and Sport Wales, it celebrates the best of Welsh sport from grassroots to elite.

This is Etienne’s second sporting award, as he was also named Canoe Wales’ Paddler of the Year. These awards round off what has been an exceptional year for Etienne; he won gold at both the opening 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup event at Lee Valley in June and in the Men’s Extreme Final at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Germany in September, making Eti the first person to win an international Extreme Slalom medal for Great Britain.

Speaking on the award, Etienne said: “To win something in my home country is just the best. I can’t think of anything that could be better. Considering extreme slalom is such a new and niche sport, and I managed to get on the GB team and race internationally for us against other athletes I look up to is just insane.”

CW BOARD ELECTS NEW CHAIR

KERRY CHOWN APPOINTED TO TWO-YEAR TERM At a meeting of the Canoe Wales Board of Directors held on 4 Feb, the Board voted to appoint Kerry Chown to a two year-term as the Board’s Independent Chair, to take effect following an agreed transition period. Kerry is an experienced HR professional with 25 years of experience, and has served on the Canoe Wales board since 2018.

“Kerry brings a wealth of experience to Canoe Wales and to our Board and we are very excited to see the direction that her leadership and expertise will take Canoe Wales over the next two years,” said Canoe Wales CEO Jen Browning.

The Board also thanked outgoing Chair David Wakeling for his many years of service to Canoe Wales.

MEMBERS’ SURVEY WINNER – OLIVER BARKER WINS A YEAR’S FREE MEMBERSHIP!

Congratulations to Oliver Barker who has won a year’s free Canoe Wales membership in the 2020 Member Survey prize draw. Well done Oliver – and thanks to all those who filled out the survey to help us improve our services!

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The BBC Cymru Wales Award is a fitting acknowledgement of Etienne’s infectious enthusiasm for paddling and the inspirational role he plays for younger paddlers. Congratulations to Etienne and good luck with the 2020 season!

COMING TO WALES #SHEPADDLES

SPORT WALES DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR #SHEPADDLES With female membership around 30% and the recent Sport Wales School Sport Survey insight that there is a higher demand from females for more paddlesport opportunity, we’ve successfully been awarded a Sport Wales development grant to deliver the #ShePaddlesCymru programme across Wales. This will help us increase the number of new females taking part in paddlesport and Coming to Wales #ShePaddles develop a female workforce of volunteers and coaches within our clubs.

With female membership around 30% and the recent Sport Wales School Sport Survey insight Coming to W #ShePaddles that there is a higher demand from females forales more paddlesport opportunity, we’ve successfully been awarded a Sport Wales development grant to deliver the #ShePaddlesCymru programme With female membership around 30% and the recent Sport Wales School Sport Survey insight across Wales. This will help us increase the number of new females taking part in paddlesport that there is a higher demand from females for more paddlesport opportunity, we’ve successfully and develop a female workforce of volunteers and coaches within our clubs. been awarded a Sport Wales development grant to deliver the #ShePaddlesCymru programme across Wales.

This help us increase the number of new females part West in paddlesport The pilot phase willwill take place at three of our affiliated clubs, one in taking the North, and East. and develop a femaleMentors workforce volunteers coaches within our clubs.#ShePaddles Club Three #ShePaddles willofbe recruited and to oversee sessions, mentor Champions and support the creation of #ShePaddles club resources.

The pilot phase will take place at three of our affiliated clubs, one in the North, West and East.

Three #ShePaddles Mentors willwill be come recruited oversee #ShePaddles Club #ShePaddles Club Champions fromtoour youngsessions, volunteermentor programme and will deliver Champions creation of #ShePaddles club resources. sessions toand newsupport female the participants that will earn their British Canoeing Personal Performance Awards Start to Discover. #ShePaddles Club Champions will come from our young volunteer programme and will deliver sessions to new female participants that will earn their British Canoeing Personal Performance Awards Start to Discover.

The pilot phase will take place at three of our affiliated clubs, one in the North, West and East. Three #ShePaddles Mentors will be recruited to oversee sessions, mentor #ShePaddles Club Champions and support the creation of #ShePaddles club resources. #ShePaddles Club Champions will come from our young volunteer programme and will deliver sessions to new female participants that will earn their British Canoeing Personal Performance Awards Start to Discover.

Pilot Phase

Club Champions Club Champions Mentors Mentors ParBcipants

Deliver sessions

Gain QualificaBons

Deliver sessions Mentor Club Champions

Gain QualificaBons Develop Club Resource

Mentor Club Champions PPA Start-­‐ Discover

620 NEW TURBINES MAY AFFECT ACCESS, FLOW RATES AND EDDIES Calling all sea kayakers! Do you paddle in North Wales?

An application for a marine licence has been made to support the installation of a 240 MW array of tide turbines off Anglesey.

Snowdonia Canoe Club has concerns that this development could have a serious effect on the environment and paddling around Holyhead, and may mean the loss of what is one of the best and most easily accessible locations for challenging sea kayaking in Europe.

Check out the Snowdonia Canoe Club website for further information and to give your support if you can.

PILOT PHASE

Pilot Phase

SAVE THE ANGLESEY STACKS AS A SEA KAYAK DESTINATION

Develop Club Resource Exit Routes & Club Champions Exit Routes & Club Champions

PPA Start-­‐ ParBcipants Discover The next phase will see the now qualified Club Champions then The next phase will see the now qualified #ShePaddles Club Champions #ShePaddles then become a #ShePaddles mentor to encourage new #ShePaddles Club Champions that deliver club-based become a #ShePaddles mentor to encourage new #ShePaddles Club Champisessions to increase and sustain club membership.

The next phase will see the now qualified #ShePaddles Club Champions then become a ons that deliver club-based sessions to increase and sustain club membership. #ShePaddles mentor to encourage new #ShePaddles Club Champions that deliver club-based

Phase 2

sessions to increase and sustain club membership.

PHASE 2

Phase We 2 are going to make sure we measure, listen and learn throughout this pro-

We are going to make sure we measure, listen and learn throughout this programme to identify what areas of this model works not only for females but to increase participation, membership and workforce for all through our clubs.

We are going to make sure we measure, listen and learn throughout this programme to identify what areas of this model works not only for females but to increase participation, membership and workforce for all through our clubs.

Mentor new Club Club At their Club Champions Champions Mentor new Club Club At their Club Champions Champions New Club Deliver Club Gain sessions QualificaBons Champions

gramme to identify what areas of this model works not only for females but to increase participation, membership and workforce for all through our clubs.

New Club Champions ParBcipants

Deliver Club sessions Start-­‐Discover

b Sustainability -­‐ ParBcipants Embedded CStart-­‐Discover ycle

OLIVER MAYNARD REACHES MILESTONE

Gain QualificaBons Exit Routes & Club Champions Exit Routes & Club Champions

YOUNG VOLUNTEER LOGS 120 HOURS! Huge congratulations to Oliver Maynard who is the first person in our Young Volunteers Programme to have reached the top milestone of 120 volunteer hours logged!

CLUB SUSTAINABILITY - EMBEDDED CYCLE

Oliver is 16 years old and volunteers at Clwb Padlo Dysynni. He achieved his FSRT at our 2019 Members Meet and is now looking at doing his Paddlesport Instructor Award.

Clubs

We’re so proud of this guy!

#ShePaddles

Increase workforce

Increase ParBcipaBon

Let’s even things up and learn!

To find out more, contact Gayle at: gayle.penn@canoewales.com

en things up and learn! To find out more, contact Gayle at gayle.penn@canoewales.com

SPRING 2020

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FREE E-LEARNING FROM BRITISH CANOEING

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FREE TIME! If you suddenly have a lot of time on your hands, we want to remind you that British Canoeing has a library of digital resources and a large programme of e-learning that you can do from home. This is a great way for coaches and leaders (and aspiring coaches and leaders!) to develop your knowledge and prepare for further training when you’re able to get back on the water.

Just a few of the fourteen e-learning courses available include: »» Buoyage »» Develop your Coaching Craft »» Introduction to First Aid »» Introduction to Disability Awareness »» Introduction to Environmental Awareness »» Leadership »» Mentoring »» Nutrition and Hydration Check it all out at https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org. uk/digital-library/

FIRST AID QUALIFICATIONS

SHORT-TERM FIRST AID EXTENSION AVAILABLE VIA E-LEARNING Due to the circumstances we find ourselves in at present, many Instructors, Coaches, Leaders and Guides may be struggling to gain access to courses to be able to renew their First Aid qualification.

British Canoeing recognise this is a difficult time and could be worrying for individuals and anyone deploying supervised paddlesport activities.

For anyone who is required to renew their First Aid qualification from the 16th March 2020 and is unable to access a course we are providing a FREE eLearning course that will be recognised by all National Associations as a 3 month extension.

The First Aid Extension eLearning is a 15 minute programme which requires both your full name and National Association membership number. After completion of the course, your attendance will be communicated to your National Association and your record updated.

This online resource acts as an extension and is not a replacement for a face to face First Aid programme, and we would expect within a sensible time period a renewal course to be attended.

To access the First Aid Extension eLearning visit: https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/resource/first-aid-extension/

COURSES SPRING/SUMMER Please be aware that the following calendar is likely to change due to COVID-19. Check with the provider of a course for the latest information on course dates and availability.

2–3 May

BC Sea Kayak Leader Training

Dragon Activity Guides, www.dragonactivityguides.co.uk

6–7 May

Mod Water Canoe Leader assessment

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

7–8 May

Core Coach

CIWW, www.ciww.com

9–10 May

BC Surf Kayak Leader Training

Dragon Activity Guides, www.dragonactivityguides.co.uk

8–10 May

BC Raft Guide Training

National White Water Centre, www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk

10 May

Level 2 First Aid for Mental Health

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

13–14 May

Paddlesport Leader

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

16–17 May

16hr Outdoor First Aid

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

21–22 May

Paddlesport Instructor

CIWW, www.ciww.com

30 May

FSRT

Llandysul, www.llandysul-paddlers.org.uk

29–31 May

Rescue 3 – WRT PRO

National White Water Centre, www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk

1 Jun

BC Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning

Dragon Activity Guides, www.dragonactivityguides.co.uk

2–3 Jun

BC Sea Kayak Leader Training

Dragon Activity Guides, www.dragonactivityguides.co.uk

3–4 June

BC Coach Award Sea Kayak training

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

4–5 June

BC Coach Award Sea Kayak assessment

Dragon Activity Guides, www.dragonactivityguides.co.uk

20–21 June

BCWWS&R

National White Water Centre, www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk

20–21 June

BC Coach Award WW Kayak training

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

20–21 June

BC Coach Award Slalom training

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

3–5 July

BC Raft Guide Training

National White Water Centre, www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk

5 July

Level 2 First Aid for Mental Health

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

11–12 July

16hr Outdoor First Aid

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

26–27 July

BC Core Coach Award

Adventure Beyond, www.adventurebeyond.co.uk

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WATERWAYS & ENVIRONMENT UPDATE INCIDENT REPORTING There is an online reporting system is for all paddling incidents, whether they are safety or access related. You don’t even need to be a member of the NGB, this is open to anyone.

The information you provide will help us identify canoeing issues and establish an accurate picture of safety and access concerns across the country.

We will use this information to advise members and improve safety for everyone. So, please include incidents such as those with other water users, access issues, pollution/environment, canoeing safety etc. as well as major incidents or accidents. https://www.canoewales.com/report-an-incident

CLEAR ACCESS CLEAR WATERS - PETITION SITE UPDATE WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING WITH THE ACCESS CAMPAIGN? In Wales it is the Welsh Government that we need to influence to get a change in access legislation. We’ve been working with our colleagues in British Canoeing to make an adaptation to the petitions page hosted on the Clear Access Clear Waters website.

When you go to the petitions page to add your signature you can now send an email to your constituent Assembly Member (AM) with a letter that you can personalise. Let’s make our AM’s aware of the Clear Access Clear Waters campaign and let them know that we want fair, shared sustainable access to our waterways.

Log on and sign up, it’ll only take a couple of minutes. It’s important that we get our names behind this.

PADDLE CLEAN-UPS MAP HAVE YOU BEEN PART OF ANY PADDLE CLEANUPS? Did you know there’s a paddle cleanup map on the Clear Access Clear Waters website?

It’s important to let others know that paddlers are serious about looking after the environment: We make a difference! It only takes a couple of minutes to upload a photo and description of what you’ve been doing to help out.

Let’s get some more Welsh cleanups on the map, even if it was from some time ago. Let everyone know about the great work that you or your club are doing!

PLACES TO PADDLE MANAGER phil.stone@canoewales.com

SPRING 2020

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EVENTS M A Y 2

M A Y 2

M A Y 3

FISHGUARD BAY OCEAN RACE 2020 Fishguard The race is on – 17kms along the stunning North Pembrokeshire coastline for single skis and SUPs. Towering cliffs, tide races, and a beach-sprint finish. AND, this year we’re keeping fingers crossed for epic downwind conditions! Prizes, trophies and huge fun for all concerned.

MONTGOMERY CANAL TRIATHLON Newtown Cycling, walking and canoeing along the 35 miles of the Montgomery Canal. It’s a great day out for families with children as well as experienced triathletes. Starting at Newtown and finishing at Frankton Locks, you can enter 1, 2 or all 3 sections. Group entries are especially welcome.

PADDLEFEST 2020 CIWW Get set for an action-packed early May Bank Holiday: the ultimate family-friendly event for those who love the water and a bit of action! Activities suitable from age 6. Includes: ‘come and try it sessions’, all day BBQ, live music, trade stands, indoor surfing, GB SUP race, Boater X race, competitions and fun!

EVENTS UPDATE – COVID-19 Unfortunately, with so much uncertainty about how long COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place, it is likely that many of the events on our calendar for May, June and July will have to be postponed or cancelled. We’ll do our best to provide updates on our social media and please check the event websites to find out the latest news.

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ANGLESEY SEA KAYAK SYMPOSIUM SEA KAYAKING UK

M A Y 3-10

M A Y

ANGLESEY SEA KAYAK SYMPOSIUM Anglesey A great opportunity to meet and greet old friends and new, share your experiences and learn practical tips from those in the know. With a variety of guest instructors from all over the globe, as well as local paddlers who will be able to guide everyone safely around our wonderfully wild coastline.

GO PADDLING WEEK

Everywhere!

This is the perfect opportunity for paddlers old and new to take to the water and be part of the biggest paddling event 23-31 in the UK. Whether you’ve never been in a boat before or you love to get out and paddle, this event has something for you.

M A Y

ST DAVID’S SEA AND SURF KAYAK FESTIVAL 2020

St David’s A collaborative event from Dragon Activity Guides and Sea Kayak Guides this festival includes paddling workshops, 29-31 evening talks, a raffle and trade stands with kit to demo or buy. Come for a weekend and enjoy the world-class coastline.

M A Y

ALL WALES BOAT AND LEISURE SHOW 2020

Anglesey This show is for boat owners, watersport-lovers or families looking for a great day out. As well as trade stands, demos 29-30 and boat sales, there will be lots of activities where you can have a go. This is not just about sailing and power boats!

J U L

TRYWERYN FESTIVAL

NWWC The paddling festival at the National White Water Centre is a weekend full of paddling events, prizes, trade stalls, evening 24-26 talks, films, food, music and dancing.

IN THE FLOW ONLY FOOLS AND WHITE HORSES This is the captivating story of the first open canoe circumnavigation of the UK, completed by Colin Skeath, one of the UK’s most experienced coastal canoeists, and his nephew, Davis, one of the UK’s notso-experienced canoeists …

Together they shared a journey of over two-thousand miles that would redefine the boundaries of canoeing; battling through some of the most notorious stretches of water in the world. Over 86 days they would face strong tidal rapids and huge open crossings, never before attempted in an open canoe, and overcome multiple capsizes and damaged equipment.

“A gripping account of an epic journey.” Ray Goodwin MBE – Author, canoeist and coach ISBN: 9781913510008 RRP: £ 12.99 Available direct from www.source-2-sea.co.uk (with free delivery till the end of May)

PEMBROKESHIRE MARINE CODE – SEABIRDS IN SPRING Spring is an important time of year for our wildlife, including seabirds, who flock to our coasts to nest from March onwards.

SEABIRDS CODE OF CONDUCT

Cormorants, gannets, guillemots and the comical puffin, Wales has a diverse array of seabirds. It is important that we look after these special animals, especially during their important breeding season.

The Marine Code aims to protect Pembrokeshire’s amazing wildlife by promoting voluntary codes of conduct and seasonal agreed access restrictions, helping preserve the safety of Pembrokeshire’s stunning wildlife for the enjoyment of everyone.

The Pembrokeshire coastline and offshore islands have nationally and internationally important populations of seabirds. Follow the Marine Code advice when out on the water, to help minimise disturbance to our wildlife.

There are separate codes of conduct for seabirds, seals and cetaceans along with agreed access restriction maps for specific areas to check before you head out on the water. The Code and maps are available online at https://www.pembrokeshiremarinecode.org.uk/ or put them all at your fingertips via the ‘Pembrokeshire Marine Code App’

The 1st March to 31st July is a particularly sensitive time as birds come ashore to nest. Sensitive sites include steep cliffs and inlets. The Pembrokeshire coastline and offshore islands have nationally and internationally important populations of seabirds.

1. Plan trips carefully and with respect to agreed site specific access restrictions. They are in place to protect wildlife for future generations.

2. Observe birds’ reactions from a distance.

3. The following bird behaviour indicates preparedness to fly; head craning, head turning, head bobbing, and wing flapping in situ. Do not proceed if you observe this as you will make them fly.

4. Auks (guillemots, razorbills) incubate eggs on their feet. If they fly off ledges in a panic their eggs are dislodged and destroyed.

5. On open water you may encounter rafts of seabirds. Avoid causing disturbance to rafting birds as they may regurgitate food meant for their young/take flight during valuable resting time.

Wondrous British Marine Life

WONDROUS BRITISH MARINE LIFE

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This book showcases the marine life around the British coastline, and brings it to life with simply stunning photography.

Wondrous British Marine Life This book is aimed at walkers, wild swimmers, kayakers, divers, in fact anyone exploring the coastline whether along the shore, on, or under the water. No doubt it will give equal pleasure to the armchair explorer.

Lou’s entertaining and clear writing showcases the life stories of a wide selection of coastal inhabitants; from barnacles and jellyfish, to seals and lichens and is brought to life by full colour, professional quality images from her own collection.

ISBN 9781906095703

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Lou Luddington

Written by Lou Luddington, marine biologist and award winning photographer, A hAndbook for coAstAl explorers this book shares the life Lou stories Luddington of a wide selection of coastal inhabitants; from barnacles and jellyfish, to seals and lichens, which are brought to life by full colour images from her own collection. It’s a personal introduction to Lou’s favourite marine inhabitants, and is packed with interesting facts and beautiful photos. For anyone who has spent time around the coast this is a fascinating insight into the world beneath the waves and will give any coastal explorer a fresh perspective on British marine life.

Wondrous British Marine Life A hAndbook for coAstAl explorers

Lou Luddington

SPRING 2020

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RIO COFANES PORTAGE JACK GRACE

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ARTICLE: BETH MORGAN

he Rio Cofanes is the unicorn river in Ecuador. On the walls of Gina’s restaurant are two big portraits of beautiful bedrock canyons, contrasting the pink and grey walls with the luscious green of the jungle above. Of all the photos on display, they are the ones that your eyes are drawn to, filling you with wonder and desire.

The Rio Cofanes is in the north of Ecuador, near the border with Columbia. Putting on in the quaint mountain village of La Sofia, the river winds down for 34 miles until it confluences with the Rio Chingual to form the Aguarico (meaning “rich water” – presumably due to the discovery of gold). Starting out at a gradient of 105 feet per mile, the river cuts its way through three beautiful bedrock canyons. A third of the way into the run, the Rio El Dorado joins, the gradient halves and the river becomes more open. But more importantly than the guidebook facts – the river looks like a dream.

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At the bottom of the rapid, all the water dropped away into what looked like a giant hole, with the water flushing out of the right side quickly towards… the canyon wall? We were unable to see past the corner to be 100% sure, but at least we could take comfort in the giant pool we could see downstream.

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The Cofanes is notoriously hard to catch at the right levels. It has to be low. The three bedrock canyons are completely committing, filled with must-run rapids and a pretty sketchy portage. Once you are in, there is only one way out – downstream. Now, remember that you are in a rainforest with no reliable weather forecast to speak of. So, it is not surprising to learn that only 9 crews have ever previously descended the river. There had been a lot of rain in Ecuador this season, so I never thought this would be the year.

However, after a week-long dry spell, we got the call that we had been hoping for! Knowing that this was not a river to run as a pair, Jeremy Nash and myself spent the next hour trying to convince Rowan James (who was fresh off the plane 12 hours earlier) and Jack Grace (who had never done a multiday before) that this river would be everything that was missing from their lives.

After a 6-hour drive to the put-in the next day, with a quick pit stop to buy food and a machete and the opportunity to be real tourists at the Magico waterfall, we were greeted with primo flows. Filled with anticipation and excitement, we explored the local village, chased some chickens, tried to befriend a parrot, and put some important phone numbers into my InReach.

Just as it started to get dark, the heavens opened and the rain poured down upon us.

Nervously looking around at each other, no-one wanted to voice aloud our concerns. “It’s the best river of your life” – Abe Herrera’s words echoed

around my head as I kept all of my fingers and toes crossed for it to stop raining. After the longest hour of my life, it started to subside. However, my night’s sleep was still restless, filled with dreams of flash floods and portaging mishaps.

Thankfully, I woke up to find the stars shining down upon us! The next day we tried our best to force the big breakfast of rice, lentils, chips, and chicken down our throats at 6am to give ourselves enough energy for what lay ahead. We packed up quickly and hiked down the steep road to the put-in. A big sigh of relief echoed around as we saw that the river was still crystal blue and did not appear to have risen significantly from the night before.

Right from the get-go, the action started, with high-quality rapids weaving their way through a maze of big boulders. Jeremy took the lead, as the driving force for the trip, with no rapid too steep for him to read and run. Countless boofs and waves had us grinning from ear to ear as the reality that we had actually made it to the Cofanes began to sink in. The first canyon passed without much difficulty and the whitewater eased for a second, giving us the opportunity to take in our surroundings and check our progress on the map.

Reaching the second canyon, we were greeted with a large horizon line dropping into the steepsided gorge. I knew this was the “Narnia” rapid from the photo at Gina’s. Hopping out to scout, the rapid was steeper and burlier than I had been expecting. At the bottom of the rapid, all the

COFANES VALLEY JEREMY NASH

RIO MALUTE JACK GRACE

water dropped away into what looked like a giant hole, with the water flushing out of the right side quickly towards… the canyon wall? We were unable to see past the corner to be 100% sure, but at least we could take comfort in the giant pool we could see downstream.

Jeremy’s last words of wisdom were to remember my new year’s resolution (to have more confidence in my kayaking) and that he would be at the bottom. Then he jumped in his boat and paddled into the abyss. I quickly followed suit, knowing that scouting for longer would only serve to make me more nervous. Whilst driving right for the final move, I got caught in the seam, plugged off the drop, went straight down to Narnia, and popped up the other side, feeling very happy and relieved!

Miles of quality read and run whitewater in the third canyon eventually led us to the portage.

This was the part that I was dreading. A couple of years ago the perfect waterfall boof on the Cofanes collapsed, leaving behind a walled-in hole which is unrunnable except at the lowest flows.

The only way around is to jump from one slipperyas-ice boulder to another, lower boats down, then try to find a spot on the rock flat and stable enough to get in your boat. Oh, and this all happens right above a siphon. Figuring out the best way to tackle the portage was like a fun puzzle,

ECUADOR TRANSPORT JACK GRACE

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LOWER PACHIHAL JACK GRACE

It was some of the best read-and-run whitewater I have ever done, In one of the most remote, beautiful places I have ever been to.

but actually doing it was one of the scariest things I’ve done in a while! It was great to be with a team who I completely trusted to work together and keep each other safe, but I was very glad to see the back of it once it was over.

Cruising on down knowing the worst was done, we passed the confluence with the Rio El Dorado.

At this point the flow doubled, the river opened up, and the character changed. All that was left to do was to find the perfect spot to hang our hammocks, make some dinner, and get a well-earned night’s sleep! The next day, with all of the hard work behind us, we could sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery. Thin veils of water shimmered down the cliff walls whilst parrots screeched in the sky, flying back and forth above our heads.

MADDIE KIMMEL

The kayaking was much faster on the second day. Even though we still had half the distance to cover, we reached the takeout only 3 hours after putting on. We lucked out when we found a group of local fishermen, with their truck parked right at the takeout, who agreed to drive us to Lumbaqui so that we could catch a bus back to Baeza.

Exhausted and aching but elated, we even arrived back in time for the Bridge to Bridge race party.

The Cofanes really was everything I had hoped for and more. It was some of the best read-andrun whitewater I have ever done, in one of the most remote, beautiful places I have ever been to.

Our need to get past the portage on the first day prevented us from taking much media, but this is a trip that I will not forget anytime soon!

ABOUT Beth got into kayaking as a kid on a family holiday; and what was a fun

summer activity has developed into a way of life. She’s spent the last few years travelling and kayaking around the world, and is currently in Patagonia (following on from Costa Rica and Ecuador). Then she’s heading back to Europe for the extreme race season, where she’s hoping to add to her collection of extreme race titles (3 wins in 2019, plus 2 second places). However it’s not all about whitewater trips and titles; she’s hoping to get her BC qualifications do some more coaching work around Europe, as she loves helping other kayakers progress, push themselves and experience new rivers and locations. She’s also hoping to organise, alongside Pyranha, a tour of the UK doing talks and kayaking clinics, with a particular focus of getting as many girls and ladies out on the water as possible.

Sponsored by: Pyranha, Watershed and NRS

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Q&A

Gavin Cooper

Canoe Wales’ Coach of the Year

Gavin Cooper started paddling in 1984 with his scout group on the River Taff. Since then he’s dipped in and out of boating, returning to it fully when he decided to introduce his children to the sport and joined Rhondda Paddlers in 2003. He gained his coaching qualifications and found his talent. He now coaches slalom and whitewater kayaking at CIWW, and is part of the successful Seren Dwr slalom club, alongside family life, a full-time job and a spot of ballroom dancing … He’s introduced numerous paddlers to whitewater and coached national and international level slalom paddlers, and is also a division 1 slalom paddler himself. His dedication and success was deservedly recognised by Canoe Wales when he was named Coach of the Year. Ceufad caught up with him to find out more …

ELIZABETH COOPER

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ELIZABETH COOPER

ELIZABETH COOPER

ELIZABETH COOPER

“AROUND MY 16TH BIRTHDAY, I GOT A KAYAK OF MY OWN; IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PLASTIC KAYAKS – A PERCEPTION DANCER – WHICH WAS GREAT AS I COULD BASH IT AROUND A BIT MORE.” 20 |

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How did you get into paddling and coaching?

I started paddling when I was in the Scouts in around 1984. I went on camping trips and then the scout troop managed to get a fleet of kayaks that we used on the River Taff in the summer evenings.

These were heavy, fibreglass and not very robust!

Eventually, around my 16th birthday, I got a kayak of my own; it was one of the first plastic kayaks – a Perception Dancer – which was great as I could bash it around a bit more. I still have it today. I continued kayaking as I moved into Venture Scouts and completed my Instructor award in 1992.

I pretty much stopped paddling for a few years; went to college, started work, got married, had children etc. I wanted to get my children into paddling so started them kayaking and joined the local paddling club, Rhondda Paddlers, in 2003.

While in the club I helped out in the pool sessions and this led onto me gaining my star awards and BCU coaching qualifications.

While I was here I was lucky enough to participate in sea kayaking, surf kayaking, open canoe, canoe polo and whitewater kayaking, with a bit of playboating thrown in.

At this point my son was into river running and playboating, and then Cardiff International White Water Centre CIWW opened up in 2010. This is

ELIZABETH COOPER

where we spent a lot of time and I became a raft guide working at the centre on weekends, as well as coaching whitewater kayaking for the centre.

I wanted my son to improve in his kayaking ability and the Welsh Slalom team (with only a few paddlers) were training at CIWW. I thought that slalom paddling would be a great way for my son to improve his overall kayaking ability, so he joined in their sessions while I supervised him until he got into division 1, which at the time allowed him to become part of the Welsh Team. From that point slalom took over, with us being away 3 out of 4 weekends a month, training and racing. As my son was moving up the ranks, I decided that I would take up competitive slalom too, which then led me to racing and helping to coach the younger developing Welsh slalom paddlers. This led me onto training and qualifying as a slalom coach as well as being a division 1 slalom paddler.

How did you get involved with Seren Dwr? Seren Dwr became a slalom club based at CIWW and in the early days the majority of Seren Dwr paddlers were also in the Welsh slalom squad.

As I was now heavily involved in slalom, I sort of slid across into Seren Dwr and moved away from general kayaking.

ELIZABETH COOPER

DAVID STEEN

ELIZABETH COOPER

What’s your coaching role?

I am one of the lead coaches at the club, and coach Seren Dwr paddlers on a Tuesday evening.

I also coach for CIWW with their introduction to white water courses.

Coaching so many people must be very rewarding. Any stand out moments?

I want everyone to do well and enjoy the sport. I love seeing paddlers gaining skills and finishing a session ‘buzzing’ with enthusiasm, whether it‘s getting down the whitewater course without taking a swim or nailing a sequence of slalom gates.

When they finish a session ‘beaming’, that’s what makes it worth doing.

Also being part of a slalom coaching team that has developed young paddlers and helped them make the Welsh Canoe Slalom team and GB team.

How did it feel being named the Canoe Wales Coach of the Year?

When I first heard that I had been shortlisted it was bit of a surprise. I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony as I was away at a slalom race so when I heard I had won, I was a little bit chuffed and proud to be recognised for something that I really enjoy doing.

What advice would you give other coaches? »» Paddle lots of different craft to get a good all round experience of different canoe disciplines. »» If you are going to teach/coach a specific technique, do the technique yourself and think about what you actually do and try to pass on that info to your students. »» Work with other coaches; it’s always good to see how they coach as there is always an alternative way of explaining boating skills to students. »» Give slalom kayaking a go; personally I found that the experience I gained from my slalom kayaking has improved my personal boatmanship and how to use whitewater features efficiently.

What does the future hold for you and for the club?

To continue to coach in the club and to get some new members involved, so that we can start getting them trained up in slalom kayaking and moving through the slalom ranking systems.

“ I LOVE SEEING PADDLERS GAINING SKILLS AND FINISHING A SESSION ‘BUZZING’ WITH ENTHUSIASM ... WHEN THEY FINISH A SESSION ‘BEAMING’, THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT WORTH DOING.” SPRING 2020

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FREESTYLE DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS @ CIWW ARTICLE:JUSTIN BUNN GB FREESTYLE

Building a community: Winter Wonder Loops & Beyond

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T

he intention was to build a community of freestyle kayakers at Cardiff International Whitewater Centre (CIWW). A community of like-minded paddlers, meeting regularly and learning new freestyle skills and tricks.

Since its creation last year, and after setting up a dedicated Facebook page CIWW Freestyle Hub, the group has grown steadily, with paddlers of all abilities meeting up to paddle together, keen to nurture and develop their freestyle skills, and encourage each other to participate in both local Freestyle League competitions and larger competitions such as the Welsh Open.

We are fortunate to be able to provide opportunities for development for all levels of freestyle kayaker; and with support from the GB Freestyle Inspirer Programme, we have highly skilled freestyle mentors able to help out with all levels of moves. So, as well as having a fun day, people also get to take away tips to work on and further enhance their freestyle development.

Building upon the success of last year’s Freestyle Development Sessions, and keen to keep the momentum rolling (if you’ll excuse the pun!) over the winter, a ‘FreezeStyle’ session was planned as the first session of the year on January 4th.

Approximately 35 freestyle kayakers turned up for the Winter Wonder Loops Social Paddle – this is a fabulous reflection on how the freestyle community is building in south Wales, as it was blooming freezing that day!

The day started off with some flatwater warmups, and for those seeking to improve their skills there were some flatwater drills to take away and practice. Then, for those looking for a little bit more we took those drills onto the course for some moving water practice.

The day then progressed onto working on different skill sets, with each group utilising different parts of the course. For example, a group worked on front surfing on bottom wave, and another group worked on hole moves at Corner Hole.

Everybody then came together in the afternoon for the imaginatively named “Pimp my Grind” session – where the challenge was to perform the most inventive and imaginative grind (tail stall along the wall)… and the group certainly delivered as the photos show!

Who knows what contributes to the continued growth of this fledgling community? Perhaps it’s the promise of cake at our events? Or, maybe it’s because our ultimate aim is to offer a friendly, chilled vibe, with an emphasis on having fun!

For us, creating this environment means people are relaxed and always feel welcome, which is then a perfect environment for people to start pushing and developing their skill set. We use fun and games to get people to try moves (like bow pivots in a hole) that they might not want to try in

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a more formal (competition) environment.

The current focus for us at CIWW Freestyle Hub is on organising some training sessions ahead of this year’s Welsh Open competition.

There is currently a plan for several of the GB Inspirer Team to head to CIWW in late March to run an informal, peer-led training day, to give you all the skills and information you need to enter the novice and intermediate categories at the Welsh Open on April 25th.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE This summer, the focus remains on building the community of freestyle kayakers at CIWW. However, to add some variety into the mix, the aim is to start an inaugural “CIWW Freestylers on Tour”. Encompassing day trips to some of the freestyle hot spots across the UK, such as Hurley Weir on the Thames and Nottingham’s HPP course. These will be peer led, and will feature informal coaching, but will help to facilitate paddlers who would like to visit a new feature, with a bit of support from within the freestyle community.

As part of a wider plan to further develop freestyle at CIWW, we’re hoping to initiate a videocompetition throughout the summer, based

around being inventive with moves at CIWW – more details will follow in the Facebook group CIWW Freestyle Hub If you have a desire to learn more about this exciting and growing discipline, head over to the CIWW Freestyle Hub Facebook page to find out more about the development sessions, meet ups, and to join our community.

See you on the water soon!

THANKS TO GB Freestyle (Inspirer

Programme), and to Ronnie at Canoe & Kayak Store Cardiff for their ongoing support.

FIND OUT MORE Head over to the

CIWW Freestyle Hub Facebook page for more details. The group is for freestyle kayakers who’d like meet up regularly at CIWW for boating fun, peer development, skill sharing and general freestyle shenanigans.

For dates and deets, keep your eye out for info posts in this group.

Who knows what contributes to the continued growth of this fledgling community?

Perhaps it’s the promise of cake at our events? Or, maybe it’s because our ultimate aim is to offer a friendly, chilled vibe, with an emphasis on having fun!

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The Royal Dee A tale of semi-detached, demented dangling, defrosting drawers, denizen deer and descending the Dee ARTICLE: ROBIN BERNAU

O

ur trip started at 5am on a dark October morning. Kevin picked me up and we began our round trip from Norfolk to the Cairngorms and then to the sea via the River Dee. Our plan was to paddle 126km from the Linn of Dee to Aberdeen, descending a total of 360 metres, over four days. Aberdeen is a major harbour, so we had opted to take out by the angling club in the city, rather than pushing on to the salty stuff.

It rained most of the drive up but, despite this, the SEPA gauge at Polhollick still showed the levels to be dropping. The Dee might not be an option … but we did have the Tay as a plan B. We picked up Darryl near Huntingdon, and carried on, still without a fixed destination. We all consulted our crystal balls (not a euphemism!); some rain was forecast for the Wednesday, we hoped would be enough. The level was at 0.55m and after much deliberation and calls with Paul, the fourth of our group, we decided to stick with the Dee. After Braemar, the route to the Linn of Dee followed the Dee river valley, and as we ascended the contours our anticipation of the trip began to build.

Looking at this meandering braided section we started to pick our routes through it and get a feel for how much water we would have to play with.

We got up to the Linn of Dee in good time and unloaded while it was still light. It was to be a dry night and I opted to sleep in a hammock without a tarp, Kevin went for bivy-under-tarp and Darryl for a straight bivy. We pitched up by the pool that lies just below the Linn. I had talked of swimming the Linn to test my new drysuit and it seemed quite placid from the pool at the bottom. When I saw the thunderous cascades from the bridge, the thought of plummeting down the raging white water left me with a sense of horror.

I managed to reduce some of my ballast by cooking first and my mac and cheese was in the edible spectrum. Darryl and I then enjoyed some ukulele playing around the campfire. Kevin had an early night, which was tentatively unrelated to our musical prowess! To be fair, he did have a very early start planned for the next morning, as he was on shuttling duties.

My chosen bivy spot was between a tree and a dead stump that was about 9ft tall and a foot wide. The stump was a bit rotten but seemed solid enough. Darryl joked that if there was a crash in the night and a scream, they would know that my bivy had collapsed and I’d been hurt. However, if there was a crash and no scream, maybe the outcome wasn’t so positive. This turned out to be quite prophetic.

I had decided to use my bivy-bag-sleeping-bag combo inside of my hammock. Unfortunately, I got a bit stuck trying to enter my bivy bag with my clothes still on, and I went to sleep half-in – half-out of my sleeping bag. Later, at around 1am, I awoke cold and attempted to bounce my way in.

I was de-hammocked with a crack then a crash; the trunk of the stump snapping with 4ft of it landing down next to me. Darryl called to me but I lay there in silence, mentally checked my vitals, leaving Darryl pondering how to tell my wife that I was dead (he was probably thinking WhatsApp).

It was a bit of a shock but I was unhurt and it was fortunate that the broken stump was at the end by my feet, and not by my head. My feet hit the ground first and I then slid smoothly down the dangling hammock to the floor. I grabbed the kneeling mat from under my canoe and tucked it beneath the hammock and slept very nicely for the remaining hours.

LOOKING AT THIS MEANDERING BRAIDED SECTION WE STARTED TO PICK OUR ROUTES THROUGH IT AND GET A FEEL FOR HOW MUCH WATER WE WOULD HAVE TO PLAY WITH.

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WE WERE TREATED TO AN AERIAL DISPLAY FROM A PAIR OF WHITE-TAILED EAGLES WHO TOOK OFF FROM TREES CLOSE TO OUR POSITION.

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DAY 1 - WED 16TH OCT – 17KM PADDLED – 60M DESCENDED The next morning Kevin left for the shuttle at 5.15am and returned with Paul at 10am. I was woken by light drizzle at 7.30am and started to get things squared away. We were all away for 10.40am and we were careful to remove all trace of our stay at this fabulous spot.

The action came thick and fast. I had planned to scout the first rocky rapid but got spun around on a rock and ran it backwards. Fortuitously, the tree obstruction from our previous trip was now gone. I got down the rapid okay, albeit clinging onto the gunnels for dear life. Kevin took a nice line down which must have been a relief after capsizing his laden canoe while lining here in October 2017. Darryl followed but opted to test his waterproofs. Fortunately, he stayed dry enough not to need a of change clothes. He was saving his dry clothes for the rapid at Invercauld where he had swum in July 2016. Paul also had difficulty on this one but avoided a dunking.

As Paul poled his way through the shallower sections, I hoped that he might clear a path for us, flicking the rocks out of the way! We then scouted a few more scrapey rapids that formed a chute down river left. We all got down okay, although

Darryl spent some time stuck on a rock.

Once we got down to Victoria Bridge near Mar Lodge we started our meandering route across the glacial plateau. We were treated to an aerial display from a pair of white-tailed eagles who took off from trees close to our position. It was an impressive spectacle and their wingspans were enormous. You could see the threat they must pose to lambs. Shortly after this we spotted a large herd of red deer across the plain. We stopped here for lunch hoping either the deer or the eagles would return. Instead the rain came and we were keen to keep moving to warm-up.

The deer fence at Braemar had also changed since our last visit and now had no gap down the centre. We managed to find a route through on river left, although care was needed to avoid some rocks in the river. After a welcome tot of whisky to help drive out the cold it was time for Invercauld rapid. We made our way past the first bridge then stopped river left just before the second bridge to scout out this section.

It was looking very boney and I picked a rocky line on the river left. I managed to get down the right way up, although some rock bouncing was required. The rest of the group followed, all

hitting the same rock, but varying degrees of intensity. An ominous clunk emanated from Paul’s canoe on the last ledge drop.

Despite only paddling 17km we made camp between the copper-leaved birch trees with the barking stags as our neighbours and the sound of Invercauld rapid still within earshot. We had considered pressing on but thought that we may struggle to find a suitable camp spot where we could have a fire, due to the peaty soil and high banks of the next section.

While Darryl cooked Patatas Pobres, Paul and I were engaged in competitive spooning (limited to the whittling of sticks). It was a great night and Darryl’s potato stew went down a treat. We made the most of it with a few drinks and then Darryl and me got the ukuleles out for a fireside session.

There were clear skies above that resulted in beautiful but cold night. Paul and I were in hammocks and Darryl and Kevin were in bivy bags.

DAY 2 - THURS 17 OCT – 32KM PADDLED – 130M DESCENDED We woke to find that the clothes we had hung out to dry on the deer fence were now frozen solid. A thick layer of frost coated our tarps and the vegetation of our glade. The cold start made escaping from our various pits more difficult and despite needing to make up some lost distance, it still took about three hours to get breakfasted and mobilised.

TH

I set off in the morning sunshine and the reflected rays made hippo spotting very difficult.

The autumn colours were a real treat and it felt good to be back on the water. We were all happy to see that yesterday’s rain had helped with the river levels.

As we left hippo country Paul stopped to inspect his boat. The decisive clunk at the bottom of Invercauld rapid yesterday had had a lasting impact; his canoe had sprung a leak. Beneath the airbag was an 8-inch crack that went through both the Royalex and the skid plate. We found a high bank and dragged it up to get the damage on the inside of the canoe into the bright sunshine.

Once it had dried out Paul applied layers of duct tape to the damage on the inside of the canoe.

This technique worked well and successfully kept the water out for the remainder of the trip.

We made our way down many run-on-sight grade II rapids, but it was hard to escape the feeling that an extra couple of inches of water wouldn’t have hurt. The rapids were a mix of boulder gardens, where we could all run down as a group picking out our own lines, and rockier affairs that required a more single file approach.

The rapid down to the Crathie Suspension Bridge near Balmoral was a lot of fun with some hippo dodging required at the bottom. I waved to the people on the bridge, who I assumed were royals admiring the Royalex. We had considered

WE WOKE TO FIND THAT THE CLOTHES WE HAD HUNG OUT TO DRY ON THE DEER FENCE WERE NOW FROZEN SOLID. A THICK LAYER OF FROST COATED OUR TARPS AND THE VEGETATION OF OUR GLADE.

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THE SOUND OF THE RAIN ON THE WATER HAD A SOPORIFIC EFFECT THAT WAS ALMOST HYPNOTIC, ALTHOUGH THE EXCITEMENT OF EACH RAPID WOULD SNAP ME OUT OF THE TRANCE.

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visiting the Royal Lochnagar Distillery but unfortunately we couldn’t afford the time.

The rapids and sunshine continued down to Abergeldie Castle and beyond. Along the way we met a solo paddler who had just had an accidental dip.

We wished him well and hoped he would stay safe, as there were more challenging rapids ahead.

We stopped for lunch on a sunny bank and had a well-earned rest; my homemade flapjack seemed to go down well with the guys. The plan had been to get down to below Dinnet rapid that day, but the late starts and low water levels had left us quite far behind schedule.

So we pushed on and enjoyed some nice rapids that are reminiscent of the “washing machine” on the Spey, with the narrowing river funnelling the water into bouncy wave trains. One of these beauties had a rock at the bottom that required some effort to get around to the left of it, but we all made it down successfully.

It was now 4.40pm and we knew it would be dark by 6pm. It was another 5km to Dinnet rapid, which we knew would need some proper scouting to get down safely. As we didn’t fancy Dinnet in the dark we started to look for a camp spot. I got the sense of déjà vu while assessing an island past the Cambus o’May suspension bridge, only to realise we’d checked it previously. It was okay for hammocks but the wet hummocky sandy tussocks didn’t look at all enticing to the floor sleepers.

After some more scouting we found a suit-

able spot at the edge of a wood, in a grassy field between Greystone and Corntulloch next to a piece of natural river art. A rock with a perfect circle carved from its centre. The fields along this section were mostly occupied with sheep and we could see from the wool on the branches that the sheep must also use this field on occasion. Darryl and Kevin set-up their tarps and bivis on the grass while Paul and myself set up our tent (Paul) and hammock (me), in the woods. It was a bit of a surprise to find our tarps still covered in frost from the previous night.

After my lumberjack moment on the first night I decided to cut down a widow-maker that was overhanging my hammock. And it burnt very nicely on the fire! As Darryl defrosted his frozen shorts, we compared the biltong I had made to the Marsh Pig beef jerky Kevin had brought with him (that’s made by my neighbours). This kept us going while Paul cooked a lovely pearl barley dish with foraged chanterelle mushrooms. We all retired quite early and I was asleep for 10.15pm. It rained a lot in the night, but I was warm and dry in my hammock. Hopefully this would help the river levels the next day.

DAY 3 - FRI 18TH OCT – 35KM PADDLED – 120M DESCENDED It was a wet day. We packed up our wet gear and got on the water for 9.30am, over an hour earlier than “No Swim Thursday”. We all declared that this was to be “No Swim Friday”, aware that the

grade III rapids Dinnet, Potarch, Cairnton and Invercannie all beckoned us from downstream.

The rocky technical rapids woke me up from the get-go. Kevin and I had a play on a little surf wave while Paul tried to unpin upstream, where he had caught both ends of his canoe on one of the rockier bits. We all got out and scouted Dinnet from the bank. Kevin and Darryl opted to line it down river right, where a side stream and slippery rocks let the canoes slide relatively easily down.

I decided to run it river right and then cross to river left to avoid the big square rock that had taken Kevin out on the previous trip. This was to avoid a hole on the right of the rock that looked very swampy. I had a good start but found myself too far to the right to cross the flow above Kevin’s rock. Aiming for the right edge of the hole I punched through, skirting the edge of the frothier water. I took on some water but got down safely and the right way up. While I bailed out on a beach, Paul ran it river left and made it down fine and dry.

The rapids continued as we made our way down past Aboyne, where I saw what I think was a female hen harrier. It was a good day for nature sightings and later we were treated to an encounter with an otter, several buzzards and dippers galore.

As we made our way down to Potarch we descended into clouds of misty fog that hung atmospherically above the river. It reminded me of the spray you get at the top of a mighty waterfall.

We hopped out and scouted Potarch rapid. I was keen to get to the Café at Potarch Bridge, so I hopped back on, ran the rapid on river right (gurning like a trooper) and then ran up to the café. It was open – happy days!

The others all made it down the rapid the right way up, but I believe some had more bailing than to do than others. The café by Potarch Bridge has been a haven to us now on both of our Dee trips, and it was great to get out of the elements and have a bit of a warm-up with coffee and cake. In fact, it took some mental fortitude to return to the persistent rain that was now refilling my boat.

It was now 3.30pm and the earlier start had paid off. The rapids continued, interspersed with gentler sections where we could soak up the Scottish atmosphere. The sound of the rain on the water had a soporific effect that was almost hypnotic, although the excitement of each rapid would snap me out of the trance.

At 4.30pm we arrived at the camp island from our previous trip, with the heavy rain giving the impression that it was getting dark. However, we still had an hour and a half more light to play with, and we were building a second wind after our coffee break. Decision made; we would push on to beyond the Cairnton and Invercannie rapids before dark, which meant a further 5km of paddling. We were also aware that this rain would

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bring the river levels up, and I was still haunted by the haystack-like waves from the previous trip, so wanted to try these rapids at the current levels.

We scouted Cairnton and at this level it looked fine, with no obvious horrors. I ran it down river right and it was a long, fast, bouncy rapid that we all enjoyed. Invercannie rapid followed shortly after and Paul chose to run it on sight, as the levels were so low. He made it down the right way up, but the wrong way around, but still deftly negotiated the bouncy wave train in reverse. I came down next and found a nice dry line. Darryl, however, dipped a gunnel and submarined his way down. He managed to avoid a swim, eddying out with his gunnels just above the surface of the water. On Kevin’s run he also got turned sideways in the bigger waves of the rapid and took on a fair bit of water.

It was now 5.30pm and we needed to get off the water before we lost the light. Between the high banks, fishing beats and the approach of Banchory it was difficult to find somewhere suitable to make camp.

We settled on some woods at the back of Banchory golf course and pitched up in the dark.

The camp was less than ideal with wet sandy soil. Kevin and Darryl, the ground dwellers of our group, had to make do with a sloping bank. Paul and I decided to hang out in hammocks for this one and we were positioned further down the slope, by the water’s edge.

We had achieved a “No Swim Friday” but, with all the swamping, we decided that Friday night was “Bath Night”. The rain was persistent so we set up a group tarp over an existing fire circle, where we managed (with some effort) to get a fire lit.

Here we enjoyed Kevin’s couscous with halloumi, olives, tomatoes, red peppers and capers.

Yum! There was also Bakewell tart and nearlycustard for pudding. The fire gave us some muchneeded heat; although we were now getting smoked out due to the wet wood and the wind that was picking up. We turned in quite early and as I got comfy in my hammock I was lulled to sleep by the white noise of the rapid.

My hammock was pitched quite near the water and, at 3.30am, I started to wonder if I was too close. A canoe that had been on land now being rocked by the flow of the river. I got up to check the level and pulled mine and Kevin’s canoes further up the bank and turned them the right way up, to stop anything getting washed away. The river had come up from 0.52m to 0.80m on the Polhollick gauge.

By 4.45am my sandy beach was getting very narrow and the level was at 92cm at Polhollick with no sign of easing off. For me it was time to start packing up as the tufts of grass that I had pegged into were now islands.

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DAY 4 - SAT 19TH OCT – 32KM PADDLED – 50M DESCENDED Finally, at about 6.30am, the rain stopped. Our camp was on a footpath at the back of the golf course but fortunately no-one’s faces had been licked by dogs (or golfers) and our camp went unvisited. By 9.45am we were packed up and ready to go, leaving no trace of our stay. We declared that it was to be “No Swim Saturday” before setting off into the energised river.

The river had come up to 0.95m and we were immediately met with very large wave trains that quickly blew away the cobwebs of sleep. The rapids included standing-wave haystacks and a separate set of linear waves that rolled at you from a 45-degree angle, trying to turn you sideways. It was big, but not the stuff of nightmares that we had encountered on our previous trip when the river came up to 1.6m. I enjoyed making my way down this section with nervous excitement.

Earlier that morning I had tried to adjust the trim on my canoe, but I had made it too stern heavy and most of the water I took on board came over the back. Kevin followed Darryl down and commented on being able to see all the contents of Darryl’s canoe, as Darryl ascended vertically up the largest haystack. We all had some bailing to do but nobody swam.

We made our way down to Aberdeen in 3 hours, which gave us an average speed of 10kph, not bad going considering the driving head wind that was gusting at 30mph. I found that between my trim, the wind and the boiling eddies, it was difficult

to steer a course. During this section Kevin had a couple of good kingfisher sightings seeing both the electric blue streak and autumnal orange markings. Paul was very adept here at picking the faster lines and I floundered at the back, often pointing the wrong direction.

The ever-changing clouds in the low sunshine were spectacular. Along the way we fished a football out of the river that must have been blown in somewhere upstream. Soon we were passing the Garth Dee Campus with its impressive modern buildings that overlook the Dee. And there it was, the fishing hut and end to our journey. We ate our lunch on a bench, loaded the kit and canoes into the car and trailer, and left the football in the park for the kids to play with.

After lunch we completed the shuttle back to the Linn and then overnighted at the Youth Hostel in Braemar. We then took a walk around the village and settled on the Farquharson Bar as a place to eat. It was busy with a great atmosphere and great food. We finished off with a couple of whiskies including the Royal Lochnagar that we had passed on the way down. It was a great end to a fabulous trip.

It had been a hard call on whether to run the Dee or change to the Tay. The river levels had been low but with hindsight I believe we made the right decision, despite the scraping on the way down. Many thanks to Paul, Kevin and Darryl. It’s a brilliant river, but it’s the company that really makes a trip memorable.

THE RIVER HAD COME UP TO 0.95M AND WE WERE IMMEDIATELY MET WITH VERY LARGE WAVE TRAINS THAT QUICKLY BLEW AWAY THE COBWEBS OF SLEEP.

THE TEAM

Robin Bernau, Darryl Cotton, Kevin Priest and Paul Clark.

Look out for their other trips on Song of the Paddle.

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NAM WA 

NAM WA 

P PONG

NAM RON RIVER 34 |

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ong Nam Ron translates literally as Smelly Water Hot - the river is named after a nearby village which contains a smelly hot water spring!

Our plan was to paddle about nine kilometres of grade-two water, however, there had been lots of heavy rain in the preceding weeks and the river was very high, which made it seem a bit harder.

Plus I hadn’t paddled whitewater for some time, which probably added to the grade!

We put-in about twenty metres above a small weir, which had quite a big stopper and towback in the middle. However, it was flushing through on river left, so we ran it close the bank, near to some small trees. After that we encountered many rapids, lots of them with small willow-type trees below them so getting the right line was important. My guess was that these had grown during the dry season when the river was at its lowest, and at these higher levels were now well within the flow.

About two-thirds of the way down we had to portage around a dam. According to my Thai paddling buddies this had changed the flow of the river and lessened some of the rapids. The river

ARTICLE: JOHN CONLIN-JONES

had definitely changed since they paddled it last, which was before the construction of the dam.

On one of the bigger rapids towards the end of the trip I capsized and, to my surprise, rolled instantly back up! It’s been about ten years or so since I had to roll in anger on whitewater; I mostly sea paddle in Thailand. The good news is that I’ll soon have whitewater much closer to home; a new slalom course is being constructed near Pattaya. It is due to open this year, which means not having to travel great distances to Northern Thailand to get to whitewater.

There was also a three-day, raft-supported trip on the Nam Wa River near the border with Lao. Unfortunately I missed out on this trip as all the places were snapped up really quickly!

The Pong Nam Ron team: Amey, Sanya, Don and Lek. With thanks to Amey for the photos.

PONG NAM RON 

NAM WA 

PONG NAM RON 

PONG NAM RON 

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PADDLER PROFILE

KIM JONES

Megan Hamer-Evans WELSH SL ALOM MEG IS 20, LIVES IN LEE VALLEY, STARTED KAYAKING IN 2011 AND IS CURRENTLY RANKED 4TH IN PREMIER K1 Hometown: Ton Pentre in Rhondda

because of the power of the water, and

Nationality: Welsh

having so many options and new chal-

School: Treorchy Comp

lenges.

Club: Seren Dwr Favourite food: Cereal (Weetabix) Favourite music: Billie Eilish Where did you start: School canoe club Why canoeing: Influenced by Dad and love for the outdoors First slalom: Llandysul river fest Why slalom: I like the feeling of paddling the boat at speed and retaining full control on moving water. I also enjoy the opportunity of visiting new places.

Favourite UK site: I have two; Symonds Yat, as the setting is so pretty, and Lee Valley

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Favourite European site: Tacen because of the big drop at the top followed by a number of technical sections.

Standout moment: 2019 Europeans in Liptovsky; my first U23 final for team GB. What do you miss about home: Mum’s cooking and having mum shop for me!

Favourite pastime other than kayaking: Spending time with my friends and surfing.

Most influenced by: Nigel Midgley, my first ever coach at Cardiff.

“TRAIN LIKE YOU’VE NEVER WON, RACE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER LOST” FAVOURITE SPORTING QUOTE

PADDLER PROFILE

KIM JONES

Fin Yates-Jones WELSH SL ALOM FIN IS 18, LIVES IN LLANDYSUL, STARTED KAYAKING IN 2012 AND IS CURRENTLY RANKED 18TH IN PREMIER K1 Hometown: Llandysul Nationality: Welsh

Favourite European site: Augsburg, Germany, it’s a fast tight course.

School: Ysgol Brd Teifi, Llandysul

Number hours training per week: 14 to 15

Club: Llandysul Paddlers

Standout moment: Taking a win at Grandtully

Favourite food: Margarita pizza Favourite music: Avicii Where did you start? Llandysul club sessions Why canoeing? Canoeing is an exciting sport.

Also, because I have a hearing impairment, I always struggled with team sports.

First slalom: Stafford and Stone Why slalom? I love slalom as it’s exciting, full

Division 1 with chicken pox - I hadn’t expected I’d have the energy to paddle.

What do you miss about home? I still live at home but after trips abroad I’m always glad to get back to home comforts.

Favourite pastime other than kayaking: I have recently started to enjoy running but I also like playing on my Xbox.

of challenges, keeps me fit and I get to

Most influenced by: Steffan Walker - he has

visit such amazing places with a great

an awesome work ethic and when I first

bunch of people.

started slalom Steffan was at a level that I

Favourite UK site: Lee Valley

“TO GET UP WHEN YOU ARE DOWN, TO FIGHT MORE INTENSELY WHEN IN SHEER PAIN, TO COME BACK WHEN NOBODY EXPECTS YOU TO, AND TO DO ALL THAT WITH DIGNITY, THAT’S WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION” – A.J. FAVOURITE SPORTING QUOTE

aspired to reach.

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fact check

TUDUR SLAVEN

HOW SLALOM IS FUNDED IN WALES The truth is that none of the funding that we invest in slalom comes from our members

W

e often get asked some version of this question: Why does Canoe Wales invest so much in slalom paddlers when there are far more recreational paddlers in Wales?

The truth is that none of the funding that we invest in slalom comes from our members. Instead, it is funding from the National Lottery, which we receive through Sport Wales to invest in our slalom and sprint programmes. We use these funds to develop talented young athletes with potential for Olympic and Paralympic success. This money is ring-fenced, so we are only allowed to spend it on this programme.

You can think of it this way: when you buy a lottery ticket, a portion of that ticket’s cost will go to helping us to develop future Welsh champions. And when you join Canoe Wales, we won’t spend any of that money on our talented young athletes – your membership fees go directly to providing you with your membership benefits and into everything else we do to support paddlesport in Wales, including investments in grassroots development and advocacy for better access to water.

We’re incredibly proud of our elite athletes – and grateful to the National Lottery for their support, which makes it possible for us to spend every penny that you contribute to Canoe Wales to help grow and develop paddlesport in Wales for everyone.

KIM JONES

KIM JONES

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Live for White Water?

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