Issue 147 Summer 2021 £2.50
ceufadKAYAK CYLCHGRAWN CANŴ CYMRU JOURNAL OF CANOE WALES
Q&A ANYA WHARTON
WELSHPOOL CANOE CLUB
DESTINATION WALES: RIVER TEIFI RIVER MONNOW
PADDLESPORT STORIES
YNYS DULAS, ANGLESEY PETE CATTERALL
editorial
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here is some thought provoking content in this issue. In the interview with our new CEO, Alistair Dickson, he talks about a study he worked on with the British Marine Futures Project, which looked at what participants want out of watersports. The results were interesting; people are looking for experiences, are less committed to one sport or activity, look for instant gratification, fear failure and want things to look good on social media. Going back a ‘few’ years, I started kayaking because I loved the challenge of a new sport and the rush that whitewater gave me. As I’ve progressed (aged!) it’s become more about the journey; exploring new places and gaining new experiences, which is why I started sea kayaking (admittedly these ‘new experiences’ do end up on Facebook!). ‘Traditional’ paddlesport, in closed-cockpit kayaks and open canoes is expensive and takes time to master (and usually involves a good amount of fairly unpleasant swims). So, you can see why disciplines such as SUP are so popular; they're really accessible and enable you to have some great adventures on the water. It looks like paddlesport could be moving in a new direction, which will no doubt present some challenges but will also create some great opportunities and hopefully help ensure the future of our sport. Vicky Barlow Editor ceufad@canoewales.com
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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, National White Water Centre, Bala LL23 7NU Ceufad is produced quarterly in Spring (March), Summer (June), Autumn (Sept) and Winter (Dec). NEXT ISSUE: AUTUMN DEADLINE: 1ST JULY 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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Waterways and Environment Update
Salmon and sea trout in Wales – a hidden treasure
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Meet the Aliens on our Waterways
The top 8 invasive non-native species (INNS)
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Q&A Alistair Dickson
Meet Canoe Wales' new CEO
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In the Flow
Paddlesport news and reviews
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Destination Wales: River Teifi
A classic river and estuary trip
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Review: Dragon Hammocks
Testing the latest hammock designs
18 #ShePaddlesCymru
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Back on Tour in 2021!
20 River Monnow
Open boat trip along the border
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Paddlesport Stories
The positive impact of paddlesport
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Q&A Anya Wharton
Chatting with the CW Young Volunteer of the Year
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Meet the Team
Cath Sykes – Lead Safeguarding Officer
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Club News
Updates and guides for CW clubs
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Club Profile
Welshpool Canoe Club
CONTENTS
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Inside Story: the Journey of a Performance Athlete
Emily Davies shares her slalom journey
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Daniel Rees
Profile of a Welsh Slalom paddler
COVER
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ELLERY, GRAHAM AND NICK
RIVER MONNOW
MAL GREY
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CANOE WALES – OUR TEAM Alistair Dickson CEO MEMBER SERVICES TEAM Paul Marshall Coaching Manager (Consultant) Gayle Penn Development Officer Val Ephraim Administrative Officer Jen Rigby Membership and Communications Officer Ellen Roberts Finance Officer Phil Stone Places to Paddle Manager Cath Sykes Lead Safeguarding Officer PERFORMANCE TEAM Tom Power Head Coach and Interim Performance Manager Jonathan Davies Talent Pathway Officer (North) Serena Williams Talent Pathway Officer (South) Lydia Wilford Talent Pathway Officer (South) Gareth Bryant Talent Pathway Officer (West) Dan Goddard Performance Coach (Slalom) DIRECTORS Kerry Chown Chair 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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LAUNCHING BAN FROM GLASBURY BONT (WYE) Earlier this year Powys County Council closed their launch site at Glasbury Bont. This is because they are obliged by legislation to carry out an assessment of the impact of launching (canoes, kayaks, paddle boards etc.) on the SAC (Special Area of Conservation) and SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) at the launch site and further downstream. Unfortunately, this situation was going to arise at some time, it should have been last September when the previous consent expired. Their view is that they cannot allow launching until the assessment has been carried out. Canoe Wales had met with Powys CC as we felt that the advice given was directed only at commercial operators who were officially permitted by the council to launch from the site. Powys sought further clarification on our point raised and it has been concluded that all launching is subject to a temporary ban, not just commercial. There is a secondary issue: the Voluntary Access Agreement (VAA) shown on the Wye Usk Foundation (WUF) website. Canoe Wales does not agree with this VAA and does not endorse it in any way shape or form. We were party to meetings last year when a change of arrangement was suggested but none of the representatives of recreational, educational or guided paddling groups accepted the proposed changes. We were not aware of this latest version until very recently. MOVING FORWARD The Canoe Wales Waterways & Environment Committee has met recently to discuss the launch ban and debate the best next steps for Canoe Wales to take. We agreed to meet with Powys CC and other affected parties to help wherever we can so this process can conclude as quickly as possible. We need to consider what conditions may be put in place before paddling can resume. Conditions imposed will possibly include river levels, numbers of boats, education, identification and timing. The biggest issue is likely to be around water levels, providing evidence that paddling in low water conditions does not create damage is going to be critical. We all know that the damage caused by paddling in low water can be minimal compared to natural events, but this needs to be evidenced. Therefore, this issue has pointed to the fact that we need more academic evidence to support our case so we will be looking to instigate research projects going forward and collect more evidence relating to the condition of popular launching sites over time. The VAA, WUF are aware that we do not and never have endorsed the VAA that is in place. We have alerted our members to the existence of this VAA and left it entirely up to the individual to make a decision to paddle or not. We have been in contact with WUF about this latest version and are awaiting their response.
WELSHPOOL CANOE CLUB VIDEO! SPORT POWYS INTERVIEW – #ACTIVEAPRIL Sport Powys have interviewed fatherand-daughter team Mike and Chloe Perks, from Welshpool Canoe Club, about their club and their successful application for a grant from the Sport Wales Be Active Wales Fund. The grant is for a new storage container, kit and coach training, which will enable them to offer more to their members and introduce new people to paddlesport. For more details on Welshpool CC see page 34. For more details on the Be Active Wales Fund see page 33. To watch the interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3uSkp50IZk
NEW DELIVERY PARTNERSHIP NOW AVAILABLE SUPPORT TO GROW YOUR PADDLESPORT ACTIVITY Canoe Wales is pleased to announce that the NEW British Canoeing Delivery Partnership is now available. The Delivery Partnership is a supportive scheme to develop and grow your paddlesport activity, share success and reach out to prospective customers of your business. CAN I BECOME A DELIVERY PARTNER? The new partnership is aimed at the full array of paddlesport activity providers including outdoor centres, hire providers, tour guides, charities and small and large organisations providing paddlesport activity, as well as coaches, leaders and guides. A truly international partnership, you can be a Delivery Partner no matter where your business is based, within the UK or overseas, British Canoeing welcome Delivery Partners from across the globe. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A DELIVERY PARTNER? British Canoeing offer different packages of support as they recognise the needs of businesses will be different and, over time, the needs of your business could change. Choose from their Gold, Silver or Bronze packages of support, each including a variety of benefits. The Bronze package includes: Promotion of your business 24/7 self-service administration area Your logo on Start and Discover certification Live qualification checks for your team Discounted vacancy listings Discounted access to Head of Paddlesport Training Discounted access to annual virtual conference Go Membership business account (if required) Access to digital collateral and ability to use Delivery Partner logo Annual fee: £100
The Silver package includes: All Bronze benefits + Enhanced promotion of your business Technical support and guidance Free access to Head of Paddlesports Training Free access to virtual conference Further discounted vacancy listings Bulk download Start and Discover certification A Delivery Partner plaque and ability to purchase additional plaques Annual fee: £350
The Gold package includes: All Bronze and Silver benefits + Premium promotion of your business Personalised visit to suit the needs of your business Free vacancy listings Advanced notice of events, conferences, opportunities and organisational changes Annual fee: £750
Please note: there may be extra travel costs for the visit, depending on your location and the necessary travel. This will be agreed on a case by case basis. What are you waiting for? Sign up today – https://gopaddling.info/british-canoeing-delivery-partner/
CALLING ALL PADDLERS TO SPRING CLEAN CYMRU BE PART OF THE MILLION MILE LITTER PICKING MISSION FROM 28 MAY TO 13 JUNE Canoe Wales is proud to announce that we've teamed up with Keep Wales Tidy to support their 2021 Spring Clean Cymru campaign. Spring Clean Cymru runs from Friday 28 May to Sunday 13 June – and this year they’re calling on all #LitterHeroes to help collectively walk – or paddle – a million miles while doing your clean-ups. We are calling on our amazing clubs and members to support this by getting out onto your local waterways, lakes and beaches to clear as much litter as you can. You can make a pledge online to show your support and do your bit towards the million-mile litter picking mission! Let's show others how much we as paddlers care about our environment and the blue spaces we enjoy. To find out how to pledge your support, organise a clean-up, where to borrow equipment, who to contact to get your rubbish collected, and for Covid-19 guidance for activity organisers visit: www.canoewales.com/calling-all-paddlers-to-spring-clean-cymru
Of course, once Spring Clean Cymru has finished, clean-ups can still be run and will still be needed all through the year. Why not add your paddle clean-ups to the map on the Clear Access Clear Waters website – and let us know so we can shout about your great work, and encourage others to get out there to do the same! If you have any questions about paddle clean-ups, access or environment issues, just email our Places to Paddle Manager Phil Stone on phil.stone@canoewales.com
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GO PADDLING MONTH GET PADDLING IN JULY! WHAT IS GO PADDLING MONTH? Running from 1 July to 31 July, Go Paddling Month 2021 is the perfect opportunity for paddlers old and new to take to the water and be part of the biggest paddling event in the UK. WHO CAN GET INVOLVED? In short, anyone. With taster sessions for those new to paddling, as well as development opportunities and ideas for independent adventures, everyone can join in. From clubs, delivery partners and organisations to casual paddling groups and individuals. We want you all out on the water, enjoying the best of paddling. WHAT CAN I DO TO TAKE PART? This year, we’ve got a whole month of paddling on the cards, rather than just the week. Why not try something different? » Organise a paddle cleanup. » Learn a new paddling discipline. » Get out on the water with a new social club. » Meet a friend for a paddle and pint at the end. » Get creative with Go Paddling Month and do something new!
WHY GET INVOLVED? Go Paddling Month is great for people new to paddling. Go big, go small, go with friends, go on your own … just go for a paddle! We just want you to take to the water and tell us about it. There are prizes to be won for everyone who takes part. But we know your main motivation to join in will be your love of paddling! So make sure you take time to do it this Go Paddling Month. Are you a club or delivery partner looking to organise an official event? If yes, then head over to: https://gopaddlingmonth.info/
BECOME A BRITISH CANOEING RAFT GUIDE RAFT GUIDE QUALIFICATIONS THAT ARE USED IN THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED Gaining a British Canoeing Raft Guide qualification will give you an award that is used throughout the UK and internationally recognised. Additionally, being a member of British Canoeing, SCA, Canoe Wales or CANI will provide you with appropriate insurance to work as a raft guide worldwide. Within the UK, British Canoeing is the only recognised paddlesport Awarding Body. Due to their regulated status, they are able to offer high quality learning and standardised assessment processes providing peace of mind for raft guides and deployers worldwide. All providers of the rafting awards have gone through a significant recruitment, training and moderation process, ensuring that high standards are followed, with compulsory updates to ensure continual competence and delivery of the most current practices within rafting. As a British Canoeing raft guide you will have continual support through their digital resources and highly regarded technical group, as well as ensuring both safeguarding practice and first aid requirements are up to date. YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING A RAFT GUIDE Aligned to the British Canoeing Educational Philosophy, the new awards provide choice in your development journey, as well as recognising and celebrating your existing experience: » Stadium Raft Guide » Raft Trip Leader Grade 2 » Raft Guide Grade 2 » Raft Trip Leader Grade 3 » Raft Guide Grade 3 » Raft Trip Leader Grade 4 » Raft Guide Grade 4
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You can access formal British Canoeing recognised training, which will support you in the development of the required skills. These courses typically cover leadership skills, and the associated personal skills, safety and rescue skills. As this training is delivered by British Canoeing Providers, they will also be able to help you identify an appropriate action plan to support your progress towards a successful assessment. Alternatively, there are direct pathways to assessment, for experienced guides and qualified IRF and SRF guides. You can develop your own approach to gaining the skills, knowledge and experience, working with an experienced guide to upskill on areas specific to your development. British Canoeing Raft Providers can also provide private tuition, in-house training through your work place, designing bespoke training based on your requirements. The choice is yours, to design the development journey to suit your existing skills. British Canoeing believe this individualised approach will be both cost effective, reduce travel, and broaden how guides develop their rafting practice. For more info: www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/become-a-british-canoeingraft-guide/ https://youtu.be/GIx4DeHxNl4 https://youtu.be/KxZMxQzmPN4
WATERWAYS & ENVIRONMENT UPDATE SALMON AND SEA TROUT IN WALES – A HIDDEN TREASURE If you’ve paddled the Dee recently you may have seen a tethered structure in the water. This is likely to have been a fish trap put in place by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to capture fish for monitoring purposes. Here, NRW explain about the importance of their monitoring project. Two iconic fish species have an ever-present association with the rivers of Wales: the Atlantic salmon and the sea trout. Both are anadromous species – spawning in freshwater but emigrating to sea after one to three years to grow and mature, before returning to their natal rivers to repeat the cycle. Thousands of fish, many juveniles but far fewer adults, will occupy Welsh rivers through the year…but their presence will hardly be noticed – hidden beneath the water and only occasionally exposed to view by a ripple at the surface or a leap at a waterfall or weir. Given these secretive habits, few individuals will get to see these fish at close quarters and appreciate their unique beauty. While this clandestine existence offers protection, it also means these animals are easily overlooked in our river systems. Delving into their watery world brings many practical challenges to those who want to find out more about how well these species are faring and ensure they, and the high-quality environments they depend upon, are adequately protected. Natural Resources Wales routinely monitor salmon and sea trout populations across Wales, fulfilling statutory duties to help ensure their long-term health. Various sampling methods are employed to provide an annual audit on a river-by-river basis…evaluating fish numbers against predefined conservation standards which serve as a trigger for intervention where there are concerns (as,
Rotary Screw Trap – a temporary trap used in the spring for nighttime sampling of salmon and sea trout smolts on the River Dee.
Returning adult salmon and sea trout.
unfortunately, there now are on most rivers across Wales and England and the wider European and Atlantic range). The catch records of fishermen (most of whom now return their catch) provide a widespread and long-standing source of information – primarily relating to abundance, but also the size (weight) and capture time of returning adult salmon and sea trout. At the other end of the life-cycle, summer electrofishing surveys at hundreds of sites across Wales are used to audit numbers of juvenile fish (salmon and trout fry and parr) and evaluate status at a sub-catchment scale. On a few rivers, more resource-intensive methods are employed to provide direct enumeration of the numbers of adult fish returning each year. Automatic fish counters provide counts on the Teifi and Taff using acoustic and optical technologies. On the River Dee (an ‘index river’), trapping and tagging methods are used to estimate returns of adult salmon and sea trout and evaluate the survival of young fish (‘smolts’) emigrating to sea in the spring. Collection of biological information from trap sampled fish (age/size/sex/ condition); extensive electrofishing surveys for juveniles; and an indepth angling census, bring together detailed information from key life-stages to help better understand the complexities of population processes and inform stock assessment methods more widely. This annual collection and processing of monitoring data provides the evidence base for evaluating the status of salmon and sea trout stocks across Wales, and the starting point for taking action to protect a valuable and threatened natural resource…albeit one that is hidden from most of us – even the most frequent river users. Phil Stone, Places to Paddle Manager – phil.stone@canoewales.com
Salmon and trout fry sampled by electrofishing.
Scale from an adult salmon – used to determine river and sea age and identify individual generations of fish.
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MEET THE ALIENS ON OUR WATERWAYS For the last few hundred years, since the first explorers sailed the seven seas, people have brought unusual plants and animals into the UK. Many were brought in to enhance someone’s land or out of idle curiosity. Today we live with the consequences of their actions. The grey squirrel was introduced and now our native red squirrel has all but disappeared. Japanese knotweed brought in to add a different dimension to the gardens of the wealthy has become a notifiable species yet still it infests large parts of the country and is almost impossible to destroy. These are just two examples of alien species that have been brought into our country and have upset the ecosystem.
GBNNSS
This American native is almost twice as large as our common frog and is one of the most harmful invasive amphibian species. Not only does it feed day and night on a wide range of prey, but also carries a disease that has led to worldwide amphibian decline and several global extinctions. It occupies any type of still or slowly moving water, especially where aquatic and bank vegetation are abundant.
SIGNAL CRAYFISH
So what?! You may well think "What has it got to do with me?" Well a number of these alien species not only detrimentally impact our native species but also have a massive impact on our waterways where you may well be paddling. Several plant species have caused a major headache to navigation authorities who have to spend £25 million per year in clearing these plants that are able to totally block river, lake and canal systems and prevent the commercial and recreational use of these waters. Still today, people bring alien species of plants and animals into the UK without due consideration of what their impact can be. Even within Wales, we can unwittingly transfer species from one area to another. The very nature of paddling is that the craft is highly transportable and can go from one watercourse to another, and one country to another.
What can I do to help as a paddler, instructor, coach, leader or guide? All paddlers can help prevent the spread of invasive species! But if you're an instructor, coach, leader or guide, you have a vital role to play in promoting the need to halt the spread of alien species by all paddlers, regardless of where they are paddling.
How do we stop the spread? Regardless of the type of paddling you do, whether competitive or recreational, inland or coastal, the chances are that you take your craft onto different waterways where there is a chance you may come in contact with these harmful species. So … Check Clean Dry to stop the spread! CHECK you're not carrying living organisms CLEAN all equipment, clothing and shoes DRY equipment and clothing carefully Here are the top eight Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) you might encounter when paddling in Wales …
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AMERICAN BULLFROG
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This lobster-like freshwater species was introduced from America in 1975 to be farmed for food, but escaped and spread through Great Britain. Growing up to 15cm long, MATT BRAZIER – ENVIRONMENT AGENCY they are aggressive and breed faster than the native species. It has driven the white-clawed crayfish towards extinction through a crayfish plague fatal only to our native crayfish. It also burrows into riverbanks leading to erosion and increasing flood risk.
CHINESE MITTEN CRAB This crab is named for its large, GBNNSS white-tipped claws, which are covered in soft fur and resemble mittens. It was probably introduced as a food source and released, or arrived as a stowaway. Populations have now established in the Thames, Medway and Ouse and have been recorded at other sites, including the Dee. It creates burrows in muddy river banks which increases erosion and silt loading in the rivers and can lead to bank collapse.
ZEBRA MUSSELS These stripy stowaways landed in Britain’s waterways on the hulls of ships from Eastern Europe and decided to stay. Growing up to 5cm long, they rapidly form large colonies that attach to almost any PAUL BECKWITH BWW submerged hard surface, impeding the smooth running of canal gates and sluices among other things. They have a detrimental effect on the native swan mussel population and on fish populations when they take over spawning grounds.
FLOATING PENNYWORT CHOKING A WATERWAY
KILLER SHRIMP
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Considered to be one of the most damaging invasive species in Europe. Currently found in Cardiff Bay and Eglwys Nunydd reservoir (West Glamorgan) with potential to spread rapidly if not contained. They prey on a range of native animals, which alters the ecology and could cause extinctions. They (and their eggs) can survive for up to 15 days in damp conditions – which is why it's so important to Check Clean Dry.
WATER PRIMROSE
GBNNSS
This highly invasive freshwater weed from South America was introduced to Europe for its attractive flowers. It can rapidly crowd waterways, ponds and lakes, forcing out native wildlife and causing flooding. It's currently only established in a handful of sites in Wales and England. NRW and the EA are working hard to eradicate existing populations.
AMERICAN SKUNK CABBAGE
GBNNSS
This invasive plant was introduced from North America in 1947 by collectors who admired its striking flowers. Once established, the plant can spread quickly. It grows up to 1.5m tall and prefers wet ground. Commonly found in wet woodlands, it forms dense stands, crowding out native plant species and emitting a strong skunk-like odour.
CCW
FLOATING PENNYWORT
CCW
This is probably the best known and most notorious invasive species and was introduced from North America. Floating pennywort can grow up to 20cm in a day – and up up to 15 metres in a single season – quickly covering whole water bodies, and harming aquatic wildlife by blocking out light and reducing the oxygen available in the water. The dense mats choke waterways and drainage systems, impeding water flow and increasing flood risk, while also making it hard for any craft to navigate the waterway. This is definitely not an exhaustive list of INNS you may come across when paddling. Some of our runners-up included the American lobster, ruddy duck, Japanese sting winkle and marbled crayfish … not to mention plants that grow along the banks of our waterways like Himalayan balsam, rhododendron, Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed (all of which have been spotted along the Dee as well as throughout parts of Snowdonia). If you'd like to know more check out these organisations: GB non-native species secretariat (GBNNS): www.nonnativespecies.org Dee Invasive Non-Native Species Project: www.dinns.org.uk Canal & River Trust: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/ canal-and-river-wildlife/the-rogues-gallery-of-invasive-species If you have any questions about invasive non-native species affecting our waterways, get in touch with our Places to Paddle Manager Phil Stone on phil.stone@canoewales.com
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Q&A
Alistair Dickson
Alistair Dickson is Canoe Wales’ new CEO; it’s his job to provide leadership to the CW staff team and to support the CW board in delivering our strategic plan. He brings with him a wealth of experience: he attended St David’s College in Llandudno and Bangor University. Was head coach at the Welsh Yachting Association, High Performance Manager and interim CEO at RYA Cymru Wales, and Director of Sport Development at the RYA. With a 4-year stint in the army in between. As Director of Sport Development he was integral in the development and modernisation of the clubs and training centres within the RYA, with the aim of increasing and enabling boating participation across the UK. He also led on projects and pioneering research which highlighted the power of outdoor activities in developing essential character attributes in young people. His impact at the RYA meant he was put forward on the UK Sport Future Leaders’ Programme, amongst some of the best leaders within sport in Great Britain. Ceufad caught up with the person behind this impressive career to find out more …
“BEING SOMEONE WITH TWO LEFT FEET (!), I ENDED UP PLAYING QUITE A BIT OF RUGBY BUT IT WAS OUR MOVE AS A FAMILY UP TO NORTH WALES WHEN I WAS 11 YEARS OLD WHICH INTRODUCED ME TO ADVENTURE SPORTS.”
You’ve obviously experienced a lot of outdoor sports, including through St David’s College, was sailing always your number one sport? I’ve always enjoyed sport – particularly outdoor sports. Being someone with two left feet (!), I ended up playing quite a bit of rugby but it was our move as a family up to North Wales when I was 11 years old which introduced me to adventure sports. We joined the local sailing club which was my introduction to sailing and I progressed into the Welsh Sailing Squad Programme. Once there, I was lucky enough to be given a sailing scholarship to St David’s College in Llandudno through a particularly keen sailing teacher who was also a member of Llandudno Sailing Club. Once in St David’s, I was introduced to other outdoor sports such as paddlesports, climbing, windsurfing and mountaineering. I participated in these when I could and went on a couple of sea kayaking expeditions, but as I got older I started competing for Britain in sailing and the expectations and training programme became more intense so time was more limited for other sports. You were Head Coach at the Welsh Yachting Association for 6 years then left to join the army. What prompted this change in direction? I was head coach at the Welsh Yachting Association on a part-time basis whilst completing my degree at Bangor University and coaching elsewhere around the world. I’d always fancied the challenge and adventure that the military provides so I went for officer selection and passed and decided to go for it. I knew it would be an amazing experience and provide me with a great number of lifeskills and experiences and stand me in good stead for the future. I kept my connection with the water by
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training as an Army Diver following a particularly gruelling selection course. I learned how to do a variety of underwater engineering tasks including demolitions and obstacle recovery. You then returned to the outdoor sector, first as part of the London 2012 Organising Committee, and then at Plas Menai. What prompted your move back into the outdoor industry? I contracted skin cancer whilst out in Afghanistan and had to go through a fairly extensive treatment regime. Following the treatment, I was effectively downgraded in the Army due to the number of check-ups I would need to complete. I’d had a great time in the military but it was downsizing and I thought it might be a good time to look elsewhere. An opportunity came up to work for LOCOG with the London Olympics helping to run the sailing event in Weymouth so I transitioned into that. Your last post was Director of Sport Development at the RYA; during your 4 years there you clearly had a very positive impact. You were involved with British Marine Futures Project, a joint initiative which looked at the future customer of the UK leisure boating and watersports industry. The RYA clubs and centres were then developed in line with the findings of this project. What did this development look like and what impact did it have on the clubs and centres, and on participation? The Futures Project confirmed a lot of what we were observing in that society is changing rapidly which is putting strain on existing structures, particularly clubs. The study found that people are looking for experiences (rather than assets), are fickler than they have been in the past (meaning they are less committed to one sport or activity), expect things to be digitally driven, look for instant
gratification, fear failure and want things to look impressive on social media. Equipment and membership-based sports which require significant financial investment (like boating) are facing challenges in attracting new people using existing models of participation. Therefore, we worked with clubs to develop their marketing, their equipment provision, breaking down barriers to entry and their digital and administrative capabilities. We also encouraged them to offer other accessible water-based activities like paddle-boarding and open-water swimming and steppingstones into other watersports. It was really encouraging to see the developments in a relatively short space of time. Clubs were seeing huge uptakes in complementary watersports activities and positive impacts on their membership. Many were thinking more about ‘membership satisfaction’ and putting the member first in the way they ran their club. Success enabled us to promote case studies to other clubs which helped breed more success. It was really encouraging to see the industry supporting this too with equipment-based packages which supported these developments and things began to snowball.
However, this was all against some pretty significant macro-trends which were fighting the other way so whilst it was encouraging to see things progress, it was certainly an uphill battle! You were also involved in projects and research focusing on the power of outdoor activities in developing young people. What impact do think outdoor activities have and how do you think this can be delivered and developed? When I first arrived at the RYA, there was a youth engagement programme (called OnBoard) which was in urgent need of a restructure. It had been around for 10 years and hadn’t really evolved with the times. It was all about attracting schools and youth groups and both groups were strained by more limited budgets, increased safety constraints and time limitations. We knew we had to make a better case to schools and youth groups and better evidence the life skills and personal development which outdoor sports are known to develop. We found a leading researcher and campaigner in ‘broader learning’ by the name of Prof Bill Lucas who helped us redevelop the programme around six essential character attributes which outdoor sports like sailing are known to develop in young people but also evidenced to help people to be successful and happy in life. They were independence, communication, creativity, teamwork, determination and confidence. We structured the programme around these outcomes and built promotional materials, instructor session cards, commissioned academic research and instructor/coach CPD. We also attracted new sponsors and partners which helped to further develop and promote the programme.
“THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF REALLY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN CANOE WALES RECENTLY SO, WHILST I WANT TO MAKE MY MARK, I WANT TO ENSURE THESE ARE FULLY IMPLEMENTED AND WE CONTINUE THAT GOOD WORK.”
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“I THINK PADDLESPORTS ARE REALLY ON THE UP. PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE TO GET OUTSIDE AND ENGAGE IN NEW AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCES. WE’VE SOME REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW THE SPORT AND THINGS ARE LOOKING VERY BRIGHT FOR THE FUTURE.”
All the developments brough new impetus and energy to the programme and we were pleased to see participation rates increasing and new clubs and centres signing up for the programme who were attracting more young people into sailing and windsurfing. We also attracted more funding which helped us to do more development of the programme, marketing and outreach. All sports and NGBs come with their own challenges. What were the biggest challenges you faced at the RYA? Boating participation was facing fairly big challenges. As the Futures report suggested, people were moving away from expensive equipment and membership-based sports which are difficult to master and are restricted by the weather and tide. However, the RYA had been very successful across a broad range of different activities so generating the case for change within the organisation was sometimes difficult. You were obviously making positive progress within the RYA. What prompted the move to Canoe Wales? I was interested in working in a different sport and eventually taking on a CEO challenge. With Jen moving on so soon after I started, it all happened a bit more quickly than I imagined but I was really pleased to be selected to take on the challenge and to continue the great work Jen was clearly doing in Canoe Wales. Having been observing watersports participation data over the past four years in the RYA, I was very aware of the opportunities and potential in paddlesports. I’ve also really enjoyed the adventure and experience side of paddlesports and I think the competitive side looks really impressive too. My family was also keen to move back to Wales so all the stars aligned really and here I am! What will you bring from your experience at the RYA (and the other organisations) to Canoe Wales? My experience in the RYA means I can bring varied experience of both performance and sport development. I’ve also been involved in membership and strategy development so I would like to think I can bring a lot of relevant experience. I’ve also worked in small and large national governing bodies and my military experience has helped me with planning and strategy in the past so I’m sure this will be useful in my time with Canoe Wales.
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What new approach are you bringing to the job? There have been a lot of really positive developments in Canoe Wales recently so, whilst I want to make my mark, I want to ensure these are fully implemented and we continue that good work. This includes the digital developments and increased communications which I know members have valued and appreciated by members. I think I can bring some good experience of using insight-based solutions to big strategic challenges like volunteering and club development. I also think a lot of the work we did in the RYA around the Futures Project will be useful for paddling clubs and organisations so I’m looking forward to introducing some of that during our Roadshows and other engagement events. Finally, I think I can bring some broad experience within the marine and watersports sector which will help us broaden our reach and work more collaboratively across watersports. I think there are some real opportunities for us to partner with more organisations to further our influence and impact. What do you think the biggest challenges are? I think we’re at an interesting time within paddlesports where new forms of the sport and activity are seeing dramatic growth. Our challenge within Canoe Wales is to ensure these new participants are provided the opportunities to develop their skills, meet other paddlers and access information that enables them to paddle safely and sustainably. This therefore means we need to broaden our reach and engage with new people which is challenging with a relatively small team and restricted resources. And … what excites you most about your new role? I think paddlesports are really on the up. People are desperate to get outside and engage in new and unique experiences. We’ve some real opportunities to grow the sport and things are looking very bright for the future. From a personal perspective, I really enjoy all watersports so will be looking forward to visiting paddling clubs around Wales and getting on the water wherever possible and meeting Canoe Wales members and other stakeholders.
IN THE FLOW LLANSAWEL AGORED Over the past few years my local community has wanted to get out and do more activities, so we formed Llansawel Agored – a communitybased outdoor activity club similar to the Caerphilly Adventure Group. We will have activities like bushcraft, archery, walking, mountain biking and paddlesport, all of which have the aim of improving attendees physical and mental wellbeing. We have also opened a Men’s Shed which has the same aims. There are already three awesome paddling clubs in the area; Llandysul Paddlers, Gwendraeth Valley Paddlers and Llandovery Canoe Club, which have been around for a long time. Our aim is to assist with what is available in our area. Most of the local clubs are kayakers, we will focus on canoeing along with wellbeing. Paddling activities will be canoe-focused and we will also have more wellbeing focused days. As time moves on, we would like club coaches to have qualifications in First Aid for Mental Health along with all of the normal tickets, as we feel this is important. If you would like to head out for a paddle with us or to talk more about mental health and wellbeing, then please do get in touch through opportunities@llansawelagored.com Or contact me directly rhys@greenideas.me.uk always happy to get more people on the water, or to talk about similar opportunities.
M E M O R I AL PAD D L E MARK WILLIAMS, CARDIFF CANOE CLUB We were all shocked and saddened to hear the news that Mark had lost his battle with Covid-19 on the 25th April 2020. He was only 58! Mark was Communications Officer for the club and a keen sea kayaker. As none of us were able to attend his funeral, due to Covid restrictions, we planned to organise a memorial paddle when restrictions would allow. Just over a year later, on Sunday 16th. May, 15 sea kayakers, from Cardiff Canoe Club, paddled round Cardiff Bay to pay our respects and to remember Mark. We talked about him fondly and shared stories of the various sea trips that he had been part of. We met Andrea, his wife, and members of his family at the barrage. Andrea explained how much kayaking and being part of the club had meant to Mark. We scattered Forget-me-nots and some of his ashes, followed by a rendering of Calon Lan, to ensure that he would not be forgotten. Andrea also placed an orchid on the water, Mark’s favorite flower. RIP Mark from everyone at Cardiff Canoe Club.
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In this series Canoe Wales’ coaches and guides give you the insider info on their local coastal and inland waters. They pick sheltered/flatwater or moderate/moving water trips, and give you the low-down on access, highlights and top tips. This is the guide to some of the best coastal and inland paddling spots that Wales has to offer, and may just introduce you to a new paddling destination. In this article Cardigan-based Jet Moore gives you the low-down on his favourite trip on the beautiful Teifi river and estuary. If you’re a Canoe Wales’ coach or guide and would like to share your favourite coastal or inland trips drop us a line at ceufad@canoewales.com
RIVER TEIFI The Teifi is the longest river flowing entirely in Wales; 120km of whitewater and tidal estuary stretching from the Teifi pools to the sea at Cardigan Bay. The upper reach has some classic whitewater sections, which are rain dependent. The lower section is tidal, meaning it can be paddled pretty much all year round, and is a simply stunning half-day trip. If you get the timings right you’ll get some tidal assistance and will be treated to a beautiful gorge, abundant wildlife, historic castles, peaceful woodland and busy quays. There are lots of access options, so you can make the trip shorter, plus there a few pubs and cafes on the way to keep you well fuelled.
CLASS/GRADE The suggested trip has been defined as follows: Moving water – class 1; rivers that can have waves and small rapids or riffles which should be easy to navigate.
USEFUL RESOURCES OS Explorer MAP 198 Cardigan & New Quay www.ukho.gov.uk/easytide ADVENTURE BEYOND
Upper wooded section
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© freevectormaps.com
DESTINATION WALES
TOP TIPS TO STAY SAFE AND PADDLE RESPONSIBLY Be prepared and take the right kit: » Wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid » Mobile phone in a waterproof case » Whistle – to attract attention in an emergency » Map and/or route description » Clothing for the weather conditions + spares in a dry bag » Food, drink & suncream Respect the natural environment and other users: » Respect other waterway users » Be environmentally aware, minimise your impact » Ensure you have the correct licence if required » Observe navigational rules – keep right and give other users space » Check, Clean, Dry after every trip!
JET MOORE is the Managing Director of Adventure Beyond,
and also a Director of Canoe Wales. Following a very respectable career as a slalom paddler Jet set up Adventure Beyond in 1997 and has become a prominent figure in both the activity providing and outdoor education scene. Not just a keen paddler, Jet also enjoys climbing, coasteering and the occasional expedition. His work has seen him partner with universities, colleges, schools, youth groups and tourist groups in a wide variety of locations across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Adventure Beyond is a family-run outdoor activity centre based in Cardigan Bay in West Wales. They offer real activities and amazing adventures, and pride themselves in fun adventurous activities, tailored to all abilities. Whether it’s an adrenaline fix, a relaxed family day out or time spent getting back to nature, they can create bespoke adventures to suit you. www.adventurebeyond.co.uk
ADVENTURE BEYOND
Canoe trip on the Teifi
MOVING WATER – CLASS 1
Llechryd Bridge to Patch Beach
Poppit Sands
Patch Beach
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Start: Llechryd Bridge – SN 21777 43594 Finish: Patch Beach – SN 16054 48475 Distance: 11km
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This section is tidal; if you leave Llechryd just before high tide at Cardigan town you’ll be assisted by the outgoing tide and will avoid the worst of the mudflats. For tide times visit: www.ukho.gov.uk/easytide There can be the occasional tree in the upper section (from the bridge to the end of the gorge), so keep an eye out.
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DESCRIPTION Start at Llechryd Bridge, on the outskirts of the village. There is parking after the bridge, down a small lane that has a layby. Access to the river is from a footpath on river left, on the downstream side of the bridge. Adventure Beyond own this stretch of bank all the way to a slipway (they own that too) and are happy for paddlers to access from the river left bank or the slipway, however, consider making a donation to Save Our Rivers (www.saveourrivers.org)! This upper section is peaceful and pretty, a relaxing paddle between wooded banks all the way to Cilgerran. Cilgerran is easy to spot; it’s a large grassy picnic area on the left bank. This is a great spot for a leg stretch and is also an excellent alternative access point. If you fancy stretching your legs a little further the village has shops, cafes and pubs, and Cilgerran Castle is only a short walk away. From Cilgerran the river continues to wind through the trees, gaining a little more flow, and entering the steep, densely wooded banks of the Teifi Gorge. This is one of the best examples of a tidal gorge in the whole country and is a unique environment which is a haven for wildlife. If you’re lucky you might see otter, deer, kingfishers and sea trout.
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Dependent on the water levels and tide there can be a class 1 rapid at the bottom of the gorge. Next up is the Welsh Wildlife Centre on river left. This is a great place to have lunch (it has an excellent café) and to see the resident wildlife. There are a couple of spots where you can get out (just after the canoes/jetty – which is a private launch). After the centre there can be a grade 1 rapid, dependent on levels. From here the river starts to widen out and becomes more tidal. This can be exposed to the wind with mudflats at low water, so may require a bit more paddling. But it’s worth it! The next (very obvious) landmark is Cardigan Bridge, which carries the A487. Beyond it is the more historic stone bridge (about 300m further downstream). On the right is Cardigan town and the imposing walls of Cardigan Castle, which dates back to 1176. There are two slipways on river right that give access to the town; Gloster
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© ALAN HUGHES (CC-BY-SA/2.0)
Mouth of the estuary (Patch Beach pontoon is behind the boats) Row car park and slipway (between the bridges), and Quay car park and slipway (after the second/stone bridge). These can be used as alternative finish points, or as access to the town, which is steeped in history, has plenty of cafes and shops, and is well worth visiting. The estuary continues to widen, bending round to the right at is passes St Dogmaels (right left). As the river straightens The Ferry Inn is on the left. It has a pontoon and is a good place to stop for food and drink. After The Ferry Inn (150m) there is the large floating pontoon on the left. Behind this is the ‘mermaid slipway’, which is an alternative finish point. It’s easy to recognise – look out for the large stone mermaid … From here the river really widens and you are now coming into the main estuary. There can be a big tidal flow from here down and it can be exposed to the wind. On the right there is a large bay which can be a mudflat in low water. Patch Beach is at the back of this. At the far end of the bay there is a floating pontoon (at the point where the estuary narrows). It sits in a channel so is accessible at low water. It is possible to drive onto beach to the floating pontoon or to the water’s edge. It is also possible to park on beach, however, it can flood in big tides! Poppit Sands is an alternative egress point, however, at low tide it can be a 400m walk from the water to the car park. There is also a potentially dangerous sand bar at the end of the beach.
Cardigan
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Early morning paddle in the Teifi Gorge USEFUL INFORMATION: Cigerran Castle – www.cadw.gov.wales Welsh Wildlife Centre – www.welshwildlife.org Local information – www.visitmidwales.co.uk Tides – www.ukho.gov.uk/easytide ACCESSIBILITY Llechryd Bridge: access along road and a gravel/dirt path 100m from layby. Low grass bank. Cilgerran: car park (free), toilets (accessible). 50m gravel/dirt path from car park to river. Low grass bank. Gloster Row car park and slipway: pay and display (accessible bay). Slipway can be driven onto. Small car park, awkward access for vans. Quay car park and slipway: pay and display (accessible bays). Slipway is gated and 20m from car park. Toilets 100m (not accessible). Mermaid slipway: concrete slipway which can be driven onto. Roadside parking alongside. Patch Beach: dependent on the tide the beach can driven onto, to the floating pontoon or to water’s edge. It is possible to park on beach, however, it can flood in big tides.
REVIEW DRAGON HAMMOCKS
REVIEW: DAVE BROWN
TOP QUALITY EXPEDITION HAMMOCKS HAND MADE IN NORTH WALES Whilst most paddlers on overnight trips traditionally use tents, I thought I would take the opportunity during the last lockdown to try something new. So, over the past few months I’ve been testing two designs from Dragon Hammocks: the EDC (Every Day Carry) Hammock and the Woodsman X Hammock. (Forget all thoughts of hammocks strung between palm trees in faraway places. These hammocks were reviewed and tested in North Wales over the winter!) EDC (EVERY DAY CARRY) HAMMOCK This is primarily designed as a kit storage hammock, however, I tested it with a 140kg load (coal bags, not lockdown-weight-gain!), and even when fully loaded it held its shape and construction without fail points. Made from parachute rip-stop nylon and 750 military specification paracord (kinder to trees than 550 paracord) and with simple, functional features it makes a perfect kit store when items need to be off the ground. I sat in it for over an hour with no problems (for the hammock or user), so it could also be used as suspended chair or a simple hammock. With the addition of a sleeping mat (which can be squeezed in) quite a comfortable shape can be achieved along with a pretty decent night’s sleep. Max load: 140kg Pack size: 21cm x 12cm x 12cm In-use size: 200cm long x 152cm wide Pack weight: 274g For those looking for a simple, lightweight, size conscious hammock at a great price and built to last, then the EDC should be high on the list. WOODSMAN HAMMOCKS These are at the opposite end of the comfort spectrum and are full of features and options. Available in single and double skin, normal and X length, with a lightweight option. These are jungle-style hammocks and are ‘flat lie’ when in use; you lie diagonally across the hammock which is a much-improved way of getting a restful night. Constructed primarily in 60g ripstop nylon with see-through bug netting (the netting is 98% removeable, providing great ventilation when required). The manufacturer recommends a single layer of ripstop for people up to 90kg and a double-layered construction for people up to 125kg. The doubling provides greater support; with a single layer a person over 90kg will feel the curves and a slight sag, whereas the double layer will provide greater resistance to sag and therefore a more comfortable shape. The zipping on the netting to ripstop is flawless. The internal pockets and stash areas are practical and well placed. The shape of the hammocks is well thought out to accommodate a tarp and still have room to move comfortably. The ridge line is Dyneema and the Whoopie slings are 2.5mm Marlow D12 SK78 (minimum breaking load of 490kg). The hammocks come with tree huggers for the suspension system; 25mm heavy duty webbing with a loop, with a max load of 160kg (in theory the weakest part of the system, however, they have been load tested and the worst break point was 3.464Kn's. More than adequate for the average 100kg paddler!). The suspension system and attachments are made using superlight, top quality metalwork manufactured by DutchWare. The cinch buckles make for a very simple and easy attachment point, with quick adjustment. Additionally, Dragon Hammocks also produce tarp ridge lines with a range of DutchWare buckles and gear that are exceptionally neat and compact. Woodsman X Max load: 90kg (single skin) 140kg (double skin) In-use size: 317cm long x 152cm wide; 220cm diagonal flat lie Pack weight: 900g (without the suspension system)
Woodsman Light Max load: 90kg (single skin) 130kg (double skin) In-use size: 298cm long x 158cm wide; 207cm diagonal flat lie Pack weight: 440g (without the suspension system)
If you’re looking of ways to mix up your camping experience or know that you’re going to be camping in forested areas, then this is an extremely well-made and lightweight sleeping and shelter system. No more sleeping on the ground. Go on, try it, spice up your solo camping options; who knows, you might like it. Price: EDC – £35 Woodsman – £70–95 (depending on the specification). Hammocks are made to order and can be tailored to your requirements: www.dragonhammocks.com
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#SHEPADDLESCYMRU In 2020, #ShePaddlesCymru took the world by storm, well maybe just Wales, but the news of our tour went far and wide, and around the world several times over, by the power of word of mouth, social media, magazine articles, podcasts and even live TV and internet broadcasts! If you didn’t know, #ShePaddles is an initiative that aims to get more women and girls into paddlesport, and to keep them progressing to where they want to be – whether that's paddling with family, volunteering as a coach at a local club, becoming an instructor or competing at a national level. #ShePaddles was started by British Canoeing to even things up – even in 2020, only 3 in 10 members were female and we don't believe this is because women are less interested in paddling! Following the hugely explosive success of our fully booked #ShePaddlesCymru On Tour 2020; which culminated in 256 new and beginner women and girls on the water and 1 in 2 of these becoming full ‘On the Water’ members of Canoe Wales, we knew we’d created something incredible and not carrying on was never an option! Through winter and spring, our volunteer staff team and Canoe Wales programme lead Gayle Penn were busy beavering away behind the scenes planning our next giant leaps into bringing even more women and girls into Welsh paddlesport. With the fun, laughter and enjoyment of the On Tour fresh in our minds, we knew we’d set the bar high and needed to grow and develop our canoe, kayak and stand up paddleboard taster sessions provision even further. With so many incredible volunteers and supporters gained along the way, we’ve split the team into regions to deliver even more sessions to meet the huge demand that we faced last year.
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WORDS: CL ARE RUTTER P H O TO S : M A R K E VA N S
The new regional teams are: #ShePaddlesCymru North Team: led by Cat James & Carys Owen #ShePaddlesCymru West Team: led by Clare Rutter #ShePaddlesCymru South Team: led by Lydia Wilford We’ve already started #ShePaddlesCymru On Tour 2021 with our first date at Llandysul Paddlers Centre on 15th May. We had a fantastic day with lots of new and beginner women and girls starting and developing their paddlesport journeys with us and all achieving their British Canoeing Paddle Start Award. So, tell your friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances and anyone else that we’re back on the road; bigger and better and ready to rock for another summer of incredible adventures, beautiful locations, lots of smiles and laughter and quite simply a whole lot of fun! All our events are bookable online and Canoe Wales and British Canoeing members are eligible for a discount. So, watch out: we’re coming to a blue space near you soon! Save the date and keep a look out for our tickets and further event releases! If you would like more information about #ShePaddlesCymru, the tour or would like to volunteer at one or more of our events, please contact lydia.wilford@canoewales. com. You can also follow all our progress in our friendly and welcoming, nurturing and supportive community at our Facebook group ‘#ShePaddles Cymru’.
As with last year, I’ll be touring and attending all events and looking forward to meeting, supporting and developing our next amazing generation of female paddlers. Sadly, for me, my term as the women’s paddling ambassador for Canoe Wales comes to an end at the end of August but excitingly, there will be three, (yes three!) vacancies to become the new British Canoeing #ShePaddles Ambassadors for Canoe Wales! Keep a look out on the Canoe Wales and British Canoeing social media channels and websites in the coming weeks for news of when and how to apply. See you on the water!
#SHEPADDLESCYMRU ON TOUR 2021 15th May
Llandysul Paddlers Centre (West Team)
2nd June
Swansea Canal (South/West Team)
19th June
Llyn Padarn (North Team)
3rd July
North Dock, Llanelli (West Team)
17th July
Pembrokeshire, location TBC (West Team)
31st July
Cosmeston (South Team)
7th August
Llyn Trawsfynydd (North Team)
21st August
Llandegfedd (South Team)
25–26th Sept #ShePaddlesCymru On Tour 2021 Grand
Clare Rutter British Canoeing #ShePaddles Ambassador for Canoe Wales
Finale Festival, location TBC
FIND OUT MORE
CLARE: Facebook: clarerutter.DBA Twitter.com: Clare_Rutter Instagram: clare_rutter.ba.hons shepaddlesambassador@canoewales.com #SHEPADDLESCYMRU: Facebook group #ShePaddles Cymru www.canoewales.com/shepaddlescymru
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River Monnow
ARTICLE: MAL GREY
Last year, whilst carefully watching for changes in restrictions, four of us headed for the English-Welsh border and the beautiful River Monnow. A camp in England, at Tresseck Farm in Hoarwithy, seemed sensible as restrictions might have changed quickly. In the end, apart from the fun of driving around with windows open and masks on during shuttles, all was easy enough and felt pretty safe.
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WITHIN THE FIRST FEW HUNDRED METRES OF THE PUT-IN THERE WAS A NICE LITTLE WAVE WHICH OFFERED SOME GOOD FUN.
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rriving on the Friday night after dark I found that my companions (Nick, Graham and Ellery) who'd arrived at lunchtime had just finished a hastily-arranged paddle from Hereford down to Hoarwithy. Almost in the dark. So oddly, as the last arrival I was getting the food on and the wine open. As always it was a pleasant evening with some excellent stargazing; the Milky Way hanging over our heads. LLANGUA TO SKENFRITH The day dawned fine and clear and we doubled up canoes on two of the cars. Heading to Skenfrith (our finish point) we dropped off the other two cars and headed for the put in near Llangua. Here a handy layby offers good access to the river, and the levels were really good. Often it’s been a struggle to have enough water on these trips, but with 0.78 on the Grosmont gauge there was enough for a pretty straightforward trip. This trip is almost all grade 1 or less, with just a couple of slightly harder rapids and always the danger of strainers from fallen trees. We were on the water by mid-morning, and for almost our entire trip the left bank would be England, the right Wales. Within the first few
hundred metres of the put-in there was a nice little wave which offered some good fun. From there the river alternated between slower sections and shallow riffles, the deepest line was often by one side guarded by overhanging branches. We paddled beneath Llangua Bridge; a modern concrete span squatting on the remains of an old stone bridge. Below this was a fast section where the flow tries to push you into the trees, so caution was required. So much caution that I didn't notice the river-wide tree blockage until the last minute! Fortunately where there was plenty of space to eddy out. A portage was required. Ellery chose left, Nick chose right and Graham went back upstream a few yards. I sat back and waited to see which option seemed easiest … and then followed Graham! A minor jungle bash and we were past. A better portage starts above that last riffly rapid, river right just below the bridge, into a backwater. We were all rather warm from working hard in drysuits, so we eased off and enjoyed the scenery. The valley of the Monnow is truly beautiful, a green and rural scene. Normally we do this in mid-winter, so it was lovely to see it when there were leaves on the trees. As with most
such rivers, the banks are regularly being eroded, crumbling red cliffs sit on the outside of many of the river’s curves and meanders. Grosmont Bridge was the next landmark. We paddled beneath the arch, dappled light reflected on the stones and the sun warm in our faces. The river then cut into a more wooded section, tall trees standing above the bubbling waters. There was so much wildlife, particularly birds, including many dippers and kingfishers, goosanders, grey wagtails, mandarin ducks and more buzzards than I can remember seeing in one trip. It wasn’t all drifting along in the sunshine though; the regular small rapids offered the chance for a little fun; eddying out, occasionally trying to surf small waves, and generally enjoying moving a canoe about in the flow. In addition, some distance below Grosmont, there was a damaged wire bridge to negotiate. Although ‘bridge’ is quite an optimistic description. The ‘high water’ mark on the sandy banks and the number of fallen trees proved just how powerful the flow can be, and how high the river can rise. On my first visit here, as a movingwater-beginner, we watched an enormous brown flood passing under the bridges … just dipping
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under the top of the arch. We went elsewhere for the day, then paddled it after it had dropped to high-but-not-silly levels. This trip was somewhat more relaxing! The river continued to provide more fast and bouncy stuff to keep us awake, along with an unusual river feature which Ellery, the youngest member of the group (by decades!) couldn't resist. A hanging swing. As he swung above his boat I resisted the temptation to steal his canoe out from under him, and he successfully returned to his craft … this time. We were approaching Skenrith, which signalled the end of the day, and what a lovely run it had been. A last rapid brought us towards our get out. You can't miss Skenfrith, thanks to its obvious bridge and rather large castle. There's a handy get-out there, though it’s a bit of a lug to the easy parking round the other side. The shuttle was pretty easy, and we were back in Hoarwithy without delay, for another evening rehydrating and burning stuff. SKENFRITH TO MONMOUTH Sunrise on the following day was beautiful, but on this occasion, heralding no shepherd’s warning, for another lovely day would follow. After a bit of car juggling we had a couple of vehicles at the finish line, and then we returned to Skenfrith with our canoes. At this point I need to make an admission. For what I think is the first time, as we unloaded the gear from Ellery's car, I realised I'd left the DSLR in my car at Monmouth. So all photos would be on my phone, which copes OK on wide angle stuff but isn’t so good with the closer-up stuff! Heading into bright sunshine, I was glad I'd found a way of squeezing the arms of my sunglasses under my helmet. The whole weekend was a bit warm for drysuits and helmets, and it was probably a day for popping the latter on and off according to conditions, but in the end it stayed in place all the time. The journey continued in much the same way as the previous section. Though the level had dropped to 0.73 there felt like there was plenty of water, for more tributaries had joined by now and the riffles were not as shallow. Again, gently flowing deeper sections were punctuated with nice riffles, and the chance of an eddy. It’s a good river for practicing whitewater skills, though a certain level of previous competence is needed to avoid potential disaster with strainers. We did find a rapid with an almost-surf wave. Unfortunately there was a tree on river left, which is where the flow wanted to push you, and we all visited it at least once whilst trying to stay on the wave.
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Tregate Bridge was an important landmark; just below this was what is often the trickiest rapid of the trip. A natural weir crosses the stream at an angle and usually it is hard to find a line that avoids the rocks, whilst at the same time being prepared for a "hard left" at the bottom to avoid being swept into the trees. Today it was pretty straightforward, as there was a wet enough line down the middle. We carried on, having great fun in a beautiful place, until we came across another rope swing which a certain person couldn't resist. Only this time he couldn't get back in his canoe again … which made for a wet landing! The stretch towards Monmouth cut between wooded banks, with plenty to keep us entertained. However, the water began to slow and for a couple of kilometres we had to actually paddle. This meant we were approaching Monmouth's large weir. Most of us opted to portage the weir but Ellery, of course, wanted to run it. After a bit of linehunting, he moved into place, and I waited below with camera … and throwline just in case, but fortunately it wasn't needed. Below the weir there was a fun section with a
few small rapids, a number of eddies to play on and some good spots to practice ferry glides. This made for an excellent last bit of fun before the finish. Although a sneaky rock did give someone an unexpected dip in the water! The very last section circled around Monmouth, before finishing at its remarkable fortified bridge. I think this is the only one in Britain that still has a tower on it. The Monnow is always a good trip, however, this one with the conditions and the fact the leaves were still on the trees made it all the more special. The company was OK too!
BELOW THE WEIR THERE WAS A FUN SECTION WITH A FEW SMALL RAPIDS, A NUMBER OF EDDIES TO PLAY ON AND SOME GOOD SPOTS TO PRACTICE FERRY GLIDES. SUMMER 2021
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PA D D L E S P O R T STO R I E S
Why we paddle … A FAMILY STORY We all have our reasons for paddling, some of which we share with others and some we keep to ourselves. In this issue, we are delighted to share the very personal paddling journey of a family in North Wales.
Phoebe was 4 years old when she started paddling after a meeting between her dad and business coach Carys Owen of the business pod. Carys, also a canoe coach, was sharing adventure-packed stories of her young daughter on the water. The character traits sounded familiar and the family joined a try-a-boat day at Colwyn Canoe Club. Phoebe and mum Ellie were hooked! Together they learned to canoe, kayak, and paddleboard on lakes, rivers, and in the pool in the winter months. They loved the family canoe camps where they got to sample gorge walking, Bushcraft, and the joys of a campfire and a community of like-minded people. The timing couldn’t have been better for them as Phoebe's dad fell ill. "Even a light 10-minute walk would drain him of energy, he was constantly asleep and missing out on family adventures. He was too scared to go to the doctors until he had no choice it became life or death. Phoebe's dad was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure and the journey began to get him on dialysis and on to the transplant list." Once Phoebe's dad was stable and treatment was fully established, Ellie and Phoebe continued to join adventures with Colwyn Canoe Club creating lasting memories such as surfing down Bala Lake in open boats, on a legendary family canoe camp organized by Lina Patel. "Phoebe and I had the time of our life in family camp and fondly remember our first open boat experience; it even finished with a little train trip back to camp with all the kids in full boating gear. I have to be honest I never thought I could paddle an open boat, especially with a mini crew member on board, but with her little paddle she sat at the front and we went like the clappers down the lake. I was so proud!' The ability to invest time in themselves and to recharge their batteries immersed in the natural environment was crucial to their own mental health. It enabled them to be strong for the family during the years of dialysis and the wait for a kidney transplant. They discovered the true power of being in the water as freespirited souls living in the moment and feeling pure joy in such a natural environment which was in stark contrast to the adult environment of hospitals and dialysis home treatment care.
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"For me as a mum, carer, and full-time teacher I just needed an outlet. Something else to talk about other than hospital appointments and focusing on the struggle and stress of a hectic life. Paddling became my outlet and even if it was only a once-amonth thing it was enough to keep me going.” After 3 years of waiting the phone rang at midnight one Thursday and Rob was offered a kidney from the donor list. The hospital bag had been packed ready and the time had come. Ellie dropped off her beloved partner at the doors of the hospital but couldn't follow him any further due to the Covid restrictions the hospital had in place. With a strict ‘no visitors allowed’ policy all Ellie could do was to go home and wait. It was evident how her now good friends and fellow canoe club associates could support Ellie and Phoebe at that time. A morning of climbing at Ropeworks Active in Llanberis was booked for Phoebe and Seren and a mummy’s paddleboarding date was set! The girls got to spend time doing normal things with other kids and, as the Covid restrictions were easing, this in itself was pure joy. After the most wonderfully relaxing paddle surrounded by the Snowdonia mountains, the small bubble spent the afternoon in the lagoons swimming and paddleboarding.
The message the family wants everyone to embrace is that you must create time to find moments of joy and escapism during challenging times. They are an investment in yourself that enables you to get through those tough times. The family also want clubs and coaches to truly recognize the value that paddling for pleasure brings to people's lives and want to thank all those special coaches how have helped the family not just survive the last three years but thrive. The donation of an organ is a very special thing and, in this case, has changed the lives of a whole family, not just one individual. Now that Rob is feeling better than he has done for many years Phoebe is keen to show him which way to hold a paddle, how to rescue someone on a paddleboard and drink hot chocolate in a survival tent! Good luck Rob!
"It was so hard only being able to talk to Rob over Facetime but he was fully entertained each evening by photos of his little girl still enjoying her Easter holidays and enjoying the freedom of seeing her paddling buddy after so many months of lockdown restrictions." Rob is recovering well from his transplant and the family are excited to spend more time outside together as he regains his strength and health.
SHARE YOUR STORY
We'd love to hear your paddlesport stories! If paddling has had a positive impact on your life and you'd like to share your story email: jonathan.davies@canoewales.com
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Q&A
Anya Wharton
Young Volunteer of the Year 2020 Anya Wharton is a Division 1 C1 slalom paddler, a junior coach with North Wales Slalom and an active member of Slalom Inspires. She also volunteers her time at various beginners’ sessions and open days, including sessions run by the Outdoor Partnership, local schools and #ShePaddles. She has been the Welsh Champion for her age group since she was 11 and was 3rd at the U14 British Champs. A pretty impressive set of achievements for a 15-year-old. So it’s no surprise she was named Canoe Wales Young Volunteer of the Year. Ceufad managed to catch up with her between school, training and coaching to find out more …
“KNOWING THAT IF YOU MAKE A JUDGMENT MISTAKE YOU AREN’T AFFECTING YOURSELF, YOU ARE AFFECTING OTHERS AND THEIR PADDLING. IT IS THAT RESPONSIBILITY THAT I FIND THE MOST CHALLENGING.”
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How long have you been paddling and how did you get started? I have been paddling since I was a baby, when we used to go on family trips in the open boat. I started paddling myself on the lake near where we live and have always loved taking the open boat out by myself. Why slalom and why C1? Slalom because I had a chance meeting with a slalom coach on the lake while I was paddling and he asked if I had ever been in a race boat. C1 because I was naturally more comfortable in a C1, emotionally and physically. How is it being the one of only a four C1 women paddlers in N Wales? What are the pros and cons? There are now only three of us! Pros – I love time alone and have got used to self-sessions. Cons – not much to compare yourself to. Beginners group, Llanberis. May 2021.
As a class C1 women can attract some (unwarranted) criticism. Has this been an issue for you and how do you manage this? Yes, it definitely is an issue I’ve come across. Not just personally – I’ve also seen it happen to many other C1W on social media and at events (training camps or races) and honestly it does get to me. I don’t think I am the best person at managing it, but I’ve been given amazing advice from so many people; I just try to remember all the good comments and remember what other people think doesn’t actually matter that much. You're also managing a long-term health issue. What impact does this have on your fitness and ability to train, and how do you manage that (mentally and physically)? Personally I was lucky with my thyroiditis in that it was found early so it’s impacts were minimal. I do struggle with my meds, having to readjust them often, especially when I was growing more. I still have to have blood tests and regular visits to the doctors. However, although it has its negatives, I honestly forget about it most of the time! I usually keep it to myself, just to avoid more unwanted comments, but there have been times when someone has seen a prescription or seen medical ID etc. and said something along the lines of ‘ew you have a disease’. For anyone else who knows what I’m talking about; don’t take any notice.
Leading beginners on Mile End Mill, Llangollen. May 2021. KIM JONES
Age 13 on a Slalom Inspires weekend on the Tryweryn.
First canoe trip. She hated her life jacket!
Getting a Jonathan pep-talk at one of her first races, age 11 at Bala Mill.
I feel it’s similar to being in a C1; most of the negatives (in my case) aren’t physical and are actually only negatives because of other people. And wherever you go there will be people like that, so just do it anyway, do what makes you happy, and don’t do what doesn’t!
What’s your role within the coaching team? I now help coach the beginner groups and the lower division C1s. I can coach in Welsh or English which makes me very useful especially with the beginners, as it is always easier to learn something new in your first language.
Apart from ignoring the C1W critics and managing a log-term illness, what’s your biggest paddling achievement? That I am still training and competing despite however many swims and rough patches.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of coaching? I get to talk to lots of little people – that is my favourite bit! I love working with the young ones; watching them progress and giving them opportunities and support.
How did you get involved with coaching? I started helping out with the beginner havea-go sessions and it just started from there. I went from helping out to coaching small groups alongside the club coach.
And the most challenging? Knowing that if you make a judgment mistake you aren’t affecting yourself, you are affecting others and their paddling. It is that responsibility that I find the most challenging.
“I LOVE WORKING WITH THE YOUNG ONES; WATCHING THEM PROGRESS AND GIVING THEM OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT.”
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Summer 2020. Afon Tryweryn.
Making her own sea kayak in Ibiza when she couldn’t take a boat to her uncle’s wedding. Age 7.
DENNIS PENNY
Grandtully Div 1 2019.
FIND OUT MORE
ANYA'S BLOG FOR SLALOM INSPIRES: www.slalominspires.com/blog SLALOM: www.canoewales.com/slalom SLALOM INSPIRES: www.slalominspires.com #SHEPADDLES www.canoewales.com/ shepaddlescymru
What advice would you give someone who is interested in paddlesport or slalom? Just try it! The only thing that matters is that you enjoy it. And what advice would you give someone who is interested in coaching? I would tell someone who is interested in coaching any sport or activity to find the reason they’re doing it and always keep that in mind. How did it feel being named the Canoe Wales Young Volunteer of the Year?! I felt honoured that I’d been chosen and really appreciate that people see what I’m doing. Who’s your sporting inspiration and why? I don’t have one particular sporting inspiration but one paddler I have always admired is Emily Davies. She is also a C1 woman from North Wales and is one of the best paddlers I know, skill and personality.
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What are your paddlesport plans for the future? Honestly, I have no idea what my future paddlesport plans are but I’m loving where I am right now and we’ll see what happens!
Llyn Padarn with her brother. Age 6.
MEET THE TE AM
Lead Safeguarding Officer
Cath Sykes
Cath is one of the newest members of the CW team: taking up the role of Lead Safeguarding Officer earlier this year. She ensures CW maintains the highest standards in safeguarding and child protection and is responsible for the implementation and review of procedures to safeguard children and adults within the organisation. Ceufad caught up with her to find out more …
“OVER THE COMING MONTHS I PLAN TO BUILD A PACKAGE OF SUPPORT AND DEVELOP CLOSER RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL CLUB SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS.”
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What does your role involve? I am responsible for the initial management and investigation of all safeguarding concerns for both adults and children, and for ensuring the implementation and regular review of procedure to safeguarding children and adults in the organisation. I also provide support and advice for Club Safeguarding Officers through creating resources, developing training and sharing information via the Safeguarding Update Newsletter. You have worked for many years as a Youth Development Officer and Safeguarding Officer at a number of organisations. What prompted you to join the CW team? I believe that the challenges we have faced over the last 12 months have given us all the chance to reflect on what is really important to us. For me, this was the impetus for change and a rebalance of my work/life priorities. I left full-time work so that I could spend more time with my family, help the Covid-19 effort by taking on a volunteering role at a local Covid Testing Centre, and work part-time so I could continue to support organisations to keep young people safe. When I saw the role advertised and read through the job description it caught my attention because it was an exciting opportunity for me to apply my skills and work for a sports governing body. Both my children are involved in local sports clubs and I’ve been to many competitions up and down the country supporting them. I love the outdoors, so working for Canoe Wales sounded like an ideal opportunity to take on a safeguarding role and work closely with the team to continue the work of embedding the high standard of safeguarding that is already underway.
It sounds like you have a busy life, and a job that could be quite stressful. What do you do to relax? I love being outdoors and spending time with my family. I run 3 times a week, belong to the local tennis club and enjoy cycling and walking. I also have an allotment which provides us with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. What support can you offer clubs, coaches and centres? Over the coming months I plan to build a package of support and develop closer relationships with all Club Safeguarding Officers. I plan to provide regular safeguarding updates, establish a CSO support network and provide more training opportunities. We recently held a DBS Disclosure training webinar which received good feedback and provoked good discussion. What are the biggest challenges you face? The biggest challenge will be to understand all the different aspects involved with paddlesport. I am very fortunately though to be working with a great team at Canoe Wales who are highly skilled and know their disciplines well! What message would you like to get out to the CW members, clubs and coaches? I am very much looking forward to working with you as we embed good safeguarding practice to ensure that we provide a safe environment for paddlers to enjoy their sport.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding safeguarding please get in contact with me. cath.sykes@canoewales.com
C L UB N E W S
Canoe Wales
Club News CLUB COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE EVENTS Our next dates for the Club Community of Practice days are fast approaching. These events are an ideal opportunity to upskill, network and spend a fun day on the water, being coached by a Canoe Wales provider in a friendly and supportive environment with a low participant to coach ratio. The next events are: Sunday 4th July Open Water Canoe - Bala Lake and Usk Reservoir SUP - North Wales
This new section in Ceufad focuses on our clubs. It includes updates, info, guides and general club news. We'll also publish a club profile each issue; this time it's Welshpool Canoe Club. We're open to suggestions as to what to include. So, what club guides would you like to see in a future issue of Ceufad? What “how to” videos should we post on our YouTube channel (canoewales.com/youtube)? Let us know your thoughts and ideas about how we can best support your club and its volunteers – email admin@canoewales.com or message us on: Facebook.com/canoewales
RE-STARTING CLUB ACTIVITY We'd like to remind all clubs that as we are starting our activities we also need to ensure that our essential documents stored on Go Membership are up to date, as well as listing all club members. These documents include: » Health and Safety Policy » Standard Operating Procedures » Club Constitution » Risk Assessments » Covid-19 Risk Assessment » Safeguarding Policy All of the above should be reviewed on a yearly basis as a minimum, or as and when a review is required. Should you need any support or guidance in updating these documents then please contact admin@canoewales.com where we can direct your enquiry to the appropriate person.
Sunday 1st August SUP - South Wales Polo - South Wales Freestyle - North Wales Sea Kayaking - Anglesey To book your place on these or any of the other events scheduled for September, October and November please log onto Go Membership, go to the "Events and Courses" tile" and then "Club Community Events".
FUNDING The Canoe Foundation – the official charity partner of British Canoeing – offers funding to clubs, community groups and anyone in the UK with an active interest in improving access to water for recreation and protecting the environment. Grants for projects are usually from £500 to £10,000 and encouraged to be deliverable by the end of 2021. Applications need to be received by 31 August 2021. www.canoefoundation.org.uk/online-funding-applications The Sport Wales Be Active fund is set to be extended and provides grants of between £300 and £50,000. The aim is to support sports clubs and organisations with their future plans so that they can offer even better opportunities for the nation to be active beyond the Covid-19 crisis. A number of clubs have already received Be Active Wales funding. www.sport.wales/beactivewalesfund Play Wales lists current funding opportunities that are open for applications. Although the organisation’s focus is on children and young people the funding listed covers all age groups. www.playwales.org.uk/eng/fundingopportunities Canoe Wales is always available for support and advice in sourcing and applying for funding. Contact alistair.dickson@canoewales.com
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C L UB P R O F I L E
Welshpool Canoe Club Welshpool Canoe Club was founded in the early 90’s by a few members of Shrewsbury Canoe Club who decided to set up a new canoe club nearer to home. Since then they’ve grown into very successful and popular club, with around 40 members. They welcome paddlers of all abilities and interests; novice or experienced, families or individuals. The club tries to offers something for all! Ceufad caught up with them to find out more … How many coaches/leaders and aspiring coaches/leaders do you have?
We have a small number of committed coaches and leaders, which puts a lot of onus on a few individuals to provide the club’s activities. We would love to attract more coaches and develop more from our members, and are encouraging some of our members to do the Paddlesports Instructor award. We also have a few young members starting out on their coaching journey.
SUP and kayak on the Montgomery Canal
What disciplines do you offer?
Quite a few: recreational paddling in kayaks, canoes, sit-on-tops and SUPs, on canals, lakes and rivers. And a small number of members paddle more advanced whitewater. Do you offer activities for all ages and levels?
Absolutely! From 9 years and upwards. Beginners paddle in the swimming pool and on flat water. We use some of the great local rivers to progress skills: the Severn, Banwy and Vyrnwy. A small number of members take on more advanced whitewater. And we run family camping trips. What are the club’s biggest achievements?
Club stand at the Newtown Food Festival
That a small, dedicated group of volunteers keeping the club running and keep attracting new members. We’ve been successful with grant applications to progress the club; SUP’s and the Be Active Wales fund. Also introducing people to the sport; our door is open to all, (we’ve had people travel from Telford to learn to paddle as they felt welcome and accepted). You are an incredibly active club, with regular canal, river and lake trips. Who organises these and how do you decide where to go?
Our trips/activities programme aims to reflect the interest and abilities of our members and strives to be accessible to all. We have a very small group of leaders/coaches and we rely heavily on them to deliver the activities. The club committee put the programme together and we try and have something happening every fortnight.
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Ben Santa Paddle 2020!
Keith in a kayak and Tess in a canoe
Montgomery Canal – Welshpool CC's first 2021 activity
Mixed craft on the canal
River Severn from Newtown to Abermule
What are the most popular trips?
What would make the biggest difference to the club (funding,
River Severn – Newtown to Abermule. Canal trips – Llangollen tunnels and aqueduct. Bala camping weekend.
volunteers, coaches, kit, etc.)?
What sessions do you offer?
Pool sessions – beginners and improvers. Flatwater sessions progressing from the pool. Intro to white water. Introductory river trips. Touring and camping trips. Occasional white water river trips.
Having more volunteers and coaches to support the running of the club would be the one thing that would make the biggest difference to the club, both in terms of the volume and quality of activities we could offer members, but also in ensuring the sustainability of the club into the future. Future plans for the club?
You recently received a grant from the Sport Wales Be Active Wales fund. How was the application process and what will you
Off the back of the Be Active Funding: » Train and develop new coaches & leaders. » Grow the membership to ensure we are sustainable. » Provide regular coaching sessions at the Welshpool Wharf based out of our new facilities.
use the grant for?
The application was daunting, a big commitment for the club and those running it, and a large financial commitment which will require a greater level of commitment from the committee in future. The process and result has re-energized the club, providing direction and purpose. It means we will have a set of kit which will enable us to provide the opportunity for novices to move from the pool to outdoor paddling, and for members to try out a range of boats before investing in their own. It will provide the opportunity for aspiring coaches to develop their skills. And it will also provide a base and a platform in the heart of the community to introduce more people to paddlesports and increase the membership of the club.
GET INVOLVED
Welshpool Canoe Club run pool sessions at the Flash Leisure Centre and have regular sessions and trips on local canals, lakes and rivers. To find out more about the club or to get in touch: www.welshpoolcanoeclub.com Facebook: WelshpoolCanoeClub
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I N S I D E S T O RY
the journey of a performance athlete Emily Davies is a C1 paddler and six times Welsh Champion. She has ranked in the top five C1 women in the UK for the last four years and was fifth in the European Junior rankings. She has competed in six European countries, podiumed at eight Internationals and is the most successful C1 lady Wales has ever had. Despite all of this Emily has never made the GB team, and that’s not through lack of effort or determination. This is her journey, from her first slalom to Welsh Champion and performance athlete. Emily was brought up around water and the great outdoors, spending most weekends either on the water or in it. She competed in her first slalom at Mile End Mill Llangollen at the age of 11. Ironically, she didn’t enjoy it and didn’t want to do any more slaloms. A few months later, out of the blue, she asked if we could go to another slalom. So, we went to an event that was run by Mold Canoe Club at Rhug. This was the start of her journey. At this time Emily was competing in Ladies K1 and over a couple of years progressed to Division 2. At the age of 14 Emily was invited to join the Welsh academy training group. This enabled her to go out to Bourg St Maurice on a Welsh training camp. This was her first experience paddling on a high-volume alpine river. Her first few days Emily spent a large amount of time capsizing and swimming and, after the third day, she was told by the lead coach at the time to go and paddle on the lake and learn to roll properly. This was not easy for her; seeing all her paddling friends enjoying paddling on the white water of the Isere and Emily having to stay on the lake for a few days. Her roll did improve and she soon returned back to the river with a successful roll for the majority of the time. At the end of the camp a number of performance paddlers commented on Emily’s ability to overcome such barriers and to be able to refocus and overcome her fears of a high-volume white water slalom course. Little did Emily know that having that ability was going to turn her into the paddler that she is today. Later that summer Emily was at a training camp in Bala and asked if she could paddle a C1. She did this and, despite still not been able to roll a kayak every time, chose to paddle a boat that you kneel in and are strapped into, with only have half a paddle. Despite this Emily chose to switch disciplines and to focus on her
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development as a C1 paddler. Emily moved through the rankings and gained promotion into Premier. It was Emily’s dream to be able to go for GB selection and to become a member of the GB slalom team. For two years after gaining promotion into Premier she earned a place on the Welsh team so could go for selection. The day before selection Emily dislocated her arm in training and was unable to compete. She refocused after a recovery period and continued to train and compete the following year. Despite qualifying for selection Emily was once again unable to compete for GB selection as her shoulder was still not right. She was told that she was hypermobile and needed to build up muscle to protect her shoulder. She worked hard over the next few months to achieve this. The following year her shoulder was much stronger and she was ready for selection. However, this year her shoulder was not the problem. On the day before her race her coach was called away due to a family issue, this left her with no race support or coach support. Once again she didn’t make selection. Despite this Emily went back to training and refocused on the following year. The next year Emily had two good results over the selection weekend and on her final race, halfway down the course, she dropped over one of the drops and the force of the water hit her directly in the face, washing one of her contact lenses out of her eye. For the rest of the course she was unable to see the gates very well and due to this didn’t make selection. The following year, after finishing university, Emily decided to go and live in Nottingham for twelve months and become a full-time athlete and working part-time as a classroom assistant. After twelve months of being a full-time athlete Emily was in a good place; her paddling very strong and she was very confident.
““What Whatdoes doesitin take? Training in the docks in Liverpool by myself evywhile whileatat take? Training in the docks in Liverpool by myself everyday university.Not Notgoing going out with friends as much as everyone else becauas university. out with mymy friends as much as everyone else because I was outtraining. training.Not Not much time with family. on European tripscompetitions and compet out asas much time with family. Out Out on European trips and (ECA's).Training Training throughout winter; when myturned kit turned id I still wasout stil (ECA's). throughout winter; when my kit to iceto I was re, pushing to improve and bebethe EmilyDavies Davie s there, pushing to improve and thebest bestIIcould could be.” Emily Unfortunately, due to Covid, all the races were cancelled including selection. She returned home and during lockdown continued training as much as she could. However, due to restrictions, Emily was off the water for six months. This year selection went ahead but once again it was not to be. Emily raced the best that she could but over four races her positioning was not good enough. She had had over half a year off the water due to Covid and she was competing against athletes that were able to train all through lockdown. This was her final year being able to compete as an under 23.
KIM JONES
KIM JONES
Despite never making the GB program Emily has been able to stay 5th in the UK rankings and compete and beat other girls that are on the GB program. This is all down to her determination to never give up and the support of her coach and the Welsh performance program.
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PADDLER PROFILE
Daniel Rees WELSH SL ALOM DANIEL IS 17, LIVES IN DREFACH FELINDRE, STARTED KAYAKING WHEN HE WAS 12 AND IS CURRENTLY RANKED 52ND IN PREMIER K1
Hometown: Llandysul
Favourite European site: Augsburg/Bourg
Nationality: Welsh
Current boat: Galasport Capi
School: Ysgol Bro Teifi Llandysul
Number hours training per week: 14
Club: Llandysul Paddlers
Standout moment: Getting promoted in my
Favourite food: Burgers Favourite music: Country music Where did you start: In the club at Llandysul Why canoeing: I love how dynamic it is and the adrenaline from paddling big water First slalom: West Tanfield Slalom
first race What do you miss about home?
“YOU MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS YOU DON’T TAKE” FAVOURITE SPORTING QUOTE
Family and friends Favourite pastime other than kayaking: Surfing and cliff jumping Most influenced by: Etienne Chappell
Favourite UK site: Lee Valley
PROFILES: JONATHAN DAVIES, TALENT PATHWAY OFFICER
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Live for White Water?
Coaching at NWWC 2021 Courses BC WHITE WATER SAFETY & RESCUE 5-6 June 28-29 August 23-24 October
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If you’ve got something in mind which you’d like to learn or you’d like a day’s guiding on the river, we can organise a day for you, whether on the Tryweryn or further afield. Please contact us to discuss your requirements. 1 to 1 coaching: 1 coach to 2 participants: 1 coach to 3 participants: 1 coach to 4 participants:
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