Access Newsletter
The first newsletter to be generated from the Rivers Access Website has been released. It is planned that the newsletters will come out quarterly as a minimum but more frequently if possible and news warrants it. The first edition includes
The River Access team intend to run features, news from paddlers and competitions. If you wish to add anything to the newsletter (articles, issues or photographs), then please email - or visit the website
Information on Access
The WCA need to know what you, paddlers, are dong about access to water? Are any of you on Local Access Forums (LAFS), are you lobbying the Welsh Assembly Government. Have you had any useful replies from any politicians?
Opportunities within Access
The WCA is in the process of finalising its campaign drive for changing legislation. To enable this to happen we need motivated paddlers in all areas to help secure a change in legislation. These are voluntary posts that enable grassroots paddlers to get involved and make a difference to how access is available to paddlers. What we need:
If your are interested in any of these roles or think that you can help in another way, please contact Ash, Access Development Officer, on or
Access to the lower river will be reinstated with effect from 2 April 2005, opening up an additional 6 km of river. The lower section is grade 2/3 with one easily portaged grade 4 drop. Paddlers wishing to use this stretch of river must purchase a day ticket or sign in using their season ticket in the usual way. Access will be via the Centre with egress at the public car park in Bala. Please note there is no permission for access or egress at Halfway Bridge.
All paddlers must purchase a day ticket or sign in using their season ticket prior to accessing any part of the river. There is no increase in costs in these tickets
Season tickets can be bought on the day or in advance and can be used on any day when the centre is open for recreational canoeing and kayaking.
A Day/Season ticket now allows you to use the river from the top-site to Bala, around 5 miles instead of the previous 1 mile.
We will not be increasing the current day and season ticket prices in 2005.
The day/season ticket charges are a water/facility fee. You may be interested to learn that the income from water fees is used to cover the following:
· Construction and maintenance - Riverside trails, access points i.e. Bala Mill fencing & portage trail
· Provision and maintenance of car parking facilities
· Provision of Café facilities
· Provision of management staff and first aid services
· Purchase of water - A significant number of water releases are purchased to allow boating/rafting to take place - about £28,000 was spent by Canolfan Tryweryn to purchase/secure water releases in 2004. If this money was not spent the river would be dry for many days of the year.
· Shower and changing facilities
· River works and maintenance
· All profits generated from the operations of Canolfan Tryweryn are used to fund the work of the Welsh Canoeing Association (a non-profit making organisation), to develop Canoesport throughout Wales (subsidised coaching courses for clubs, negotiating and maintaining access on other rivers, supporting national squads in freestyle, slalom, river racing, polo etc)
Individual Kayakers and canoeists do not need to hold a formal qualification to be able to paddle on the Tryweryn. However, all river users must be capable of paddling on the river and must sign on at the centre to confirm that they understand the nature of the river and are sufficiently competent to paddle on the river. Remember, the lower river is more remote and ‘wilder’ in nature than the upper section of the river.
Should paddlers wish to access the river and they are not sufficiently skilled/experienced to canoe/kayak on the river they must be accompanied and supervised by a suitably qualified coach (BCU Level 4 or above in the relevant discipline). The coach will sign in the individual/group they are supervising and thus confirm in writing their responsibility for the individual/group. The Level 4 requirement applies to both the upper section (graded as 3/4), and to the lower river (graded 2/3 with one grade 4 rapid).
Canolfan Tryweryn is able to arrange coaches to work with individuals/groups who would wish to paddle the river but do not feel they are sufficiently competent to do so with out supervision. Please contact our coaching department on ext 4 or e-mail
If you encounter a problem when out paddling then please could you let WCA know by completing and submitting an incident report to us via our on line report form:
https://welsh-canoeing.org.uk/access/incident_report.htm
WCA would be interested to know if you have encountered a problem with an obstruction in the flow, dangerous structures etc as well as any confrontations you have had with other water users both positive and negative.
The Welsh Assembly Government has asked as to pass on the following information
Water users, whether they be anglers, fish farmers, fish dealers, canoeist or kayakers, have the potential of inadvertently transferring diseases between fresh water bodies or introducing diseases from abroad into our lake and rivers.
These diseases not only can have a devastating effect on fish stocks, but the decline in fish numbers can also affect other species that depend on fish as a food source. You may also be affected as it may be necessary to prevent access to water whilst the outbreak is dealt with.
Disease can be spread through equipment or clothing that has been in contact with infected fish, water or sediment. Many parasites and viruses are hardy and can survive for several days on damp clothing or equipment. All water users returning from abroad after partaking in their sport are asked to take care to ensure that equipment and clothing is not contaminated. Basic precautions include thoroughly cleaning all equipment and clothing and then drying for at least 48 hours. Freezing for at least a day is also an effective method of destroying some types of parasite.
Additional protection can be obtained by chemical disinfection of pre-cleaned clothing and equipment. This is particularly important if you are planning to use equipment before it has been thoroughly dried. Further information on disinfection procedures is attached.
We would ask that your members are made aware of the potential for transferring/introducing diseases and the actions they can take to prevent this from occurring, particularly when returning from abroad after partaking in their sport.
Allyn Davies - Environment, Conservation and Management Division
Just Paddle, Compete, Keep Fit and Have Fun
Flat-water racing, sprint and marathon are starting on Cardiff Bay. Have you been looking for somewhere to train; looking for someone to train with, wondered what's involved in flat water racing, how fast you can actually go or you'd just like to try it? Cardiff Bay and its waterways offer an ideal location for training, keeping fit andf opportunity to try these exciting disciplines. Whether you are an individual or on behalf of a club, please contact Ben Longhurst on 61 or or visit www.cardiffharbour.com/wac/
BBC Radio Wales has a new project called 'talk map'. Its aim is to raise the profile of sporting and other community based events and to try and get all the shows on their radio station to represent listeners across different areas of Wales . They are particularly keen to hear more stories and features from people in mid, north and west Wales .
They are particularly keen to find stories about interesting individuals, teams, new sports, sports clubs, events etc from all around Wales . So if you have any kind of local news or forthcoming events over the next 6 months no matter how local, quirky, interesting etc, then why not pass on your press releases or emails to Nasfim Haque or his producer ( RADIO WALES ) . They are keen to hear from you and your event, so that they can plan in advance to possibly have someone on air to talk about it from the sport or have it mention by the presenter.
Examples they give include:
- any decent sized local sports events of community interest. They can be as mad or quirky or small! They want any competitions, in any sport and of any interest.
-Any stories of individuals going to do interesting things in sport, representing Wales
- If you have contacts for experts or interesting professionals in any field from your area who could make interesting guests, be it any sport etc
- Any social, current affairs issues in your area which might lend itself to a discussion with a panel of guests.
Just keep your stories rolling in……
Over the last three years the Welsh league has steadily developed, where we are at the stage that the number of teams would justify two divisions. As with this season we would hope to host the games at a variety of venues both indoor and outdoors. If you are not yet involved but would be interested in entering a team in the league, either Junior or Senior please contact Tony Griffiths (LDO Polo). .
COACHING COURSE FEES - Since 1 September 2004, coaching course training and assessment fees have been increased to £17.50.
The WCA is looking to reactivate/initiate the Local Coaching Organiser network which has never really got of the ground in Wales - my intention is ultimately to get 3 volunteers in each region who would coordinate at least one development, participation or coaching event in their local region per year in conjunction with their RCO. Nothing too big just a local event aimed at the needs of the local paddling community - Small in scale but targeted. Examples might include;
Development - Small fun competition, an opportunity to try a new event, an opportunity to get coached in a particular discipline etc
Participation - these events are more targeted toward getting new people into paddling and might focus on a particular group within the community e.g. the newly retired, youngsters, women and girls etc
Coaching events are more aimed at recruiting new coaches by help them with some of the prerequisites, or providing an opportunity for current coaches to access some further training in a new area e.g. Welcome to Polo coaching, dealing with tandem crews in open canoe etc
This list is by no means exhaustive and is just an indicator of the sort of thing we're after. An LCO would not have to necessarily deliver the workshops or events -unless they felt they had the skills to - more to coordinate the events.
My thought is that as they're local, they could act as a local contact for the WCA , and they would best know what local paddlers might want or need and how best the WCA could support this development, suitable venues etc. They would coordinate with their RCO and I'd help with promotion of each event etc
We already have recruited LCO for surf and polo, as well as an LCO for the Brecon area so if you’re interested please contact me for a quick chat. We can then look at how we can best get your ideas off the ground, suitable time, place, staffing etc
I'll look forward to hearing from you - Sid
The BCU Long Term Paddler Development Pathway Document has been published. This 48 page document outlines a logical progression of development that supports paddlers from the day they first get in a boat over a span of many years. It explains the necessary building blocks required to progress through our sport, and provides information about what paddlers should be doing at the various stages throughout their development; it covers elements such as skill, fitness, psychology and tactics.
It is relevant to paddlers and deliverers across all disciplines of our sport. It is equally relevant for the competitive and non-competitive paddlers as well as high performers and recreational participants.
The Long Term Paddler Development framework outlined here has been developed based on the work of Dr Istvan Balyi, a Hungarian / Canadian coach, who has drawn together a wealth of experience and research and developed ‘Long Term Athlete Development’ as a model upon which sports can base their athlete development strategies, this model utilises the principles behind human growth and development and maximises the opportunities this offers to the paddler.
The Long Term Paddler Development Pathway is available from BCU Coaching Supplies: BCU members £5 / Non-members £22.50
It will also be distributed free at regional coach update forums.
Plas Menai is seeking mock students (guinea pigs) for their assessment courses over the winter. Anybody interested should contact JoJo Johnson at Plas Menai for more detail
Looking for a course? Looking for guinea pigs for an assessment? Want to guinea pig for an assessment? Maybe we can find them with eNews. Drop me a line -
Wanted! Long term students by Aspirant L5 inland kayak coach - In exchange for my wisdom and free coaching I need 2/3 kayakers that are happy paddling grade 2, would like to progress their ability and are willing to commit to a programme of structured coaching. They would need to be prepared to be coached at least 2 days a month and preferably be able to travel to N Wales and other areas. If this interests you get in touch with Jeff Handley : - (from mid Dec)
Building on the success of the recent surf development events we are organising a series of surf competitions. These competitions are open to everybody and all are very welcome. There will be different categories for Juniors (under 18), Women, Veterans (40) and plastic as well as an Open category. Additional trophies/prizes will also be awarded over the weekend for a range of additional categories.
The competition dates are the first weekend of February (4-5th), March (4-5th) and April (1-2nd). The first event will include a slide show in the evening and the Saturday will finish in time for the rugby - Wales v England – If you have not competed before please come along as all are welcome. The event costs just £5 to enter but is free for juniors and women - to book on the first event contact Nathan Eades on after 4pm OR –
The following is a provisional programme for the first event at Aberavon beach
Saturday:
· 8.00 am - Meet and register at the Lifeguard centre Aberavon – Heats drawn
· 8.30 am - Heats start
· 3.00 pm - Heats finish
· 3.30pm - Rugby starts
· 5.30-6.30pm - Break for food
· 6.30pm - Slide show on surfing in Tahiti
Sunday:
· 9.00 am - Heats Start
· 4.00 pm - Finals finish
· 4.30 pm - Trophies and finish
We have now finalised a date for the above course. If you need to renew your first-aid certificate, then this is the ideal opportunity.
The course will be run on one day (8 hours) and will be held on Saturday 28th January at Aberavon Surf Lifesaving Club. The cost of the course is £25.00 (a fraction of what you might pay for a first-aid course elsewhere).
There are only 8 places available on the course and therefore, places will be given out on a ‘1st come 1st served’ basis.
If you would like to reserve a place, please e-mail Paul Samuel on or call him on (07917) 221431 .
SCW has organised a number of workshops for coaches of all sports to find out a little more about Long Term Athlete Development - a term that will be heard increasingly in the future and will affect all coaches in whichever sport they coach. These workshops are generic to all sports and wouyld help all coaches to understand the BCU / WCA Long Term Paddler Development document published recently. The North Wales workshop will be on 29 November in Conwy. If you are interested in attending, please contact Joanne Heuze -
Nigel Midgley has been elected as Regional Coaching Officer for the SW region. He was nominated for the role by both Gareth Bryant and Nick Bates. He can be contacted on any of the following - or or at 149 Vicarage Road, Swansea SA6 6DR
The next update and revalidation events planned in each of the three regions are as follows:
The SW regional update and revalidation forum will be hosted by Llandysul Paddlers. The following workshops will be available:
Saturday 11th February
· Coaching Young People –
o This is day long workshop looking at the specific needs, resources, coaching techniques and issues raised when coaching young people. This workshop is a must for all those that coach younger paddlers. (This workshop covers both the coaching and safety components of update)
· River Safety workshop –
o A practical workshop looking at the basic safety and rescue skills required by all paddlers in the moving water environment – canoe and kayak. (This workshop covers the water safety components of update only)
· Coaching Freestyle workshop
o A workshop aimed at those who already coach freestyle and want to share or extend their knowledge; Coaches who wish to coach freestyle or coaches who just want to find out more about coaching in this area of the sport. (This workshop covers both the coaching and safety components of update)
Sunday 12th February
· Long Term Paddler Development in Action
o A look at what is LTPD and how a coach can incorporate its principles into their coaching – this workshop is a must for all coaches. (This workshop covers both the coaching and safety components of update)
· Open Canoe Coaching workshop
o As the name suggests an open canoe workshop looking at developing the coaches skills in the canoe – all levels are welcome including any coaches new to the canoe. (This workshop covers both the coaching and safety components of update)
· Introduction to coaching Slalom
o As the name suggests a workshop looking at coaching slalom. This workshop would suit coaches who are interested in coaching slalom or coaches who just want to find out more about coaching in this area of the sport. (This workshop covers the coaching component of update only)
There will be a coaching panel meeting and presentation on the proposed changes that will soon be made to the coaching scheme on the Saturday evening when all are welcome.
To reserve a place on any of these workshops which cost £20 each or for more information please contact Nigel Midgley the RCO for the SW - or 0Lost on the upper part of the Usk, Schlegal paddle. Phone number is on paddle () and red tape, some white paint and a hand grip on the right. - Steve White
Protection
With this worrying rise in boat thefts a Wales based company has developed a new way to help protect your boat and prevent it from being stolen. To check it out visit
A WCA member who is currently stationed in Grantown on Spey , Scotland , has offered to provide anybody interested with information prior to the long drive north. If anyone wants advice on river levels, what’s running, access, or if any clubs need a leader etc or simply just someone to meet up and paddle with then get in contact. He’s a level 3 Open Canoe Coach and Level 4 Inland Coach. Scott Simon can be contacted on or