Welsh canoe symposium

[mikemorini]

Not much of a blog, but I am sure more literate people than I will contribute. This was the first symposium I've been to and would like to say what an excellent weekend I've had. I met a lot of nice people, laughed a lot and paddled a fair bit (who could ask for more).
The coaching I recieved was very good and I've come away feeling a better paddler and with definate things I want to work on.
The organisers definately deserve a vote of thanks, and I will be going next year.

Mike

p.s. If you get the chance get Phil Hadly to do his presentation on his trip to Canada. The man has a talent for story telling.

[MaryMary]

You're right Mike!
What a great weekend - good company, good laughs, wicked conversations, excellent paddling!
I had a great time and am looking forward to the next years one in the Lake district (7-9th November 2008).
Best moment - the thrill of success on the Lower Tryweryn; worst moment the long, long portage above Bala Mill Falls (but thankyou to every one for helping me!). There was a fantastic choice of workshops; high calibre of coaches; loads of enthusiasm and generosity of spirit, sharing knowledge and experience.
A huge thank-you to the dedicated people who organised it all .

[ukrols]

It was a fantastic weekend - the campsite had a perfect location, think I'll be re-visiting that at somepoint in the future. Perfect for dinghy lauching too.

My body is acheing all over after signing up to the Intermediate White Water sessions on both the Sat & Sun, where we conqured the Lower Tryweryn. I'm glad I took the Freedom Solo as its nimbleness was a definite adavantage over some of the larger boats. Brilliant fun it was apart from that mega portage, must remember in future to only offer to help carry Royalex boats!

Lots of SOTP stickers to be seen about the place as well, which is good.

Highly recommend the event to anyone, they even supplied decent packed lunches.

Roly.

[Obscured by Clouds]

Just a note to echo the above. I had a blast all weekend from the Friday lunchtime when I was one of the first to roll up at the campsite all the way to getting home last night completely knackered.

The sight of the the campsite rammed full of opens of all shapes and sizes was something to behold.

One of the best moments was the look on the faces of some kkers when they found JJ's at Llangollen full of opens being handled, by and large with more expertise than many of them [well - by most. My clipper did'nt like the rocky areas one bit!]

A big up for the coach I had all w/e Julie from the Lakes. She worked hard to keep her disparate groups together and must have despaired to have me in her group, yet again I learnt a lot off her on some of those little touches that make all the difference


AND....... I have to come clean. I've had a downer against 'those tupperware jobbies' for ages now.........but I have to eat humble pie tug my forelock and admit that I wished I had a plastic boat instead of by glass one for some of the things we were doing, especially moving water and the white stuff.

I particularly liked the Venture Ontario... nice and stable and quick and nice to paddle. I did'nt like the Novacraft Blue Steel that was for trying; empty with one person it was too light and caught any wafts of breeze around. But I'm sure with two up and loaded it will be a dream to paddle.

Met some great SotP'ers, the handbooks that MK had sent down disappeared like hotcakes, and everyone I spoke to had good things to say about this site

All in all a great w/e and yes all being well I'll make the trek northwards next year.

[Amelia]

I was too busy paddling this weekend to take any piccies, but what a great weekend it was!

I did the intermediate moving water on the Lower Tryweryn both days. On Saturday with the intermediate and advanced groups there were something like 40 open boats on the river (much to the shock of some of the kayakers), but with great leadership to all the coaches out there it never felt out of hand. The river was brilliant, and although there wasn't opportunity for intensive coaching with so many people paddling a few well placed comments from the coaches with my group saw my paddling and confidence really progress over the course of the two days.

It was also great to meet so many people, though today I can barely move after the discovery of new back-paddling muscles (and the Bala Mills portage)!

Big thanks to all the coaches who gave up their weekend for free and the symposium organisers. Here's to 2008!

[Matto]

Yeah, have to agree. What a great weekend. Don't know why you're all complaining about the Bala Mills portage. Try doing it with only one shoe . Must admit I felt pretty shell shocked after finising the Lower Tryweryn, but feeling pretty good about it now. Ache like hell though. Might post some pics up later, though they're a bit blurry. Probably because I was shaking so much .

Sunday was more laid back paddling the lake and demoing boats. Nice to meet everyone, and apologies to those I didn't meet. There were many more quentins than I said hello to.

Well done to all the organisers and coaches.

[MABBO]

I can agree with all the above comments it was a fantastic weekend and managed to learn loads and also meet lots of people along the way!

I tried many boats out on saturday morning whilst lisa did a basic paddle course ( i felt like i was trapped in a sweety shop)
In the afternoon we paddled the lake and tried out the sail which was great (and cheating i know)

On sunday i also paddled the Lower Tryweryn, it was a great day and learnt some good tips as the coaches were always there to give pointers.My legs/body is also feeling the effects of a good day on the river but worth every ache!!!

Lisa now knows how to bear proof our Essex camp from sundays course!!!

Well done all the organisers and coaches for a very successfull weekend

got a few pics nothing major though!

[LAS247]

Just to echo the thoughts above, what a fantastic weekend. The campsite on Saturday morning was a real picture, tents, teepees and canoes everywhere. Fantastic coaching and a great atmosphere. I have to say a BIG thank you to Paul Booker for putting up with TD and I for a couple of sessions, the look of dismay on his face said it all but thank you again Paul, the standard of coaching was fantastic, I now have a couple of new strokes to master, and damn it I will . Pictures will follow when I've finished unpacking.
Now for the lakes meet this weekend...

[saarlak]

I wasn't there, so sorry for butting in, sounds like a good time was had by all. I was looking at the pics to see if I knew anyone, which I don't, but I'm pretty sure I recognise this cream coloured boat!

I think recognising boats but not people says something about me, I'm just not sure what.

[BigRich]

Has anyone got any pics of the boat that got pinned on the Tryweryn on Saturday?

After seeing this I took part in the white water safety and rescue workshop on Sunday. Some great information and training from the experts and will definitely be looking to do a 'full' course in the near future once I've of bought myself a dry suit - I don't think I've ever seen so many!

Big thanks to all the coaches and organisers.

[Dave Perry]

What a wonderful weekend, it was nice to put face's to names, and to thank you to the SotP peaple who gave me a hand with my tent and unloading my canoes.
Good food, plenty to drink and most of all good company
Next year I'll try and do a bit more paddling and less socializing.

[Matto]

Here's a few pictures I managed to get. Missed the actual boat pinning (too busy watching) but got the aftermath.

Day 1 - Lower Tryweryn













Day 2 - The Lake

[LAS247]

Finally got unpacked and pictures uploaded, not got as many as I'd hoped, too busy enjoying myself


What a sight


some..er ... canoes


A giant among men.


Traditional skills session, and yup I invested in a pole.


Did shes? or didn't she?... your guess


Bala, calm and quiet.


A friendly face, good to meet at last.

[Phil Hadley]

Great to meet new faces, and see some familiar ones again.

I'm afraid I've got no photos to share - I was pretty busy most of the time.

What a fantastic event though eh? I can't wait for the Lakes one.

[Keef]

A big big thankyou to all the people involved in organising the event and to all the coaches who very generously donated their time, and for putting up with numpties like me. What a great time! See you at the English Symposium next year.

[Phil Hadley]

You can tell SotP regulars in this photo - they are the ones standing up in their boats!!

[Adrian Cooper]

I'm glad you all had a good time. Unfortunately I had 'jobs' to do.

But what is all this talk about portaging? I thought the idea of a canoe was that you sat in it and paddled.

[Joc]

.
But what is all this talk about portaging? I thought the idea of a canoe was that you sat in it and paddled.

You tell'em Adrian

BTW I swam the fingers.

Steve White swan the grave yard & allmost lost it at Miss Davies's the stone bridge.

I was on safety and he comes down sideward, I'm thinking I get to rescue Steve White, he hits the stopper, fills up but does a huge low brace and
makes the eddy, dam, I mean well done Steve

[Matkat]

Well you have all made me very jealous at the great time you were obviously having. My dormant enthusiasm is certainly up for doing some serious open boating again.
Sadly can't make the lakes 'do' either but fully intend to get on board these events in the future.
I'm well rusty, it's been a while since I did any poling, sailing................ and well running treweryn in a bagged out open boat.................. let me see 1998 !!! Mind my Kevlar Blue water prospector won't be going down there, bagged out or not. Enjoying reading the threads and seeing that your all having a great time. Hopefully will meet up with some old (and new) friends soon. Fred Doodey

[Alastair Seagroatt]

It sounded a brill weekend as usual, maybe I'll make it next year, though I'll have to wait 3 years for the next Welsh one.

Pleas, please, if any (all?) of you want to do a report & selection of pics for the Canoe Symposium Website, PM me & I'll give you contact details etc.

Cheers

Alastair

[Zookeepa]

We have some video footage of the pin on Saturday, or at least the rescue dragging it off the rock. Does anyone know the best way to circulate it? Is it best to go on U TUBE with a link or does it work going where the normal photos do for coming on this site?

There were a couple of folk who passed us email addresses for the video, but sorry to say we lost them Im afraid. Hope this makes up for it when we get it viewable.

[Matto]

I'm not aware of anyway to embed them directly. Photobucket let's you post them but I think you still have to just have a link.

[Obscured by Clouds]

a bit late in the day, but here's a few photos from the Symp. I'll post more later.



just a few of the many



it got a lot busier later on!



Mr Jackobson and Mrs Goodwin [apparently this a kevlar jensen]



fun and games at Llangollen on Sunday



tired paddlers taking a break