<![CDATA[Gwendraeth Valley Paddlers - Trip Reports]]>Tue, 25 Jun 2024 19:53:16 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Paddle to the Senedd and Quayside Rally]]>Tue, 14 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.gvp.wales/trip-reports/paddle-to-the-senedd-and-quayside-rallyThe tale of what some members of GVP did on Valentines Day...
On Valentines day 2017, 13 members of GVP travelled up to the capital to take part in  "Paddle to the Senedd" (and the Quayside Rally), Waters of Wales' campaign for "responsible and sustainable access to the Waters of Wales for all".
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It was an early morning start from West Wales and bitterly cold at the Cardiff Barrage, the meeting point for the start of the event. ​It was such a cold morning and the water was bitterly cold so many layers, hats, gloves and anything else available was worn to keep warm!

It all started with a crossing of the Cardiff Bay Barrage to the Sailing Club's Car park where all paddlers had to go through the Cardiff Harbour Authority's registration (and payment) process to paddle on Cardiff Bay.​
Upon registration paddlers were given a Red Band that needed to be attached to their PFD, additionally,  coaches were given Yellow Bands and First Aiders were given orange bands. An ideas for future GVP events maybe (?). 
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With so many paddlers from so many different clubs and paddling backgrounds, it was important that everyone was present and concentrating at the Safety Briefing.
The Launch...
After the safety briefing, around 90 paddlers in a variety of craft were then allowed to take to the water.  ​
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After everyone was on the water - we were off!
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After a short paddle, the flotilla arrived at the Docking area in front of the senedd...
We'd arrived a little earlier than expected so we had an "on the water mingle" and most used the time to take some "memento" photos.
One photo of Marc taking a 'selfie' with the Senedd in the background was caught  on camera and made it onto Palm Equipment's Facebook Page!!

Click here to see the Palm's album of the event.
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The Quayside rally & demonstration...
Once out of our boats we went onto the quayside in front of the Welsh Assembly to 
meet those Assembly Members that had come out from the nice and warm Senedd to meet with the paddlers and discuss/listen to our cause...
The AMs were very approachable and actively engaged in conversation with paddlers and showed an interest in the campaign.
The press and TV were also present - more about these later...
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Andy Frazer discussing the important issues with Lord Dafydd Ellis-Thomas. Unfortunately for Andy, Lord Ellis-Thomas had only recently had his Double Glazing windows replaced! ;)
It's not just about access for Kayakers and Canoeists you know!
Unfortunately the Cardiff Harbour Authority deemed the water quality too low for some water users as such denied the Ice Swimmers and Standup Paddle Boarders to take part in the Paddle. 
However, this didn't stop the swimmers from attending the Quayside Rally to put their issues across to the Media and AMs.​​
They came from Far and wide!!!
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This lovely couple came from Oxford (/shire?) to take part in the event!
"We've paddled all over the world and think that there should be a fairer system for  recreational watersport access our inland waterways in Wales [and England]"

We also talked to others that had come from (in no particular order), Brecon, Worcester, Liverpool, Bristol, Haverfordwest,  Abergavenny, Forest of Dean, Tamworth, Llangollen, Abingdon, Glasbury, Stroud.
Some group photos in front if the Senedd...
The GVP Paddlers...

L-R Tim, Marc, Andy B, Andy F, Dave, Eryl, Josh & Sue
Eirlys and Seren - with dad Paul in his cow hat!​
Take a look at this video on YouTube by Tim Jarvis which includes the song whose lyrics have been specifically written for the Campaign.
  
Was it worth it??
The answer must be YES!

Experience:
It was a very different kind of paddling event and a great experience for both young and old alike.
After all, it's not everyday that one gets to discuss (in person!) an issue that's being discussed in the Senedd with so many Assembly Ministers!

Campaign Exposure:
The media coverage of the event was excellent.
  • Pam Bell was interviewed Live on Radio Wales - Click here to listen (Forward to 2h 14min 15sec)
  • Wales Online covered the event with  this article 
  • Here's ITV Wales Online's article.
  • Both BBC Wales and ITV Wales' evening news programs covered the event. There was land based video footage and also video footage taken from those paddlers who'd worn/used GoPros.
    GVP members featured highly in this footage due to the fact that Tomos Dafydd (BBC News Reporter) noticed Eirlys and Seren's GoPro and came over to ask for their footage for use for his report! Luckily their dad Paul agreed - so we ended up on TV!
  • Waters of Wales' Bob Mackay's son Ben also had his GoPro footage included in the BBC BBC's Wales Today evening news broadcast.

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It was nice to meet and talk to paddlers from all over Wales and other parts of the UK that were passionate enough about the cause that they also travelled the distances they did and endured the bitterly cold air and water temperature to participate in the rally.
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All in all, great support from everyone and a day to remember.

Thanks to Bob Mackay, Pam Bell and all the other volunteers that helped putting the event on and who continue to work on the campaign.


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]]><![CDATA[2016 Mince Pie Paddle]]>Sun, 04 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.gvp.wales/trip-reports/2016-mince-pie-paddle
We had a brilliant Mince Pie paddle with 47 paddlers on the water, ages between 3 & 70 years.

The sun shone & the breeze was kind to us & helped us along the final leg. Thanks go to Ferryside Lifeboat for accompanying us down, they had an easy day of it as everyone paddled well & arrived at the boat club safely.

Here the ladies were waiting for us all to arrive & served up a welcome bowl of hot cawl & cakes.

It was a lovely chance to get out on the river meet new paddlers from other clubs & catch up with those we haven't seen for a while.

It's a big event which only works when all the club members help along the way.

There was some great fancy dress, Santa seemed to be everywhere 🎅

Well done, we're proud to be part of GVP.
For more photos of the day click here.
]]><![CDATA[Club Sunday Paddle on the Gwili & Tywi ]]>Sun, 20 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.gvp.wales/trip-reports/club-sunday-paddle-on-the-gwili-tywiWe had a great afternoon on the river with a few thrills & spills along the way in the sunshine. 12 on the water. We started at the bottom of the Gwilli & paddled down into town. River levels were good, no walking needed. Plenty of practice at breaking in & out along the way. First part was a little more technical for paddlers, so being aware of where you were on the river was important. Well done....... everyone paddled well.
All good practise for the Mince Pie paddle
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