Welsh Open Canoe Symposium, October 2001

Held at the National Watersports Centre at Plas Menai, this was organised by Ray Goodwin and followed on from the very successful Scottish Canoe Symposium organised by Stephen Macdonald on the Tay last year.

Each day was taken up by a raft of alternative events, from white water river trips to lake trips, with coaching and assessments running under the BCU syllabus at several levels and special coaching in sailing and open water skills.

With a stiff breeze running down through the Menai Straights and steep waves building up against the tide, those who chose the open water skills probably had by far and away the wildest and wettest day of all. With safety boats (kindly provided by the centre) standing off nervously, the entire group on the Saturday spilled out of their boats in mid channel and then worked together to right their boats and get back in again. The sailing group were working in the same area. At least one trainee, on lifting his sail, shot off a little out of control and reached the Anglesey shore rather more quickly than he expected before being retrieved. Experimenting in wild choppy open water conditions under good safety cover was a rare opportunity. It might have been hard work, but in terms of improving confidence and subsequent safety in harsh conditions it was exceptionally useful.

Saturday evening was taken up with a number of presentations. There was a strong tripping theme, with one seminar being on how to organise tripping in Canada. The main event was an extended video and slide presentation by Steve White of the Hood River Expedition described elsewhere in this Journal.

On Sunday another wide range of activities were on offer, with one group going for a run down the Afon Llugwy.

The centre was excellent with good food, showers and even a bar. many of us camped around the centre and this arrangement worked well and kept the costs down. Many thanks to Ray for running this one, and we can look forward to the next which is planned for England in 2002.

Colin Taylor