This year two of Amman Valley Paddlers members Adam and Ben joined Llandysul canoe club on their annual trip to France. This years session was based at Barrage de Sault Brenaz and then moved on to the St Pierre de boeuf site, these (I believe ) are specialist whitewater playparks.

 The camp this year specialised on freestyle and slalom training, judging by the pics the guys used the river features well for freestyle.

 The other event worth noting was Adam's injury (who thankfully was OK). This was caused by Adam ripping it up on a 30' static wave then dropping out in a swirling hole  - flung against a 40' rock at 60 MPH (Details supplied by Adam). Anyhow the scars look cool.

 Good time had by all.

Thanks to Adam for the pics  -  Full Gallery

Fishermen by the hundreds, farmers, hunting dogs, ferrets and a canoe club?

For the third year running Amman Valley Paddlers Canoe Club were invited to attend the Game Fair at Gelli Aur near Llandeilo to promote canoeing. We were placed in our usual spot on Fisherman’s Row, next to the dog scurry and the fly fishing demonstrations.

We were situated downstream of Cilsan bridge on the River Tywi where fishermen pay up to £400 per day to fish. From ten in the morning until four thirty the coaches, helped by club members were able to give the public half hour taster sessions in a variety of craft. Open boats, Play boats, Kayaks and an Inflatable canoe, were soon quickly booked up for sessions throughout the day. Club members were available riverside to kit the public out with helmet and buoyancy aid and give them advice on what to do whilst the coaches waited on the river for them.
    Due to the fine weather and the persuasive ways of our riverside helpers we put over two hundred people on the water over the two days. The oldest being a gentleman of seventy eight. It was surprising to find out how many people were already aware of the river access problems but we made sure that whoever we spoke to was enlightened.
    A big thanks to our younger members for patiently handing out leaflets and copies of Ceufad kindly supplied by Pat from WCA HQ, and to all who helped out over the weekend. Hopefully the show organisers will invite us back again next year to do our little bit for canoeing and to show our friends the fishermen what a nice, friendly well behaved bunch we canoeists really are. (during daylight hours). Full Gallery

 http://ammanvalleypaddlers.co.uk