Canoe and Kayak Store, opened their door, And started an event; Ronnie's dream: to gather his team, And party with intent. The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The paddlers began to rise; 'Though they were tired, they felt inspired, With eyes upon the prize. The team appeared all chilly eared, But OzDz brought salvation; Her wooly hats for river rats, Were perfect for the occasion. The trades came in, to help them win; Wave Sport, Palm and more; They were set up to help build-up, Excitement on the shore. The first event to cause a dent, In prides and boats combined; The boater-cross, a shared ethos, Of matter over mind. Next the freestyle brought a smile, To boaters and their crowd; Loops and twirls from boys and girls, Left Ronnie feeling proud. He saw his dream was being seen, Before his very eyes; The real win was clear to him, Smiles all round - his prize. |
Thanks to Bob Lewis, Hannah Rise Priest and Charlotte Ozzi Stevens for the photos.
2 Comments
I can thoroughly recommend the Tryweryn Fest to anyone considering the event for next year. Loads of events, reliable whitewater, shuttles, showers, food, and party time. What more could anyone want? I was proud to come in second place in the Extreme Boater X event, and to thoroughly lose the even more extreme cardboard boat race.
Super thanks to Wave Sport, AT Paddles, Canoe and Kayak Store, and Paddlers First for keeping me floating, propelled, warm, dry and merry throughout. Roll on next year! Thank you to David Steen and Iain McConnell for photos.
It’s not exactly the most glamorous of kayaking locations and you’re never going to win any gnar awards at Cardiff International Whitewater Centre (CIWW), but over the years I have grown to love it. Here are three simple reasons why it’s the place to be:
2. Practise Territory
3. Anti-Dirtbagging
Dirtbagging from time to time will have its own attractions, but in the end, sometimes you just want to relax with a conveyor belt to carry you back to the top of the course, a lovely hot shower, a cup of coffee, and a bowl of hot soup in the café. I’m all for enjoying the wilderness, but if you’re going to paddle in a concrete river in the first place, then you may as well make the most of your urban location.
So CIWW will never have the attraction and the cult following of the sacred Dart or the Fairly Glen, but it still has a lot to offer, irrespective of your paddling ability. Why not give it a go sometime, even if only for the Ronnie Time!
When the sun's out, the rivers are empty, and Ronnie is at CIWW, there's nowhere that I'd rather be :-)
The hand-only-tan is developing nicely, and is a sure sign that summer is well and truly on its way. I have only been to Hurley once before but I can see how this place could get addictive.
Surprising amounts of fun can be had at Saltford weir when the levels are huuuuge. I was so stoked to get out in a playboat for the first time following my surgery. Bring on Hurley tomorrow :-)
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