Paddle Cymru

The Chipper is back!

On 4–5 July, Division 1 and Division 2 canoe slalom racing returned to The Chipper on the River Tryweryn for the first time in over 20 years, and what a comeback it was.

More than 150 paddlers travelled from across the UK to compete on one of the country's most exciting white water sections, with competitors and parents giving the event 100% positive feedback.

A huge congratulations to North Wales Slalom, Mold Canoe Club and Bala Canoe Club for working together to deliver such a successful event and bring top-level slalom racing back to North Wales.

📸 Check out some of the action from an unforgettable weekend on the Tryweryn.

Help shape the future of white water paddlesport qualifications and safety.

British Canoeing Awarding Body is looking for a white water paddling specialist to join its White Water Technical Group. This is a fantastic opportunity to help guide the development of qualifications, awards and safety standards across the sport.

The role involves a four-year commitment, with all meetings held online. If you have knowledge and experience in the white water environment and want to contribute to learning, development and safety, applications are now open.

🗓️ Applications close at 6pm on 17 July 2026

Find out more and view the Terms of Reference here:https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/files/01102018TermsOfReference-DisciplineTechnicalGroupsV1-4Aug2024.pdf

📢 Be Active Wales Fund applications are open!

Looking to grow your club, invest in new equipment, develop coaches, train volunteers or improve facilities? The Be Active Wales Fund offers grants from £300 to £50,000 to help community sport thrive across Wales.

📅 Upcoming application windows:
• Window 2: Opened 8 July 2026 and closes 4pm, 16 September 2026
• Window 3: Opens 9am, 4 November 2026 and closes 4pm, 13 January 2027

If your club has a project in mind, now is the time to start planning.

Sport Wales

Be Active Wales Fund | Sport Wales Find out how your sports club could get up to £50,000 of National Lottery funding for equipment and coaching courses.

What does it really take to make coaching work for women?

New research from Women in Sport has highlighted the barriers many women coaches still face, from having their expertise questioned to experiencing bullying, discrimination and a lack of support.

As women's sport continues to grow, creating coaching environments where women are respected, valued and able to thrive is more important than ever.

The report highlights that coaching remains one of the least gender-equal areas of sport and calls for cultural reform to improve support, safety and opportunities for women coaches. Read the report and explore the recommendations for change.

Women in Sport

Reimagining Sport Coaching: Designing a System That Works for Women - Women in Sport Charity New research shows that sports coaching in the UK is a hostile environment for women. Coaches are the backbone of sport in the UK, from grassroots to high…

What a fantastic first year for Hunters Day!

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in making Hunters Day 2026 such a success. What began as a simple idea to bring paddlers together in support of hospice care has grown into a nationwide event.

This year's participation map shows 1,204 paddlers across 97 groups taking part around the UK to show their appreciation for hospice care.

Thank you to the organisers, clubs and paddlers who got involved. We look forward to seeing Hunters Day continue to grow in 2027.

Take a look at the participation map: https://map.huntersday.org/

Choosing the right buoyancy aid or personal flotation device (PFD) is one of the most important safety decisions you'll make. Check out these top tips from to help you find the right fit, comfort and safety features before you hit the water. 🛶

Canoe Wales - BA & PFD - Top Tips New to paddling or paddleboarding? Here are some top tips on what y...

The sun’s out and the water is calling.
Before you head out, take a moment to . Wear a buoyancy aid, check the weather, carry a means of communication, tell someone your plans, and know your limits. A little preparation can make a big difference to your day on the water.

How I Stay Safe on the Water | 5 Essential Safety Tips for Paddlers Planning a paddle? Whether you're heading out on a kayak, canoe or ...

Today's the day to have your say.

Paddle UK is developing its next strategy, and this evening Paddle Cymru members have the opportunity to help shape the future of paddlesport.

What should Paddle UK focus on for paddlers and the places we paddle?

Whether you're a paddler, coach, volunteer, parent, club member or provider, your experiences and views matter. This is your chance to influence the priorities that could help shape our sport over the coming years.

👉 Join the Paddle Cymru consultation session today: https://paddleuk.org.uk/Events/paddle-uk-paddle-c-strategy-consultation-session-24-06-2026/

👉 Find out more about the consultation: https://paddleuk.org.uk/online-home-nation-sessions-added-paddle-uks-strategy-engagement/

👉 Can't attend? You can still make your voice heard by completing the online questionnaire: https://forms.paddleuk.org.uk/live/form/OnlineQuestionnareMemberEngagement/formperma/k29s04Pv8wbQkXR5hx7TTdJh3113A6RUJXEoCb5I5xo

Let's make sure the voice of paddlers in Wales is heard.

Online & Home Nation sessions added Paddle UK’s strategy engagement Paddle UK has added a series of online and Home Nation listening sessions as part of its Strategy 2026+ engagement programme, giving more people the opportunity to share their views on the future of…

Where do medicines go when we're finished with them?

Most of us don't think twice about what happens to medicines once they've done their job. But traces of pharmaceuticals are increasingly being found in our rivers, soils and waterways, where they can affect aquatic wildlife and ecosystems.

Cardiff University's School of Chemistry has launched new research to better understand how people use, store and dispose of medicines, and how pharmaceutical pollution is perceived across the UK. The findings will help create educational resources and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the environmental impact of medicines while continuing to protect human and animal health.

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete. Your input could help shape future guidance and support more sustainable practices.

Take part here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=MEu3vWiVVki9vwZ1l3j8vEaQftAGm-BEgmLVOpvw7yFUOUtaRlFXWDVHV1Q3T0dKVTJBMDdEQU0wUi4u&route=shorturl

Please share with friends, family and colleagues to help spread the word.

Safety Officers are a vital part of keeping our clubs safe and running smoothly… but they don’t always get the support they deserve.

We’ve got two upcoming Safety Officer Induction workshops now open for booking. If your club has someone in that role, or someone about to step into it, this is a really good starting point.

8 July – Book here https://tinyurl.com/mwdyd5ru
3 November – Book here https://tinyurl.com/5n76p62p

The workshop is free of charge and is open to those who have the role of Safety Officer within their organisation. In order to attend, you must have completed the Risk Assessment eLearning. Please share with anyone in your club who needs it.