Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Club has witnessed some amazing results in 2016 and currently has 12 paddlers on the Welsh Training squad – more than any other Club in Wales. At the beginning of the year Ruth Bramley competed in Glasgow at the British Championships and became J12 K1 British Champion. Ciaran Lee Edwards, a long-standing member of the Club, who started paddling at nine years old in Llandysul, is now 22, and he was selected to represent Team GB in the senior and U23 European and World Championships. Ciaran is currently ranked 3rd in the UK Rankings.
In October, the Welsh Championships were held in Tryweryn, Bala and the Premier Division Race was saw Llandysul Paddler Layton Palmer becoming J18 Welsh Champion and 14-year-old Lili Bryant became J16 & J15 Welsh Champion. Lili is now the youngest competitor in the Premier division where she competes against the best paddlers in the UK. Current members in the Premier Division are Ciaran Lee Edwards, Steffan Walker, Layton Palmer and Huw Butterworth.
The following weekend, the Junior Welsh Championships were held in Llandysul where the Llandysul Paddlers dominated the competition and their paddlers hold the following titles: Ruth Bramley J12 (Ysgol Newcastle Emlyn), Gwion Williams J10 (Ysgol Peniel), Catrin Schroder J13 & C2 J14 (Ysgol Bro Pedr), Osian Williams J11(Ysgol Bro Myrddin), Lili Bryant J14 K1 & C1 & C2 J14(Ysgol Bro Teifi),Sam Bryant J12 & J13 (Ysgol Bro Teifi) and Fin Yates Jones J14 K1 & C1(Ysgol Bro Teifi). The Trophies were presented by Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson and Ceredigion County Councillor Peter Evans.
Also in October, the 2016 Canoe Wales Annual Award Ceremony was held in Cardiff White Water Centre. The Llandysul Paddlers was honoured to be voted Club of the Year 2016 and also awarded Event of the Year for the River Festival, held in August and attracts visitors from all over the UK to take part in canoeing and other fun activities.
Marion Bryant MBE was awarded Volunteer of the Year for all the work that she has put in over the 34 years that she has been involved with the Canoe Club. Gareth Bryant was awarded Senior Coach of the year for the many years he has spent supporting young paddlers to fulfil their potential and enjoy the sport of canoeing. And finally, Sam Merritt of Llandysul Paddlers was awarded Young Paddler of the Year for his time spent at the World Class training academy kayaking around the world and gaining some amazing experiences.
“The Club is so proud of these fantastic achievements and is looking forward to next year’s events. The results are a credit to the children who train in all weathers and spend many hours on the River Teifi” said Senior Coch, Gareth Bryant.
The River Festival will take place from 3-6 August next year and the Club will have the honour of hosting the British Junior and Veteran Championships on 7 and 8 of October 2017.
If you would like to become a member of the Club or just have a go at Canoeing please call the office on (01559) 363209 or e-mail Bpaddlers@aol.com.
report by Anwen Francis.
