Winter is coming; the rivers are going up,
We’ve got an offer to knock your socks off;
With 20% discount and a free spray-deck to boot,
There’s never been a better time to buy a new boat

Curently on offer is
The Rev
The Recoil
The Streach
The 4 Twenty

why not try before you buy. We have a full range of whitewater boats available to demo right now!
Give us a call or email for further details.
Demos cost just £20 for a full day which would, of course, be refunded if you decided to buy a boat from us.

New Demo boats available right now:

Pyranha
Recoil M
Ammo M
Burn M
Everest

Its raining pretty much daily up here in North Wales for the most of the ( so-called) summer. In particular around Bala, So now is a go time to take a sick day and have a log weekend or just plan for an early Friday dep. to miss the traffic and get yourself over for what should be a great few days paddling.

As a back up there’s plenty of water in the Dee and the Tryweryn is chucking out water this weekend with releases on at lest a 10 if not more see here  So what are you waiting for!

Make sure you pop into our Bala or llangollen Shop while you are up and take advantage of our Clearance deals on some stock that we just have to sell to make space for winter stuff coming in, a load more Five Ten Canoneers and Peak UK BA’s which have been eagerly awaited

Cheers Chris
 

The 12th Llangollen Hot Air Balloon Festival took place this weekend,

As we where closing shop on Friday for the evening we where lucky enough to start to see them take off over the trees and head up the river towards us
 

The Balloon Pilots where practicing their moves for the weekend and some where coming close to the trees and one landed on the field across from the shop stayed for a few Min’s then took off again

If you want to find out more or visit for next years festival the go to http://www.hotairballoonfestival.co.uk/ for more info and Pictures of the festival

A big thankyou to all our suppliers who turned up to help make our inagural Bala Demo day on Sunday 20th July a great success. Notably, Avoncraft, Palm/Dagger, Whitewater Consultancy, Nookie/Delta and Pyranha/Venture/Feelfree/P&H. Cheers everyone!
 
Thanks also go to all the families and individuals that attended and tried the huge choice of kayaks, canoes and sit-on tops available, numbering more than 200 people throughout the day.
 
The weather threatened to break all day but despite a light shower around lunchtime we were saved from a complete soaking and the sun even came out once or twice.
 
Bala Lake proved to be a brilliant venue with parking, toilets and showers just a short walk away. The nearby cafe wouldn’t of had many complaints either as it seemed to be busy all day. The lake foreshore is ideally located for launching boats and includes a jetty.
 
Please keep an eye out for details of our 2009 Bala Demo Day later this year. Enjoy the pictures!

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Feel its time for a new boat?

Then why not bring your old Kayak or Canoe with you when you come to try or buy a new one and we will give you a price for it agasints the cost of a new one

We can only give a price on boats that we can see, we cant do it over the phone or by email !

We are now Hireing Sit-on-Tops and open Boats from our bala shop,

These are availble for day Hire on a daily basis with discount on 3+ days hire, Paddles and Boyancy aids are inclued in the Hire cost

We have the following avaiable to hire out to you Open Boats, Single Sit-on-tops, Double Sit-on-tops, we can also hire you extras like Wet suits, Spray Tops, Dry Bags, and even Handi Racks for transport,

We can transport the Boats to Bala Lake and arange for pick up again for you with prior notice/booking with us

Welsh Canoeing Association announces that paddling is free at the National White Water Centre.
The WCA Board is happy to announce that charges for recreational kayaking and canoeing have been removed at the National White Water Centre located near Bala. Chairman of the WCA Board, Phil Blain outlined “The WCA has made this positive decision in the interests of the sport and in support of the WCA’s push towards a resolution of the access position in Wales”.
“We have shown that even intensively used sites such as this can be managed successfully for the sport and recreation of canoeing in a positive and environmentally friendly manner” said Mr Blain. “It was felt that the Tryweryn is no different to any other river in Wales and that it was essential for canoeing to maintain parity with other similar outdoor activities like Walking and Cycling. WCA feel that any notion of charging for access to the water was unacceptable, much as it is unacceptable to charge for recreation on other natural resources.” he added.
The Centre will remain an operational facility of excellence. It will continue to provide White Water Rafting, Coaching and Rescue Courses and host both National and International competitions under a managed programme.
Paddlers will still need to register at Centre’s reception before taking to the water, but from now canoeists and kayakers will be able to paddle for free.
Site availability will continue to depend on the managed programme of events and exclusive use will be required to meet the needs of competition and coaching operations.
The WCA acknowledges that the provision of genuine facilities that enable canoeists to take to the water such as car parks and changing rooms are something that paddlers would pay for as would payment for exclusive use of a site for competitive events or training. However, payment for linear access along water is not acceptable.
Paul O’Sullivan, Centre Director added “Historically the centre spends about £30,000 a year on purchasing water releases to enable activities to take place on the river. We will continue to secure releases allowing the site to be used in a predictable and sustainable way. We will not be differentiating between releases that we have purchased over those made available through the operational needs of the Environment Agency. Canoeing and kayaking will be free of charge in both cases. We will continue to provide the excellent range of services that our users have come to expect from the centre”
Phil Blain concluded “This is a large investment in the sport. It is hoped that paddlers will recognise this and support the WCA in its aims. WCA will still need investment to maintain the facilities at the centre and the charging structure for facilities is being re-modelled. Paddlers are encouraged to join the Association as supporter members. All voluntary donations for the upkeep of this gem of a site are welcome”

Notes:
Daily information is available at reception. Listed below are some guidance notes for assistance. All profits from the running of the National White Water Centre are invested into the development of paddle sport in Wales

Is this for the Whole of the River?
Yes.
There is no differentiation between the top site and Lower River. The lower river remains an unmanaged “wild” section of river. There is no agreed access/egress point between the centre’s boundaries and the take out point in the public car park in Bala.

Who does this apply to?
All recreational canoeists and kayakers who paddle at the centre. If exclusive use of particular sections of the river is required for events or training then a charge will still be made for that exclusive use.
This does not affect white water rafting clients who already get full use of the centres facilities as part of their rafting session.

Do I still need to sign on?
Yes – The centre remains a managed facility and users need to be aware of and consent to the conditions of use and sign to say they are competent to paddle. If you are under the age of 18 then your parent or guardian will have to sign you in at reception.
Paddlers will have to sign in at each visit.

What about exclusive use for events and training?
There will be a full programme of events and courses running and some of these activities will require and be provided with excusive use of sections of the water. Daily information is available at reception.

Have the terms or conditions changed for paddling at the centre?
The only change is that canoeists and kayakers will not be charged for using the centres facilities.

Can I get on the river anywhere?
Currently access is from the Centre’s landholding only. Egress is at the car park in Bala. The upper site has access provided and signed alongside the bank. From the lower limits of the Centre to Bala there are no agreed access/egress points and paddlers must respect local landowners’ wishes. There are details in the centre about portage arrangements around Bala Mill Falls which will be updated as improvements are made over the coming months.
Details of access and egress are available at reception and it is the responsibility of the individual user to make certain they know where they can and can’t use the land by the river.

When can I paddle?
Whenever the centre is open for normal operations and there is sufficient water being released from the Llyn Celyn dam by the Environment Agency. The centre reserves the right to close the access to the river in the event of competitions, events, emergencies and environmental issues such as Foot and Mouth.

I have a season ticket – will I get a refund?
If you wish to receive a refund, this will be available on a pro rata basis. Season tickets which do not request a refund can be assured that the balance of funds will be spent on the development of the centre and canoesport in Wales.

What about coaching groups?
Coached groups will also be able to access the river free of charge.
Coaches will still need to sign their group at reception and be suitably qualified to work on the site and meet the centre’s health and safety requirements.
If a coached group wished to hire classroom facilities of exclusive/shared use of a river section this will continue to be charged for and needs to be booked in advance.

What about payment at other sites?
WCA cannot dictate the operations of other sites. As with any sport, participants need to familiarise themselves with the terms of each site they visit.

Can I make a contribution to the costs of maintaining the facility?
Yes – you can join as a WCA Supporter Member online here:
http://www.welsh-canoeing.org.uk/membership/membership.htm
This category is open to all.
Or you can make a voluntary contribution to the costs of providing the centre’s facilities when at the centre. All profits from the running of the National White Water Centre are invested into the development of paddle sport in Wales