This affects us when we paddle the river Tryweryn.

The price has changed from £7/£14 for BCU/non BCU members to… FREE!

For discussion of why they’ve done that, see:

UKriverGuidebook Thread

and

Announcement on the WCA website

The underlying reason for this is that the WCA feel that charging a fee which could be interpreted as an access fee is entirely against their philosophy of “access for all”. So instead, they are now aligning themselves with a lot of paddlers who, despite being quite willing to spend vast sums on their sport every year, believe that everyone, walkers, cyclists, kayakers, swimmers should have free access, to footpaths, bridleways, and rivers.

This is quite a brave change to make - the centre is still going to cost money to run, and remains a white water activity centre which needs to break even.

The changes mean that from now on, visitors will still sign in at the centre building, but will not be charged a fee. Visitors can still make a donation to WCA, which will be spent on the upkeep of the pathways and carparks and on the ongoing access campaign.

Its unclear whether visitors will be charged for parking, or whether this will also be by donation - it would seem quite reasonable for them to charge for parking, and certainly for showers, as in those cases they are providing a service. We’ll see how it works as time goes on.

In this move, the WCA have shown total support for paddlers in Wales.

Some ways in which we can support the WCA in return are: Make a donation while visiting the Treweryn. Pay online to become a friend of the WCA access campaign (£10). Become a WCA member (£33).

Ways in which you can support the WCA indirectly: Make use of the facilities at canalfon tryweryn: Buy things in the shop and cafe, and book on the excellent courses which are run there (personal qualifications, safety and rescue courses etc.)

Well, this is really a big change, and I suppose with that kind of example, we should all try to change a bit. I might even make a resolution to start using the showers - more pleasant for lift sharing. Everyone wins.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

French Alps “No Swims” list is as follows

Flic, Andy R, Lloyd, Ade, Dinny, Alison, Moik, Clur, Ruth, Cath, Phil H, Greg, DaveO, Martin, Matt C([edit] had a technical, hmm this list is getting shorter ), Sambo? (inflatables don’t count), Jandles? ([edit]: No: swam on the guisane).

For the swim list, go to the linked forum post.

Both the zero swim list and the swim list are unlikely to be accurate - corrections please.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (15) Posts

The campsite was a stone’s throw from the slalom course so that had to be conquered first. With water levels dropping from what had been chaotic floods throughout France the rivers were brown and flowing super fast. There were few eddys but still plenty of rocks. On arrival the club went upstream to what was meant to be a placid introduction to alpine paddling. It turned out to be a swim festation as unsuspecting boaters came face to face with rocks and turned upside down on eddy currents. Everyone made it to the bottom, just, and from that moment on the swim handicap was obliterated daily. The swim beers began to come in thick and fast….

Every morning before the sun had even time to creep over the mountain all sleeping beauties were awoken by the morning monster… LLoyd. Enthusiastic and ready for action he rallied everyone into the bus and set off to the river for some more Liverpool river carnage. Fitting in two rivers a day, and each one progressively getting harder throughout the week everyone was beginning to discover the steep, exhilaration and thrill of the alpine rivers. (Or more the overwhelming sense of relief at being alive when they stepped foot on dry land at the take out point.)

I can’t remember the name of the river I was on yesterday, never mind those in the Alps, but the steep gorges and crystal water was everything the holiday brochure described. In-between rivers was cheeky banter, beers, meeting new people and plenty of French baguettes. The campsite was full of university students so it gave us a chance to mingle and eye up the competition for BUSA next year.

The annual meal in the Argentiere was a French 3 course meal, with a Captains Viagra initiation drink handed in Andy’s direction, congratulation’s boy! Maybe it will become a tradition?

On the whole thanks to everyone who organized it, but next year, can we make it say 3months longer? It sucks to be back in the UK!

Report by: Flic

Pictures by: Flic and Mary

Slide Show

Photos by: Jon

In the meantime, here is a selection of natureful pictures of Alpine meadows.

Pics: Kylie

OK, As promised here is my personal kit list to give our alpine freshers an idea of what they need to take. The one’s in bold are what I consider to be minimum, starred are recommended, the rest is just niceties.

Paddling
Helmet
Nose Clip
PFD/BA
Whistle
Cag
Thermal
Sprey Deck
Shorts
Trousers
Wet Suit
Socks
Shoes
*Towel
Boat
Paddle
Throw Line
*First Aid Kit
Water Bottle

Via Ferrata (If you fancy a climb on your time off from paddling)
Suitable Shoes
Via Ferrata Kit (if you know what this is great, if not, you may be able to borrow someone’s when we’re out there for the odd climb.)

Camping (Find yourself a partner, group and share)
Tent
Stove + Fuel
Pans/Implements
Plate /Bowl / Cup / Cutlery
*Washing up stuff
String
Roll Mat / Sleeping Bag / Pillow

Personal
Wash Kit
Toilet Roll
*Towel
Sunscreen
*Moisturiser
Hat
Fleece (The evening can be cool)
Hoodie
Party Shirt
T-Shirts
Trousers (Stop the moseys in the evening)
Shorts
Underwear
Shoes

Passport
Insurance Details
Money

Hope this helps

Martin

As the minibus and associated vans/cars will be leaving ridiculously early on the friday morning, it seems like a very good reason to stay up late and have a few bevvvies to start off the alps trip with a little watery inspiration (and to aid sleeping on said torturous journey south). Also to be decided is who’s team is who’s in the european sweepstreak. Entry into france is automatic qualification!!! 16 teams will be drawn out of the hat… you need to find yourself a drinking buddy (or you’ll be allocated one).

There will be a taster preview video appearing early next week, keep your eyes peeled.

Saturday morning the majority of the uni members got up at 7 to bright sunshine and paddled around the bay and onto whitesands beach to try and get the best surf early on. There was some surf but nothing huge, which was good for beginners like me. After messing around on the beach for a while we decided to head back to the campsite, some paddled back and some walk around the coast. On the paddle back we saw some of the ex uni members paddling the other way and struggling with the tide and head wind. I then had a lazy Saturday afternoon at the campsite and watched the sun set before heading to the pub in the evening. Others were more active and went for walks or bike rides around the area.

Sunday morning we woke to rain and no surf and many took a while to venture out of their tents. Some of us ventured into town to see what there was to do, so we ended up in the pub less than 12 hours after leaving it, this time with many cups of tea instead of pints. Sambo and Flic then arrived having just brought monopoly, so a 3 and a half hour monopoly session followed. After this the rain had stopped so we headed to the beach nearest the campsite to play frizzbe and play on the rocks and rock pools.

Monday morning the strong winds that we had most of the weekend persisted, we took down tents and loaded the van and trailer and drove to whitesands for a last morning surfing, the surf was better than it was on Saturday and everyone seemed to be having a great time. It started to rain but this makes no difference when you’re in the big wet ocean being struck by waves. We came off the water got changed and some of us began loading the trailer. An hour later all the boats were tied to the trailer and I was absolutely soaked by the time I got in the van to leave. We left at 2:30 and arrived back about 7:30. All the way home we heard of severe weather warning and gales force winds in the south of Wales, but it didn’t seem to have effected us too badly. We only had 3 tents damaged by the wind and rain, so unfortunately Kayla and co didn’t quite have such a good weekend as the rest of us did.

I found this a really relaxing weekend, and a good break after exams, so would thoroughly recommend it to anyone next year. 

Photos: Sue, Jon, Flic, HelenJ

alpsdisclaimer

Also, please jot the details of your next of kin on the back: Name, Address, Phone number, and what relation they are to you.

Medical details: If you have any medical condition which we should know about, please let Martin know - details will be kept confidential, and only for the duration of the trip.

If you’ve not sorted your insurance yet, check thread on the forum, Ash found a good deal.

EHIC card, if you’ve not got one yet, apply on line.

Not long now! Hooray.