Lowri Davies

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On October 20-21st Plas-y-Brenin hosted the 11th annual Student Safety Symposium, designed to combat the typical issues faced by University Canoe Clubs across the UK. Tom Parker invited me to come and help with the weekend, which was great fun!

Saturday morning the students were all given a talk; topics included effective communication, safety equipment, how to use the Athletic Union and running safe but fun club trips – all of which is jolly handy info. After a good feed, it was time to get stuck in with some practical sessions which included CSTs, the new 2* award, advanced ropework, running pool sessions and “open boating for those that don’t”.

Photos: Lowri Davies

8pm was the kick off of the Rugby World Cup Final… but also the kick off time for the evening talks. Patrick, Dave? and I had prepared a stunning? presentation about the Four Borders Expedition? and wooed a record crowd.? At least? given the clash, I thought there was an impressive turn-out! Dave Fairweather followed our talk with a video and picture tour of his trip to Nepal last Easter. A lot of the emotions that he descibed from being on a pretty? committing and? scary river trip? sounded very familiar!?

Once the ‘working’ was over, the weekend’s staff and a few token students (I’m sure it should be the other way round?)took to the bar and when there was nothing left to drink there, we took to the bunkhouse…

Sunday came far too early (or perhaps Saturday finished far too late?) and the students were split into groups to have a full day on the water doing courses such as how to run a beginner trip, an intermediate trip or steep creek trip; WWSR and white water skills development.

Photo: Tom Laws

I helped to run the steep creeking course; focusing on safely accessing the river, group control and maintiaining the CLAP; using Pont Cyfyng and Swallow Falls to demonstrate. It was a little odd when amongst the tourists at Swallow Falls? I spotted a little old lady tottering down the steps watching as we elaborately? accessed the river in full gear, with ropes, down a steep, muddy? bank! Well, we had fun and hopefully the students learnt something.

In conclusion,? a very useful weekend for anyone new to running a Uni club and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend to be a part of. Look out for the 12th installment next October!