Snowdonia Running Guides and Landscape Walks
04/09/2008
are two new outdoor focused businesses sharing a love of Snowdonia but appreciating its special qualities at very differing paces. Mountain running and geotourism have both recently experienced a growth in interest. So if you are a novice or fully-fledged fell runner looking to take to the hills, or wished you knew more about how Snowdonia's landscape was formed, you should check out these businesses
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Adventure Elements
27/05/2008
is a relatively new outdoor business in the area specialising in sea kayaking courses. Throughout the summer they will also be running sea kayak trips and lessons every Thursday evening from their base in Port Daniel Boat Yard on the Menai Strait. What better way is there of winding down after work?
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National Importance of Mountaineering 03/03/2010
In the first event of its kind, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) was invited by Assembly Member and Counsel General, John Griffiths, to attend a reception at The National Assembly for Wales in recognition of the importance of mountaineering to the nation.
A large delegation of key figures involved with Welsh mountaineering, listened to the Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, highlight the part mountaineering has to play in promoting a healthier nation.
He singled out the successful work of the Outdoor Partnership in north west Wales as a good model for involving local communities and also made reference to the part outdoor activities can play in the strategic aims outlined in the Creating an Active Walesdocument. One of its stated 2010 actions is to “develop an outdoor activity forum linked to the physical activity network to co-ordinate opportunities for outdoor recreation and green exercise and share best practice.”
The first Welshman up Everest, Caradog Jones, gave a short presentation on the enjoyment of mountaineering and the economic benefits it can bring to rural regions. Snowdonia-Active's 2004 study (The Active Economy) concluded that the outdoor industry in North West Wales contributed £140 million to the local economy, while generating about 8,400 jobs and making up 6% of the whole economy of North West Wales.
The BMC Chief Executive, Dave Turnbull, said: “Due to demand from our 4,500 members in Wales, the BMC has recently established a 3-year post based in Wales funded from our own reserves. We are looking to the authorities in Wales for support for this to continue. We are keen to work closely with the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure people are able to use the mountains and coasts of Wales in a responsible way."
Dave also pointed out that many people who take up hill walking and climbing continue to enjoy and pursue the activity into old age .
John Griffiths, said: “As an active hill walker I am fully aware of the great health benefits getting out into the Welsh mountains can bring - be it a gentle stroll up the diminutive Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, or a more adventurous hike to Pumlumon in the solitude of mid Wales, to a demanding scramble in the rugged splendour of the Glyders.” He spoke of how the foot and mouth crisis in 2001 made it crystal clear how important activity tourism is to the economy of Wales.
ITV Wales have featured two news items on celebrating Wales' mountain culture including a brief interview with Joe Brown.You can watch them here and here.
Topic: Mountaineering in Wales, British Mountaineering Council, Hill walking and Climbing in Wales.
Kayaking Essentials DVD 10/02/2010
While there are a number of excellent DVDs about sea kayaking and white water paddling, there are few high quality films concerned with presenting the fundamentals of effective kayaking for the beginner and intermediate paddler.
Nick Cunliffe and Matt Giblin, have filled this gap with their new DVD, Kayak Essentials. It offers 95 minutes of action, analysis, coaching tips, progressions and challenges. Both Nick and Matt are highly-qualified British Canoe Union (BCU) Coaches and this wealth of kayaking and coaching experience, is reflected throughout this production.
The DVD is very much about learning from the experts. Lynsey Evans, based in north Wales and one of the best female white water kayakers in the UK, graces the DVD with flat and white water demonstrations.
Filmed by Nick and Matt in north Wales during the summer of 2008 and 2009, the fourteen chapters focus on the foundation kayaking skills that underpin more advanced performance in rough water. White water kayaks and sea kayaks feature throughout, reflecting the current popularity of these branches of the sport.
Nick Cunliffe said: "It wasn't all plain sailing. Bad weather and equipment failure got in the way at times but in the end I feel we created a valuable resource for paddlers."
The DVD arrives next week but you can pre-order it at £19.95 including U.K. postage on their website.
In the first event of its kind, the British Mountaineering Council (
While there are a number of excellent DVDs about sea kayaking and white water paddling, there are few high quality films concerned with presenting the fundamentals of effective kayaking for the beginner and intermediate paddler.