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Here at the Squiggly Adventures blog, we're passionate about helping you get the most out of your time on the water. Whether you're a keen kayaker, a budding canoeist, or a paddleboard enthusiast, you'll find a wealth of information, tips, and inspiration right here.

Join us as we explore everything from essential kayaking techniques and navigating different waters to in-depth discussions on safety and water safety best practices. We'll share insights on planning your next canoe journey, setting up for comfortable camping adventures, and even highlight the incredible wildlife you might encounter along the way.

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Being Part of the Magic: Coaching SheFest Tryweryn 2025

What an absolute privilege it was to be part of SheFest Tryweryn 2025 this year! As a male coach, working alongside such an incredible team of female coaches to deliver sessions to an amazing bunch of women was truly inspiring.

The vibes throughout the event were just fantastic. There was an undeniable atmosphere of support, encouragement, and pure stoke that made every moment on the water special. It's rare to be part of an event with such a powerful and positive energy. I took my groups on both the Lower Tryweryn River and the River Dee in Llangollen, making the most of the diverse whitewater environments. What stood out most was the sheer amount of learning and success achieved by all the participants. This wasn't just down to the coaching, but largely a testament to the unique environment and the uplifting atmosphere that SheFest cultivated. When people feel truly comfortable, supported, and excited, the learning just flows.

Day One: Leading the Way on the Lower Tryweryn

Saturday saw my group take on the Lower Tryweryn. This crew, mostly made up of university students, really stepped up to the plate, trying their hands at leading and developing their role within the group. We even had a couple of new group members to guide down the river. It was amazing watching the development of all the paddlers as we traversed our way down, stopping for some key coaching sessions along the way.

One moment that really stands out to me was setting a reverse ferry glide challenge. My group all got stuck in and gave it a try with a high level of success – their determination was brilliant! When we returned to the centre in the evening, we were blessed with an incredible talk from my lovely friend Del Clare. She spoke passionately about "suffering" – well, what a difference training makes when building up to endurance events! Del described in vivid detail both her 24-hour paddles: one on the Trent Loop and another on the Dee, raising a substantial amount of money for charities with friends. Truly inspiring!

Day Two: Playful Vibes on the River Dee

On Sunday, with no water release on the Tryweryn, it was time to head to the Dee. Groups were decided, and coaches were assigned! I had the fantastic opportunity to work alongside one of the incredible female coaches, Lowri Davies from FlowFree Coaching. Our mission? A "play the river" session with a focus on making Grade 3 rapids genuinely fun.

We kicked off with a tailie session at Telford's Trove, just below Horseshoe Falls – a spot many squirt boaters swear is one of the best for downtime on the river. After some ideas, demonstrations, and plenty of playful experimenting, our little spot was "invaded" by Tamsyn's group, so we decided it was time to move downstream. As we floated, we tested our clients with some silly moves and fun lines, just encouraging free-spirited play. Truth be told, this group didn't need much encouragement to play, so it was more about showing them our silly moves on the Dee! As we made it to Mile End Mill, a few more groups had gathered, and we joined the bottom wave for a surfing session. It didn't take long before Lowri and I instigated some party waves, which quickly led to a lot of silliness and people from all groups joining in together. Pure chaos and pure fun!

A Massive Success (Despite Van Woes!)

This weekend was a massive success, and I just about made it there as I was having some van issues – but I managed to get it sorted and had an incredible time. Thank you, Annette, for inviting me to contribute to such an awesome and successful event. It was an honour to witness so many breakthroughs and so much laughter on the water. Here's to more paddling, more learning, and more incredible vibes!

Useful Links

Online White Water - A really useful resource that coaches you through different elements to developing yourself as a whitewater paddler, at your own pace that you can go back too and revist anytime.

Chris Brain's Book Safety & Rescue Essentials - Chris developed a really good book on the essentials needed to develop your rescue skills. definitely worth adding to your bookcase

BCAB Coaching Podcast - Lots of really interesting conversations with coaches in different disciplines about all sorts of useful and fun things. I am really enjoying listening to these.