Canoe Wales is the national governing body for paddle sport in Wales. We:

  • Manage the National White Water Centre which is located on the river Tryweryn in Bala, North Wales
  • Represent the interests of our club and individual members
  • Advocate on behalf of the interests of the sport in Wales
  • Provide coaching and development programmes from local to international level
  • Stage national and international competitions.

Canoe Wales Coaching Contacts

National Development Officer

Nigel Midgley: nigel.midgley@canoewales.com

Nigel is the head-honcho in terms of coaching, clubs, schools and competitions development. He comes up with the overall strategies for the development of canoeing and kayaking across Wales for all levels of participants. Nigel is our main point of contact with the BCU on coaching matters and a full-time employee of Canoe Wales. APL applications and self revalidation forms can be sent directly to him for consideration. He is also the co-ordinator of the Community Coach Scheme within the southern regions.

Coach Education Co-ordinator

Marianne Davies: marianne.davies@canoewales.com or 07740 068860 / 01286 871696.

In the role of Coach Education Co-ordinator, Marianne ensures that there is sufficient provision of courses  across Wales to allow coaches of all levels to progress up the coaching ladder, and to allow participants to receive quality training in all areas of paddlesports within Wales. She is also responsible for ensuring that coaches are kept up to date with the latest news on best practice and any developments in the BCU coaching scheme which may affect them. If you have any questions relating to the coaching scheme, Marianne is the person to contact. APL applications and self revalidation forms can be sent to her for consideration. Marianne can also give individual guidance on your pathway as a coach, particularly for coaches qualified under the old scheme who are unclear how they fit into the new scheme.

Marianne works for Canoe Wales on a part-time basis, two days a week - the days on which she works vary due to meetings and other variable factors. It is therefore advised that e-mail is the best method of contact.

Club Development Officer (North)

Trys Burke: trys.canoewales@gmail.com

Through consultation with the individual club committees, the Club Development Officer facilitates training of the club's coaches and leaders, providing support and mentoring opportunities through the Community Coach Scheme.  Trys also provides help with respect to a club's medium and long term development plans, grant applications and 'Top Club' status applications. This is a part-time role.

Nigel Midgley (above) fulfils this role for the southern regions.

Schools Development Officer

Marianne Davies: marianne.canoewales@gmail.com

Marianne is our point of contact for schools wishing to set up canoe clubs or start using paddlesports as an outdoor activity or an option for PE. She helps with any staffing issues or queries for schools, as well as organising events and tournaments for the schools to attend and to help promote paddling to young people. She also assists with the running of the Community Coach Scheme in the North. This is a part-time role.

Regional Coaching Officers (RCOs)

There are three RCOs - one for each region.

North: Mark Tozer rco.north@gmail.com

South East: Ben Longhurst ben.longhurst@cardiff.gov.uk

South West: Nick Bates bpaddlers@aol.com

These RCOs are voluntary officers, voted in by you - the membership. Their role is to hold regular coaching forums (meetings) which allow any new information to be passed from us to you as coaches and for any issues or concerns you may have to be raised. They will take these issues forward to the relevant paid officer or to the appropriate national meeting for further discussion / resolution. The RCO is also responsible for organising the regional update weekends, about once every 4 months. For more information on the Regional Panel Meetings or Update Weekends, please check out the "Coaching in my Region" page.