2017 Club of the Year: Haverfordwest Kayak Club

We're very pleased to announce that the winner of the 2017 Canoe Wales Club of the Year is Haverfordwest Kayak Club!

The judges were impressed by the wide variety of activities offered to members and the jam-packed calendar of events, along with the efforts that the club has made to reach out to underrepresented groups and to grow the number of female coaches. They were also impressed with the club's role in the community, including volunteering to support other sporting events with safety cover. Overall, it was evident that Haverfordwest Kayak Club is a model club which has had an incredibly busy and exciting 2017.

To understand just how busy and inspiring their club year has been, it's worth reading the full nomination that Canoe Wales received for the award:

"This past year has been a brilliant one for Haverfordwest Kayak Club with lots of training, trips, community events and development.

October 2016 saw 3 female coaches qualify at Level 1 - the first female coaches for the club and the sign of a growing club with the need for more coaches. This September and October, 4 coaches achieved Level 2. All of these courses have been funded by HWKC.

In January 2017 the club made a successful bid for funding to buy 2 new canoes specifically aimed at introducing women and juniors to canoeing. These small, light, manageable canoes have been an asset to the club; easier to handle to load and unload than the large, heavy previous club canoes, they have given opportunity to members, especially smaller, lighter members, to experience the sport. They have also given coaches the opportunity to develop their coaching skills in canoes.

Although primarily a sea kayak club, the club has been aware of Canoe Wales and Waters of Wales campaigns for river access for all on inland waters and a group joined the Paddle to the Senedd Rally on 14th February 2017. With many others in all sorts of craft and from all over Wales, we paddled across Cardiff Bay to the steps of the Senedd to meet politicians showing our support for this important issue.

In March, following a winter of well attended pool sessions developing skills both as paddlers and coaches, a beginners’ course was commenced for 13 new paddlers. This is the maximum number we can accommodate in the pool and the highest number ever to take part in a beginners’ course. In fact an intensive weekend course was organised in July for 4 individuals unable to be included in this course. All beginners become club members and with other enquiries from paddlers asking to join, the club has added over 20 members this year. Outdoor Thursday night club trips started again on 27th May.

Our very active and enthusiastic junior section paddle every Tuesday evening and on 25th June, to offer them a new experience, their coach organised a day trip to Llandysul on grade 2 white water. This was a huge success with 3 of these juniors returning there with the whole club later in the year.

The club offers a variety of trips to appeal to as many members as possible; on Thursday evenings and every other weekend club members are out on the Pembrokeshire coast and in the estuary taking part in sea touring, surf kayaking, gentle paddles, rolling and skills sessions, overnight kayak camping, canoeing, plus white water sessions further inland.

Also in June, 3 members from HWKC traveled to Devon to receive coaching from Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson who are world renowned Greenland paddlers and coaches. The 3, who all have been paddling with Greenland sticks for a number of years and run a Greenland skills session every Sunday morning through summer months in Pembrokeshire, received coaching in Greenland rolling techniques. Much enthused, they returned and planned and organised an event for September. The Greenland sessions have offered opportunity for older and disabled kayakers to take part in a supportive and safe environment, gaining skills, keeping active and developing fitness.

July saw a club and family weekend at Llandysul. Everyone had the opportunity to try different boats, experience the white water, achieve new skills and generally have great fun and socialise.

As in previous years, HWKC provided swim cover for 2 events in Pembrokeshire’s prestigious sporting calendar. This is all done on a voluntary basis and is another indication of the club’s willingness to be involved and give back to the community. Without our participation these events cannot go ahead. On 24th June 10 members turned out for the swim leg of the Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon willingly getting out of bed to be at Broad Haven for 7am! In July again we turned out members to offer safety cover for the Long Course Weekend in Tenby.

September was really exciting as HWKC planned and delivered the first ever camping weekend dedicated to Greenland paddling and Greenland rolling techniques. This is not only a first for the club but a first in Wales and possibly UK! Paddlers from Wales and England attended and took part in workshops learning skills with the Greenland stick and developing a variety of Greenland rolls. The club recognises that interest in the traditional skills is growing and understands the lower impact these techniques can have on a paddler’s joints and muscles. Providing an opportunity for paddlers to have these new experiences and gain a wider skills range is at the heart of the club's ethos.

HWKC is a busy, vibrant, welcoming club. Where else can you take part in a range of kayaking experiences, have ongoing free coaching, use of club equipment, a great social life and all for £2 a trip after joining?"