The WCA Canoe Access Service

The WCA provides an access service which is free to members, and is available in limited form to non-members. WCA negotiates access agreements on behalf of members and undertakes to inform members of the terms under which those agreements are made. This includes many hours of voluntary work by local and regional access officers, liaising with statutory bodies, landowners and fishing interests. The cost of administration, travel, information sheets, signs etc. is borne by the members of the WCA via the Access budget. The voluntary access effort is supported by WCA staff.

All voluntary officers work without payment to maintain this and other permissive access agreements in Wales. Their work is financed in large part by the individual members of the WCA; they give freely of their time and expertise in order to promote canoeing in Wales.

Please leave sufficient time for them to reply when you contact them for information. Though many will accept phone calls, it is WCA policy to try to reply with written information whenever appropriate. Voluntary Access Officers have many other commitments, so do not expect them to reply at your convenience. Please remember that the information may change in response to conditions or incidents on the river - only the Local Access Officer will have an up-to-date picture of the current situation. If the LAO is not available or not in post, contact the RAO; if this is not satisfactory contact the WCA Office. In particular be aware that privately published guides often have out-of-date access information and even river information may be suspect - this is an inevitable consequence of the passage of time after their publication.

Access Information

WCA produces access information leaflets for major canoeing rivers for which it has obtained access agreements. Where access leaflets exist, the format of these has been followed in this booklet. While this does not provide a uniform approach, it allows the information to be presented in the way each LAO considers to the be most appropriate for that river. Wales is divided into regions:

• North Wales

• West Wales - Dyfed and the Gower

• River Usk /Wye Catchment

• River Taff/Ogwr, Severn & Tributaries (in Wales).

In addition the River Severn which flows into England offers good canoeing in its upper reaches and on some of its tributaries.

The game fishing season runs from March until October but in some areas from January until October.

All Access workers are approved by the Welsh Canoeing Association. When seeking information please do so in writing, enclosing a S.A.E. Allow plenty of time for a reply. Please do not telephone unless a number is given for you to do so.

If you encounter problems or conflicts, or wish to report environmental damage or incidents, 'phone WCA on 01678 521199. If you cannot contact the Local Access Officer for a North Wales river, 'phone Canolfan Tryweryn - 01678 521083, and someone will try to help you.

Access Officers

Gareth Kemble, 2 Bryn Teg, Rhydymain, Dolgellauk LL40 2DE - 07980 745616 - gareth.kemble@tiscali.co.uk

Vacant

Canolfan Tryweryn, Bala,.LL23 7NU Tel. 01678 520826

Chris Steele, Tan y Ffordd Ucha, Glan Conway, Colwyn Bay LL28 5PG. Tel. 01492 580616

Jackie Wynne-Freer, c/o Canolfan Tryweryn, Frongoch, Bala LL23 7NU 01678 521199

Nick Moore, Tandderwen, Pont Cyfyng, Capel Curig LL24 0EA - 01690 720301

Andy Hall, Arthog Centre, Dolgellau LL39 1BX. - 01341 250455

Franco Ferrero, Elidir, Ffordd Llanllechid, Rachub, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 3EE. - 01248 602287

David Crombie, c/o Canolfan Tryweryn, Frongoch Bala, LL23 7NU - 01286 870556 - info@boulderadventures.co.uk

Mark Downey, Cadair Owain, Llanfair, Nr Harlech, Gwynedd LL46 2SA

Phil Eccles, Faith, Ralph St, Borth Y Gest LL49 9UA.

Vacant

Nigel Dennis, NDK, Newry Beach Rd, Holyhead LL65 1YD - 01407 762525

Mark Lewis, PO Box 96, Caerphilly CF83 4YQ : 0778 9931093 : mark@markslewis.co.uk

Phil Keable, 28 Heol-y-Wern, Pontypandy, Caerphilly CF83 3EY

Pam Bell, Rose Cottage, Upper Cwm Nant Gam, Gilwern, Abergavenny NP7 0RF - 01873 831825 email: pam.wca@mountainandwater.co.uk

Paul Samuel, 12 Dan-y-Deri, Bedwas, Caerphilly CF83 8HR Tel: 029 20850710

email: paul-samuel@onetel.net

Tony & Angela Whitlock, Curlew Cottage, Heol-y-Gaer, Glasbury HR3 5NX.

Tel: 01497 847422

Vacant

Graham Symonds. 7 White Hill Close, Monmouth NP5 4FG. 01600 713461

Vacant

Malcolm Parfitt, 3 Skenfrith Cl., Grove Park, Blackwood NP2 1GD - 01495 227104

Nigel Whitehead, Oaklea, Crumlin Rd, Pontypool NP4 6AT - 01495 760090

Bridgend Canoe Club - 01656 662082

Janice Hearne, 52 Wern Oleu Rd, Hopkinstown, Ammanford, SA18 2JL - 01269 597769

Vacant

Gareth Bryant, Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Centre - 01559 362907

Sandy Buttle, 78 Gwyther St., Pembroke Dock, Dyfed & Paul & Tessa Settatree, Cunnigar, Fern Hill, Haverfordwest SA62 4ES.

Mark Frohwein, 14 Brondeg Lane, Alltwen, Pontardawe, Swansea SA8 3AE - 01792 865395

Severn & Tributaries (in Wales) (incl. Vyrnwy)

Dave Proctor, Capel Bethania, Cwm Cownwy, Llanwddyn

SY10 0NJ. 01691-870615